tourist destination in taichung taiwan

15 Best Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan (2023)

This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in our disclosure policy

A colorful, vibrant and fun city, there is an abundance of unique things to do in Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. We were initially drawn to the city to visit the quirky Rainbow Village and soon discovered that there are an abundance of places to visit in Taichung. After exploring Taichung and its surroundings, we’ve put together this list of the 15 best things to do in Taichung. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Taichung

From the insanely colourful Rainbow Village to the beautiful Zhongshe Flower Market and the mouthwatering Feng Chia night market it’s hard to narrow down what to do in Taichung. These are our 15 Taichung favourites:

How to get to Taichung

This is the most popular way to get to Taichung from Taipei is by the Taipei High Speed Rail (THSR) and takes only 40 minutes from any of the major stations in Taipei (Taipei Main Station, Banqiao, Nangang station).

The trains are super-fast and frequent and West Taichung is easily explored from the train station. You can book your tickets in advance at discounted prices on the Klook app – check prices now!

Click here to buy your rail ticket now

1 | Rainbow Village

Rainbow Village is a tiny settlement in the Nantun District of Taichung which is famous for its vibrantly painted houses and streets. It is one of the most colorful spots in Taiwan and visiting Rainbow Village is one of our favorite things to do in Taichung.

The story behind Rainbow Village is truly inspiring. It began like the many military villages scattered throughout Taichung and Taiwan. These villages are constructed of cheaply built houses that were given to soldiers who fled mainland China and which have deteriorated badly over the years.

Developers moved in to buy up and redevelop the land. With just 11 of the original 1,200 houses remaining in Rainbow Village, a former soldier Mr Huang (now affectionately known as Grandpa) refused to leave and began painting buildings in the village with vibrant colors. The images depict toys, animals, manga characters and the village is uplifting and fun.

Over 1 million people now visit the village every year and, on some days, Grandpa makes a star appearance. He still lives in the village and continues to paint!

Best things to do in Taichung tip: Rainbow Village is immensely popular with tourists and, as a result, can get a little overcrowded at times. We recommend visiting first thing in the morning: it’s relatively quiet until the tourist buses begin to arrive about 30 minutes after opening.

Sim Card and Internet

As with most countries, having mobile data during a trip is invaluable for navigation and research. There are lots of options on arrival at Taipei’s Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) – we reserved a Chunghwa Telecom 4g sim through Klook who offer a slightly discounted rate on the airport price – check prices now!

  Buy your SIM card now!

Where to Stay in Taichung

Taichung is a surprisingly large city and choosing where to stay can be tricky. We recommend:

• CityInn Hotel Plus – Taichung Station Branch –  we loved the CityInn brand in Taiwan. Located in east Taichung beside the main train station, the CityInn Hotel Plus is a great option. Rooms are clean and modern and the extra facilities like free common areas with coffee/refreshments and on-site laundry are invaluable –   click here to book now!
• La Vida Hotel –  Regularly rated as one of the best hotels in Taichung, La Vida Hotel is a great option for those who want easy access to the Feng Chia Night Market. With European designed rooms the hotel is super comfortable and great for a stay in Taichung –     click here to book now!
• The Hung’s Mansion  – where we chose to stay in Taichung. It’s a great option if you are driving like we were. With free parking, large comfortable rooms and great food, Hungs Mansion is also a short walk to the incredible Feng Chia Night Market –   click here to book now!

Click here for the best Taichung hotel prices

2 | 921 Earthquake Museum

On Tuesday 21 September 1999 a devastating earthquake hit the centre of Taiwan. Known as the Jiji earthquake, it measured 7.3 on the Richter Scale. Almost 2,500 people lost their lives and over 100,000 Taiwanese were left homeless. The 921 Earthquake museum opened in 2001 and is a lasting memorial to that day.

The museum is located on the site of the former Guangfu High School, part of which crosses the fault on which the earthquake occurred. The damaged buildings and subsided ground still stand as they did after the earthquake struck.

The museum is a poignant memorial to the people who died and were affected to the quake and we highly recommend taking a few hours to visit this unique museum.

3 | Taichung Industries and Creative Park

Originally a traditional brewery, the 5.6acre Taichung Industries and Creative Park is a repurposed art, design and cultural venue where sculptors, writers, painters and performers showcase their talents. The park contains restaurants, art studios, craft stores, bazaars, exhibitions and a museum. There are various creative parks located around Taiwan with the Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taipei another of our favorites.

4 | Chun Shui Tang – The home of Bubble Milk Tea

Taiwan is heralded as the country which introduced Bubble Tea to the world and Taichung is touted as the original city of this incredible drink.

For the uninitiated, Bubble Tea (also known as Boba or Milk Pearl Tea) is served cold and comes in a variety of flavors. The basic ingredients are tea, milk, chewy tapioca balls, ice and an assortment of toppings. It generally comes in a sealed cup that you pierce with a large straw, allowing you to drink the cold tea and also suck the tapioca chewy tapioca at the same time.

On a hot day, bubble tea is incredibly refreshing and is one of the best drinks we’ve had on our travels!

Although it’s hotly debated, Taichung’s Chun Shi Tang store is considered the home of the original bubble tea. It was first sold back in the 1980s when the Bubble Tea obsession began in Taiwan.

The bubble tea here is the original version, containing just tea, milk, sugar and tapioca served in a signature blue cup and it really is delicious.

5 | Confucius Temple

Taichung’s Confucius Temple is one of over 20 temples dedicated to Confucius, a great Chinese teacher and philosopher, in Taiwan. The temple dates back to 1899 but the current structure is from the 1970s. The temple is a lovely retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city and the architecture is magnificent.

Best things to do in Taichung tip: if you happen to be in Taichung on September 28, Confucius birthday, make sure to stop by the temple to witness the Chinese ceremonies which take place to commemorate the day.

6 | Zhongshe Flower Market

Located a short drive from central Taiwan is another Taichung highlight, the Zhongshe Flower Market. The Zhongshe Flower market is a flower market with manicured gardens and Instagram worthy props.

Like Rainbow Village, the colours at the Zhongshe Flower garden are incredible. With beautiful water features, colourful flowers and picture perfect photo spots it’s easy to spend half a day here exploring all the parts of the garden.

We had a lot of fun wandering through the gardens and posing at the awesome photo spots: our favourites are the piano in the lavender field, the sunflower field and the photo frames against the mountain backdrop.

Zhongshe is also a really popular barbeque spot where lots of locals gather for an afternoon barbeque at the on-site restaurant.

7 | Lavender Cottage Farm

From November to April the purple lavender filled fields at Lavender Cottage are a beautiful place to visit.

Lavender Cottage was set up by two farm loving ladies who quit their city jobs to grow lavender in the mountains outside Taichung. With its stunning lavender gardens, laid back coffee shop, a Wishing Tree and local arts and crafts Lavender Cottage Farm is a great afternoon jaunt from Taichung.

8 | I’m Talato

Taiwan shares its love of themed restaurants with Japan and is home to quirky cafes such as the poo themed Modern Toilet and the alpaca themed Oia Café in Taipei.

In Taichung we loved I’m Talato, an ice cream store famous for both its ice-cream and the ice-cream swimming pool filled with giant ice cream floats. The pool makes I’m Talato extremely popular with Instagram lovers and the shop is usually very busy.

I’m Talato served its ice cream in an upside-down ice-cream cone and it’s really delicious. We highly recommend the matcha ice-cream which is a specialty of theirs.

9 | Feng Chia/ Fengjia Night Market

Taichung is home to one of the biggest and best night markets in Taiwan, the Feng Chia Night Market.

Located next to Taichung’s Feng Chia University, the market’ was a short walk from our hotel (Hungs Mansion) and was so much fun to explore. The market is packed with amazing food and clothes options: our favorite specialities were grilled scallops on a stick, the pork box and fried chicken cutlets

Things to do in Taichung Tip: The market is open most evenings between 7pm and 10pm and it starts to get really busy after 8pm. We tried to get there just after opening when the crowds were smaller and it was easier to explore the market.

10 | Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is a scenic 90minute drive from the centre of Taichung. It is one of the gems of Taiwan and is one of its most popular tourist attractions.

Many visitors rent bikes to explore the cycle path which circles the turquoise blue waters of Sun Moon Lake. There’s also a gondola cable car which offers beautiful views of the lake and connects it with the Formosa Aboriginal Cultural Village.

The Ci-En Pagoda and the Wen-Wu Temple are popular Sun Moon Lake sights.

The 8 story Ci-En Pagoda requires a short uphill hike and is renowned for its views over the lake while the Chinese style Wen-Wu is vibrant and loud and there are lovely views of the lake over the burnt orange rooftops.

Best things to do in Taichung tip: the drive between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake takes about 75 minutes so we preferred to base ourselves in Taichung. Sun Moon Lake accommodation tends to be more expensive given its tourist draw and we were happy to drive.

11 | Eat Pineapple Cakes in Miyahara

Famous for its ice cream, chocolate and pineapple cakes, Miyahara is a popular dessert shop in Taichung. Once the home of the Taichung Health Bureau, Miyahara is located in a red brick building with an interior designed to resemble Hogwarts Harry Potter movies!

Best things to do in Taichung tip: there are often long lines at Miyahara so try and visit close to opening or later in the evening when it is less busy.

12 | Totoro Bus Stop

If you are a fan of the 1980’s Japanese animated film My Neighbour Totoro, then a visit to the Totoro Bus Stop is a Taichung essential. It featured in the scene where Satsuki waited for her father at the bus stop and Totoro gave her shelter from the rain.

13 | Animation Alley

Known locally as Painted Animation Lane, Animation Alley is located on a quiet set of small side streets in down downtown Taichung. With everything from manga comic characters to Super Mario and the Minions, it is fun exploring the streets to discover the many hidden pieces of street art strewn throughout the area.

Best things to do in Taichung tip: Animation Alley is a great stop for kids familiar with the cartoon characters and adults nostalgic for the heroes of days gone by!

14 | The Kaomei Wetlands

The Kaomei Wetlands are the perfect escape from the chaotic Taichung city life. The tidal flat is renowned for its stunning sunsets and is home to beautiful wildlife including thousands of crabs and birds. Catch the sea breeze on the specially built boardwalk and enjoy the sunset and the marine life.

Best things to do in Taichung tip: bring a jacket as the boardwalk is often breezy and it can be very chilly late in the evenings.

15 | Calligraphy Greenway

The Calligraphy Greenway is a tree-lined boulevard which runs between the National Museum of Natural Science and National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. The design is calligraphy inspired and the 3.6km walkway is home to open-air art. The route includes the arts and crafts heavy Fantasy Story, art museums, restaurants and the CMP Block Museum of Arts, Taichung’s living museum which often hosts interactive exhibitions.

For more on Taiwan

Check out our other Taiwan reads:

• our 30 best things to do in Taipei
• a two week Taiwan itinerary
• our ultimate Taipei itinerary
• a guide to renting a car in Taiwan

6 thoughts on “15 Best Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan (2023)”

Hi! Nice photos. I am excited to visit Taichung this coming December.

Such a fun city! Have fun!

How was driving in Taiwan? Also, which rental car company did you use?

We found the driving totally fine! We picked up our car after exploring Taipei and used it to visit Taichung, Alishan, Taroko Gorge and Kenting as well as a few other stops! We booked with RentalCars.com and rented with Avis through them. We have an post with all the details on how we found it – it’s tips for renting a car in Taiwan if you want to read!

Have a great trip

Hello! How many days in Taichung do you recommend?

I would say two is great to see most of the city highlights.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Disclaimer:  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Taiwanese Secrets Travel Guide

Top 20 Attractions & Things to Do in Taichung

There’s a lot to see and do in Taichung city these days. But you wouldn’t know it if you only checked the guidebooks. Even the Lonely Planet only shows the biggest attractions, but ignores a lot of important sights. Let me show you my Taichung!

Most guidebooks describe Taichung like it was 20 years ago – just a transit point to other destinations like Sun Moon Lake . Make no mistake, Taichung is packed with unusual attractions, fun things to do, charming cafes , street food, night markets, temples, and a few decent bars .

I’ve been living in Taichung City since 2000, so I know the place like the back of my hand. I can help you discover the best museums, temples, markets, hotels, restaurants , parks, shopping areas, &  nightlife.

The two main reasons why I’ve lived in Taichung for so long, are the good weather  and relative  proximity to everything in Taiwan . OK, I have to be honest, there are two other reasons: my wife is from here, and Pizza Rock ‘s office is also in TC.

At the bottom of this page, you’ll find a  map  with all the tourist attractions listed here.

Table of Contents

The Middle City 台中

The middle city, or the “city in the center” is exactly what Taichung means. By the way, the proper way to spell Taichung in roman Pinyin is Taizhong. Tai (for Taiwan), zhong = center, middle

Popular Taichung Attractions

Rainbow village – 台中彩虹均村.

Rainbow Village is Taichung’s newest and hottest attraction! This colorful compound of old military houses was made famous within few months,  thanks to thousands of photos and videos being uploaded and shared on social media. Now, this “attraction” is featured in travel guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, and other popular ones in Japan, China, and other Asian Countries. The whole place was painted by Mr. Wong, a very old KMT veteran who can be seen at the village on most days.

It’s a bit out of the city center, in a pretty uninspiring area. To get to Rainbow Village, take bus #27 from Taichung Train Station. Address:  Lane 56,Chun An Road, Nantun District, 台中市南屯區春安路56巷

National Taichung Theater

The building design of the National Theater alone brings hordes of people to its ground to marvel at the curved lines of this architectural feat. If you are in Qiqi 七期 area, the ultra-modern skyscraper district of Taichung, you must visit the popular and iconic structure, which is also home to the Opera House. It will provide you with some of the best photo ops during your trip to the city – guaranteed!

The area near the National Taichung Theater is also home to two of the most popular malls in the city: Mitsukoshi 新光三越, and Top City. They are only three minute walk away from here, and are right next to each other, on Taiwan Boulevard 台灣大道.

This area of Taichung is modern and has some of the nicest parks and sidewalks where it’s really pleasant to stroll around. Quite a few restaurants and cafes have opened in this neighborhood the past few years.

Chinese : Táizhōng Guójiā Gējù Yuàn 臺中國家歌劇院 Address : 101, Section 2, Huilai Road, Xitun District

Check programs and events on the National Taichung Theater’s website.

Audit Village (Aka. Slow Village)

Located just north of the Art Museum, Slow Village use to be a residential housing neighborhood for civil servants. It has been turned into a cute pedestrian-only hipster area full of workshops, art studios, cafes, and stands that sell crafts and gifts. It’s a cultural hub where young creative minds, artists, craft-lovers meet on weekends to hold pop-up markets. It’s a warm and welcoming space where you can wander around the stalls, enjoy coffee or craft beer, feel the vibe of the city.

Chinese: 審計新村 Shěnjì xīncūn or 小蝸牛市集 Xiǎo wōniú shì jí Address : No.8, Aly. 4, Ln. 368, Minsheng Rd., West Dist.

Parks and Waterways

This one is not a single attraction, but a collection of parks, canals, and waterways around the city. I have dedicated a whole page about these parks and canals where you can walk, relax, take pictures… The best way to discover Taichung is by walking, in my opinion, and this page will give you some ideas. Walking Guide to Taichung Parks and Canals.

Donghai University – Luce Memorial Chapel

It is said that I.M. Pei (Luce Memorial Chapel’s architect) had praying hands in mind when he designed this striking landmark. The tent-like structure is located within the appealing grounds of Donghai University, about 8km west of the new downtown area.

Donghai is one of my favorite places in Taichung to walk in nature. The campus is like a massive forest with beautiful tall trees, ponds, creeks, meadows, and birds.  Tunghai Art Street and Tunghai Night Market are also worth exploring.

Xiangshang Market – 向上市場

Xiangshang traditional market is not an actual tourist attraction and you won’t find it listed in guidebooks, but it’s worth a visit if you want to experience what daily life is for many local Taiwanese.

I have brought many friends and first-time Taichung visitors here and everyone seems to find the experience memorable. The busy market offers lots of good photo ops. I have personally been buying my veggies there since 2000, and I still enjoy the hustle and bustle found on weekends when hundreds of people gather at Xiangshang’s narrow streets and alleys to buy fruit, veggies, meat, clothes, and snacks. Hours: 8:00am to approximately 12:00 noon is when the market is at its busiest.

Confucius Temple

Wether or not you’re interested in China’s most famous philosopher doesn’t really matter. The simple sight of this massive architectural marvel is worth the trip. Every year, on September 28, a  ceremony is held at dawn to honor the sage and it’s a good opportunity to witness ancient Chinese rituals. The temple was completed in 1976.

Shin Sei Green Waterway (Luchuan Canal)

If you’re in the old part of Taichung, near the train station , you should check out the historically significant Shin Sei Green Waterway, also called Lyu Chuan Canal. Walking around here is very nice, especially at night. On both sides of the waterway, you can see some interesting and typical Taiwanese architecture from the 70s and 80s, where practicality was the main drive behind design. The area is going through a slow revitalization and it seems like more restaurants and cafes are opening here, as rent prices are unreasonably high in newer parts of the city. Miyahara Ice Cream Shop  is along this canal.

Baojue Temple And The Happy Buddha

The Taiwanese like to make things BIG! And their places of worship don’t escape that tendency. At Baojue Temple, Milefo, the  giant smiling Buddha , sits on a hollow pedestal that is also used as a meeting chamber.

The Green Belt – Calligraphy Greenway

Walking along the Green Belt between the Science Museum and the Art Museum is one of the nicest things to do in Taichung, especially on a sunny day. Along the way, you’ll pass restaurants, cafes, and one of the cities biggest park (People’s Park) as well as Eslite Park Lane Mall where the best bookstore in town is found.

Taiwan Museum of Art

This art museum exhibits both Taiwanese and foreign art in a modern building located along the green belt. The plaza in front of the museum is always very lively and it’s a good place to observe  taichi  practitioners around 6am. The walk from here to the Science Museum along the Green Belt is highly recommended and will be a highlight of your trip to Taichung.

