Chungli - Taoyuan

Before I came to Chiayi I lived in Chongli (aka Zhongli aka "the armpit of Taiwan").  Taiwan is a beautiful country, but like everyplace else it has a place that is the worst place.  From my experience, that place is Chungli.  I was there for a job (there are lots of people and lots of jobs there) and there aren't many other reasons to be there.

First the good: Chungli has a lot of southeast Asians.  If you like Indonesian, Thai, or Filipino food, this is the place.  There are a bunch of factories, and nearby there are lots of cheap spots to eat.  The Thai places in Neili serve delicious, large portions for about 70 nt per plate. It's relatively easy to buy fresh lemongrass, galanga, lime leaves, mint, pandan, thai chilis, shrimp paste, palm sugar, and other ingredients that aren't common in Taiwan.  For a day trip for lunch, if you can find those restaurants, you will have a delicious meal. 

But that's it.  Chungli has terrible traffic.  People drive like they are in the country but the population density is like Taipei.  Taipei police actually enforce some traffic laws, unlike Chungli.  There are many trucks servicing the factories and the roads are in terrible shape.  It rains a lot, and it is very windy making it feel particularly nasty.  Despite the wind, the air is often filled with foul odors and pollution that burns your eyes.  The buildings are generally ugly - stained by the rain and poorly designed.  Most of the nice, classical buildings were bulldozed long ago.  Public transportation is basically useless.  Taiwan is one of the friendliest places I have ever been, but Chungli people are surprisingly cold.  And with the exception of the southeast asian stuff, there isn't much that you want to see or do. I love Hakka food, but there is nothing that I found that comes close to what I had around Hsinchu.  The night markets aren't bad but certainly aren't special. I heard that there is some beauty out in the mountains, but I didn't have a car and it isn't super close or easy to get out there.  

Despite the fact that it is a vile place, the rents and real estate prices are high!  It's farther and less convenient than Keelung when it comes to getting to Taipei, but the rent I paid was about double a Keelung rent!  Shocking!  My advice is to stay away.