taichung tourist map

Map of Taichung — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Taichung, Taiwan for travelers! Check out Taichung’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Taichung? See our Taichung Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Taichung. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Taichung map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Taichung by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 20 attractions in Taichung

National taiwan museum of fine arts, national museum of natural science.

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Taichung Park

Wuling farm, gaomei wetlands.

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

National Taichung Theater

Hsr taichung station, tunghai university, luce memorial chapel, lavender cottage, rainbow village, dajia jenn lann temple, lole market, wufeng lin family garden, maple garden.

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area

National library of public information, taroko mall taichung, chung tai chan monastery, 921 earthquake museum of taiwan, top 10 restaurants in taichung, feng chia night market, chun shui tang original store, fu din wang, taichung second market, zhongxiao road night market, the factory mojocoffee, bungy jump korean bbq.

BeMo's

Transportation in taichung, nearby airports, taichung international airport, chiayi airport, highways and major roads.

• National Highway No.1
• National Highway No.3
• National Highway No.4
• Provincial Highway No.12
• Provincial Highway No.13
• Provincial Highway No.14
• County Road No.136
• County Road No.137
• County Road No.138
• City Road No.125

Top searches in Taichung

Popular road trips from taichung, what's the weather like in taichung.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Taichung for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Taichung in January
• Weather in Taichung in February
• Weather in Taichung in March
• Weather in Taichung in April
• Weather in Taichung in May
• Weather in Taichung in June
• Weather in Taichung in July
• Weather in Taichung in August
• Weather in Taichung in September
• Weather in Taichung in October
• Weather in Taichung in November
• Weather in Taichung in December

All road trips from Taichung

• Taichung to Taipei drive
• Taichung to Kaohsiung drive
• Taichung to Tainan drive
• Taichung to New Taipei drive
• Taichung to Taitung City drive
• Taichung to Yilan City drive
• Taichung to Hualien City drive
• Taichung to Wanhua drive
• Taichung to Taoyuan drive
• Taichung to Ruifang drive
• Taichung to Keelung drive
• Taichung to Banqiao drive

Explore nearby places

• Changhua City
• Nantou City
• Miaoli City
• Hualien City
• Taitung City
• Pingtung City
• Pingtan County
• Hui'an County

All related maps of Taichung

• Map of Changhua City
• Map of Yuanlin
• Map of Nantou City
• Map of Miaoli City
• Map of Douliu
• Map of Toufen
• Map of Chiayi
• Map of Hsinchu
• Map of Taibao
• Map of Zhubei
• Map of Puzi
• Map of Hualien City
• Map of Taoyuan
• Map of New Taipei
• Map of Banqiao
• Map of Magong
• Map of Wanhua
• Map of Yilan City
• Map of Taipei
• Map of Da'an
• Map of Tainan
• Map of Keelung
• Map of Ruifang
• Map of Taitung City
• Map of Pingtung City
• Map of Pingtan County
• Map of Kaohsiung
• Map of Hui'an County
• Map of Fuqing
• Map of Putian

Taichung throughout the year

• Taichung in January
• Taichung in February
• Taichung in March
• Taichung in April
• Taichung in May
• Taichung in June
• Taichung in July
• Taichung in August
• Taichung in September
• Taichung in October
• Taichung in November
• Taichung in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Taichung?

Get inspired for your trip to Taichung with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Taichung Itinerary
• 2-Day Taichung Itinerary
• 3-Day Taichung Itinerary
• 4-Day Taichung Itinerary
• 5-Day Taichung Itinerary

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

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.

Taichung City Printable Tourist Map

Taichung Map: The Attractions

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Nantian temple.

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Taichung Starts Here

I’ll enumerate a more specific Taichung itinerary in just a second, but I’ll start with a more general observation: The energy of Taichung (which is pronounced Tai-zhong , and literally means “Taiwan Middle”) is so incredibly inviting.

I found this to be the case, first and foremost, when exploring Taichung attractions like Taichung Confucius Temple and the aptly-named Rainbow Village. It was also apparent, however, when digging into gastronomic delights such as lu rou fan (braised pork rice) and bubble milk tea, served in the shop where it’s said to have originated.

I hope you’ll continue reading, whether you’re in search of a comprehensive Taichung travel guide, or simply want inspiration as you put your own trip together.

Where to Stay in Taichung

Although the city’s footprint is absolutely massive, most of my favorite things to do in Taichung are within biking distance of TRA Taichung Station (which, as is the case with many cities in Taiwan, is a way’s away from the city’s high-speed train distance). As a result, I’m going to recommend lodging that will allow you to sightseeing and eat within the smallest possible perimeter.

As is the case throughout Taiwan, most Taichung hotels aren’t anything special. There are certain exceptions, of course, such as The Cloud , where I stayed during my most recent trip. The Splendor is probably the city’s premier luxury property, while budget-minded travelers and those looking for a more local experience will want to search for Airbnb apartments near the station.

My Favorite Things to Do in Taichung

Go temple hopping.

Apologies in advance: This post is going to jump around quite a bit, since the thematic trajectory of a Taichung trip doesn’t follow its geography. With this being said, I will list my favorite Taichung temples in order of how I recommend visiting them. The nearest two to the city center are Taichung Confucius Temple and Paochueh Temple —start your day with these two. You’ll visit Wenchang Temple a little later.

Strike a Pose at the Rainbow Village

Specifically, after visiting Rainbow Village , which is one of the most popular things to do in Taichung, in spite of being little more than a selfie studio. Note that this place is also far afield: It’s about an hour by bike from Paochueh Temple. Note that if you don’t want to bike here (it can seem a long trek on a hot or very sunny day), you can always take an Uber herel

Eat Your Way Through Town

Whether you’re on the hunt for the original Taichung bubble tea or want a heart bowl of sum-sum for lunch, I’ve got you covered. My favorite Taiwanese food in Taichung can be found at Fu Ding Wan , which is probably Taichung’s most famous spot for lu rou fan , aka braised pork rice. Chun Shui Tang , meanwhile, is known as the birthplace of boba nai cha , more commonly known as bubble milk tea.

Discover Taichung’s Cultural Side

Museums are among my favorite things to do in Taichung—and not just because of the free air conditioning. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I fully disregarded this benefit. Logistically, I highly recommend breaking up the journey from Taichung’s temples to the Rainbow Village with stops at National Museum of Natural Science and National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts , respectively.

