Nan Kang and Hsi Chi Branch | HESS EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION

HOME || About HESS / Branch Profiles / Nan Kang and Hsi Chi

This is the place anyone can call home, just a short trip from Taipei, but nestled comfortably in the sleepy mountains of Nan Kang, Hsi Chi is the perfect combination of urban convenience and rural freedom.

Just 15-20 minutes outside Taipei main station by train, Nan Kang and Hsi Chi have a total of 5 HESS branches, all within less than half an hour away from each other by bus, and only 15 minutes by scooter. Also about 20 minutes away from Keelung by scooter Nan Kang, Hsi Chi is the location away from it all, but easily within striking distance.

The population of Hsi Chi is a tiny 168,445, spread over about 17.62 square kilometers. Nan Kang has even less with 112,932 people over 21.8 square kilometers. There are 2 major highways connecting the area to Taipei central, and of course the railway, and the end of the Taipei MRT blue line, Kunyang station, is only about 5 minutes from the Nan Kang train station. Summer temperatures range from 20-38°, winter temperatures drop to about 12° in the rain at night.

Hsi Chi is a small town with a population of 168,448 over 17.62 square kilometers.

Located in Hsi Chi is one of Taiwan’s branches of Costco, a favorite place for foreigners to buy foreign favorites unavailable at other shopping centers. Also near the city center is a skating rink, for those ice dancing or hockey buffs, a real rarity in the hot and humid local climate. There are convenience stores on every corner, and a variety of supermarkets with a wide variety of Chinese delicacies and a smaller variety of western food stores including Carrefour and Wellcome, with a slightly diminished selection of western favorites, but still more than enough for even the most demanding consumer and those comfort food binges. All the major roads in Nan Kang, Hsi Chi are lined with all kinds of small shops where you can find great deals on cell phones, clothes, shoes and home electronics, or anything at all you could imagine if you care to look.

For nightlife, there are a variety of good quality local flair pub/restaurants in the area, and one of the largest nightclubs in Taiwan, Ministry of Sound opened up in nearby Nei Hu, only a 15 minute taxi ride from downtown Nan Kang or Hsi Chi. As well there are several night markets and KTV outlets in the area for those really wild times.

But life in Nan Kang, Hsi Chi isn’t just attractive because of the convenience; its real allure is the

Hsi Chi branch has been recently renovated with a sharp look and convenient layout.

location, nestled in the mountains like a sleepy farming village from the depths of Chinese legends. From almost anywhere in the cities it’s a 10-minute walk to the base of your closest hill, from where you can walk, drive or just chill out and enjoy the sanctity of nature away from the noise of traffic and the demands of modern urban life. The Waterfall Chee Dong Pu Pu is a short 15-minute drive from Hsi Chi city center where you can have the ultimate in outdoor escapes, along with nearby picnic areas and walking trails it’s a little piece of the country in the city.

Apartments in the area vary greatly, with 1 or 2 bedroom flats (occasionally furnished) for as little as NT$9,000, and some really big places (2-3 bedrooms, building amenities) for as much as NT$15,000 +, depending on the building and who you get to do your negotiating.

Even counting all of this, the best thing about Hsi Chi is definitely the people. Like the mix of country and city that describes the area, people are friendly but also professional and more than willing to go out of their way to help foreigners adapt to the local lifestyle.

The first HESS branches you will encounter in the area are the Nan Kang Kindergarten and Language School, separate branches but in the same building,

Hsi Chi is a small town with a population of 168,448 over 17.62 square kilometers.

and only across the street from the train station. They are fairly small branches, each having only 3 Native Speaking Teachers (NST's), but their friendly outlook and laid back attitudes are easy to be around with.

Jong Shing Branch. This new facility offers a large indoor exercise area.

Hsi Chi branch has been recently renovated with a sharp look and convenient layout.

The Jong Shing branch includes a kindergarten and a HLS. It is a new facility, and is located on the second floor of a shopping mall near the Lotus Hill residential area and on the major bus routes towards Taipei and Hsi Chi city center. There are loads of apartments available in the area, including right upstairs from the branch if one desires. There are a total of 5 NST's, most of whom share duties between the kindergarten and language school, in a very friendly and enthusiastic teaching environment.

The Hsi Chi Language School is located on the main road in Hsi Chi, across the street from the kindergarten. It is only a block from the train station and situated near major residential and commercial districts. The two branches share 8 teachers in relaxed, but very professional surroundings. These two branches have recently been renovated with a sharp look and convenient layout.