2 Wuquan West Road Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm; admission free; UBus #75 Check exhibitions, collections, events on the Taichung Art Museum website

National Museum of Natural Science

If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss the Science Museum. It has interactive exhibits, an  Imax Space Theater, and a life-sized dinosaur reconstruction. Even if you’re not traveling with kids, the area around the museum is nice and quiet. Great place to enjoy nature in the city and take an evening stroll. The walk to or from the Art Museum along the Green Belt is beautiful.

1 Guanqian Road, Taichung Tue-Sun, 8am-5pm; admission adult/kid NT100/50, Imax NT70/30; city bus #88, 103

National Botanical Garden

Like the Science Museum, the garden isn’t the most exhilarating attraction in town for adults and is probably more engaging for kids. Still, this landmark has great surroundings to chill out and the  tropical rainforest  in the covered area looks quite real. For some, the architecture might be worth the tripin itself.

Located behind the Science Museum Tue-Sun, 8am-5pm; admission adult/kid NT20/10

Fengchia Night Market

Considered by many as being the best night market in Taiwan for the variety and quality of its street food, cleanliness, cheap prices, and friendliness of the vendors. Be sure to reserve one night for Fengchia Night Market, you won’t regret it!

Maple Garden

Maple Garden (aka Mapple Valley) is a nice little oasis on the edge of Qiqi District, where the famous National Theater is located. I mostly recommend this park for photographers who want to show what kind of contrast Taichung has – nature vs. city. It is a sort of symbol for Taichung, as the battle between old and new, cutting-edge replacing traditional, seems to be the main theme in town these days.

Taichung Folklore Park

Taichung’s Folklore Park is an old Taiwanese mansion built in ancient Chinese-style architecture. This is one of the only places in the city where you can view this kind of classical design. There is a park in front of the mansion, and for that reason some travellers consider it as a good option if travelling with kids. Address: 73, Sec. 2, Lushun Rd., Beitun District Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm, closed on Monday

Taichung Park

This is where the city was born. If you find yourself in the old downtown area, come by to see the two  iconic pavilions , rowboat, or just people-watch while walking on tranquil tree-lined paths.  (1km north of the train station)

Walking Guide to Taichung Parks and Canals.

God of Literature Temple

Stressed out about an upcoming exam? Don’t be! Join dozens of Taiwanese students who come here every day to ask the  God of literature  for divine help in passing tests… and while you’re in the area, take a look at  Taichung’s oldest temple.

Nantian Temple – God Of War

If you’re a photo enthusiast, you’ll enjoy shooting the  48m-high God of War  seated above a tiger on Nantian Temple. The red-faced, red handed deity is said to be worshiped by rebels and criminal gangs. This place is not a must, only visit if you happen to be in that area.  (daily 6:30am-10pm; Ziyou Rd, East district; admission free; city bus #33)

Taichung Second Market

Established during the Japanese colonial era, Taichung’s Second Market 第二市場 is one of the best places in the city to witness “real” traditional Taiwanese city life the way it was 30 years ago. My mother in law still goes there to buy veggies and meat before cooking for a family gathering on birthdays, Chinese New Year, and other holidays. This market is still popular for fabric.

Address : 87, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion

The Lin Family Mansion and Garden in Wufeng is the former residence of one of the five wealthiest and most influential families who immigrated from mainland China in the 19th century. The history of this place is long and complicated, the reason you want to get here is not. You want to walk around and take pictures. It is by far one of the most photogenic ancient buildings in Taiwan proper. The complex construction started in 1864, during the Qing Dynasty. Most people combine a trip here with the 921 Earthquake Museum. Entrance is 250NT$ per person.

Chinese Name: Wùfēng Lín Jiāzhái Yuán 霧峰林家宅園 Address : Minsheng Road No. 42 and 28 Laiyuan Road No. 91

Tuniu Hakka Cultural Hall

This old, rebuilt Hakka three-section compound (  sān hé yuàn 三合院) is not on the usual list of things to do in Taichung, because it’s a bit out of town, in Shigang District. It’s also not a very popular attraction because there isn’t much English information available. So why include it here? Because it’s very colorful and photogenic, and it’s one of the only ancient building which has this kind of architecture in Taichung City.

Some parts of the buildings were destroyed during the 921 earthquake, but subsequently fixed by the government. There’s a pond in front of the front gate, and the best pictures can be taken from the other side – which I didn’t do. Next time…

Tuniu Hakka Cultural Hall 土牛客家文化館 Address : 10, Decheng Lane, Fengshi Rd, Shigang District Address in Chinese: 422台中市石岡區豐勢路德成巷10號

Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地

The Gaomei Wetlands are about 25km outside Taichung city center, by the Taiwan Strait. It gets quite busy on weekends, as it’s one of the most popular spots in Taichung to watch the sunset and get beautiful views of the coastline. You can also see wind turbines farm here – it’s the windiest place on the island. Bring proper hiking sandals if you want to walk around the wetlands. And pack a windproof jacket! Gaomei is a cool place to visit if you have extra time, but I would not call it a must-see. If you make it all the way here, you can combine a visit to the world-famous Chen Lan Temple (鎮瀾宮) in Dajia.

Taichung City to Gaomei Wetlands

You can get to Gaomei Wetlands from Qingshui Train Station by catching bus #178 or 179. If you have your own car or scooter, just take Taiwan Boulevard all the way west toward Shalu, then head north on the 17. You’ll see the sign for Gaomei after 3 kilometers.

As usual, I always try to find a nice place to have coffee when I go anywhere, and I found such a good spot near Gaomei Wetlands. It’s called Gao Mei Mi Cafe. Strong Americano is 130NT$. You can sit on the second floor to have a good view of the Taiwan Strait. Address : No. 868 Gaomei Road, Qingshui District Phone : 04-2611-3878 Business Hours: Closed on Monday, open from 11am-6:30pm

• Hiking, Camping, Hot Spring in Dakeng

If you’ve had enough of the city and the pollution, or feel like going for a quick hike / hot spring, consider Dakeng, Taichung’s most popular hiking destination. The Dakeng Scenic Area is home to 10 trails, beautiful forests, a hot spring resort, a campground, and some fine Chinese temples. Read more about Dakeng  here.

Map of Taichung Attractions

Info About Taichung

Where is taichung.

Taichung is located right in the middle of the island on the west coast where the  High-Speed Railway (HSR)  runs from  Taipei  to  Kaohsiung . The normal train (TRA), highways, public and private bus lines can also take you everywhere around Taiwan with relative ease.

Many travelers base themselves in Taichung to visit attractions in Central Taiwan such as Sun Moon Lake , Hehuanshan , and Lugang .

Which District to Stay in Taichung?

Taichung is a very large city and, unfortunately, if you don’t have your own scooter or car, it can be a challenge traveling around using public transportation. So I always tell people to find a place to stay as centrally as possible. That means sticking to the area around the Green Belt / Calligraphy Parkway in the West District. 

To be more precise, I wouldn’t want to be further than 1km away from the corner of Gongyi Road and Zhongming South Road. Everything within this radius is considered to be within THE ZONE. This area is walkable and safe. This is where you’ll find the highest concentration of restaurants, cafes, bars, attractions in Taichung.

What about the Train Station Area?

Taichung’s train station area is surely going through a sort of “ rebirth “. Few years ago I would have told you to avoid it, but these days it’s nice again. It’s definitely one of the most vibrant part of Taichung, there’s a mix of old and new, tons of street food opportunities, and a big population of Southeast Asians. There’s a lot of budget accommodations, cheap hostels, B&B near the Taichung Train Station, so it’s popular with backpackers.

Best Food in Taiwan?

There is a saying that if a restaurant can last for 3 years in Taichung, it will be able to do well in other cities around the island. This implies that Taichung locals know good food. There is also this unspoken agreement that Taichung restaurants set the highest standard in Taiwan. Some of the most famous chains were born here, Wangping, Chun Shui Tang…

Food is obviously another reason why tourists love Taichung. Due to the large amount of foreigners that now call Taichung home, there is an ever-growing selection of international restaurants that serve everything from Greek to Indian at reasonable prices. The central Taiwanese metropolis also has a vibrant nightlife , and tons of modern cafes .

Check my favorite restaurants in Taichung.

Taichung Weather

Taichung’s weather is not as wet as Taipei’s  up north, and not as hot as  Kaohsiung down south. The Central Mountain Range also protects the city from the powerful typhoons that hit the island every summer. Overall, Taichung gets much less rain and wind than other parts of Taiwan.

Check the CWB website for Taichung weather forecast.

Pollution in Taichung

Pollution in Taichung was a serious issue between 2014 and 2018. Skies were grey, visibility was bad, PM 2.5 readings were through the roof, and residents were seriously concerned for their health. Luckily, the past 2 years (I’m writing this late 2020) things have been better and you no longer need to wear a mask when going outside. We still have some days when air isn’t super clean, but overall, it’s definitely improved and clear skies are the norm again.

More about Taichung air pollution here…

Accommodation – Hotels – Guesthouses

Check out availability and prices for accommodation in the city. You should make a reservation if you plan on coming here on a weekend or holiday.  Book a hotel in Taichung now! 

Taichung Links

• Taichung Restaurants
• Transportation, bus, train, HSR
• Best place to rent a scooter in Taichung
• Shopping Malls 
• Taichung MRT
• Shopping Guide
• Organic Food Stores Map
• Info and pictures about the air pollution crisis in TC

Places of interest near Taichung:

Lugang : temples, ancient Chinese culture

Changhua : gateway to Baguashan, a nice Confucius Temple

Baguashan : A giant Buddha sculpture (22m-high), temple

Sun Moon Lake : Taiwan’s biggest lake

Dakeng : Hiking trails

Sanyi : Wood sculpting, tea, countryside, Hakka food

Cinjing: Beautiful hill station surrounded by picturesque rolling meadows, gateway to Taroko National Park , Hehuanshan , and the mighty Central Mountain Range.

Return to Taiwanese-Secrets Homepage

Taichung Tourism

Customized travels, discover more charming themes, experiencing tours, popular attractions.

A Travel Guide to Taichung, Taiwan’s Middle City

Taichung City is literally Taiwan’s “middle city”, according to its name tai (臺) for Taiwan + zhong (中) meaning “middle”.

For many travelers, Taichung is a stepping stone to famous attractions like Sun Moon Lake , Cingjing Farm , and Hehuanshan in the mountains of neighboring Nantou county .

But don’t rush through! There are several reasons to stay in Taichung city for a day or two. These include Miyahara Ice Cream (and its partner store Fourth Credit Union ), Chun Shui Tang (birthplace of bubble tea), and Feng Chia Night Market .

Outside of the city center, big-name attractions like Rainbow Village , Zhongshe Flower Market , Gaomei Wetland , and Lihpao Discovery Land are a few more.

Consider getting the Klook Taichung Pass , which can save you money during your Taichung trip.

Table of Contents

Taichung City Introduction

Taichung lies between Miaoli to the north and Changhua to the south.

Originally Taiwanese aboriginal territory, Taichung was the capital of Taiwan for a brief period in the late 1800s, between when the capital was moved from Tainan to Taipei .

In 2010, Taichung city and Taichung county (a vast area that encompassed the high mountains of Shei-Pa National Park and almost reaches Taroko Gorge on the eastern side of Taiwan) were merged , so the entire area is now called Taichung City. The same thing has happened in Taoyuan , Tainan , and Kaohsiung .

This so-called “city” is home to 2.8 million people, making it the third largest city in Taiwan, after New Taipei City and Kaohsiung City (though technically, Taipei + New Taipei is Taiwan’s largest population center). Only about half of Taichung residents live in the actual city center, or original Taichung city area before it was merged with the large county.

Taichung city keeps developing and attracting more people. Taiwanese people view it as a cheaper alternative to Taipei, not to mention the better weather. In 2021, the Taichung MRT opened, with a single Green Line. Several more lines are currently being planned.

Giant, the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, started in Taichung in 1972.

Getting to Taichung

Taichung International Airport has a limited number of direct flights to other Asian countries (see which budget airlines fly to Taichung and find the cheapest flights here ). Taichung is well connected to other cities on the highly developed west coast of Taiwan.

If you’re coming from Yilan , Hualien , or elsewhere on the east coast, there may be a few direct trains, but you’ll have more options if you transfer in Taipei.

If you plan to use Taichung as a base for visiting places in Sun Moon Lake, Cingjing Farm, and Hehuanshan, I highly recommend renting a car at Taichung HSR station like I did !

High Speed Rail

The HSR only runs down the west coast of Taiwan. It only takes about 1 hour to reach Taichung from Taipei or from Zuoying (Kaohsiung). If you’re coming from Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport, you can ride the Airport MRT to Taoyuan station, from where it’s a 40-minute HSR ride to Taichung.

However, one consideration is that the Taichung High Speed Rail station is outside of the city center, to the west of the city.

The HSR from Taipei to Taichung costs TWD 790, more than twice as much as the TRA (regular) train. You can get an early bird price on HSR tickets if you book them early enough (28 to 30 days in advance) on the official site or 20% off if you book them on Klook .

Find more info how how to book either way in my HSR ticket booking guide .

TRA (Regular) Train

TRA trains from Taipei to Taichung cost TWD 241 to 375 and take 2 to 3.5 hours. On the plus side, they will arrive Taichung Station in the city center, close to most hotels and attractions.

Book your TRA tickets on the TRA website up to 28 days in advance. You can also just show up at the station and swipe an EasyCard to board most trains (except express ones), but you may not get a seat.

Find out here how to buy mobile tickets (e-tickets) for trains in Taiwan .

Several bus companies operate buses from Taipei and other major cities on the west coast to Taichung. You can buy tickets for them online here .

There are a few major bus stations in Taichung. Chao Ma Bus Station is somewhat close to Feng Chia Night Market in the northwest of the city center, while most intercity buses start / end at Taichung Bus Terminal just north of the train station.

Some buses, for example ones to Sun Moon Lake and to Cingjing Farm , stop at the collection of bus company offices called Gancheng Station , which is one block north of Taichung train station, or on the street just outside the north side of the station. See more info in my guide to getting from Taichung to Cingjing .

There are also shared / private transfers to Sun Moon Lake and shared / private transfers to Cingjing Farm .

Getting Around Taichung

If you arrive by HSR , you’ll need to take a taxi (20 minutes) or local train from Xinwuri station (connected to the HSR station) to Taichung Station in the city center. Consider visiting Rainbow Village first, which is somewhat close to the HSR station.

You could also ride the MRT Green Line from the HSR station to Wenxin Yinghua station, which is 15 minutes on foot from Feng Chia Night Market – some people choose to stay around the night market instead of around Taichung Station in the city center.

You can cover the main attractions of Taichung city center on foot , around Taichung train station. Hiring a YouBike will be very handy, as the sights are a little spread out.

Until they build more MRT lines, you’ll need to take some taxis or ride local buses to reach sights like Feng Chia Night Market , National Taichung Theate r, and 921 Earthquake Museum .

Despite what many English language articles report, local buses in Taichung are only free for citizens / Taichung residents who have registered their card. As a traveler, you’ll need to pay, but Taichung buses are very cheap (price charged according to distance). Swipe your EasyCard when you get on and again when you get off.

For the most convenience, you can hire a private driver for the day in Taichung. You can also rent a car or scooter for exploring Taichung.

Where to Stay in Taichung

The most popular and convenient area to stay in Taichung is around the train station in the Taichung city center. Most attractions are in the area north of the train station.

For budget travelers, I recommend Norden Ruder Hostel (see on Booking / Agoda ), which has an amazing 12F view of the city.

For families and mid-range travelers, I recommend the super friendly Central Land Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda , also called Old School), RedDot (see on Agoda ), which has a super cool slide into the lobby, or the nicely designed Blue Sky Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ).

In the luxury category, Windsor Hotel Taichung (see on Booking / Agoda ) is the city’s finest hotel.

Some travelers also choose to stay around Feng Chia Night Market, for the convenience of going directly from the famous market to their hotel. From cheaper to more expensive, try Green Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ), Beacon Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ), Hotel 7 (see on Booking / Agoda), or La Vida Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ).

Top Things to Do in Taichung

In Taichung city center, the area north of Taichung Station has a handful of attractions that you can visit in a half day on foot.

The Harry Potter-like Miyahara Ice Cream is extremely popular (expect long lines) while Fourth Credit Union nearby is less busy and has the same ice cream. Nearby, Taiwan Sun Cake Museum honors in the invention of sun cakes (太陽餅) in a cool heritage building. You can taste/buy them and learn all about their history.

Chun Shui Tang Si Wei Original Store , where pearl milk tea was supposedly invented, is also a top spot.

Taichung Cultural Heritage Park , Taichung Second Market , Painted Animation Lane , Taichung Park , Shenji New Village , Calligraphy Greenway , and Yizhong Street Night Market are other sights worth considering.

National Museum of Natural Science (with moving dinosaurs) National Taichung Theater (popular photo spot), and Fengchia Night Market are northwest of the city center.

To the west of the city near the HSR station Rainbow Village is Taichung’s most famous attraction. After a whole year of being closed after it was defaced, it has finally reopened but will look a little different than before. Expect about an hour to get there by bus.

South of the city center, Wufeng Lin Family Garden , Guangfu New Village , and 921 Earthquake Museum are a collection of cool attractions that could be a half-day trip. East of the city center, Lavender Cottage (lavender season is January and February) and Xinshe Castle are popular but not super easy to reach.

Going even further from the city, but to the north, Zhongshe Flower Market , Gaomei Wetland , Lihapao Discovery Land , or HouFeng Bikeway are all popular. Consider each one a half-day trip. Choose two and that would be a full day trip, as it takes time to travel between them.

Just outside of the city, Dakeng Scenic Area (大坑風景區) is considered the Yangmingshan of Taichung, with network of hiking trails and a few hot spring hotels.

Last but not least, eastern Taichung city stretches 100 kilometers to the eastern side of Taiwan. You can drive the slow, winding, high mountain Central Cross Island Highway (Highway 8) past Guguan Hot Springs all the way to beautiful Lishan area and even Taroko Gorge in Hualien county .