Take a Day Trip to Sun Moon Lake

I’ll start with a disclaimer: You don’t have to do Taichung to Sun Moon Lake as a day trip. Whether or not you decide to stay there, however, I think you’ll find it a worthwhile excursion from the city. My personal favorite place at Sun Moon Lake is Ci-En Pagoda , where you can enjoy the best panorama of the lake, although some travelers prefer biking at water level.

Is Taichung Worth Visiting?

Taichung is worth visiting, yes, especially if you have few expectations going in—I imagine you don’t, apart from whatever curiosity led you to this page. Once you pass this proverbial checkpoint, the next question becomes how many days in Taichung you should spend. In general, I’d say two or three nights is plenty for most travelers, but it depends on what your goal in traveling here is.

Two or three days in Taichung is perfect for sightseeing. This assumes you’ll spend a day or two focusing on core things to do in Taichung, then visit Sun Moon Lake for a day. Generally speaking, I would only recommend longer Taichung trips for people who intend to rent an Airbnb, and to “live” in Taichung for a week or longer, seeking local experiences over tourist ones.

How Taichung Compares to Other Cities in Taiwan

Rather than do a detailed comparison of Taichung vs. Tainan (or Chiayi or Kaohsiung—take your pick), I’d rather discuss how it fits in the context of all of them. Which is to say the following: Taichung is something of a happy medium. It boasts fewer attractions than Kaohsiung and less history or culinary fame than Tainan, but is also less crowded than both. It’s less “authentic” than Chiayi , but also less stressful.

Ideally, of course, your Taiwan itinerary would include all the cities of the country’s highly-urbanized west coast. A perfect Taiwan trip, for that matter, would combine a road trip that runs down the east coast , starting in Taipei and ending in Kaohsiung , stopping in Tainan, Chiayi and Taichung (in that order) on the way back up to the capital, traveling via high-speed rail for efficiency.

Other FAQ About Visiting Taichung

What is special about taichung.

Taichung is known for many reasons, but being “special” isn’t generally one of them. Rather, it’s a sprawling and largely residential/industrial city in central Taiwan, that just so happens to hide some treasures for travelers curious enough to find them.

Does Taichung have MRT?

Taichung does have a single MRT line as of 2023, although its limited scope at this stage also means it has limited utility. If you visit Taichung, it’s really best to use one of the city’s rental bikes to get around, or to use taxis and buses if the weather isn’t feasible for biking.

Which district to stay in Taichung?

Taichung’s central district is the most convenient place to stay, keeping in mind that Taichung isn’t especially convenient as a general rule, on account of its sprawl. Unless you know the city well, I’d advise sticking to hotels (rather than Airbnbs), as most Taichung hotels (certainly those that advertise their services in English) are in areas relatively friendly to tourists.

The Bottom Line

The good news? Taichung is diverse enough to keep you interested, but manageable in number—you’re never going to feel overwhelmed. The better news? Taichung is a welcoming, relaxing city, where you’re feel at home—and at ease—regardless of what you do. It disappoints me, to be sure, that more people don’t consider traveling here, even if that means fewer crowds and lower prices for those of us who do. Loved my Taichung travel guide? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary!

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• 1.1 Central Taichung
• 1.2 Other districts
• 2.1.1 Aboriginal era
• 2.1.2 Early history of Taichung
• 2.1.3 Qing Dynasty rule era
• 2.1.4 Japanese colonial era
• 2.1.5 Republic of China era (1945-)
• 2.2 Climate
• 3.2 By train
• 3.4 By plane
• 3.5 By boat
• 4.1 By subway
• 4.3 By bicycle
• 4.4 By scooter
• 4.5 By taxi
• 4.6 On foot
• 5.1 Museums
• 5.2 Places of worship
• 6.1 Hot springs
• 6.2 Parks and nature
• 6.3 Performing Arts
• 7.1 Clothes stores at Feng Chia Night Market
• 7.2 Specialty shops at Feng Chia Night Market
• 7.3.1 Clothes stores at Yizhong Street
• 7.3.2 Specialty shops at Yizhong Street
• 10.1 Restaurants at Feng Chia Night Market
• 10.2 Food and drink vendors at Feng Chia Night Market
• 10.3.1 Xiang Shang Market (向上市場)
• 10.3.2 Jianguo Market (建國市場)
• 10.3.3 Second Market (第二市場)
• 10.3.4 Third Market (第三市場)
• 10.3.5 Fifth Market (第五市場)
• 10.4 Restaurants at Yizhong Street
• 12.1 Budget
• 12.2 Mid-range
• 12.3 Splurge
• 12.4 Exotic
• 14 Stay safe

Taichung (臺中 or 台中 Táizhōng ) is a city in the west-central part of the island of Taiwan . It has a pleasant climate and a population of just over 2.8 million people, making it the second largest city on the island after New Taipei . The city is home to many manufacturers and has experienced rapid growth in the diversity of its cultural offerings.

Among the activities to catch when visiting Taichung: the world-class science museum and hiking in the nearby hills. There are also many famous night markets that provide night-time excitement. Here you can enjoy delicious food and drink, and find cheap and interesting items for sale. These include the ChungHwa night market (中華夜市), the Feng-Chia university night market (逢甲夜市), the Tung-Hai university night market (東海夜市), and the Chung-Shiao night market (忠孝夜市).

Districts [ edit ]

Taichung is divided into 29 geographical subdivisions which may be unofficially grouped as Inner Taichung that was the smaller Taichung City until 2010, Datun southeast of Inner Taichung, Greater Shanxian (山線) as inland mountainous area, and Greater Haixian (海線) as coastal area:

Central Taichung [ edit ]

