Taoyuan, Special municipality in northwestern Taiwan.
Taoyuan is an administrative unit in northwestern Taiwan that stretches across thirteen districts combining manufacturing plants, technology parks, and residential areas. The overall territory ranges from densely built industrial zones in the south to more rural areas near the mountains in the north, with several rivers flowing through the region.
The region changed during the 1950s from an agricultural zone with peach plantations to an industrial and technology center. This transformation attracted workers from across Taiwan and accelerated the expansion of infrastructure and housing throughout the territory.
Open markets sell Hakka dishes such as pickled radish and sticky rice cakes, while communities organize their yearly routines around temple ceremonies and religious processions. Residents use public parks in the early morning for Tai Chi and group exercise, followed by visits to street vendors serving traditional breakfast.
The international airport sits in the western part and serves as the main hub for travelers arriving in the northern part of the island. Buses and the high-speed rail connect different districts with each other as well as with Taipei and other major cities along the west coast.
A reservoir in the eastern part supplies more than three million people with water and generates electricity at the same time, while still providing irrigation systems for agricultural fields. This system combines water supply and energy production with support for local farming, which remains active in several districts.
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