However, this highway is subject to landslides and is often closed for repairs. See here (click the small arrow next to Highway 8) for the most recent updates about highway closing times.

Wuling Farm , famous for its cherry blossoms and other flowers, and Xueshan (Snow Mountain) are also in eastern Taichung, but easier to reach from the east coast of Taiwan.

Best Taichung Tours

If you’re time in Taichung is limited but you want to see a lot, joining a day tour is a good idea. The most popular tour is this one , which includes Miyahara Ice Cream, National Taichung Theater (closed Monday), Rainbow Village, Gaomei Wetland, and drop off at Feng Chia Night Market.

For a tour that includes Zhongshe Flower Market, try this one .

There are also day tours from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake , Cingjing Farm (or see both in one day with this tour ), Hehuanshan , and Lihpao Discovery Land .

To make your own tour schedule, hire a driver for the day .

How to Plan Your Taichung Itinerary

Most travelers spend 1-2 days in Taichung on their round-Taiwan tour.

With one full day in Taichung , you could spend the morning exploring the sights in the Taichung city center, afternoon at Rainbow Village, and evening at Feng Chia Night Market.

Add a second day if you want to visit any of the places further from the city center, such as Zhongshe Flower Market, Gaomei Wetland, Lihpao Discovery Land, Houfeng Bikeway, and so on.

If you’re coming from Taipei, consider going there are early as you can on the High Speed Rail, go directly to Rainbow Village (opens 9 AM), then proceed to the city center.

If you’re planning to go to Sun Moon Lake or Cingjing Farm next , try to stay around Taichung station in the city center, where you’ll be catching the bus. It takes 1.5 hours to reach Sun Moon Lake and 2.5 hours to reach Sun Moon Lake, so make sure you leave Taichung early enough to have enough time at those places.

Where to Eat in Taichung

Taichung is well known for its food. For a traditional Taiwanese breakfast or lunch in the city center, Taichung Second Market has some good food stalls. There are also similar Taichung Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth markets in the city (the “first” one is now a ASEAN Square).

Miyahara ice cream is an attraction itself. Getting a pearl milk tea at Chun Shui Tang Siwei Original Store is another must. Chun Shui Tang also has decent food. Yet another experience for foodies is buying or tasting sun cakes at Taiwan Sun Cake Museum .

In terms of night markets, Feng Chia Night Market is Taichung’s largest and one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan . If you’re vegetarian, see my recommended vegetarian foods at Fengchia .

Feng Chia isn’t super close to the city center, though. For a more convenient option, Yizhong Street Night Market , just north of Taichung Park, is also very cool.

Taichung Events

One of the biggest events of the year in Taichung is the Xinshe Sea of Flowers Festival ( 新社花海 ). The event is usually held for a couple weeks in early December here in Xinshe , east of the Taichung city center. There are usually free shuttle buses from the Green MRT line.

Taichung’s New Year’s Eve party and fireworks usually take place at Lihpao Discovery Land, while Christmas lights can be seen at locations around the city.

The huge Matsu Pilgrimage takes place for nine days in Taichung and nearby counties. It starts at Dajia district in northwestern Taichung and travels mostly through rural areas. It takes place around Matsu’s birthday (23 rd day of 3 rd lunar month).

Lantern Festival (15 th day of Lunar New Year) and Dragon Boat Festival races (5 th day of 5 th lunar month) take place at different locations every year.

Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei (or Taipei to Taoyuan Airport)

A travel guide to changhua, taiwan’s “bamboo town”, 2 thoughts on “a travel guide to taichung, taiwan’s middle city”.

is the garden space at Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center still open to public?

According to GoogleMaps, the whole sight appears to be permanently closed to the public.

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

12 Top Things To Do in Taichung

I’ve called Taiwan home for over 5 years and love discovering all it has to offer. I made this blog to share Taiwan living and travel resources I wish I’d had when I first arrived.

Keep reading to find a bunch of things to do during a day trip to Taichung City, Taiwan.

I want to share a bunch of tourist attractions with folks visiting Taichung based on my (and others’) experience. I put together a bunch of recommendations.

9 Things to Do in Taichung

Here’s a list of everything to do:

Tip: don’t forget to explore my Taichung MRT guide . It’ll help you navigate Taichung.

Keep reading to find more details and how to reach each place.

1. 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan

Taichung hosts a museum in its Wufeng district that commemorates this horrific disaster. You’ll find exhibits here that include:

• Engineering Education Jall : visualizes how modern engineering minimizes earthquake damage
• Chelongpu Fault Preservation Hall : presents various images of the destruction that happened to the Chelongpu Fault
• Gallery : various audiovisuals and images that show what happened during the earthquake
• Reconstruction Record Hall : documents Taiwan’s efforts to rebuild the country after this disaster
• Disaster Prevention Hall : presents information on how to prevent future destruction from earthquakes

It’s to bring awareness to earthquakes after the Jiji (or 921 quake). It was a disaster that happened on September 21, 1999. It led to 2,400 deaths and 8,500 collapsed buildings [ 1 ].

To get to the 921 Earthquake Museum, rent a YouBike , call an Uber or taxi, or take either of two buses. When taking bus 50, depart at the Earthquake Museum of Taiwan stop. Or take buses 201 or 107 to Kengkou Village (Guangfu New Village) stop.

2. Chun Shui Tang: The Birthplace of Bubble Tea

Taichung’s tea house, the founding place of bubble tea, opened in 1983 and continues to serve today.

They offer milk tea, food, and souvenirs —I recommend getting the postcards. They’re unique. Also, if you like the tea in the restaurant, consider buying some loose-leaf tea to take home.

Add this to your itinerary, no matter what else you do in Taichung. Plus, it’s by an excellent sun cake shop, where you can also try Taichung’s other signature sugary delight.

A small pearl milk tea will start at NT$80 . Their largest size will cost NT$180 (price at the time of writing).

Choose whether you want hot or iced tea. Also, when ordering drinks from anywhere in Taiwan, tell them your sugar level, which includes:

• Least possible: 20% sugar
• Less: 80% sugar
• Regular: 100% sugar

Or tell them how much ice you want—most, normal, less, or no ice.

3. National Taichung Theater

Opened in November 2016, the National Taichung Theater offers 5 floors of varying experiences for tourists:

• 1st floor : souvenir shop and café
• 2nd floor : a theater where many performances happen
• 3rd floor : children’s play area
• 4th floor : nothing special
• 5th floor : Tutu Gallery, which contains audiovisual and interactive exhibits; and another children’s play area
• Rooftop : anyone can visit this open-air space and explore the greenery, garden, and architecture

Explore the second floor.

Though it’s an area that hosts performances, you don’t need a ticket to walk around. Moreover, a fascinating staircase will take you to the upper floors.

You don’t need to pay anything to get into the National Taichung Theater. It’s another great thing to do on the list of things in Taichung if you’re on a budget.

To get here, drive, walk, rent a YouBike, or take the buses: 27, 75, 324, or the 309 shuttle bus.

4. Rainbow Village

Rainbow Village is an old military village situated in Taichung’s Nantun District. It debuted in 2010.

How did this village appear?

When the Kuomintang (KMT) retreated to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War. Soldiers constructed quick shelters, which eventually became villages.

During the 90s’, the Taiwanese government began destroying these aging villages. A man named Huang Yong-Fu was among the troops who retreated to Taiwan, and he also owned one of these homes.

After hearing about their demise, he began painting these buildings to preserve them. Petitioning students and Huang managed to save 11 buildings, which have become the present-day Rainbow Village.

You can still find Huang, or Rainbow Grandpa, in the village. Though he’s 99 years old (in 2022), he’s still maintaining his painted homes.

Once you get here, explore the village for food stalls, cafés, and souvenir shops . Otherwise, it’s a great place to learn more about Taiwan’s culture and history.

To get here, you could take bus 167. Or, take bus 27 and depart at Gancheng Village (千城六村站), which is the 6th stop. Also take bus 56, which will stop in front of the village.

5. Fengjia Night Market

Fengjia Night Market, or Fengjia Shopping Town, sits next to Taichung’s Feng Chia University.

It accommodated nearby military personnel who lived in dependents’ villages, which were villages meant to house troops.

Now it’s one of the best things to do in Taichung if you’re looking for an excellent place for food.

Usually, night markets have a famous dish, but Fengjia doesn’t. I do recommend trying Dafeng Stewed Pork . Or, if you’re vegetarian, try the egg pancakes at Ming Lun Dan Bing.

For dessert, try any of the market’s potato balls.

6. Miyahara Ice Cream: Premium Ice Cream and Pineapple Cakes

In 1927, while Taiwan was under Japan’s control, a man named Takekuma Miyahara opened the Miyahara Eye Clinic in Taichung. After the occupation, the Taichung City Health Bureau eventually moved out of this building, and from there, it shuffled through varying businesses.

In 2010, Dawncake, a Taiwanese pastry company, bought the ruins of the former Miyahara Eye Clinic, then transformed it into Miyahara Ice Cream.

They have more than 50 flavors, including Honey Cheese, Alishan Oolong Tea, and Caramel Apple. Also, for one scoop, you’ll pay NT$100. For two scoops for NT$180 and three scoops for NT$225 .

If you want a waffle bowl, you’ll need to pay an additional NT$20. Or, if you want “Luxury Toppings” like pineapple cakes and other fruit, you’ll have to spend an extra NT$80. When I visited, they offered a single free topping.

I got a pineapple cake.

Unlike most ice cream in Taiwan, Miyahara has a creamier texture and is sweeter. It reminds me of American ice cream. However, it’s not the best ice cream I’ve had in Taiwan.

That title goes to the Snow King in Taipei’s Ximending . They have “unique” flavors like beer and wasabi.

You’ll find a cookie and tea shop adjacent to Miyahara ice cream . The former is an atrium with a theme like Hogwarts School of Wizardry from the Harry Potter series. It’s an excellent place to get photos.

7. Animation Alley

Animation alley is a labyrinth of alleyways with various character paintings on the walls like:

• My Neighbor Totoro
• One Punch Man
• SpongeBob SquarePants

It’ll likely take you 20 minutes to see all the paintings . But it’s an excellent way to relax and escape from the chaotic city. And it’s one of the most impressive graffiti areas I’ve seen.

There isn’t much to do here besides gazing at the visual spectacles lining the walls. You’ll find a comic and souvenir shop and a claw machine arcade. Depending on when you go, there may also be an open cafe for you to take a seat and relax.

You’ll want to take bus 25 toward Chung-Shin Elementary School to get here. Or walk between 15–20 minutes from Taichung Station.

8. Taichung Confucius Temple

Builders finished this temple’s construction in 1976 during the Song Dynasty. It follows a similar architectural style to the Qufu Confucian Temple in Shandong, China.

Now, it sits in Taichung’s North District and teaches visitors about the events during the Song Dynasty. 

Sometimes, you may encounter events that promote local culture.

9. Taichung Second Market

Previously known as the Shintomichō Market, the Japanese colonial government built the Taichung Second Market in 1917. The name “Second” comes from the fact that it was the second out of five markets the government intended to build throughout Taichung.

In the past, the Second Market sold high-end clothing and food. Nowadays, it’s a hub for Taiwanese cuisine.

The Second Market even has a stall, Mao Chuan, that sells ba-wan—sweet potato stuffed with savory sauce—to which the Michelin guide passed an excellent rating.

10. Taichung Martyr’s Shrine

Nearby the Confucius Temple, you’ll find the Taichung Martyr’s Shrine. It was a Shinto shrine during Japan’s occupation to honor Japanese heroes. Upon the Republic of China (ROC) taking Taiwan, the government converted the shrine to honor fallen Kuomintang (KMT) soldiers.

11. Gaomei Wetlands

A massive mud flat along Taichung’s coast presents various beautiful sites. Visit as the sun sets to see one of Taiwan’s most stunning sunsets.

Walk along the 800-meter dock and gaze at the flats .

Most people get here by driving. But it’ll cost NT$50 per vehicle.

Otherwise, take buses 178 or 179 from TRA Qingshui Station. Reach this station by taking the local train from the city.

12. National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

This museum hosts themed, temporary, permanent, and special exhibitions by Taiwanese artists. As well as various art collections.

There’s not too much to say about this area. You’ll need to visit their website to see whether it’s worth visiting.

How Do I Get to Taichung?

Here’s how you’ll get to Taichung:

• High-Speed Rail (HSR): take the HSR to HSR Taichung Station
• Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA): to any of Taichung’s local train stations
• Bus : take the Kuo-Kuang or U Bus
• Taoyuan International Airport : only arrive if coming from overseas

Let’s find you somewhere to stay.

Asia , City Guides , Taiwan · May 5, 2021

16 Incredible Taichung Day Trips You Can’t Miss

Taichung, Taiwan, is a multi-faceted, colorful hub that packs a punch when it comes to things to do . From incredible museums and mind-blowing Instagram spots to beautiful parks and even the largest night market in Taiwan – Taichung has it all! While there’s plenty to keep you busy within the city’s borders, there is also an abundance of incredible places to explore on its outskirts. Here are 16 of the best Taichung day trips that definitely deserve a spot on any Taichung itinerary !

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Taichung Day Trip Essentials

Along with the tips and tricks included in this guide, here are a few must-have essentials to maximize your day trip from Taichung. 

• Taichung is a popular weekend getaway so make sure to book accommodation well in advance. The Carlton Hotel , as well as Kuan Tour Hotel , get two thumbs up! Or check into my ultimate fave,  SOF Hotel . 
• If you don’t have your own set of wheels, it’s best to rent a car or hire a private driver for your Taichung day tour. Although some day trips from Taichung on this list can be reached by public transport, I’ve included quite a few Taichung hidden gems that are completely off the tourist grid! 
• For those traveling to Taichung from elsewhere in Taiwan, the fastest way to get here is by high-speed rail. Grab this THSR Unlimited Tourist Pass for 2 or 3 days for a stress-free trip. These tips on how to get to Taichung from Taipei will also come in handy.
• Make sure to grab a local SIM card for pickup at the airport so that you can stay connected on the go. 
• If you plan on using public transport, don’t forget to pick up an Easy Card at the airport or at any convenience store islandwide. That way you can simply tap and go on public transport. 
• Some of these places are tucked away in nature, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen , mosquito repellant , and an umbrella ! 

Taichung Day Trips Quick Overview

Before we dive into this detailed Taichung travel guide, here’s a quick look at the driving times (by car) needed for these day trips.

Taichung day trips within 1 hour’s drive from the city:

• Guangfu New Village
• Temple of Heaven
• Xian Fo Temple
• Wufeng Lin Family Mansion
• Dakeng Hiking Trails
• Gaomei Wetlands
• Zhongse Flower Farm
• Xinshe Castle
• Lavender Cottage

Day Trips more than 1 hour’s drive from Taichung :

• Sun Moon Lake
• Nantou Rainbow Bridge
• Cingjing Farm
• Xitou Monster Village
• Guguan Hot Springs
• Rollin Farm
• Sun Link Sea Forest Recreational Area

In a rush? Pin these Taichung day trips now to read later!

16 Best Day Trips From Taichung

Taiwan’s second-largest city, Taichung, is a fascinating city full of things to do and places to visit. While the city has plenty to keep you busy, there is so much more to see and do beyond its borders – from gorgeous flower farms to scenic hikes to secret temples and some of Taiwan’s most iconic landmarks! Read along to discover the best day trips from Taichung.

Sun Moon Lake (日月潭)

Sun Moon Lake is a top tourist spot in Taiwan and arguably the most popular day trip from Taichung. As Taiwan’s largest natural lake, this beautiful oasis lies smack-bang in the middle of Nantou County and is easily reached by public transport from Taichung in less than 2 hours. 

Besides spending a bit of time surrounded by nature, there are loads of  things to do in Sun Moon Lake . Some of the highlights include cycling around the lake, visiting the age-old temples, climbing the 280-step stairway to Ci’en Pagoda, and of course snacking on famous treats such as black tea egg rolls, black tea ice cream, and numerous Hakka inspired dishes. Of course, taking an epic cable car ride to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is another fun way to while away the time and get a bird’s eye view over the lake. 

Getting there: Take the Nantou shuttle bus , or book a  shared transfer  from Taichung to save the headache! For those who prefer to have all your stops mapped out, this organized tour covers all the hot spots! For more tips, also read my guide on how to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung .

Address: Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, 555

Qingjing Farm (清境農場)  

Qingjing Farm is a beautiful mountaintop region located almost 1800m above sea level in Ren’ai Township, Nantou. Known for its herds of grazing sheep along the grassy hills, scenic walking trails, and cherry blossom viewing, it’s the perfect place to enjoy some fresh air. 

The Green Green Grassland (青青草原) is the main attraction here and a fun place to stroll around, grab a cuppa, or take photos of the picturesque views and sheep. After enjoying a sheep shearing or equestrian show, take a walk along the Sky Bridge (清境高空觀景步道). It’s the highest skywalk in Taiwan, offering some pretty incredible views. Other scenic spots nearby include the Swiss Garden (清境農場小瑞士花園), the Tea Trail and Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area (合歡山森林遊樂區). 

While Qingjing is a popular side trip from Taichung, it’s also a fabulous place to spend a few days. The Cotswolds Villa is a charming B&B offering exquisite views over the mountains, whereas The Old England Manor offers upscale accommodation in a European-styled mansion.  

Getting there:  The easiest way to visit Cingjing is on an  organized from Taichung . However, if time is not a problem, take the direct Nantou Bus  from Taichung HSR Station. For more tips, read my detailed guide on getting to Qingjing . 

Address: No. 170, Renhe Road, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, 546

Xian Fo Temple (禪機山仙佛寺)

Xian Fo Temple , also know as the 500 Arhats temple, is right up there as one of the best Taichung day trips! This beautiful Buddhist Temple is located in Nantou County, roughly 40 minutes drive from Taichung City. 

What really makes this temple so incredible is that it sits amid a whimsical forest dotted with yellow lanterns. Some of the many amazing sights to see here include cute temples, a gigantic bell, and a library housing important Buddhist scriptures. However, the shining star here is undoubtedly the massive square filled with 500 stone statues of deities surrounding a huge buddha seated on a lotus flower in its center. 