• Beitun District , (北屯區): Geographically, this was the largest district in the city before 2010, spreading from the north to the northeastern-most reaches of the Inner Taichung. It includes the comparatively rural area of Dakeng. It also includes the Taichung Folk Park and Morrison Academy.
• Central District , (中區): This is the smallest and most densely populated district in the city. It is home to the Taichung Train Station, Taichung Park, and a large number of traditional businesses in the downtown area. This district is home to the original suncake shop on Ziyou Road (自由路) and is where most of Taichung's major businesses used to be located.
• East District , (東區): On the other side of the tracks from the main part of the downtown area, the Taichung Central Department Store is here.
• Nantun District , (南屯區): Occupying the southwestern-most portions of the Inner Taichung, there is still considerable farmland in this area. Nantun is most well known for high property values and expensive, luxurious cottages, which have in turn attracted many large department stores into adjacent areas of Xitun District.
• North District , (北區): Nestled between Central and Beitun Districts, it is home to the Taichung First Senior High School and Yizhong Street (一中街), one of the best known night markets in the city. It is also home to the Natural Science Museum, Chungyou Department Store, and Zhongshan Hall.
• Xitun District , (西屯區): This district spreads out to the western edge of the city and is home to Taichung City Hall, Feng Chia and Tunghai Universities. It is also the location of many of the new, fashionable shopping areas in the city and is the area of greatest growth. The Taichung Industrial Park, World Trade Center, and the Chaoma Bus Station, a major embarkation point from the city. Major department stores include Idee, Shinkong Mitsukoshi, and Tiger City.
• South District , (南區): Occupying the southernmost part of the city, it is home to National Chung Hsing University and the Taichung Industrial High School.
• West District , (西區): West District is home to the National Fine Arts Museum as well as the Municipal Cultural Center. A lot of cultural activities were held here. This area is also known for its restaurants, which have attracted many visitors with their reputation for exotic cuisine. National Taichung University is here. Sogo Department store is in the northern part of the district.

Other districts [ edit ]

Other districts include Datun , Greater Haixian and Greater Shanxian . Greater Shanxian stretches up the Central Mountain Range, neighboring Taroko Gorge .

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ], aboriginal era [ edit ].

Taiwanese Aborigines used to populate the plain where modern Taichung City is located. They lived by cultivating millet and taro and hunted deer. Several local names in central Taiwan contain the word for "deer," including Shalu Township and Lukang Township in Changhua County.

Early history of Taichung [ edit ]

Taichung was founded in 1705 as a part of Changhua County with the name of Dadun (ch: 大墩; p: Dàdūn; w: Ta-tun; lit. large mound). At this point in history, the Qing Dynasty, formed by invading Manchus in the 1640s, was consolidating its hold on western Taiwan, which it had wrested from the Cheng family in 1682. As a part of strengthening its control, a garrison was founded in 1721 near the site of present-day Taichung Park by Lan Ting-chen.

All was not peaceful for Qing authorities in central Taiwan. North of the city, at the Dajia River, an Aboriginal revolt broke out in 1731 after Chinese officials moved in and compelled them to provide labor. After being joined by other Aboriginals, they drove as far south as the county seat of Changhua in May 1732 before being chased into the mountains by Qing forces.

Another rebellion, this one in 1786, against Qing authorities had its roots in the nearby town of Dali, just south of Taichung City. Led by Lin Shuang-wen, it began as an attempt to overthrow the Manchu government and restore the Ming Dynasty. As they moved northward, they turned to slaughter and looting. They were eventually defeated by a coalition of Hakka, Quanzhou Fujianese descendants, and Aboriginal volunteers who joined with the government to defeat the rebels.

Qing Dynasty rule era [ edit ]

Taiwan became a province of Qing-dynasty China in 1885, and the city, named Taiwan at the time, was named capital of Taiwan Prefecture, one of three prefectures in the newly created Taiwan Province. It was also initially designated as the provincial capital, and Qing official Liu Mung-chuan received the authority from the Guangxu Emperor to oversee development of the area. However, four years later, Liu was forced to retire by Empress Dowager Cixi, and the provincial capital was moved to what is now known as Taipei.

Japanese colonial era [ edit ]

China lost the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. As a consequence, the Qing Dynasty was forced to surrender Taiwan to the Japanese in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. The Japanese changed the name of the city from Dadun to Taichū (臺中), and began to develop the city, setting out to make it the first “modern” area of Taiwan.

However, Taichū bore the brunt of early Japanese repression. There were many rebels who stated that they had accepted amnesty from the earlier period of rebellion when the Republic of Taiwan was declared in 1895. However, many of those same people continued anti-Japanese activities. On May 25, 1902, some 360 rebels and their families accepted invitations to surrender and receive amnesty and rewards. Instead of receiving amnesty, once inside, the Japanese locked the doors and slaughtered the former rebels.

Taichū Park was completed in 1903. The old north gate, one of the few Liu-era structures to survive the Japanese reconstruction of the city, was moved to the new park. To this day, Taichung Park is one of the most popular places in the city for people to relax.

The first market in Taichū was built in 1908 along JiGuang Road between ZhongZheng and ChengGong Roads. It is still used today, and is a popular spot to purchase food and other items in downtown Taichung. Taichung Middle School (now known as Taichung First High School) was founded in 1913 by Lin Hsien-tang and his brother Lin Lie-tang, two wealthy Taiwanese intellectuals of the era. This was done in an effort to teach children the traditional culture of Taiwan and to foster a sense of local pride.

Taichū was designated as a city by Japanese Imperial authorities in 1920, and Taichū City Hall was completed in 1924 after eleven years of construction.

A Taiwanese cultural association founded in 1921 in Taipei by Lin Hsien-tang was moved to Taichū in 1927. Most of the members of this association were from Taichū and the surrounding area. The city became a center of Taiwanese culture and nationalism.

The newfound prosperity of Taichū was eventually squandered by the war effort. When World War II ended in 1945, Taiwan’s economy, like Japan’s, was in shambles.

Republic of China era (1945-) [ edit ]

The Japanese were forced to surrender to Republic of China forces on behalf of Allied forces on 25 October 1945, who came across the strait on U.S. ships and accepted their surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers.

The Kuomintang (KMT), also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party, relocated the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan upon losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communists.

The early post-war era was one of transition and turmoil for Taiwan. Taiwanese nationalists had divided into three prominent groups, one of which was known as the Taichung Clique. These were men with relatively high social standing during the Japanese era, such as Lin Hsien-t’ang, Yang Chao-chia, Yeh Jung-chung, and others. These men attempted to take what they believed to be their rightful place as the political leaders of the island. However, the administrator of the island, Chen Yi, opposed this faction as it contained many people, especially merchants and landlords, who had opposed his policies.

Under the authorities of the Republic of China, Taichung had become the center for organized crime and associated businesses.

On 25 December 2010, Taichung City and County of Taiwan Province merged into a new a special municipality of Taichung.

