Miaoli

Miaoli (苗栗市) is a city in Central Taiwan.

Understand
Miaoli is the main center of Hakka culture in Taiwan. Hakka cuisine and language differ significantly from those of the majority Taiwanese speakers in Taiwan.

Politically, due to its large Hakka population, Miaoli is considered to be a KMT stronghold, though the DPP has made inroads, particularly among the younger generation.

Talk
Hakka is the main local language in Miaoli, though most locals are able to speak Mandarin as well.

By car
Miaoli can be accessed from Taipei on the Sun-Yat Sen Expressway (中山高). The interchange is located to the south of the city.

By bus
Miaoli is served by intercity buses from Hsinchu and Taichung. The bus terminal is located next to the train station in the middle of Miaoli.

By train
Miaoli is served by both the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), and slower Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) trains on the Taichung Line.

Get around
Due to Miaoli's small size, buses run throughout the county but none specifically within Miaoli. Taxis can be found right outside the train station.

Sleep

 * Wang Fu Hotel (王府大飯店) is located near the train station. Turn left immediately after leaving the station, walk 50 m and the hotel will be on your right.
 * Li Hua Hotel (栗華大飯店) is a little farther away. If unfamiliar with Miaoli, perhaps a quick taxi trip for under NT$100 is preferable to getting lost.  It is located on the corner of ZhongHua Road (中華路) and YiMin Street (義民街).  The hotel has a restaurant on its first floor.