While Xian Fo Temple is a cool place to visit throughout the day, come in the afternoon for the best photography. There are loads of trails to follow, too, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes! Oh, and don’t forget mosquito repellant! 

Getting there:  Take  Nantou bus 6899  at Taichung Station bound for Puli and get off at the  Fugui  stop. From there, it’s s an 11-minute walk to the temple. The bus ride takes roughly 1h35 and costs  NT$119 . It’s quite a long journey, so it’s best to hire a private driver for the day to maximize your time. 

Address:  544, Nantou County, Guoxing Township, 長壽巷66-1號

Temple of Heaven (金陵山天壇)

Located in a huge religious park in Jinling Mountain, Baiyang Holy Temple is a relaxing pitstop and just one of the many hidden gems in Wufeng District. While there are several impressive sites to visit in the park, it is the Temple of Heaven that will truly leave you breathless. 

With a height of 54 meters, this beautiful dome-shaped temple surpasses the Beijing Temple of Heaven, making it the tallest of its kind globally. Besides its size, what truly makes it such a masterwork is that it is almost entirely constructed out of copper!

Whether you’re admiring the temple from the outside or getting a closer look at the massive hall from within – every single little detail here (all done by hand) is impressive. From the elaborate carvings on the doors and pillars to the decorative paintwork on the ceiling and outer walls to the life-like statues of religious figures, it’s easy to see why this temple took more than 20 years to complete.  

Temple of Heaven is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Since it’s off the main tourist track, you’re almost guaranteed to have it all to yourself! 

How to get there:  Baiyang Holy Temple is just 40 minutes drive from Taichung City. However, the easiest way to access the area is by hiring a private driver for the day.

Address:   No. 900, Fenggu Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, 413

Guangfu New Village (光復新村)

Located mere steps from the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan (921地震教育園區), you’ll find one of the coolest places to go in Taichung!

Guangfu New Village, in Wufeng District, is a hip artists village with quite an interesting past. Like Rainbow Village, Guangfu Village is a former military dependents village built by the KMT for military personnel and their families who served in the civil war in Mainland China. While the old brick remnants and unique architecture provide a fascinating glimpse into the past, today, the village is more known as a creative hub. 

The village is home to some impressive galleries, loads of quirky souvenir stores, and mind-blowing food! Although the main tourist area is made up of two streets, one can easily spend hours here popping into the shops, taking photos of all the colorful houses, or chilling at its cool cafes. Don’t miss the savory donuts at Yuer Bakery (魚兒賣甜點) – they are delish! Check out their  IG page  here. 

Getting to Guangfu Village:  Catch bus 50 towards the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan at Taichung Station. Get off at Guangfu New Village Traffic Circle. Buses come every 20 minutes and cost  NT$32 . 

Address:  413, Taichung City, Wufeng District, 光復新村

Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地)

Gaomei Wetlands is a popular day trip from Taichung and a firm favorite among sunset chasers.

Situated roughly 50 minutes drive from Taichung, in Qingshui District, this sprawling ecological wonderland is a great place to go cycling, do bird watching, or simply watch the sun melt away over the horizon. 

For the best experience, be sure to come at least one hour before sunset. That way you’ll have enough time to grab a spot on the Gaomei Walkway – an extensive wooden walkway that is built over the marshes. There are loads of vendors nearby, too, where you can buy local snacks to enjoy while you watch the golden hour. 

Getting to Gaomei Wetlands:  Take bus 309 from Taichung Station and get off at No. 18 Wind Turbine. The ride takes just over one hour and costs  NT$73 . Alternatively, join this Gaomei Wetlands day tour that also stops at Rainbow Village and Fengjia Night Market.

Address: Meidi Street, Qingshui District, Taichung City, 436

Lavender Cottage (薰衣草森林)

Lavender Cottage is a whimsical mountainside retreat just over an hour’s drive from Taichung. 

Like Xinshe Castle, Lavender Cottage is located in Xinshe District. It’s a laid-back place to visit near Taichung, especially if you want to enjoy some fresh air. 

What really sets this recreational area apart from others is that it’s home to sprawling lavender fields and beautiful trails offering plenty of photo ops and relaxing strolls. There’s also a nice restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat and a cute gift shop selling all kinds of weird and wonderful lavender products. Don’t miss the lavender ice cream because it’s lip-smacking delicious! 

Getting to Lavender Cottage:  The easiest way to get to the lavender forest is to join this full-day tour from Taichung . Alternatively, grab your Lavender Cottage entrance tickets here in advance and hire a driver or rent a car for the day.

Address:  No. 20號, Zhongxing Street, Xinshe District, Taichung City, 426

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion & Garden (霧峰林家宮保第園區)

Another Taichung tourist spot worth visiting is the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion. The large mansion features ornate architecture, a beautiful garden, a large open-air court, and some impressive treasures within its walls. 

The Wufeng Lin Mansion has a rich history dating back more than 200 years. While the 921 earthquake destroyed some parts of the complex, it remains the most well-preserved historical landmark in Wufeng District to this day. And more noteworthy, one of the best examples of traditional Taiwanese architecture. 

The house is divided into three parts: Upper House, Lower House, and Lai Garden, each beautiful in its own right. If you’d like to learn a little more about the Lin Family, several guided tours are offered onsite throughout the day. Group tours are only in Chinese, so don’t forget to grab the free headphones devices to listen to the tour in English. Alternatively, book a private tour with an English-speaking guide (at least a few days in advance) on their  website .

The mansion is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily, and entrance tickets cost  NT$250 per person . 

Getting there:  Take bus 201 to Wufeng or bus 108 to Wufeng Farmers Association. Both buses depart from Taichung station, taking roughly 45 minutes. 

Address: No. 26, Minsheng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, 413

Guguan Hot Springs (谷關風景特定區)

Taiwan has no shortage of excellent hot springs, and Guguan in Heping District is one of the best. 

Tucked away amid soaring mountaintops of Baxianshan, along the Dajia River, Gugaun Hot Springs is a great place to spend some time in nature. During spring, it’s a cool spot for cherry blossoms viewing , while autumn marks the arrival of fiery red maple leaves. 

Besides soaking in the steamy waters that reach up to 48 degrees Celcius, there are loads of scenic spots around Gugaun. Some of the most noteworthy attractions include hiking the lush forest trails and bamboo groves of Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area (八仙山國家森林遊樂區), visiting the Cultural Museum of Hot Springs, or enjoying a walkabout on the Shaolai and Guguan suspension bridges. Both Bali Nature Spa Hot Spring Hotel and Luquan Hotspring offer amazing spa facilities perfect for a pamper session. 

Gugaun is about 1.5 hours drive from Taichung and easily accessed by bus. Alternatively, this day tour from Taichung, also stops by Dungshi Hakka Cultural Park. 

How to get to Guguan Hot Springs:  Take bus 850, calling every hour at Taichung Station. Get off at the Long Paradise stop.

Address:  No. 172, Zhongbu Cross-island highway, Heping District, Taichung City, 424

Rollin Farm (若茵農場)

Rollin Farm is a beautiful retreat hidden along the slopes of Snow Mountain in Heping District, roughly 1.5 hours drive from Taichung City. Located 1200 meters above sea level, amid a thick bamboo forest, it’s one of Taichung’s best-kept secrets, offering the most incredible views imaginable. 

While Rolling Farm is actually a B&B ( check rates here ), there is a lovely little cafe with a huge deck offering jaw-dropping views over the Taichung basin. The quirky restaurant has a good selection of drinks and food, making it a great place to grab a cuppa or a bite to eat while enjoying the laidback vibes. If your Taichung day trip itinerary is flexible, it’s worth sticking around until sunset to spot the sea of clouds that often frequent these parts of Taiwan.

Since Rollin Farm is just a short drive from Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area (大雪山國家森林遊樂區), it’s also easy to combine the two on one trip. Daxueshan is a former logging area filled with dense forests, sacred trees, abundant birdlife, and great hiking opportunities.  

Getting to Rollin Farm:  Since Rollin Farm is quite a hidden gem, the only way to access the area is by car. 

Address: No. 1, Xueshan Road, Heping District, Taichung City, 424

Dakeng Scenic Area (大坑風景區)

Dakeng Scenic Area is a firm favorite among hikers and a cool Taichung day trip just 30 minutes drive away from the city center.

There are ten trails ranging from beginner-friendly hikes to more difficult treks, all offering excellent scenery and a great day outdoors. Trails 6-10 are among the most popular and also the easiest to complete. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the mountains and lush forests filled with varied orchards and vegetation. If you’re looking for a challenge, tackle trails one to five where you’re guaranteed to break a sweat! 

While Dakeng is a popular hiking spot just outside Taichung, it has also become quite an Instagram hotspot thanks to its rustic wooden log trails. For this reason, it’s best to come early to beat the heat and crowds that flock here on weekends and holidays.

Getting there:  You can take bus 1, 15, 16, 20, 21, 31, 51, 66, 68, 85, 270, 271, or 276 to access the easier trails. Get off at Taipower Dongshan Service (台電東山所) in Dongshan Road.

Address:  Lane 383, Section 1, Dongshan Road, Beitun District, Taichung City, 406

Shuanglong Rainbow Bridge (雙龍七彩吊橋)

Another neat place to visit near Taichung is the newly renovated Rainbow Bridge. Located in Xinyi Township, Nantou County, Rainbow Bridge is definitely one of the hardest places to reach on this Taichung day trip list. But the effort will be worth it! 

To get to the base of the bridge, you need to walk down a long stairway. Once you get to the rainbow-colored bridge, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views over a deep verdant valley and the incredible Double Dragon Waterfall (雙龍瀑布) in the distance. Besides being an Instagram hotspot, what really sets this bridge a notch above others is its sheer size! At 342 meters long and 110 meters deep, it is the longest and deepest of its kind in Taiwan. 

Besides crossing the bridge, make sure to follow the trail to the Double Dragon Waterfall – a 100m tall waterfall and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Taiwan . The entire loop trail is 3.7km long.  

Since only 250 people are allowed on the bridge each day, it’s best to make a reservation online to guarantee a spot. To access the bridge, you need to pay a small fee of NT$100, which also includes a shuttle bus ride. Note that the shuttle bus only goes as far as the trailhead, and from there, it’s a steep walk uphill for 500m. You should also know that the bridge is closed every Wednesday , and despite Google showing the opening hours as 8 am to 5 pm, you actually can’t enter the area after 4:20 pm.

Getting to Rainbow Bridge:  The fastest way to reach this tourist destination from Taichung is by car, but if you’re planning to  stay in Sun Moon Lake  for a few days, you could catch a bus from there too (more than one transfer is needed, though). 

Address:  No. 556, Guangfu Ln., Xinyi Township, Nantou County 556, Taiwan

Zhongshe Flower Market (中社觀光花市花海)

No Taichung day tour list would be complete without a visit to the beautiful Zhongshe Tourist Flower Market (also spelled Chungshe). 

Roughly 45 minutes drive from the city center, this sprawling 6-hectare area is one of the best examples of flower fields in Taiwan. Renowned for its varied, colorful flowers that bloom right throughout the year, Zhongshe is a great place to enjoy a walkabout. The best part? The fields are dotted with tons of props, from picture frames to a wooden piano and even a Dutch-style windmill – all creating a picture-perfect backdrop. 

Since Zhongsge is quite a popular place to visit during weekends, come early to skip the crowds. If your Taiwan itinerary happens to fall from January through March, you’re in for a real treat! Because it’s also the only place in Taiwan where you can see thousands of colorful tulips in full bloom. The entrance fee is NT$120 (April to December) and NT$150 (January to March).

Getting to Zhongshe Flower Market:  Catch a northbound train to Tai’an Station (泰安火車站) at Taichung Station. From there, grab a taxi or walk the remaining 1.8km to the flower farm. Alternatively, book this fun day tour that also includes a few other hot spots around the city. 

Address:  No. 333, Section 5, Sanfeng Road, Houli District, Taichung City, 421

Xinshe Castle (新社莊園古堡)

Xinshe Castle is yet another popular tourist destination just on the outskirts of Taichung. 

Nestled amid the mountains of Xinshe Township, this European-style castle has a lot going for it! Besides the cool architecture that will transcend you to a fairy-tale setting, the beautiful gardens complete with koi-filled ponds and the massive human-made waterfall are just as impressive. After wandering along the various walkways, grab a bite at one of the onsite restaurants, go wine tasting or shop for some souvenirs.

Xinshe Castle is open from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 6 pm on weekends. The entrance fee is NT$250, of which NT$100 can be used at both the Hexagon or Wooden House Restaurants. 

Getting to Xinshe Castle  involves taking a train and bus. First, take the TRA to Fengyuan Station (豐原車站). From there, catch bus 91 and get off at the Xinwu Village (新五村) stop.

Address:  No. 23, Xiezhong Street, Xinshe District, Taichung City, 426

Xitou Monster Village (溪頭妖怪村)

Xitou Monster Village is a quirky Japanese-themed village roughly 1.5 hours drive from Taichung. 

Famous for its tasty monster-themed food, cool monster statues, red torii gate, and dozens of red lanterns, Xitou is a fun place to walk around, take photos or hunt for monster sculptures. Since the village is quite small, you can easily see it all in less than an hour or two. 

With that said, though, there’s more to Xitou than its quirky village. In particular, the Xitou Nature Education Park. Here you can wander along misty forest trails both on the ground and on treetop walkways. If you don’t have time to visit the mystical forests of Alishan , then this nearby park is a great alternative. Just a heads up, it’s quite popular among tour groups and school outings! So, if you don’t like crowds, this might not be your thing. 

Further afield, Shanlinxi Forest Ecological Resort (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區) is another beautiful area. It has a fun hike to the gorgeous Songlong Rock WaterFall (松瀧岩瀑布). Hop on bus 6277 from Xitou Nature Education Center and ride one stop to Sun Link Sea. Alternatively, join the tour below to see all of the area’s best bits!

Getting to Xitou Monster Village:  The easiest way to visit Xitou is on an organized Xitou Monster Village tour from Taichung. Alternatively, you can hop on the  Xitou Shuttle bus . The shuttle also offers a special tourist pass that can save you a few bucks! 

Address:  No.2-3, Xingchan Rd., Lugu Township, Nantou County 558

Sun-Link-Sea Forest Recreation Area (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區)

Located less than 2 hours drive from Taichung, Sun Link Sea is another beautiful forest resort in Nantou County. Boasting beautiful waterfalls, scenic hiking trails, and misty forests lined with towering trees and lush plant life Sun Link Sea is one of the best day trips from Taichung. 

With more than 40 hectares to explore, Sun Link Sea is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The most popular sight to see here is Songlong Rock Waterfall – a stunning waterfall that sits right beside a massive cliff. A well-paved path is etched out along the cave’s interior and offers panoramic views over the waterfall and lush valley surrounding it. Several trails lead you deeper into the forest from here, where you can see a 4000-year-old cypress tree and the famous Tian-ti Yen – the highest point in the park sitting at an elevation of 1800m.

Another highlight not to miss in Sun Link Sea is the sprawling Herb and Flower Center. It houses a wide variety of medicinal plants and more than 30 flower species, such as hydrangea, Indian pipes, and peonies. 

Sun Link Sea has tons of trails, and you could easily spend a few days here to do them all. For those not keen on walking long distances, the park also has a shuttle service at regular intervals. It stop at several of the area’s most iconic attractions. 

Getting there:   Join this guided tour  for the easier route. Alternatively, Yuanlin Bus 6871 or Taiwan Tourist Bus  6883B can also get you there. The bus ride takes about 3 hours. 

Address:  No.6, Xishan Rd., Daan Village, Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan

Taichung Day Trips in Conclusion

As you can see, there are loads of incredible places to go near Taichung. While these Taichung day trips are just a handful of bucket-list-worthy spots to visit, they should provide plenty of inspiration on where to go and what to see near Taichung!

Well, that’s all I’ve got on Taichung day trips. If you think I’ve missed anything or have any other places to go near Taichung, feel free to share your recommendations below!

If you enjoyed this Taichung travel guide, please pin it to your favorite board!

join the club

You’ll also love.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Xianfo Temple: Nantou’s Best-Kept Secret

Trending now.

Follow @ Hoponworld

Travel guides

• Travel Guides
• Itineraries
• City Guides
• Beach Guides
• Outdoor Guides
• Tips & Inspo

Get exclusive access to detailed travel guides & tips!

Work with me

• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Hoponworld · Theme by 17th Avenue

updated on March 15, 2024

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

25 Unique Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

When I first moved to Taiwan in 2008, the most recent edition of Lonely Planet Taiwan described Taichung as “ hardly a must-see for the short-term visitor .” A lot has changed since then, and in recent years more and more travelers have been coming to Taiwan with Taichung in a top spot on their Taiwan itinerary !

Taichung (台中 or Taizhong , literally “Taiwan’s middle”) is the largest city of Taiwan. It is the birthplace of pearl milk tea and is particularly known for its artistic tendencies, flower viewing, night markets , café culture, and several large universities.

Taichung is home to some really unique attractions like Rainbow Village , Zhongshe Flower Market , and Gaomei Wetland . It is also a transit point for trips to famous places like Sun Moon Lake , Cingjing Farm , and Hehuanshan . I’ve covered these further-away sights in my guide to the best day trips from Taichung .

Below I’ve compiled the best things to do in Taichung city center, based on multiple visits over the 10+ years that I’ve lived in Taiwan, to help you plan where to go in Taichung. To find out how to manage the below suggestions when planning your trip, have a look at my recommended 1, 2, or 3-day Taichung itinerary and my general Taichung guide .

I hope this Taichung guide can help you plan your trip, whether you are visiting as a day trip from Taipei or staying for a while, and help to prove that Taichung is now one the places you must visit on your trip to Taiwan !

Table of Contents

Welcome to Taichung!

For local Taiwanese and foreigners living in Taiwan , Taichung is a tempting place to live. It offers real estate prices and rental fees one third lower than in Taipei, and it is the birthplace of many famous chain restaurants (not to mention bubble tea!)