Climate [ edit ]

Taichung is blessed with pleasant climate. It is often compared to California because of the frequency of sunny dry days. The subtropical monsoon climate gives Taichung south wind from June to August and north wind from October to May. The highest temperature appears in the summer months of July, August, and September, and the lowest temperature arrives in the winter months of January and February. The difference in temperature between summer and winter seldom exceeds about 16°C. However, there will be short periods during the winter when the temperature barely rises much above 10°C. The city enjoys mild weather throughout the year, with the average annual temperature being a comfortable 23°C. The average annual rainfall is around 1600 mm. The rain falls generously in the wet season (May – August) and scarcely in the dry season (October – February). The unique landform of basin means that the city suffers less from typhoons than other areas in Taiwan. However, typhoons still affect the city and often bring very heavy rainfall and flooding. However, by being in a valley and not having much rain, Taichung also has air quality problems throughout the year.

Get in [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ]

Bus is the most convenient and least expensive option. From Taipei Train Station, go to the bus terminal and take the U-Bus (統聯客運), Kuo-Kuang Bus (國光客運). Tickets cost from NT$100–350, depending on what day of the week you travel on. Buses depart several times an hour from the early morning through evenings and the entire ride is about three hours long.

By train [ edit ]

In addition, the Western Line of the Taiwan Railway Administration is split into the Taichung Line serving inland districts and the Coastal Line serving serving coastal districts. Many north and south bound trains make a stop at major Taichung Station in Central District along the Taichung Line. Other trains bypass Taichung Station by taking the Coastal Line. Make sure to take the correct train to reach the intended destination. Express trains (ZiQiang) to Taichung Station cost NT$375 from Taipei and NT$469 from Kaohsiung. Midrange ticket prices (Jukuang class) to Taichung Station cost NT$289 from Taipei or NT$361 from Kaohsiung . The entire trip takes about three hours from both Taipei and Kaohsiung.

By car [ edit ]

Taichung is served by National Highways 1 and 3. From Taoyuan Airport and from most parts of Taipei, National Highway 1 is the fastest route to central Taichung.

By plane [ edit ]

By boat [ edit ].

The Cosco Star ferry runs overnight between Taichung and Xiamen on the Chinese mainland. It runs from Xiamen to Taichung on Tuesdays, and from Taichung back to Xiamen on Wednesdays. The other days of the week, it runs other routes between Taiwan and China that don't leave from or arrive at Taichung (see here for departure times of each route and here [dead link] for the latest calendar of operations). "Standard" one-way fares start at NT$3,500, but "basic" fares may be available for NT$2,490 ( fare table ). On top of the fare there is an additional NT$300-550 in fuel and port surcharges, which varies depending on the route. There are substantial discounts for seniors (65+) and children (12 and under). The service's Taiwan-facing website is here .

CSF operates fast ferries (about 3 hours) from Pingtan in mainland China to Taichung. As of February 2019, the Pingtan-Taichung-Pingtan route runs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays ( full schedule ). Adult fares for non-Taiwan citizens start at NT$3,000 one-way / $5,300 round-trip if purchased in advance ( fare table ), a couple hundred more if purchased at the pier ( fare table ). Fares are cheaper for Taiwan/ROC citizens ( advance / pier .

Get around [ edit ]

By subway [ edit ].

Taichung Metro Green line is operating since 2021.

Fortunately, Taichung city has a fully developed bus system. There are 18 bus companies that cover 275 routes in the 29 districts. Most of the bus lines have fixed departure schedule. All buses announce the station name in 2 languages, including Chinese and English. Bus lines such as 300, 302, 303, 304 depart frequently on Taiwan Blvd from the train station to Shalu District. Buses line such as 50 and 201 also run frequently from Wufeng District to the train station, Taichung Park, Yizhong Street night market. Bus line 35 runs from Chung Hsing University to Fengjia Night Market, passing by the train station, Taichung Park, Yizhong Street, and National Science Museum.

All bus service is free within 8 km (5.0 mi) to 10 km (6.2 mi) with the use of the Easycard (悠游卡). Otherwise, fares start at NT$20. One BRT (bus rapid transit) line runs down Taizhonggang Road (臺中港路) from the train station directly northwest to the west side of town, and is also free with the use of the Easycard.

By bicycle [ edit ]

The iBike system is now active also in Taichung. Register your Easycard to you with a Taiwanese phone number at any kiosk, and your first 30 minutes are free. Subsequent usage for up to 4 hours will cost NT$10 per half hour. Learn more about fares and how to use iBike here. [dead link]

By scooter [ edit ]

Traveling by scooter is also convenient. Renting a scooter can be done with a Taiwanese driver's license or an International Driving Permit accompanying the original foreign license with motorcycle endorsement.

By taxi [ edit ]

Otherwise, you will need to take taxis. Taxis are convenient, and fares start at NT$85 at flagfall. Tips are not required.

On foot [ edit ]

The downtown area is sufficiently compact to make it easy to get around on foot, although many shop owners will use the sidewalk in front of their business. This can make walking something of an ordeal, dodging traffic as you are forced to walk on the street.

See [ edit ]

• Taichung Winery . Dating back to the Japanese-era, this still-operational winery also includes a wine museum, which has displays on wine-making and the history of the winery. ( updated May 2021 )
• [dead link] Dasyueshan ( Great Snow Mountain ). National Forest Recreational Area  

Museums [ edit ]

• 24.13564 120.68375 8 Stock 20 . This converted railroad warehouse provides exhibition space for regular displays of modern art. Adjacent warehouses have been converted to provide studio space for local and foreign artists, and are frequently open to the public. ( updated May 2021 )
• Wenying Hall . A frequent venue for local art exhibitions and events. It includes an art display area along with a folk art museum and Zhongzheng Hall. ( updated May 2021 )

Places of worship [ edit ]

Temples can be found all over the city of Taichung. While many of them are of recent construction, others are considered historic and are indicative of the changing currents through Taichung’s history.

