The Craft Glass Museum explains the industry that gave Hsinchu one of its more unusual identities. Glass production grew during the Japanese colonial period, first for practical and industrial uses, then for decorative work as local makers developed a craft scene.
The museum sits in the park behind the railway station, so it is easy to pair with a short walk through the older civic centre. It is a better stop than its modest size suggests, especially if you want to understand Hsinchu beyond temples and tech campuses.