What’s more, due to the region’s unique position in a basin that is protected by the Central Mountain Range to the east and the hills of Miaoli County to the north, Taichung receives significantly less rainfall and is less affected by typhoons than other major cities in Taiwan.

In 2010, Taichung City merged with what used to be called “Taichung County”, meaning that the area that is now called “Taichung City” is much more than city one city. It is actually a vast region over 2000 square kilometers in size! It stretches all the way from the west coast of Taiwan stunning Lishan mountain area and Yilan County in the northeast and Taroko National Park in Hualien County . It encompasses remote aboriginal villages and some of the Taiwan’s highest mountains!

This article will focus mainly on the original core area of Taichung City, around Taichung train and High Speed Rail stations.

Taichung Travel Essentials

– Read my essential Taiwan travel tips . – Get a discounted HSR ticket to Taichung in advance and read how to book them . Get NTD100 off these or any other Klook deals by signing up with my referral link first. – Catch a bus directly from Taoyuan Airport to Taichung or order a ride with a private driver . – If you arrive at the Taichung International Airport west of town, order a private ride from the airport to town . – After years of delays, the Taichung MRT is up and running as of early 2021. Taichung buses are free for rides under 10 km. You need to swipe on (look for 上 above the door) or off (下) with an EasyCard . See my EasyCard guide for details . – Hire a private driver or take this popular day tour to visit the main sights in Taichung. – Taichung is quite spread out. Get around by YouBike , renting a scooter , or renting a car renting a car . – Book your portable WiFi device or SIM card before you arrive. – If you plan to visit Taichung during Chinese New Year, see these important travel tips in my article on traveling to Taiwan during Chinese New Year , or read about the best months to visit Taichung .

Getting from Taipei to Taichung

The fastest way to get to from Taipei to Taichung, or from any other major city on the west coast, is by HSR ( see my HSR guide ). From Taipei it only takes 40-60 minutes, depending which train your get. If you’re staying in Taipei first, make sure to check out my list of 50 things to do in Taipei , my detailed guide to the best Taipei hostels and hostels , and my suggested Taipei itinerary .

However, the HSR is located southwest of the city center in Wuri District. These may be convenient for you if you are planning to visit Rainbow Village or sights in Southern Taichung. From Taichung HSR station, you can connect to New Wuri Station (新烏日火車站) on the regular train line, and a ride to Taichung Station in the city center only takes 10 minutes. Make sure to order your HSR tickets online to get a discount!

The bus or regular train (TRA) takes about 2 to 2.5 hours from Taipei to Taichung. It is important to note that there are two major bus stations in Taichung. Buses from Chaoma Bus station northwest of the city center (near Feng Chia Night Market) in Xitun District (西屯區) are faster because they don’t have to drive so far into the city center. But if you are staying in the city center around the train station, you may want to get the bus or simply take the regular train (TRA) to Taichung Station, which is also sometimes called Gancheng Station.

Taichung is the transit point for Sun Moon Lake . If you are heading there next, you can take the tourist shuttle bus (90 minutes) from Taichung Station or Taichung HSR station. This shuttle bus is included on the Sun Moon Lake Pass, a special pass that includes bus ride and some activities at SML. You can also takes a shared transfer or private transfer from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake.

Taichung is also the transit point for Cingjing Farm. You can get there by bus (you’ll need to transfer in Puli ). You can also get there by shared transfer , private transfer , or by taking this day tour to Cingjing Farm and Hehuanshan , the most famous place to see snow in Taiwan . Learn more in my guide to getting from Taichung to Cingjing Farm .

Getting around Taichung

For a long time, exploring Taichung was not s0 convenient because it didn’t have an MRT like Taipei and Kaohsiung . What’s more, the HSR station is located far outside of the city center. In 2021, one line of the Taichung MRT has finally opened, but it doesn’t go to the city center or Taichung station. It goes from the HSR station to Feng Chia Night Market, the city’s most famous night market.

In the future, there will be a new line that will connect Taichung Station in the city center to the green line, which will make things much more convenient.

For now, you will still have to rely more on walking, riding YouBikes , taking local buses, or taking taxis while exploring the main sights in Taichung city. You also need to budget a little more time if you want to visit places around the city, like Rainbow Village, Gaomei Wetland, Zhongshe Flower Market , and so on. The buses and trains to these places tend to be a little slow.

You can be more efficient by renting a car in Taichung or taking a day tour like this one .

Where to Stay in Taichung

The most convenient place to stay in Taichung is around Taichung Train Station (台中站) in the city center. From there, you can reach several of the below places to visit in Taichung on foot, and you can also ride the train to other places outside the city or to the HSR station.

Best Hostel

Norden Ruder Hostel ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) is a brand new, highly rated hostel that is super conveniently located right across from the Taichung train station. The best part is the amazing views from the 12F windows!

There are several other options, though. Here are some of the best hostels in Taichung .

Mid-Range Hotels

Guests say nothing but good things about Old School (Central Land Hotel) ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ), a budget/mid-range choice just south of the train station with friendly staff and spacious rooms.

Want a boutique hotel with a futuristic slide into the lobby? Check out RedDot ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ). I recommend this one for families or anyone young at heart.

A fellow blogger friend of mine highly recommended Blue Sky Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ), which has a really cool interior design.

Inhouse Hotel Grand (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor ) is a more elegant option.

Things to Do in Taichung City Center

The below Taichung attractions are listed starting with the closest to the Taichung Train Station. If I listed them in an order so that you could do a kind of walking tour starting from Taichung Station. But some of the attractions further down in the list may require you to hop on a bus or take a taxi.

 Miyahara Ice Cream

If you want to feel like a tourist in Taichung, head directly to Miyahara (宮原眼科). This retail space, which is often described as having a 1940s or “Harry Potter” feel to it, occupies a building that was once an ophthalmology clinic owned by a Japanese man named Miyahara (that’s why you may see it called “Miyahara Eye Clinic”. Later housed the Taichung City Government’s Public Health Bureau, then was partially destroyed by the 921 Earthquake.

Today the building houses a pastry and souvenir business. Inside, if you can get past all the camera wielding tourists, you can purchase high end cookies and pineapple cakes or dine in a chic restaurant on the second floor. There’s also an attached tea shop, but what most people come for is the ice creamery on the side, especially in blistering hot summer in Taiwan .

When I visited, there were over 100 people waiting patiently in line for their chance to hold (and of course photograph and Instagram) one of the ridiculously overdone “ice creams”, which come topped with entire slices of cake, pineapple cake, butterfly shaped cookies, fruits, and so on.

Miyahara is only a few minutes from Taichung Station in the city center. It is also included on this day tour of Taichung .

For a less busy alternative to Miyahara, go to Fourth Credit Union (台中市第四信用合作社) down the road, which has the same ice cream and is housed in a 1966 bank building.

Near Miyahara, also watch for the pair of 100-year-old bridges over the adjacent water canal here and here .

Ice cream lovers should also check out the ice cream section of my food guide to Ximending, Taipei .

Taichung Cultural Heritage Park

Artist villages, or creative arts parks, are a big thing in Taiwan. Usually they occupy old factories, housing complexes, or abandoned communities, and every major city in Taiwan has at least a few of them.

The Taichung Cultural Heritage Park (文化部文化資產園區) is one such art park. Like Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taipei, it occupies a former sake distillery from the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945) in Taiwan. It was later taken over by the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp. then abandoned in 1998.

Today the park displays publics works of art, houses artists’ studios, and is often a venue for events or weekend bazaars. In the TTL Taichung Wine Village (台中酒莊) you can view old brewing equipment, a tower of beer bottles, and of course, sip on a beer. There are also a few cafés and restaurants on site, but the craft beer bar that was once here is no longer.

It’s also worth seeking out the impressive Noah’s Ark statue in the park. If you enjoy this kind of attraction, also consider visiting Railway Art Village in Taitung !

Taichung Cultural Heritage Park is a 10-minute walk from Taichung Station.

Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center (Taichung Martial Arts Hall) (CLOSED)

The Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center is the official name today for what was during the Japanese colonial period a butokuden , or martial arts training center, for workers at the Taichung Prison. Update: this site appears to now be closed to the public, but I’m leaving this entry up in case it ever opens again.

It is one of the most beautiful butokudens in Taiwan, and is a highly photogenic reminder of Japan’s colonial past in Taiwan. The building actually burned down in the past but has been beautifully restored. There’s a small but very atmospheric restaurant in the side building, and the calm garden at the back has an enormous banyan tree with lanterns hanging in it. It doesn’t take long to visit, but it is certainly worth a stop.

Natural Way Six Arts is a 15-minute walk from Taichung Station or 10 minutes from Culture Heritage Park.

For more impressive Japanese-era architecture in Taiwan, see my detailed guides to Beitou Hot Spring and Jiufen Old Street in New Taipei City .

Chun Shui Tang, the Homeland of Pearl Milk Tea

If you’re a fan of bubble tea (also known as boba or pearl milk tea), then a pilgrimage to the original Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) in Taichung that claims to have invented (there are other claims out there) it is in order.

Supposedly the founder of Chun Shui Tang  first thought of serving Chinese tea cold after noticing on a trip to Japan that people iced their coffee there. Later in a meeting, a staff member poured her Taiwanese dessert, fen yuan , into her iced tea, and everyone loved it.

Today there are more than 15 Chun Shui Tang locations in Taiwan , and more in Japan and Hong Kong, but the original Taichung location remains the Holy Grail. Make sure you go the right one! It is called Chun Shui Tang Siwei Original Store and is here on GoogleMaps .

One glass of the original pearl milk tea is NT85 for a small, or NT160 for a VERY BIG medium), and the pearls may be smaller than you are used to. And for really serious fans, you can even learn how to make your own bubble tea in a DIY class at Chun Shui Tang !

The shop also specializes in high quality Taiwanese teas and aims to promote Taiwan’s traditional tea culture . The food there is also pretty good!

This tea shop is about 5 minutes’ walk from the last attraction.

Painted Animation Lane

10 minutes’ walk from Chun Shui Tang, Painted Animation Lane (動漫彩繪巷) is Taichung alley covered with paintings of famous Japanese and Western cartoon characters. There’s not much to do besides pose for countless selfies, but serious cartoon fans can also purchase toys and anime paraphernalia from a few shops near the entrance.

There’s also a Totoro bus stop (in red in the above photo) here, so if you don’t make it to the famous one in Taichung (see below), here’s your chance. There’s also a hidden Totoro bus stop in Keelung !

It’s important to manage your expectation for this attraction. I have one friend in Taipei who went after reading this article and told me he was severely disappointed with it. So yes, it’s just an alley with some cartoon characters on it.

Other great places to see street art in Taiwan are Ximending in Taipei and Pier 2 in Kaohsiung.

Taichung Literature Museum

Just 5 minutes away from Painted Animation Lane or from Chun Shui Tang, the Taichung Literature Museum (臺中文學館) is housed in a beautiful, wooden, Japanese-era house. It is a former police dormitory dating to 1932.

There isn’t a whole lot to see inside, and the information is mostly in Mandarin. Still, the house is worth a quick look, and the trees around it are especially beautiful, so it’s a good spot for taking photos.

Liuchuan Riverside Walk

Near Painted Animation Lane, Liuchuan Riverside Walk (柳川水岸景觀步道) is a manicured river canal that flows through central Taichung. It has flowers and grassy parks along it, so it is a lovely place to take a stroll.

At night, there are sometimes lovely light displays, especially around Christmas, Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival , so it can be a nice place to take an evening walk.

Taichung Second Market

For some local Taiwanese food in a unique indoor market, check out Taichung Second Market (台中第二市場). The market building dates to the Japanese colonial period, when it specialized in upscale goods. This is mainly a daytime market, so you can consider having lunch here. It’s just a few minutes from Liuchuan Riverside park.

Entrances on all sides of the building lead to a hexagonal courtyard at the center. I would personally recommend Yang Mama Lishi (楊媽媽立食) an excellent restaurant at the heart of the market specializing in creative sushi, Japanese cold sesame noodles (胡麻麵), and fish skin stew.

For more information on other foods you might see there, see my super detailed guide to Taiwanese foods .

Taichung Park

The largest park in the Taichung city center, Taichung Park (台中公園) is a lush green space suitable for an afternoon stroll.

The main feature in the park is a large pond called Sun Moon Lake (日月湖), which almost the same as the name as the famous Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) in Nantou, only different characters for the word “lake”. The view of the Taichung Park Pavilion (湖心亭, see photo above) across the lake is one of the most beautiful scenes in Taichung City, especially at night. The remains of a Shinto Shrine (台中神社跡) and a few other monuments at the northern end of the park are also worth a quick look.

Taichung Park is quite large and is a good place to have a picnic. It’s a 10-minute walk from Taichung Second Market or 15-minute walk from Taichung Station.

Yizhong Street Night Market

While Feng Chia Night Market (see further below) gets all the attention from tourists in Taichung, it’s actually less convenient to visit because it is far away from the city center. Yizhong Street Night Market (一中街夜市) is much more convenient. It is just a few steps north of Taichung Park, or about 20 minutes’ walk north of Taichung Station.

Yizhong Street Night Market is next to a high school, so it is popular among teens and young people. I would say that it is Taichung’s equivalent to the popular Ximending district in Taipei . Besides lots of yummy food, you can find things like cat cafes and cosplay cafes there.

It’s not nearly as large as Feng Chia, but that also makes it much easier to navigate. Like most night markets, it gets going around 5 to 6 PM. If you time it right, you can visit right after watching sunset at Taichung Park. Find out what to eat there in my guide to Taichung’s night markets .

ShenJi New Village

One of the hippest places to go in Taichung for shopping and eating is Shenji New Village (審計新村 or “Audit Village”), formerly called Shenji 368 New Village (審計368新創聚落).

Here an old dormitory compound built by the government for employees in the auditing office has been repurposed into a craft market and collection of cute eateries and cafés run by the young local entrepreneurs. It’s a great place to come for an ice cream on a lazy, sunny afternoon. It can get quite crowded on weekends.

The spots is a little ways from the previous ones. It’s about a 15-minute walk northwest of Painted Animation Lane. If coming from Taichung station, you may want to just hop in a cab.

Calligraphy Greenway

The Calligraphy Greenway (草悟道) is a 3.6-kilometer strip of thin, interconnected green spaces connecting attractions like the following (from north to south): National Museum of Natural Science (see below), Park Lane by CMB shopping mall, Park2 Caowu Square (a cool hangout with cafes, shops, bars, and artworks), Shenji New Village, Museum of Illusions , National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts , and Liuchuan Riverside Park.

It is supposedly named after the fact that the diversity of artistic displays, museums, events, and activities found along it flow like the cursive movements of Chinese calligraphy.

While the park itself is not an absolute must for your Taichung trip, a walk along the greenway, especially on a weekend, provides a window into the Taichung way of life.

One way to tackle it would be to walk from Painted Animation Lane then follow it north past National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and Shenji Village to the below spot for ice cream. Walking to and visiting all these places could take several hours.

I’m Talato Ice Cream

Another stop along the Calligraphy Greenway worth visiting is I’m Talato Ice Cream Shop (愛台灣的義式冰淇淋英才路旗艦門市), especially if you like delicious ice cream and made-for-Instagram photo props.

This clever shop has devoted half of its floor space to a selfie station, where guests can lie in a pool of scoops of ice cream, while their friend climbs a ladder to a platform above the pool to take the perfect picture from above.

What about the ice cream itself, you ask? I had watermelon sorbet, and it was excellent.

National Museum of Natural Science

If you’ve got kids, happen to love dinosaurs, or just want a rainy day or winter in Taiwan activity, then you can’t miss the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung (國立自然科學博物館). We drove all the way down from Taipei just for this museum, and it was totally worth it. See here for more information on traveling around Taiwan with kids and things to do in Taipei with kids !

The museum is huge and you’ll have to decide which gallery you want to visit when you pay. But what we went for was the dinosaur exhibit in the Life Science Hall . What makes it so awesome? The life-size dinosaurs actually move! (see the video we took at the top of this article).

My kids are massively into dinosaurs right now, but they were actualy terrified when we visited because the dinosaurs were so lifelike. There are a few more dinos hiding in the large park outside the museum, too.

The museum also has a 3D theater, IMAX theater, conservatory, and multiple permanent and rotating galleries. See more information on the official website .

Taichung Totoro Bus Stop (CLOSED)

Unfortunately, the Taichung Totoro Bus Stop (立體龍貓公車站) was closed recently, but I’ll leave this info up so readers can find out about it. You can still see a small Tatoro Bus Stop at Animation Lane, a secret Totoro Bus Stop in Keelung , and another one here on the coast of Miaoli .

These fan-made sculptures used to be one of the must-visit stops in Taichung, despite their inconvenient location. You usually had to wait in a line to take a photo there. Perhaps it was the lines disrupting local traffic that caused them to close it.

Northern and Western Taichung City Center

The following places to visit in Taichung are located a little further north and west of the Taichung City center. You’ll probably want to take a taxi or bus (I recommend using GoogleMaps to find out which bus) to reach them.

Confucius Temple & Paochueh Temple

While it’s a bit of a journey from other sights on this list, if you’re into temples then it’s worth checking out the Taichung Confucius Temple (台中孔廟). Unlike typical Taiwanese temples, Confucius temples tend to be simple in design and serene places where you are likely to be one of, or perhaps the only visitor when you go, as I was.

The large structure dates to 1976, and sits beside the Taichung Martyr’s Shrine (臺中市忠烈祠), which itself sits on the site of the former Taichung Shinto Shrine.

The Taichung Confucius Temple is about 15 minutes’ walk north of Taichung Park. It would be a little too far to walk from Taichung Station, so consider taking a taxi or bus. Also don’t miss the Confucius Temples in Taipei and in Tainan .

Another 10 minutes’ walk north of Confucius Temple is another cool temple, Paochueh Temple (寶覺禪寺). Originally a Japanese shrine, the original Japanese structure is now protected by a newer temple built up around it. The grounds have a cemetery of Japanese soldiers from WWII. There’s also a huge golden Laughing Buddha statue and a Japanese

If you love temples, don’t miss remote Lion’s Head Mountain in Miaoli County.