• Pao Jiue Temple ( 寶覺寺 ). This is a Buddhist temple which features the “Big Budda”. The gold, seven-floor Buddha is dedicated to Bohisattva Maitreya (彌勒菩萨). The temple grounds also include a Japanese Shinto shrine. ( updated May 2021 )
• Cheng Huang Temple . This temple was established during the Qing Dynasty, and has since been renovated numerous times. Its main festival is the 15th day of the sixth lunar month. ( updated May 2021 )
• Wan Chun Temple . Established during the height of the Qing Dynasty more than two hundred years ago, it is home to a couplet written by Emperor Kuangshu. It is also nited for its lifelike carvings. ( updated May 2021 )
• . ( updated May 2021 )
• Li Ancestral Shrine . ( updated May 2021 )
• Wen Chang Temple . Built around 1825, this temple is dedicated to the “Scholar God.” Students frequently come to pray prior to exams to get good scores. ( updated May 2021 )
• Le Cheng Temple . Over 200 years old, the Le Cheng temple is dedicated to the goddess Mazu, and is known locally as the “Hanxi Mazu”. It includes an ancient cauldron and other artifacts. ( updated May 2021 )

Do [ edit ]

Hot springs [ edit ].

• Gu-Guan Hot Spring (谷關溫泉): A nice hot spring at north side of Taichung.

Parks and nature [ edit ]

• The Parkway . This narrow corridor of greenery forms a pleasant parkway which runs south/north between the Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Natural Science, intersected by the main Taizhonggang Rd. You can spend minutes or hours walking along it, or relax in one of the parks. The southern end is home to the Art Museum with Modern and Traditional exhibits, a cafe on the third floor and a garden area which is particularly popular with families at the weekend. Linked to the Art Museum is the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, with a large reading room among other facilities. At the north end of the Parkway behind the Science Museum is a botanical garden home to interesting plants and trees (with a few dinosaurs hiding in them). You can climb to the top of the little hill and listen to the birds singing. Some Taichung residents do Tai Chi and other exercises outside the museum, early in the morning. Beyond the botanical garden is a cycle track and path where the greenery continues through a more residential area. The gardens here are carefully tended by locals. The roses create beautiful perfumes in the evening. Shops on either side include cafes, restaurants and a 24-hour optician. If you continue walking along this path, it takes you west, past the university hospital to another nice place - Zhongsheng Park. Here there is an open-air swimming pool, old style benches and a foot massage path. From Zhongzheng Park , North and across the river is the Baojiue Temple. South of the park is the Yizhong Street area, Confucius Temple, Martyrs Shrine, Chungyo department store, Taichung Gym and Taichung Park.  
• Hiking : DaKeng in BeiTun District has several hiking paths along elevated wooden walkways. Trails are connected and some loop to connect with other trails. Trail #5 leads to the highest point in Taichung City.
• KaoMay Marsh (高美溼地): At the west side of Taichung, nice sunset, and you can catch wild little crab there.
• Taichung Metropolitan Park (臺中都會公園): It's on the west side of the mountain. Great place for the weekend. Good night view.
• The Moon God of Love (月下老人): A good place for asking dating fate. Close to Taichung Metropolitan Park.
• Lavender Forest (薰衣草森林): A nice place for weekend. At north side of Taichung.
• Dah-Ken Forest Park (大坑森林公園): A great place for hiking. At north side of Taichung.

Performing Arts [ edit ]

Sports [ edit ].

• Taichung Tubbies Football Team : Expat soccer team based in Taichung. Play friendly games of football in Taichung, and compete in tournaments island-wide.

Buy [ edit ]

Taichung has many department stores which can be accessed by bus.

• Sogo Department Store
• Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store
• Chungyo Department Store

Clothes stores at Feng Chia Night Market [ edit ]

• Michael Guai Store , basement of Wenhua Rd. All the clothes are the same price and are all the store's own brand. All the clothes labels have robots patterns.
• Jin Sha Pu : a small store with exotic clothes. They sell long skirts with small floral prints. They also sell bags and accessories. The owner selects all of the merchandise herself, based on what she believes young women in Taiwan would like.
• Shuen Yi Chi Shr(尋衣啟事) : this store sells a variety of Chinese traditional costumes. The whole store has an strong Chinese style. They sell many different types of Chinese clothing in adult and children’s sizes, quipaus dresses and women’s undershirts that were once used in place of bras.
• Ecstasy on Feng Chia Road. They make their own clothes. They also sell T-shirts with their own logo on them. It’s an image of a boy with an elephant’s trunk for a nose. These are very cute and unique. The clothing is popular with young people. They also sell Japanese clothes, motorcycle helmets, hats and other fashion accessories.
• Universe Shop (宇宙百貨) on Fuxing Road. Their signboard is made of light-emitting diodes, so it's easy to find. This large store sells women’s and men’s clothes. They also sell fashion accessories, shoes, bags and hats. Their clothing is popular with young people.

Specialty shops at Feng Chia Night Market [ edit ]

• Gegeiscoming : This uniquely-named little shop sells hand-made and specialty made items including purses, bags, jewelry, stuffed animals and decorative knick knacks. It is on Lane 20 of Feng Chia Road about 100 m down on the right. A lot of the items are one of a kind, but the prices are surprisingly low.
• Chiao Hui Wang (巧繪網) : Just to the left of the Flagship Night Market building, there’s a small store that makes souvenir items with photos customers provide. They will print your photos on cups, pillowcases, water bottles and other items. You’ll see the words Chiao Hui Wang on the wall next to the door way. When you walk in, you’ll see many examples of the products they make displayed on shelves. The prices depend on what you want to buy. For example, a water bottle costs around NT$150. Most items will be ready the next day.
• Fu Man Men (福滿門) : The Flagship Mall is a collection is a two-story building filled with small specialty shops and food vendors. From the gate of Feng Chia University, it's a couple of blocks down on the right-hand side. There's a big sign on the building, so you can't miss it. Fu Man Men is a small shop at the end of the main hallway on the left. This shop works from photos you provide to create animated likenesses that they print on coffee cups, pillows and T-shirts. They also offer the animated likenesses as framed paintings. This shop offers unique animated statuettes, which they make based on your photos. You may purchase a single statuette, or you can buy a custom-designed diorama. The examples in the shop windows include a family posed in their living room. These statuettes are really cute, and they take about 7–10 days to be completed. The prices are based on what you would like them to make from your photos.
• Wire vendor (鐵絲小販) : Heading down Wenhua Rd. from the gate of Feng Chia University, you'll see a brightly-colored vendor stand on your left about 50 m past a big concrete archway. One reason why the stand is so colorful is that they sell custom-made souvenirs made from colored wire, and they have many examples of their work hanging on the stand. The souvenirs cost as little as NT$50, and the price depends on what type you want and how many different colors of wire you'd like to include. The examples they have on display include outline shapes of Taiwan, stars and various animals, like cats. Getting more complex, some of the outlines have words such as 'Taiwan' and people's names inside them in either Chinese or English. The owner of the stand has a pad of paper you can use to draw what you'd like your souvenir to look like. Some people just choose to have them make one with their Chinese or English name, but they can make any kind of simple design you can draw and they'll twist it together with as many different colors of wire as you'd like. You want a pink heart with your boyfriend's name inside? Just ask! The finished designs are made with various kinds of connectors, so you can use them as key fobs or attach them to your backpack or cell phone. It takes about an hour to produce most designs, and then you'll have a cute memento of your Feng Chia Night Market visit.

