Chung Yuan Christian University was founded in 1955 by Christian academics and is one of the largest private universities in northern Taiwan, with around 15,000 students. The campus itself is a mix of mid-century concrete and newer glassy buildings on a hillside about 2 km north-east of the centre, and the surrounding streets — particularly Chung Yuan Road — make up the most lively student quarter in the city.
There is no particular sight on campus, but the area around the main gate is full of small restaurants, bubble-tea shops, late-night cafes, and a livelier bar scene than the city centre offers. It is a useful stop in the evening if you are based in Zhongli for any length of time.