National Taichung Theater

The National Taichung Theater (台中國家歌劇院) is a gorgeously designed opera house in Taichung’s Xitun district northwest of the city center near Feng Chia Night Market (see below). It is the work of Japanese architect Toyo Ito, who is known for his virtual-meets-physical “conceptual” architecture and is regarded as one of the world’s most influential architects.

Since the building officially opened in 2016, it has become a favorite of photographers and Instagrammers looking to find awe-inspiring patterns and backdrops. It is even included on this popular Taichung day tour as well as this Instagram-focused day tour .

Feng-Chia Night Market

Feng Chia Night Market (also spelled Feng Jia Night Market or 逢甲夜市) is Taichung’s largest and most famous night market, and one of the most well-known night markets in all of Taiwan. See my guide to what to eat at Feng Chia night Market here .

The market was originally set up along Wenhua road, but has spread out to Fengjia road, Fushin road, Xian street, and beyond. What to eat at Fengchia night market? Well, you can find a bit of everything here, from stinky tofu and sausages stuffed into rice sausages to fried chicken and all manner of roasted seafood. I personally enjoyed a bowl of Korean tteokbokki, deep fried fish cakes, and green onion cakes.

Even though this night market is the most famous one in Taichung, it is not very convenient to reach. The new green line of the Taichung MRT will get you close. You’ll need to walk about 10 minutes from Wenxin Yinghua station. But this MRT only goes to Taichung’s HSR station. It doesn’t go to the regular train station in Taichung’s city center. In the future, a new MRT line will make it easier to go there.

For now, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi, or take the regular TRA train to Daqing Station and then connect to the green MRT line there.

If you are a serious night market fan, seek out these other night markets in Taichung , or read my guides to the best night markets in Taipei , Tainan , Kaohsiung , and Keelung !

Rainbow Village

Although it comes toward the end of my list because it is quite a ways from the city center, Rainbow Village has in recent years become one of Taichung’s most compelling sights, and many people come to Taichung for this attraction alone.

Rainbow Village is a courtyard home in a military dependent’s village originally built to house KMT soldiers from China. Most of the community was abandoned, but one ex-Chinese soldier, Huang Yong-Fu, refused to leave. To convince the bulldozers to stay away, he began painting the walls of his home in psychedelic colors and designs.

Now 100 years old (seriously!), Huang Yong-Fu (who is lovingly referred to as “Rainbow Grandpa”) no longer maintains the site. Sadly, some of the walls were painted over by angry construction workers and the site was closed for a whole year. As of June 2023, it is open again, but many of the original paintings are lost.

For more details, see my original guide to Rainbow Village (based on a 2018 visit) and my new guide to whether Rainbow Village is still worth visiting today after it was severely damaged.

Luce Memorial Chapel

Another iconic Taichung attraction that is a little out of the way is Luce Memorial Chapel (路思義教堂) on Tunghai University (Donghai University or東海大學) campus. The 19.2-meter tent-like structure is a central landmark at the university, and nothing like the other buildings on campus.

The building was designed by I. M. Pei (貝聿銘), who did much of the other early work at the university, and contains 500 seats. It is named after Rev. Henry W. Luce, an American missionary in China in the late 19th century.

If you want to actually enter the chapel, you can attend a service on Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:15 AM. Otherwise, you can just peek in the windows at the lovely interior.

For something really interesting, you can see a super detailed miniature version of Luce Memorial Chapel at the Museum of World Religions in Taipei .

If you’re in the area and want to explore further, there are several other cool attractions in the area, like the beautiful trees along Wenli Boulevard (東海大學文理大道), Tunghai Village Night Market (東海別墅夜市), and Donghai Arts Shopping District (東海藝術街商圈),

Southern Taichung

The following places are located south of the Taichung city center but worth a half-day trip. To get to them, there are two buses that are extremely useful. One is the #151, which departs from the Taichung HSR and the other is the Ubus #50, which connects these sights to central Taichung.

Dali Art Plaza

No, it’s not named after the artist Salvador Dali, though that’s what I initially thought, too. The Dali Art Plaza (Dali Art藝術廣場) is an art-focused department store in Taichung’s Dali District. It houses dozens of art galleries and shops, and there are often some large-scale art displays there, such as the one in the photo above when I visited.

This isn’t really a must-visit in Taichung, but if you’re interested in art and shopping, you may want to make a stop there on the way to the next spots.

Wufeng Lin Family Garden

If you’re familiar with Taipei, you may also have been to the Lin Family Mansion in Banqiao, New Taipei City, but the Lin Family Garden in Wufeng (霧峰林家宮保第園區) has no relation to it (Lin is just super common Chinese surname). But these two mansions belong to a list of the “Four Great Gardens” (臺灣四大名園) of Taiwan.

Here you’ll find one of the most beautifully preserved traditional mansions in Taiwan. The sight is divided into three sections; a lower and upper compound that were occupied by two branches of the family, and a lovely garden (search for Lai-Yuan of Wufeng’s Lin Family or 霧峰林家萊園) a few steps away.

Only two halls are actually open to the public, while members of the Lin family still occupy other parts. It is free to enter, but you can see more if you join a guided tour (N250, Mandarin only).

Guangfu New Village

Among all the art centers/village on this list of things to do in Taichung, Guangfu Village (光復新村) is definitely where you’ll find the hippest locals. Like Rainbow Village (and Treasure Hill and 44 South Village; see my list of things to do in Taipei ), Guanfu Village is a former military dependent’s village, but in this case it was originally built to house higher level civil servants in the education department.

Several blocks of homes are now converted into ultra cute cafés, artist’s exhibits, restaurants, organic produce stores, and even a chocolate factory. Some rows are left in their dilapidated condition and are a magnet for photographers. People doing wedding shoots can often be seen here, too.

Come early or on a weekday to have it mostly to yourself, or on a weekend afternoon when all the shops are open and it has a livelier atmosphere and crowds of local youths. It is very easy to combine a visit to Guangfu Village with 921 Earthquake Museum (#20), a short walk away.

Access: From the Taichung HSR station, take bus #151 to Kengkou Village (Guangfu New Village) stop (30 minutes, swipe when you get on and again when you get off). You can easily walk to the next stop and then catch bus #50 back to the city center from there.

921 Earthquake Museum

Of all the Taichung attractions I’ve visited, the 921 Earthquake Museum (九二一地震教育園區) in Wufeng District is the only one that literally made me say “Wow.”

The 7.3 magnitude 921 earthquake struck Taiwan on Tuesday, 21 September 1999 at 01:47 AM was the deadliest and most disastrous in Taiwan’s history. 2415 people died and over NT300 billion in damage was caused. Images from the Guangfu Junior High School, now the 921 Earthquake Museum, were among the most poignant in media coverage of the event.

The school sits directly on the fault on which the earthquake occurred. Touring the museum starts with an indoor section where you can see the actual fault, then observe the two-meter displacement along a distorted track & field. The Earthquake Engineering Hall contains a kids’ playing area, while the Image Galley Building shows 3D films (NT170) and a simulated earthquake experience (NT25) roughly every 30 minutes. I tried the latter, and it was pretty fun!

The most striking feature, though, is the partially collapsed classroom building, which has been preserved in situ under a canopy. Also watch for the bent railway tracks near the road at the front.

Access: Take bus #151 from the Taichung HSR station to Guangfu Village then walk (10 minutes). To leave, cross the bridge over the river near the ticketing building and take Ubus #50 to Lin Family Mansion, Dali Art Plaza, or central Taichung.

Well, that brings us to the end of my Taichung guide! For more Taichung attractions further from the city center, see my guide to the best day trips from Taichung !

Related Posts

12 thoughts on “25 Unique Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan”

Very informative! Thanks for the info!

I am going back to Taiwan as a solo traveler. This time, I will be spending time in Taichung and this post is very helpful! Thanks for the suggestions and detailed information ‘;)

Thank you for the post! I am excited to visit Taichung!

Has this been updated recently? Is Rainbow Village still closed?

Still closed, unfortunately. The Taichung government first said February 2023, but that passed. More recently they said May or June, so hopefully soon!

Hi there, your travel trips and tips are awesome! My pal and I are going over, end of Jun! Would you also recommend Moncoeur Garden?

Exiting! Sorry, I haven’t personally been to Moncoeur Garden, but the reviews seem good!

Thanks for this! Very helpful to those going to Taichung for the 1st time.

We will be in Taichung August 15 to the 29th of 2023. I am sorry to bother you but can’t find this answer yet. Has the Rainbow Village reopened? Thank you,

Loving your info, suggestions, and Facebook.

Yes, it has reopened, but it will look a little different than before, with some new artwork put up but not by the original man. You can check GoogleMaps for the opening times.

Hi! I’m traveling to Taiwan next month and my partner and I would like to visit Xinshe castle. Is this place still open? Posts and reviews I have found online date back to 2019 up to early 2023 so I wonder if it’s already closed. If it’s still open, could you give us some guidance on how to get there? Much appreciated!

If you go to GoogleMaps reviews and filter for newest, you will see there are many recent reviews. I haven’t personally been to it so I can’t provide much guidance. There are a few buses from Taichung city center but they are slow, so it will take you about 1.5 hours to get there. Just use GoogleMaps directions to find them.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

The Perfect 3 Day Taichung Itinerary And City Guide (2023)

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: April 2, 2024

Categories Taiwan

Taichung is Taiwan's second most populous city and a place that should be included in any Taiwan itinerary . This bustling city on the West coast of Taiwan offers lots of fun activities for travelers.

From green parks and interesting and well-laid-out museums to colorful (street) art and night markets with delicious street food, Taichung has it all!

This Taichung itinerary will help you explore the best the city and the surrounding area have to offer. Read along for the best things to do in Taichung, travel tips, and more.

Taichung itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Things to know before traveling to Taichung

Yes absolutely! From vibrant night markets (such as Fengjia night market) to interesting museums (like the National Museum of Natural Science), Taichung has something for everyone to enjoy. There are plenty of things to do, from shopping in the city's many malls to exploring its numerous temples, parks, and landmarks. The food in Taichung is also amazing, with a variety of delicious dishes to try. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or an exciting city adventure, Taichung should definitely be included in your Taiwan itinerary!

While you can visit Taichung year-round, the best months generally are March-April and September-November . The temperature in Taichung varies between 12° in January and 33° in July. It rains a lot in the months of May until August and while winter isn't extremely cold, there are fewer activities during the winter months. Spring is lovely, especially March when it's cherry blossom season. Please note that two important public holidays (Children's Day and Tomb-Sweeping Day) take place at the start of April. Travel is best avoided during these days as it gets extremely busy on buses and trains.

The official currency in Taiwan is the  New Taiwan dollar  ( NT $) .   Here  you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately 35NT$ and $1 approximately 30NT$.

Yes, you can. You can easily book a private transfer online , prices are usually around 3000NT$ (US$86). The bus journey takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The MRT in Taichung city is still under construction, however, there is an extensive bus network both within the city as well as to Taichung attractions a bit further afield. Rides under 10km are free (pretty awesome right), however, you do need to check in and out with your Easycard .

Plan your Taiwan trip like a pro with these tools: ? Pick up an EasyCard for cashless payments and to use public transport. ? Book discounted tickets for Taiwan's high-speed rail. ? Stay connected with a  Taiwan Wifi router . ? Plan your journey with the  T aiwan Lonely Planet . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Klook or Get Your Guide . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

3 day itinerary for Taichung: map

Click here for the interactive map .

3 days in Taichung: things to do

• Taichung Day 1 : Taichung Second Market, Taichung Park, Miyahara Icecream shop, Bubble Tea DIY class, Painted Animation Lane, Calligraphy Greenway, and the CMP Block Museum of Arts.
• Taichung Day 2: Rainbow Village, Gaomei Wetlands , or the Zhongshe Flower Farm.
• Taichung Day 3: take a day trip to Sun Moon Lake or Lukang.

Where to stay in Taichung

In the table below you can find my recommended accommodation in Taichung, for any type of budget.

Best budget hotel in Taichung: Modern Inn

The Modern Inn is a nice and affordable place to stay. Rooms are beautifully designed and have a private bathroom and comfortable beds. The staff is very accommodating and the train station is only a 10-minute walk.

Guests score this property an 8.9 ( on Agoda ) and 8.7 ( on Booking ) which definitely means they are doing something right.

Click here to book via Agoda | Click here to book via Booking

Best 4-star hotel in Taichung: Airline Inn Green Park Way

This 4-star hotel offers quirky airplane-themed guestrooms that are spacious and well laid out.

Located within walking distance of the Block Museum and Calligraphy Greenway and a bus stop pretty much at the doorstep, it's easy to get many of the Taichung tourist attractions mentioned in this post.

The staff is helpful and friendly and breakfast is included in the room price. There's even a coin laundry on the third floor if you need to wash some clothes.

Best luxury hotel in Taichung: Splendor Hotel

The Splendor Hotel is a beautiful 5-star hotel located 340 meters from the National Museum of Natural Science.

While not the cheapest place to stay, the Splendor Hotel also doesn't cost you a fortune ( prices start at €12 TP - Booking Taichung Splendor Hotel a night ) and will definitely make for a great stay in Taichung.

The stylish rooms offer great views over Taichung city and feature an extra-large double bed. There is a large swimming pool, a bar, and a fitness center.

Furthermore, the professional staff will go out of their way to make your stay a memorable one.

Taichung itinerary day 1

Have breakfast at taichung second market.

Rose from Where Goes Rose : one of the best places to visit in Taichung is the authentic Second Market.

Unlike the busy night markets around Taiwan which serve modern Taiwanese food, such as fried chicken and even hamburgers, this traditional wet market boasts 100 years of history.

Many of the local residents have been serving their signature dishes here for generations, passing down the recipes to their children and grandchildren. 

The best thing to try at the Second Market is a famous Taichung breakfast . This Taiwanese answer to an English fry-up is not the most healthy option but it’s certainly very filling and delicious.

This dish comprises a giant cube of fried rice batter, a gooey fried egg, and a ‘sausage’ made of rice. It’s all topped with a hearty dollop of barbeque sauce, as well as a pig’s blood soup if you’re feeling brave!

Within the Second Market, you can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables and even sample freshly made sushi at the fish market. Heaven for lovers of Japanese food!

To visit the Second Market, set your GPS to 87, Section 2, Sanmin Road. The market is centrally located and easy to fit into your Taichung sightseeing plans.

The only tricky bit about this market is that not much English is spoken. Don’t let that put you off though, a little pointing and miming never hurt anyone!

The Taichung locals are a friendly bunch so it won’t be difficult to snag a tasty meal.

Walk around Taichung Park

Taichung Park is the oldest park in the city and a lovely place for a stroll. There are multiple lakes, a nice activity is renting a boat and rowing around.

Alternatively, there is a well-kept bicycle lane so a good option is to rent a bicycle. There are bike rental shops near the park as well as an iBike station.

Be sure to admire Houxing Pavilion (also known as Taichung Park Pavilion), which is the symbol of Taichung City and a historical site.

The entrance fee for the park is 30NT. Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle in case you get thirsty.

Visit the marvelous Miyahara Icecream shop

Caroline from CK Travels : Miyahara is an incredibly popular and Instagrammable ice-cream shop, retail shop, and high-end restaurant set in a renovated red brick building from the 1920s (it's a former ophthalmology clinic).

The ground floor shop interior resembles Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies and has to be seen to be believed! Large bookcases and gleaming shop counters, with staff all besuited in immaculate uniforms.

You will find local snacks such as pineapple cakes, plus luxury tea, cookies, and gourmet chocolates, wrapped in beautiful packaging and all kept (tantalizingly) behind glass.

Upstairs on the second floor is the restaurant  Moon Pavillion which serves up old Taiwanese gourmet cuisine in a retro setting.

Next door, the queues, and toppings for the Miyahara ice creams are out of this world.

If you do not want to queue for an hour or so, we would recommend getting get your dessert early in the morning (ice cream for breakfast needs to become a thing!) or late in the evening.

There are over 50 fantastic flavors of ice cream (some very unusual) and one scoop will cost you about NT$90. Quirky toppings, such as cheesecake and pineapple cake, are available at an extra cost.

The store is open from 10 am until 10 pm and is a 10-minute walk from Taichung Park.

Join a boba tea-making class at Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House

Carole from Travel with Carole : Bubble tea or Boba is an extremely popular drink in Taiwan and you can find it anywhere in the country.

No matter how small a village is, there is always a place to buy some boba.

I was delighted to be taking a class at the Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House on how to make boba pearl tea, a personal favorite of mine.

It is claimed that pearl tea, which mixes tea with fresh tapioca balls and often includes milk, was invented here. 

Bubble tea workshop

The restaurant’s do-it-yourself workshop began with making cold Chinese bubble black tea by combining strong-brewed black tea with ice and liquid cane sugar. 

We shook it for 33 shakes until it was full of bubbles, then drank it.

Not bad, but I was most interested in the second part of the lesson, which taught us how to prepare my favorite pearl milk tea (this type of tea is also the shop’s best-seller).

First, we compared the fresh tapioca pearls used by this shop with the hard, dried-out pearls that many other shops use. We learned that those other balls can last for up to three years ( unrefrigerated)!

For this concoction, we mixed a strong black tea, then added one spoon of dried milk and shook thoroughly.

The last step was pouring the liquid over fresh tapioca balls and stirring the drink before taking a sip. So very yummy! 

After the lesson, you can stay on for lunch. I recommend ordering vegetarian handmade noodles, a delicious plate of food.

If you haven't had enough bubble tea, accompany your lunch with chocolate milk tea with pearls.

This drink is very chocolatey, with chocolate shavings floating on top, and worthy of a dessert. A heads-up: even when shared a medium size was too much to finish!

Important: to take this Bubble Tea class, you need to make a reservation. If you speak Chinese you can book via the official site , alternatively, you can also book online (in English).