A one-day trip visitor's example for Feng Chia Night Market

If you ride a motorcycle to Feng Chia Night Market, you should try to find an empty spot on any of the small side streets. Parking monitors gives tickets to scooters parked on the main roads. It costs NT$20 per hour to park on main roads around Feng Chia Night Market. If you drive a car, finding a place to park on the street is almost impossible, so you’ll have to park in one of the many pay lots in the area. You can’t miss them because they have people with flashlights trying to wave you in. Parking costs NT$50 to park for the entire evening. However you go to Feng Chia Night Market, you should go there early because the later you go there, the more crowded it is.

First, you may want to get something to drink. You can buy taro ball tea at KOI tea shop on Fu-Xhin Road. It is delicious! Another choice is winter melon tea on Qing-He St. Winter melon tea is a Taiwanese specialty. It is not too sweet. You might also try ice black tea with tapioca pearls at Happiness Ice Black Tea on Wenhua Road. They use crushed ice in their drinks so they stay cold for a long time, and the pearls are very delicious because their tapioca pearls are handmade. It is really worthwhile to try it.

Next, walk around and visit various specialty shops while you enjoy your drink. There is a special vendor that sells decorative items made from colored wire. They will make one with your name or an image such as the island of Taiwan or an animal shape. These are made to be used as key chains or cell phone fobs. These are all made by hand, so they are unique. They are also nice gifts or souvenirs. After you tell them what you want, your selection will be ready in about an hour.

Now it is snack time. First, you should try Wu Tsay Sau between Alley 28 and Alley 10 on Feng Chia Road LN.20. The sign says 新鮮烏賊 + 海 鮮燉飯=烏賊燒. This means cuttlefish and squid with rice = cuttlefish squid. Because they only sell one thing, all you have to do is tell them how many you want. It will cost you NT$55. Another choice is a store named Ying Mu Ding. It is near the Wu Tsay Sau store on Alley 10 of Feng Chia Road LN.20. They take fried noodles and some Chinese cabbage and serve it in a white bread roll. It is a really delicious snack.

After having some snacks, you can visit Feng Chia University to take a rest. You can enjoy your snack and do some people watching. It is a really big campus, and many people use the campus as a public park. You can watch students playing basketball, visit the bookstore, or just walk around.

Finally, maybe you’d like to enjoy a late dinner. One special restaurant is named Do What on Lane 150 of Wenhua Road. They sell some Western foods such as spaghetti and chicken with rice. They also sell a variety of snacks. The real reason to go there is to play the games they have there. The games are all from Western countries. If you lose at the games, the restaurant has many strange punishments, such as wearing an afro wig or big eyeglasses, or word cards with punishment sentences written on them. The restaurant’s name is to make people remember it easily. Do What is compelling.

Yizhong Street [ edit ]

Yizhong Street is a night market type of area is located near 中友百貨 (Chungyo Department Store) in the northwest of Taichung. Aside from NTIT and Taichung First High School, there are also many cram schools in the area, so it is always teeming with students. The vendors, shops and restaurants in the area are more or less located there to serve this youthful population. Therefore, most of the shops sell items catered to their tastes, and the vendors and restaurants emphasize low prices and a casual atmosphere. The area more or less centers around the Shuei Li? Buildings Which houses many cram schools. All of the streets, lanes and alleys running in every direction from the Shuei Li building are crammed with shops and vendors, and they are all teeming with young people most of the afternoon and evening and into the night. Besides being close to Chungyo Department Store, Yizhong Street is also close to the Taichung Confucian Temple, the Taichung Baseball Field and Zhongshan Park, and the street address is 臺中市404北區一中街 (404 Yizhong Street).

Clothes stores at Yizhong Street [ edit ]

• RT (Iivery) : This store sells clothes, shoes and nail polish for young women. It’s on Yutsai South Street (育才南街) inside 一中二街購物廣場 (Yizhong Second Street Shopping Plaza) on the second floor. Go up the stairs, and it’s on your right beside a restroom. There’s a white sign with brown letters that say Iivery. The clothes cost NT$300-2000. The prices are higher than other shops because the clothes come from Korea, and they are high quality.
• Cream : The store is located at 22-3 Zunxian Street (尚賢街22號-3). The Shuei Li Building is across the street. There is a green sign with white words say "Cream". It sells clothes for young women, and it is very popular. It has been open for five years. The prices of their clothes are very reasonable, so many people shop there. If you want to try the clothes on, there are two fitting rooms inside the store that you can use.

Specialty shops at Yizhong Street [ edit ]

• 臺中放送局(Taichung Fon Song Ju) : At 1 Dian Tai Street, you can visit the building which housed the first radio station in central Taiwan. It has been refurbished by the Taichung city government, and it is now a popular attraction. You can visit for free. Inside the gate, there is a courtyard with a small pool. There are also trees with some decorations on them. Inside the building, there is a video screen playing a film about the history of radio in Taiwan. There is also a display of some old radio station microphones, photos and books. There is a café area that sells ice cream and drinks. They also offer picnic blankets, so you can sit outside in the courtyard.

Learn [ edit ]

Work [ edit ]

There are a good number of science and industrial parks that may offer work to foreigners.

Eat [ edit ]

With a proliferation of noodle shops and street vendors peddling anything from the exotic to common household dishes, there is no lack of choice for enjoying local delicacies. Walking through streets of taichung one can locate exotic cuisines like Indian, Japanese, Indonesia, and continental. The Taiwanese are quite accustomed to non-Chinese speakers, so using gestures will get you what you want (with perhaps a little surprise!)