Admire colorful street art at Painted Animation Lane

Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan : if you like street art or Japanese anime, or if you're looking for a place to get some colorful shots for your Instagram feed, you should definitely visit Painted Animation Lane.

As the name suggests, this is a small alleyway with murals of famous anime and cartoon characters painted on the walls on either side.

Since it's a public street, it's completely free of charge and it's open 24 hours a day (though there's not much point in coming after dark).

While it doesn't draw as many crowds as Rainbow Village (read more below), I'd still suggest arriving fairly early in the morning if you don't have the patience to wait in line for selfies.

The alleyway is quite small, so don't expect anything on the same scale as the  famous Batman Alley in São Paulo .

But it's still a lot of fun, especially if you grew up watching these cartoons and can identify the characters.

Painted Animation Lane is on the west side of the city, the official address is Section 3, Liuchuan West Road. Just search for ‘Painted Animation Lane' on Google Maps and it will pop up.

From Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House, it's only a 10-minute walk.

Stroll around Calligraphy Greenway

While you could take a bus or taxi to your next destination, I highly recommend walking.

I love exploring cities on foot, it allows you to get off the beaten path and see places you wouldn't have discovered otherwise.

The Calligraphy Greenway is a lovely open green space with sculptures, street performers, food vendors, and a play area for children (if you happen to travel around Taiwan with kids).

You can find two museums here as well, the National Museum of Natural Science and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, both are definitely worth visiting.

However, if you are short on time, continue walking to the next item on your Taichung travel itinerary: CMP Block Museum of Arts.

From Painted Animation Lane, it's a 30 minutes stroll (2km) to get to the Block Museum, and you'll be walking mostly on the Calligraphy Greenway making it a very pleasant walk.

Visit the CMP Block Museum of Arts

IMPORTANT: the Block Museum is currently closed and it's unknown if it will reopen in the future.

Nisha from Lemonicks: when I decided to plan a trip to Taichung, I immediately added the Block museum to our itinerary.

The pictures of buried cars in the green ground that I'd seen online fascinated me tremendously. And when I saw them in real life, I was in awe!

The full name of the museum is CMP Block Museum of Arts and the museum holds several exhibitions throughout the year. However, the famous buried cars are a permanent feature of the museum.

The museum is part of the first cultural creativity square in Taiwan. The inspiration to build this square came from European streets, where local culture is beautifully integrated into (interactive) art.

Once the museum was conceptualized, the area was transformed from an old school building and broken roads, into a modern museum.

The courtyard has many geometrical and intriguing artifacts, while on the inside you can find seasonal and trending exhibitions. Sometimes they even display art created by kids!

This living museum has no boundaries and people are encouraged to participate throughout their visit. There is also a cozy book cafe and people are invited to read books here for hours.

The area is very popular among locals and has a creative market during holidays. There are many coffee shops and restaurants nearby, so you can spend several hours in the area.

Taichung itinerary day 2

On your second day in Taichung, it's time to head out of the city center and explore some attractions a bit further away. But don't worry, these places are easy to reach, either by public transport or Uber.

Please note that you can't visit all three of these interesting places in Taichung on the same day. Well, you could but you would be rushing through the day without actually having time to enjoy the sights.

Instead, I recommend picking one or two options from the list below.

Do you love nature? Take a tour of the Gaomei Wetlands . If you love street art, visit Rainbow Village. Do you like colorful flowers, make your way to the Zhongshe Flower Market.

Admire the colorful Rainbow Village

Samah from God and Wanderlust : Rainbow Village is arguably the most colorful place in Taichung.

It exuberates everything wholesome, imaginative, and giddy; with small houses intricately painted, it's an art lover and a photographer's paradise.

The village’s history is intriguing. It was painted by Huang Yong-Fu, nicknamed Rainbow Grandpa . He was a Chinese soldier who fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

Huang Yong-Fu bought his house in a village, but news came out that the government planned on demolishing this village. He began to paint to preserve his home and those surrounding it.

His hard work and dedication paid off because years later, the artsy village was petitioned to be preserved by local university students upon discovery.

What's more, nowadays it's one of Taiwan’s most famous attractions!

Keep in mind temperatures can be quite high during summer days so be sure to bring enough water. Also, there is an ice cream cart and a cafe with an outdoor seating area shaded by huge trees.

Rainbow Village is located in Nantun District, west of the city center of Taichung. You can easily get there by taxi or public transportation.

Bus 358 takes you from the city center to Lingdong High School. From the school, it’s a 10-minute walk to the village.

Visiting Rainbow Village is free and, as with Painted Animation Lane mentioned above, there isn't really a point in visiting after dark.

Visit Zhongshe Flower Market

Dea from How She Wanders : Zhongshe Flower Market  is a 6-hectare farm that is famous for its colorful and inviting flower fields.

Visiting this beautiful place is a fun and uplifting experience for the entire family. Expect to see row after row of colorful pretty flowers of many different types in full bloom, all year round!

Also known as Houli Flower Farm or Chungshe Tourist Flower Market, it is a well-known tourist spot located less than an hour's drive from central Taichung. Check the lowest car rental prices here .

The Flower Market is also accessible via local TRA train, board the train at Taichung train station, and disembark at Tai'an Station.

From Tai'an Station, you can take a taxi or walk to the farm (about 25 minutes).

Zhongshe Flower Market is an open-air attraction, so among the must-haves when visiting are sunglasses   and sunscreen .

It's also important to bring enough drinking water to keep you hydrated, don't forget your camera !

A picture-taking haven, photographers of all levels will definitely take delight in playing around with the colorful environment.

Tulip season is between January and March and is considered peak season. The farm is open daily, from 9 am until 6 pm.

Truly a notable destination, no Taichung trip will be complete without a visit to Zhongshe Flower Market!

Did you know you can also book a Taichung classic day tour from Taipei , including a visit to the Zhongshe Flower Market? Check availbility here .

Admire the sunset at the Gaomei Wetlands

Mariza from Hoponworld : Gaomei Wetlands is a firm favorite among nature lovers, bird watchers, and photographers visiting Taichung.

Located south of the Dajia River mouth and spanning over 3km, Gaomei is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature.

Besides getting a closer look at the diverse ecology and abundant animal life that call this area home, Gaomei Wetlands is also one of  Taichung's most Instagrammable places.

The highlight of any visit to Gaomei is undoubtedly walking along the 800-meter-long winding boardwalk.

It's incredibly photogenic and also offers the best vantage point over the muddy flatland and the various creatures squiggling in the mud below.

During fall and winter, you'll be able to see many migratory birds there.

Dropping by the lighthouse, biking around the area, popping into the temples nearby, and snacking on some of the local specialties are other popular activities to do in the area.

Although it's a great place to visit during the day, visiting at sunset is highly encouraged.

Watching the changing skies over this serene landscape, and the sun's shimmer on the wetland is truly a surreal experience.

You can take a local bus (1hr) to get to Gaomei. Alternatively, you can also join this excellent Gaomei Wetlands tour .

If you have an international driver's license, there is a small chance you can rent a scooter to explore the area at your own pace.

Unfortunately, most rental places require a Taiwanese driver's license (read more about our experience renting a scooter in Kenting here).

If you do manage to acquire a scooter, the drive to Gaomei Wetlands takes about 30 minutes from Taichung.

Insider travel advice: remember to download google maps and check the tidal forecast before your visit. This way, you'll be able to navigate your way around the area easily and plan your stops.

Taichung itinerary day 3

There are so many places to go in Taichung county (yes Taichung is a whole county, not just a city), and visiting all these Taichung highlights within only three days isn't possible.

So you're going to have to make a choice between two fun day trips; you can either make a day trip to Sun Moon Lake or visit Lukang Township.

Again, it all depends on your preferences:

• Sun Moon Lake is the place to go if you love beautiful nature or want to learn more about Aboriginal culture.
• Lukang has a rich history and is considered a showcase of Taiwan's cultural heritage.

Both are worthwhile to visit, however, my personal favorite is Sun Moon Lake. I'll explain why below.

Take a day trip to Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Taiwan. However, don't let that deter you, the crowds aren't that bad and it's a beautiful place with lots of fun outdoor activities and hiking (and cycling) opportunities.

Unfortunately, it rained during our visit, but even then the lake and its surroundings were pretty spectacular.

Cycling at Sun Moon Lake

When the sun is out, a fun activity is to rent a bicycle to cycle around (part of the) lake. Called the Yuetan Bike Path, this 29 kilometers bike route goes entirely around Sun Moon Lake.

Alternatively, you can choose a shorter section, which is around 12 kilometers.

Sun Moon Lake Ropeway

I also recommend riding the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway‭, which offers stunning views over the lake and forested mountains. Another option is to make a boat tour around the lake

Discount option : if you plan to do all these activities, check out the Sun Moon Lake ropeway combo pass , which includes the ropeway, bike rental, and a boat trip over the lake.

Other Sun Moon Lakes highlights

If you have more time and energy, the Wenwu Temple and Ci En Pagoda‭ are also worthy of a visit, both can be reached with the Round-The-Lake-Bus .

Contrary to what the name suggests, this bus doesn't actually go all the way around the lake but only between Shueishe Visitors Center and Syuanguang Temple. You can find more information here.

If you have time, it's actually better to spend one or two nights at Sun Moon Lake . However, visiting Sun Moon Lake from Taichung as a day trip is definitely a viable and popular option as well.

How to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung

If you have more than one day to spend the Sun Moon Lake, I recommend traveling by public transport (bus) or to book a shared transfer (in a comfortable minivan).

Buses take just under two hours, a one-way ticket costs 193NT$ and a round-trip ticket is 360NT$. Check the bus schedule here .

If you only have a day at Sun Moon Lake, consider joining a tour . A tour includes transport and several of the activities mentioned above and is a great way to make to most of your limited time at Sun Moon Lake. Check availability .

Make a day trip to Lukang Township

Milos from Happy Frog Travels : the beautiful Township of Lugang, close to Taichung, is one of the places in Taiwan with the best-preserved historic heritage.

It’s the perfect place to walk down narrow alleys, enter old temples and chat with locals. Lukang used to be a trading port for rice and sugar sent to Mainland China, thus its importance.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the port closed and the city ceased to develop. Luckily, the historical core remained unaltered.

Lukang is famous for its Old Street, a bunch of curvy pedestrian streets surrounded by old houses, 19th-century mansions, and interesting temples.

A king amongst these is Taiwan's oldest temple: Longshan Temple .

This beautiful place has a superb courtyard and an impressive octagonal ceiling. The ceiling supposedly protects the temple from evil.

Another thing to love about Lukang is the authentic bakeries and coffeehouses. You can have a delicious coffee and a cake in a century-old house or try one of the best baos in Taiwan.

Altogether you don’t need much money to visit Lukang. The main attractions like the old houses, temples, and charming streets are all free!

How to get to Lukang from Taichung?

It is very easy to reach Lukang. You can take a direct express bus from the Gancheng Bus Station in Central Taichung.

Another option is to take an old train at Taichung’s central train station to Changhua city. Local buses to Lukang stop right in front of Changhua’s station.

Alternatively, book this Lukang day trip including transportation. This is especially convenient for families interested in visiting Lukang.

If you have more time to spend in Taichung

If you have one more day to spend in Taichung, I'd highly recommend visiting any attractions in Taichung mentioned on this list that you skipped due to time constraints.

For example, if you opted to go to the Gaomei Wetlands and Zhongshe Flower Market on day 2, use your remaining day to visit the Rainbow village!

If you're up for another full day of Taichung sightseeing, you could even combine this with a visit to Lukang and spend half a day at each of the sights.

Where to go in Taichung: in conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading this Taichung travel guide! If you have any questions, leave a comment or send me a message . Also read my other posts about Taiwan :

• Hualien and Taroko Gorge itinerary
• Kaohsiung itinerary
• Taitung itinerary
• Tainan itinerary
• Taiwan travel budget
• Taiwan's best beaches
• Taipei day trips

This post was updated in January 2023.

• Travel tips

Taichung Solo Guide: 24 Things to do in Taichung Taiwan Alone

Solo travellers should consider visiting Taichung (台中) , the second-largest city in Taiwan, as there are many things to do in Taichung on your own.

Located on the west coast of Taiwan, Taichung rose as an economic, transportation and cultural hub during the Japanese occupation due to the development of highways and railways. The city has a modern landscape and open spaces that welcome locals and tourists.

Besides finding the remnants of Japanese culture, there are many things to do in Taichung, especially if it is your first time travelling solo. In this post, I’ll show you all the best attractions in Taichung and other day trip ideas.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read our disclosure for more info.

Table of Contents

Taichung travel guide: what you need to know

Before you check out some of the best Taichung attractions, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan . I included a lot of information, including getting a Taiwan prepaid SIM card , transportation around the country and more.

Here are a few quick tips for travelling to Taichung:

• Purchase a rechargeable smartcard called EasyCard or iPass . Either card is good for taking public transportation in major cities in Taiwan. You can get a rechargeable card at any major train station or convenience store in Taiwan.
• Taichung is a safe city for solo female travellers .
• If you want to see all the Taichung attractions in this post, you will need a few days in Taichung . Stay in the Central District , so you are close to all the public transportation.

How to get to Taichung Taiwan

From taichung international airport to taichung.

Taichung is accessible by air, and daily domestic and international flights (from Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, and Thailand) fly directly into Taichung International Airport .

From the airport, several buses will take you to Taichung. Alternatively, you can take a metered taxi.

Below are a few sample routes from the Taichung International Airport to Taichung.

• Taichung Bus Route 9, U Bus Route 302
• Time: 60 minutes
• Cost: about NT$15 (with EasyCard or iPass)
• A1, A2, or A3 Taichung International Airport Bus
• Time: from 45 minutes
• Cost: NT$100

From Taipei to Taichung

Most international travellers will be coming from Taipei (台北 ) because more international flights fly into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport .

The fastest way of getting from Taipei to Taichung is to take the Metro (MRT) from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei Main Train Station. Then take Taiwan High-Speed Railway (HSR) to Taichung.

However, Taichung HSR Station is at the edge of the city, so you will have to hop on another local train to go into the town. Get on the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) train at  Xinwuri Station , a one-minute walk from Taichung HSR Station.

• Time: from 35 minutes
• Cost: NT$150
• Time: 47 minutes +
• Cost: NT$700
• Time: 12 minutes
• Cost: NT$15

Alternatively, you can take TRA, a regular train from Taipei to Taichung for a much cheaper price.

• Time: 2 hours 30 minutes +
• Cost: NT$241 +

From Tainan to Taichung

If you are coming from the south, you could be coming from Tainan (臺南) , Kaohsiung (高雄) or other cities. You can go to Taichung on a high-speed train (with a transfer to a regular train) or a commuter train.

See below for a few sample routes from Tainan to Taichung.

• Time: 38 minutes +
• Cost: NT$650
• Time: 1 hour 20 minutes +
• Cost: NT$363+

How to get around Taichung Taiwan

Taichung city bus.

Taichung is a relatively big city, and it would be easier if you take the Taichung City Bus to get to different areas of the city. Buy an EasyCard or iPass to take the public bus easily. As of 2021, the basic fare for a bus ride is NT$20. 

YouBike is a point-to-point electronic bike-sharing program popular in most of Taiwan’s cities, including Taichung. You can pick up a bike at one location and drop it off at another. 

Use your EasyCard or iPass and your local mobile number to register the first time you are using YouBike. The first 30 minutes are free then it is NT$10 for every 30 minutes after . 

Uber is an excellent and cheap transportation option if you don’t want to take the bus or use the shared bike program. Download the Uber app and set up the app before you use the app. And if you are setting it up in Taiwan, you will need a local phone number.

Map: Where to go in Taichung Taiwan

Taichung is a hub for all things art and culture. You can do a one-day tour of all the art and cultural attractions mentioned below and another day wander around the city for the rest of the tourist attractions.

Whatever you do, take a look at the map below and visit these Taichung attractions while you are in the city.

Taichung solo travel: What to do in Taichung Taiwan on your own

Below are some of the best things to do in Taichung for solo travellers. These are some of the must-see Taichung attractions you do not want to miss. Follow the red pins on the interactive map.

1. Miyahara (宮原眼科) 

Miyahara used to be an ophthalmology clinic, but it is a popular tourist attraction today. Visitors go to Miyahara to see the Harry Potter-eques interior , buy pineapple cakes , and try their famous ice cream .

They have over 50 flavours of ice cream . Choose one of the many tea-infused flavours or chocolate flavours . Protip: go early or late because there is always a long queue.

2. Taichung Second Market (第二市場)

If you are looking for good food early in the morning, you must visit Taichung Second Market . There is plenty of traditional Taiwanese food inside the market. But go early because many vendors close when they run out of food. Many of the food vendors are near the east and south entrances.

If you go there for breakfast, try the braised pork rice , radish cake with a fried egg , or soup with wonton , and wash it down with Taiwanese black tea .

Besides cooked food, there are other things to do at the Taichung Second Market. Check out the coffee shops, clothing stores, tailors and other retailers . And there is even an old temple in the hexagonal courtyard.

3. Taichung Park (臺中公園)

As the oldest park in the city, Taichung Park spans over 10 acres, where you will find Rih-Yue Lake , an artificial lake, an arch bridge and Hu Xin Pavilion , a double pavilion built to commemorate the Crossway Railway in 1908. Locals like to hang out here because of all the outdoor recreational equipment like tennis courts and playgrounds.

4. Yizhong Street Night Market (一中商圈)

Yizhong Street Night Market is a centrally located night market and is a favourite among locals. There are street vendors, cafes and restaurants along the main road where you can try some of the best food in Taiwan. And if you poke around the side streets, there are many boutique stores and vendors selling souvenirs and other knick-knacks.

My favourite food at Yizhong Street is the braised food, Taiwanese pepper bun, papaya milkshake and sugar cane ice cream .

If you stay in the Central District in Taichung, you can easily come back here several times throughout your trip. I highly recommend returning a few times as this is one of my fav night markets in Taichung !

5. Taichung Confucius Temple (台中孔廟)

Built between 1972 and 1976, Taichung Confucius Temple was designed and constructed in the classic architectural style of the Song Dynasty . The temple complex layout resembles the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius in China.