Taichung is also well known for its Chinese bakeries. Pastries that are worth a try include sun cakes (太陽餅) and pineapple tarts (鳯梨酥)

• Jin Ming First Street (精明一街): Great place for tea break.
• Gulu Gulu , No. 2 Lane 13 Wuquan W. 4th St. West District ( Near the Art Museum ), ☏ +886 4-23783128 . This is a great place to experience Taiwan's Aboriginal food in the city. Unique upscale set meals with live music at night.  
• Salut Pizza , De Ye Road (Soho Street).
• Match Cafe , 60-3 2nd Section Zhonggong Rd. (中港路二段60-3號) , ☏ +886 4-23134597 . Match provides a pleasant atmosphere where one can have a cup of coffee, a bagel or a sandwich and work on one's computer.  
• The Naked Cafe , 575 1st Section Meicun Rd. West District ( About two blocks from the Art Museum. ), ☏ +886 4-23783161 . The Naked Cafe serves up coffee, tea, great sandwiches and fries in a somewhat Euro-inspired atmosphere.  
• Oldies Franks Hot Dogs , 384 Hua Mei Jie West District (華美街384號) , ☏ +886 4-23287072 . Best dogs in town if not Taiwan. Casual diner atmosphere with interesting hot dog combinations.  
• [formerly dead link] Pizza Buena , 206 Sec. 1 Meichun Rd. (美村一段206號) , ☏ +886 2302-8083 . 11:00-22:00 . Thin crust pizza by the slice, so good you may forget where you are. Seating upstairs.  
• Little India Muslim Restaurant (Halal) , No. 60 Boguan 3rd St. West District ( Behind the Splendor Hotel ), ☏ +886 4-23261425 . This little hole-in-the-wall is more about good honest food and less about decorations.  
• Mei Nung Hakka Restaurant , No. 137 Dadun 12th St. Nantun District (大墩12街137號) ( A couple blocks East of Carrefour and Dadun Rd. ), ☏ +886 4-23105131 . lunch and dinner . Excellent quality Hakka food in atmospheric little restaurant.  
• 24.156945 120.663368 1 Bollywood Restaurant & Pub , 1026, JianXing Rd , ☏ +886 4 2319-2828 . 11:00-14:00, 16:30-23:00 . Without question the best Indian food in town. Great atmosphere and service, above average beer selection and really good food. NT$300 .  
• Tonton Philou , No 459-3, Sec. 1, Dongshan Rd , ☏ +886 422399196 . Great French cuisine.  
• Weng's Goose , 99-1, XiangShang Rd, Sec 1 , ☏ +886 4 2305-9865 . Daily 17:00-01:00 . This restaurant offers goose cooked in three different ways: smoked goose, drunken goose, and salt-water goose. No matter which flavor you choose, the meat is tender and juicy From NT$15 .  
• UZO Mediterranean Bar & Grill , #22, Jing Cheng 5th Street (精誠5街，22號） , ☏ +886 4-2327-3518 . Tu-Su 18:00-late . Fresh Mediterranean specialties: kebab wraps, gyros, falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, dolma, pizzas, salads and a selection of appetizers. Large selection of import beers. Comfy outdoor seating. Staff speak great English and service is good. Relaxed and easygoing atmosphere, rowdy kids and adults are not tolerated.  

Restaurants at Feng Chia Night Market [ edit ]

• Mr. Chicken Head (養機場): A very popular restaurant and attracts a lot of teenagers. The decorations on the walls are very cute and special. The restaurant is filled with energy and good cheer.
• Pig House (豬窩): Its design was very simple. There were many varieties of pig dolls in the display window. All of them were very cute and we liked them very much. The prices are very affordable.
• Uncle 9 (九叔): An American-style restaurant decorated with some decorations. While enjoying a meal, diners can admire these interesting decorations. There is a foosball table there, and diners can play for free. The food was not expensive. Uncle 9 restaurant has a good atmosphere.
• Do What (衝瞎): on Lane 150 of Wenhua Road. Lane 150 is in an outdoor pedestrian mall lined with small specialty shops. They sell some Western food such as spaghetti and chicken with rice. They also sell a variety of snacks. The real reason to go to the restaurant is to play the games there. The games are all from Western countries. It’s really unusual. The clerks there will also teach people how to play the games. If you lose at the games, the restaurant has many strange things as punishment, such as wearing an afro wig or big eyeglasses, or word cards with punishment sentences written on them.
• 98 Pasta (98義大利麵): It is not very conspicuous restaurant because it is located in a small lane. It looks like a residence. The appearance of this building is very special. Their main meals are salad and spaghetti.

Food and drink vendors at Feng Chia Night Market [ edit ]