Even if you don’t know much about the temple’s history, it is worth seeing the grandeur of the temple. The roofs and beams are decorated with many different colours and materials. And colourful paintings in the Song style are found in each hall.

6. Paochueh Temple (寶覺禪寺)

Paochueh Temple was built to commemorate all the fallen Japanese soldiers during World War II . Since their remains were not claimed, the deceased were gathered in the columbarium at the temple. Many Japanese tourists come here to pay their respects every year.

The temple includes the old temple surrounded by a new structure and the 7-storey giant golden laughing Buddha .

7. Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) 

If you are a bubble tea fan, don’t leave Taichung without trying THE original bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang , the original home of this Taiwanese specialty drink.

There are many types of bubble teas to choose from. But try the classic pearl milk tea, which was first created in 1987. Or if you prefer the signature black tea , that’s a favourite too.

Chun Shui Tang also has a food menu at their original tea shop. Try their vegetarian noodle and a lotus wrap sticky rice—both delicious and satisfying.

8. Painted Animation Lane (動漫彩繪巷)

Painted Animation Lane is a small alley full of graffiti of anime and popular cartoon characters . You might recognize cartoon characters like Super Mario Brothers, Popeye, Dragon Ball, etc.

These colourful murals are painted on both sides of the alley, and it is best to appreciate this delightful art scene during the day entirely.

9. Zhongxin Market (忠信市場)

Zhongxin Market is a small retro market with local restaurants, coffee shops and quirky shops . The market is dark and tucked away in a block of old vintage buildings.

Walk through the corridors between the shops and restaurants; you might find more shops and people taking photos for their Instagram. The market is across from the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.

10. National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (國立台灣美術館) – temporarily closed

The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) showcases many types of modern and contemporary artwork by Taiwanese artists . The museum’s mission is to encourage art exchange with overseas organizations and promote art education.

The museum includes all the outdoor exhibits in the courtyard and the main building spanning over four floors. Admission is entirely free.

11. Shen Ji New Village (審計新村)

Shen Ji New Village was originally built as a government dormitory. Still, it has since been converted into a creative hotspot where young entrepreneurs come together and transform the area into a lively neighbourhood.

There are boutique shops, cafes and restaurants around the small streets of Shen Ji New Village. The area is busy on the weekends as a creative marketplace, and many people are taking Instagram photos.

12. CMP Block Museum of Arts (勤美術館) – temporarily closed

CMP (China Metal Products) Block Museum of Arts is indeed one-of-a-kind! It is the first museum in Taiwan to use outdoor spaces to display contemporary art installations . The structure-less museum is next to Calligraphy Greenway , where all the exhibits seamlessly integrate into nature.

However, CMP is currently closed for renovation. Check their website and see when they open again.

13. National Taichung Theatre (台中國家歌劇院)

While the primary purpose of the  National Taichung Theatre  is to promote art, incubate creative ideas, and host various live performances, many people visit the theatre to see the  futuristic modern architecture .

While you are there, walk through the entire theatre and enjoy all the architectural details and exciting spaces . The performance stages are on the second through the fourth floor, a restaurant on the fifth, and a cafe, shop and “art corner” on the main floor. And don’t forget to take the elevator to the  Sky Garden  on the rooftop (see the main photo). It is an excellent spot to rest.

Plus, there are outdoor concerts and screenings, so check the theatre’s website for upcoming events .

14. Feng Chia Night Market (逢甲夜市) 

Feng Chia Night Market is the biggest night market in Taiwan. Located at the city’s north end in  Xitun District , the market has over 30,000 people visiting during the weekend. And it is popular with locals as the night market is right by  Feng Chia University .

I found some of the best Taiwanese food at Feng Chia Night Market. I really liked the Taiwanese hot dogs made with sticky rice, a thin scallion pancake with different flavours, and an egg waffle that looks like mini chickens .

When you’re not eating at Feng Chia, there are many shops in the area too. The stores around the neighbourhood sell many things, including clothing, accessories and souvenirs.

15. Eat your way around Taichung

Besides all the food recommendations suggested in this post, there are many more places to eat in Taichung.

Below are some restaurants and coffee shop recommendations. You can find more information about each location in each pin in Google Maps.

• Arashi Braised Minced Pork Shop (嵐肉燥專賣店) – this food vendor inside Taichung Second Market makes a delicious soup with wonton, meat roll, fish balls and radish
• Bashi Bao (盛橋刈包)  – they serve fusion gua bao (steamed bun with pork and pickled vegetable with peanut sauce), and they keep reinventing their menu to create new fusion gua bao’s. And they serve breakfast gua bao for guests of Shin Sei Bashi Hostel (which is just upstairs)
• Gubami – order their Michelin-level beef noodle soup. Not cheap but really delicious!
• Mei Jian Tea (小庭找茶) – try their signature dessert which has a traditional cookie and ice cream inside. You can find this dessert shop on the perimeter of Taichung Second Market.
• Workshop – a coffee serving the most Instagrammable blue butterfly tea latte
• Mezamashikohi Coffee – a Scandinavian design-inspired cafe with excellent coffee and a great spot for remote work

Other things to do in Taichung: Outside of the Central District

Below are some of the best things to do outside the Central District in Taichung. You can see some of these attractions as half-day trips or plan a full-day excursion. Follow the purple pins on the interactive map.

16. Rainbow Village (彩虹眷村)

At the west end of Taichung, you will find the whimsical and colourful Rainbow Village . The popular tourist spot re-opened in June 2023 and is one of the best places to take Instagram photos. There are tons of photo ops in a small block of colourful houses.

Walk through all the narrow pathways and find colourful surprises around each corner. And if you are lucky, you might even meet Rainbow Grandpa , who painted the houses to help save the village as it was about to be demolished by the government.

17. Luce Memorial Chapel (路思義教堂)

The Luce Memorial Chapel is part of Tunghai University in Taichung. It is a Christian chapel to honour Rev. Henry W. Luce, an American missionary in China during the late 19th century.

Most people visit the chapel because of its architectural design . The chapel is on an irregular hexagonal base, with a curvy tent-like structure acting as the walls and roof for the chapel. The continuous external structure comprises of repeating yellow glazed diamond-shaped tiles, which resemble the diamond-shaped lattice interior walls.

18. Wuqi Fisherman’s Harbour (梧棲漁港)

Wuqi Fisherman’s Harbour  is a  fishing harbour with a seafood market and various seafood restaurants.  There are even boat tours if you feel like touring around the port.

In the wet market, walk through aisles of seafood vendors and see fishermen’s daily catches. I saw many types of fish, crabs, lobsters, and the most gigantic shrimp I’ve ever seen! And they also sell sashimi if you want to try some raw fish at the market.

Before you leave the harbour, take a stroll around the  short promenade  and see  fishing boats  unload their catch of the day.

19. Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地)

At the mouth of the Dajia River, you will find Gaomei Wetlands . The grassy and muddy wetland spans over 1,500 acres of land , and you can walk on the long boardwalk to enjoy the scenery. Also, it is an excellent spot for bird watching during winter as many migratory birds stay over winter. And it has one of the best places to catch the sunset .

Gaomei Wetlands is a popular spot for locals and tourists on the weekends. There are food stalls where you can try some of the best Taiwanese food. Just make sure to check the tide times before going. When it is high tide, you may not be able to walk around as freely.

You can easily spend a day at Gaomei Wetlands , Wuqi Fisherman’s Harbour and Luce Memorial Chapel.

20. Carton King Creativity Park (紙箱王創意園區) – temporarily closed

Carton King Creativity Park  is the first paper-based theme park in Taiwan , where almost everything is made of cardboard . The cardboard park is 1,600 square meters big and ideal for anyone who wants to have a fun afternoon seeing replicas of famous structures made entirely from sturdy cardboard.

The park has several cafes, and you can dine at an all-cardboard restaurant. Yup, everything in Carton King’s restaurant is made of cardboard! The tables, chairs, shelving, lighting, etc. Even the hot pots are made of paper!

21. Da Keng Scenic Area (大坑風景區)

I always try to include some outdoorsy outfits and shoes in my minimalist packing list because I know of many excellent opportunities to hike in Taichung’s vicinity.

One of the most popular hiking spots is in Da Keng Scenic Area . Da Keng has ten trails; the first four are the most difficult . Each trail is slightly different but has many lumber bridges connecting different park areas.

The easiest way to get there is by Uber. Go early in the morning and start at trail #4 (which is the hardest and the most scenic). Continue onto trail #5 and take either trail #2 or #1 back to the main road and hop on a local bus #66 back to Taichung.

Want to pack minimally for your next trip? Check out my post on how to pack 7kg carry-on luggage

22. Xinshe Sea of Flowers (新社花海)

Xinshe Sea of Flowers  is an annual agriculture event showcasing the prettiest flowers in Central Taiwan . Visitors can see hectares of flower fields, including many colours of cosmos and marigolds. It is one of the most popular Taichung flower expos!

But check the calendar before going to Xinshe to see the flower gardens. The annual event opens from late November to early December . It is worth returning even if you have been before because they have a different theme each year.

23. Xinshe Castle (新社莊園古堡) – temporarily closed

Xinshe Castle or Summit Castle Resort  is located east of Taichung City in the mountainous region of  Xinshe Township in Taiwan . It has a European castle, winery, gardens, fountains, ponds, waterfall, restaurants, souvenir shops, and hiking trails . 

Many visitors go to Taichung Xinshe Castle during the spring to catch cherry blossom s, while others visit during late autumn to see all the  

And if it is possible to see Carton King, Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Xinshe Castle all on the same day . I included the one-day itinerary at the end of each of these posts.

24. Zhongshe Flower Market (中社觀光花市花海)

Zhongshe Flower Market is another flower market that you should visit. Different types of flowers bloom throughout the year. The flower market is especially popular during tulip season , where up to 300,000 tulips bloom.

The flower farm is also known as Chungshe Flower Garden or  Houli Flower Farm , just in case you have any confusion finding different information online.

Where to stay in Taichung as a solo traveller

There are many excellent affordable hotels and hostels in Taichung . Most of them are around Taichung Railway Station , which is a good location because of its accessibility to major attractions.

Another option is to stay in Xitun District (西屯區) further north of the city. But the location is also quite good because it is close to shops, restaurants and Feng Jia Night Market .

Here are my top suggestions for a solo traveller:

• Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• Check prices & reviews: Agod a

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ms travel solo (@mstravelsolo)

Which of these Taichung attractions will you see?

I hope all of them because they are all worth visiting. But if you have limited time, you can still see most of these Taichung attractions in one day . Whether you are a solo traveller or someone local doing a solo staycation, follow my itinerary so you don’t have to work out all the details yourself.

Let me know in the comments which attraction you like or if I miss other things to do in Taichung, Taiwan.

Thank you for reading my solo Taichung travel guide

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:

Introduction to Taiwan

• Things to know before visiting Taiwan  
• How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
• How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan  
• 22 must-eat food in Taiwan  
• Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food

Central Taiwan posts

• Taichung 1-day itinerary
• Where to stay in Taichung for solo travellers  
• Miyahara Taichung: best ice cream and food souvenirs
• Taichung Second Market
• Top 3 Taichung Night Markets
• SOF Hotel: best boutique hotel in Taichung
• Norden Ruder Hostel: best minimalist hostel in Taichung
• Zhongshe Flower Market near Taichung
• Carton King Creativity Park: 1-day itinerary  
• How to spend 1 day at Gaomei Wetlands
• Xinshe Sea of Flowers near Taichung: 1-day itinerary  
• Xinshe Castle near Taichung
• What to do in Sun Moon Lake: 2-day itinerary  
• Sun Moon Inn: hotel review

Like this post? Pin it on your Pinterest board!

queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I've been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!

Further Reading...

10 Off the Beaten Path Travel Destinations for Solo Travellers

Taichung Accommodation: Where to stay in Taichung, Taiwan as a solo traveller

Taiwanese Food Culture: an Introduction to 22 Must Eat Food in Taiwan 

No comments, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Bali Indonesia

Kaohsiung solo travel: 23 best things to do in kaohsiung taiwan, ms travel solo.

• Group Enquiry? NEW

Places to Visit in Taichung

• Places To Visit

Taichung Places to Visit

Here is the list of best places to visit in taichung:, rainbow village.

Carton King Creativity Park

Xinshe Sea Of Flowers

Dakeng No.5 Trail

Best of Hong Kong

Huanshan Tribal Village

Chungbuk Fall Pine

Best of Manila

Wufeng Nonghui Jiuzhuang

National taichung theater.

Best of Macau

Daliart Art Center

Best of Kaohsiung

921 Earthquake Museum Of Taiwan

Lihpao Land

Best of Taipei

National Taiwan Museum Of Fine Arts

Hou Feng Bikeway

Best of Taiwan

Gaomei wetland.

People Also Ask About Taichung

Which are the best places to visit in taichung, which are the best romantic places to visit in taichung, what is the best time to visit taichung, what is taichung famous for, is taichung worth visiting, popular related destinations.

Best Domestic Packages

Best international packages, domestic honeymoon packages, international honeymoon packages, places to visit in india, international places to visit, things to do in india, international things to do, popular on thrillophilia.

• We assure the privacy of your contact data.
• This data will only be used by our team to contact you and no other purposes.

Your enquiry has been received successfully. Our destination expert will reach out to you soon!

Taiwan’s Open Invitation – Welcoming One and All to Experience its Beauty, Food and Fun

• Copy Link URL Copied!

When was the last time you took an awe-inspiring vacation? While the U.S. – and California – have unreal, if not unexpected destinations and landscapes, savvy visitors will tell you there is no substitute for Taiwan, and its new slogan, “Waves of Wonder,” for its sheer breadth of variety, hospitality and memory-stoking experiences.

This was the thesis statement made by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, earlier this year, when they brought their message – and invitation – to the island to the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show. The event at the L.A. Convention Center showcased many destinations, and Taiwan brought their best – including an opportunity to win a trip – to lucky attendees.

The goal – and the draw – is to reintroduce Taiwan, a destination of 23.5 million with so much to offer to Southern California, from soaring mountains to cosmopolitan cityscapes, semi-tropical paradises and ultra-modern modality alike. All of this is underlined by the people of Taiwan, who happily welcome visitors with a mix of amazing hospitality, incredible culinary delights and rich cultural experiences.

Director Vivian Lin of the TTA in Los Angeles said, “Taiwan offers a rich cultural experience, a variety of delicious snacks, and even Michelin-starred restaurants. In 2023, approximately 520,000 visitors from the United States came to Taiwan, approaching pre-pandemic levels. With the continuous increase in flights from the West Coast to Taipei and various tourism incentives from TTA, we anticipate attracting more American tourists to Taiwan.”

A Foodie Paradise True foodies might feel even more inclined to visit Taiwan this year after the Michelin Guide gave three-star designations to two restaurants: Taïrroir in Taipei and JL Studio in Taichung. The honor, the highest the Guide gives, are for the most unique and high-quality restaurants globally, and both Taiwanese restaurants recognized offer just that: A singular dining experience.

However, that is not where a foodie journey ends. The country of Taiwan holds 44 Michelin-Star restaurants, up from 38 in 2022 – more than many larger nations. The deserving restaurants serve an eclectic mix of cuisines, from traditional Taiwanese favorites to modern fusion: Taïrroir offers a bold French-Taiwanese fusion, whereas JL Studio pays tribute to head chef Jimmy Lim’s Singaporean orgin and its local cuisine.

Two Taipei restaurants were promoted from one to two Michelin Stars as well: Molino de Urdániz , where chefs Chef Govinda and Chef Adrian offer inventive takes on Basque cuisine; and Mudan , where the chef brings out the best in every ingredient through a delicate coating of tempura.

Five restaurants received one-star honors in Taipei, including A-Cut, Ad Astra, Ban Bo, INTIA and ZEA . Try one or try them all – each offer flavors you will not find anywhere else.

In conjunction with the Michelin Guide announcement, the TTA was very focused on the food culture of the nation. Starting with samples of perhaps its most famous export – boba, or bubble milk tea – the TTA thrilled the Travel and Adventure Show, sharing the authentic taste of Taiwan, showcasing classic Taiwanese foods such as fish head casserole and classic pineapple cake, providing visitors with a genuine experience of Taiwan’s local customs.

Some potential visitors might be already familiar with some Taiwanese culinary offerings, given that the nation was featured in the latest season of Netflix’s hugely popular series, “Somebody Feed Phil,” starring producer and James-Beard-awarded global foodie Phillip Rosenthal. In the episode, which is available to stream now, Rosenthal explores Michelin-starred restaurants and tea houses in Jiufen, fruit ice stalls in Ximending, and the bustling night markets of Keelung and Huaxi Street. He finds himself amazed by the accessible deliciousness of Taiwanese cuisine, and along the way, Rosenthal also marvels at local culture, visiting landmarks like Liberty Square and Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple – he even experiences Taiwanese traditional knife therapy. The episode concludes with a magnificent feast sat the Michelin-starred restaurant Mountain and Sea House, shared with friends including Julia Huang from Intertrend Communications, which co-produced the episode.

Getting There; Branching Out With China Airlines , EVA Air and STARLUX Airlines all providing nonstop travel to Taipei from LAX, getting to Taiwan is convenient and comfortable. Once in the capital city, sights like Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest skyscraper, and culinary experiences like the Taipei night markets (be sure to try ba wan ), you may find yourself never wanting to leave.

However, TTA encourages you to set out and explore the amazing sights and experiences of the entire island. With a fully modern transportation system, including disparate modes like high-speed rail and curated bike paths, there is no wrong way to get around. Cyclists will also be awarded with a certification if they accomplish Cycling Around Taiwan . The island’s interior mountains make for amazing adventure travel and challenging hikes, and the east coast offers serenity and luxury in kind. With Taiwan’s eco-focused tourism – no matter where you travel, sustainability is always in focus.

All of this, says the TTA, is an open invitation to experience a truly unique Asian culture that is easily accessible to anyone in Southern California. So, when are you going?

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.