• Wu Tsay Sau : This small, yellow and orange vendor’s stand is between Alley 28 and Alley 10 on Feng-Chia Rd LN.20. The sign is in Chinese, but you can see it very simply tells you what to buy here. It says新鮮烏賊 + 海鮮燉飯 = 烏賊燒. This means cuttlefish + squid with rice = cuttlefish squid. Because they only sell one thing, all you have to do is tell them how many you want. However, you have to tell them which of the 6 different sauces you want. “Yifen la de.” Means one with spicy sauce. They also have honey-wasabi, curry, wasabi salad dressing and yellow mustard sauce. Each one costs NT$55.
• Ying Mu Ding : Ying Mu Ding is another tiny stand on Alley 10 of Feng-Chia Road Lane.20. The stand and its banners have the red sun of the Japanese flag on them because the snack they sell originated in Japan. Just like at the cuttlefish stand, they only sell one thing, so you just have to say how many you want and what king of sauce you want. When you ask for “Yifen la de,” you get a noodle sandwich with spicy sauce. They take fried noodles and some Chinese cabbage and serve it in a white bread roll. The other sauces are apple curry, black pepper (American Sauce), bacon, butter, cheese and Thai. They also sell red noodles with chicken sauce and noodles with onion and cuttlefish (Japanese Style). You will have to wait in line to buy it because this place is really popular.
• Guan Jin Ji Dan Gao : About 50 m off of Fu Xing Rd. under the green awning of an eyeglass store, there is a tiny box-shaped stand. The large red characters on the top of the stand’s sign say 日本, which means Japan. This stand sells the kind of molded sponge cakes you can buy at stands all over Taichung. But if you look at the led signs on the front of this stand, you’ll see why the stand is unique; the sponge cakes are molded in the shapes of roosters, motorcycles, pigs, elephants, pigeons and pistols. Aside from the unique shapes, the sponge cake here is especially delicious. They use only flour, eggs and sugar to make their batter, and unlike other places, they use no fat or oil in the batter or on the baking molds. The sign says you can order small (小 - shiao) or large (大 - da). A small bag has four cakes for NT$35, and the large has seven for NT$55.
• Shing Fu Hong Cha Bing : The small bamboo-roofed stand on the left side of Wen Hua Rd. about 50m down from Fu Xing Rd. is a tea stand. The pink sign on the roof says 幸福紅茶冰 (Shing Fu Hong Cha Bing.) The large sign next to the stand lists all of the drinks they sell at this stand. You can buy pearl milk tea all over the place, but this place is special because they make their own pearls. They make these fresh every day, and they are especially soft and flavorful. The tea is also very flavorful and strong. Another special touch is that, they use crushed ice in their drinks, which lasts longer than ice cubes. Aside from pearl milk tea, you can buy lemon tea and other flavors, including green tea drinks.
• Tea Egg Vendor : The guy you'll see standing next to a stainless steel box on the right side of Wen Hua Rd just past the old concrete archway about a block down from Feng Chia University is selling tea eggs for NT15 each. The unique thing about this, aside from the fact that he only sells tea eggs, is that he's been selling these at the same spot for over 25 years. Of course he has his own special spice recipe for the eggs, so you should really try at least one.
• KOI Café & Tea : One shop away from Lane 511 on Fuxing Rd, there’s a simple black sign with white letters that says KOI. There are only two of these shops in Taiwan. Although the sign says café, it’s only a take-away shop. However, they sell an unusually large and interesting variety of coffee and tea drinks. This shop sells not coffee and taro balls milk tea. It’s special and delicious. They also have many tea ice creams, such as fresh milk tea with a scoop of Swiss chocolate ice cream in it. Its signature drink is KOI ice crushed. One of it is KOI Blended. It is seasoned millet mush ice crushed with some small pieces of almond/apricot and a scoop of seasoned millet mush powder. It tastes really great!
• 大甲芋頭城 Da Jia Yu Tou Chun : On Lane 511, just a few steps off of Fuxing Rd on the right, there’s a small vendor stand with purple letters that 大甲芋頭城. There’s also a dancing purple taro wearing a cowboy hat on the sign, so you can’t miss it. This shop sells many different kinds of taro-based desserts. These are all cold desserts, many of them are milky, and they even sell purple taro ice cream. They also have sweet taro, sweet and sour taro ice and frozen taro. Their taro is soft and spongy. If you don’t speak Chinese, just point at something on the sign - you will get a sweet dessert. One specialty you can ask for is (芋泥西米露)Yu ni shi mi lu. This is a cold milky soup made with taro powder, and it has lots of tiny tapioca balls in it. It’s only NT$30!
• 月亮蝦餅 Moon House Shrimp Pancakes - There’s a two-story arcade with claw machines and other electronic games on the corner of Wenhua Rd. and Ching He St. Under the awning of the arcade on Ching He St, you can buy a unique specialty from Thailand - shrimp pancakes. These are made to order at a small vendor stand called Moon House (月亮蝦餅). Two sisters from Thailand operate the stand. A shrimp pancake is made by frying a shrimp paste mixture inside a wholemeal flour wrapper. It’s not oily. They also sprinkle some spiced salt on them to reduce smell of the shrimp. The result is a crispy, chewy pancake you can order with mild or spicy sauce. The sauce is a little sour and sweet. On the sign it tells you that one serving is NT 40, and 4 are NT$150. Because this is the only item they sell, you simply ask for how many you want. (Yi fen – is Chinese for how to ask for one serving.)
• 狠腸 Bratwurst Stand : On the corner of Fuxing Rd. and Lane 282, look for a sign with a dachshund lying in a hot-dog bun. This small stand has a German flag, black, red and yellow motif, and as you'll read they sell bratwurst, salami sausage and Munsenburger weisswurst. They have a sign with pictures showing the different ways to order the bratwursts and sausages, and the names are written in English. Therefore, you can just point at what you want and use the English name. All of the bratwursts and sausages are NT$60 each. These are grilled and served on a hot-dog bun with mustard +/or ketchup plus onion and shredded lettuce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese if you wish. They also sell these in containers as a sort of salad (no bun) and skewered on a stick, coated with corn flour paste and deep fried. Another option is to have your bratwurst or sausage smothered in chili. Again, you can order this on a bun or in a container. Another unique aspect of this stand is that they sell blueberry and orange soda served in a paper cup with ice for NT$30.
• 雙響炮炸彈燒Shuan Shian Pao Cha Dan Shao . They sell two flavors of a kind of Chinese baked dumpling. One is seafood, including small bird eggs, squid, corn and cabbage and the other is pork, including sausage, bamboo shoots, chicken and cabbage. The crispy flour wrappers go well with the fillings. It has been featured on TV shows.

Traditional markets [ edit ]

Traditional markets in Taiwan are aggregations of a variety of different types of vendors. The defining feature of traditional markets is vendors who sell fresh and processed produce and meat. Intermingled with these vendors are other vendors selling a wide variety of items ranging from specialty food items to common household items to clothing and shoes to tools. The term 'traditional market' may refer to a single, enclosed area or to a general aggregation of vendors along the roads of a given area. These areas also commonly include restaurants and beverage shops. Many people in Taiwan purchase their food daily daily at traditional markets.

Xiang Shang Market (向上市場) [ edit ]

• Opening hours: 07:00-14:00
• Address: 臺中市西區向上路一段218巷 Ln. 218, Sec. 1, Xiangshang Rd., West Dist. There is a parking lot about 100m from the intersection of Zhongmei and Xianshang Roads. Of course you can park a scooter just about anywhere, but the streets, lanes and alleys are small and jam packed.
• 洪紅茶冰 (Hong Iced Black Tea) is on Zhongmei Road about 25 m from Xianshang Road. This is a small cart with has a red sign and yellow letters that say 洪紅茶冰 (Hong Iced Black Tea). They only sell iced black tea, so all you have to do is tell them how many you want and what size-大,中,小 (da, zhong, xiao). A small is NT$10, a medium is NT$15, and a large is NT$20.
• 向上水餃 (Xianshang Dumplings) is on Zhongmei Road about 100 m from Xianshang Road next to a small alley. It’s a small stand with a white sign with red letters that say 向上水餃 (Xiang Shang Dumplings). There are also two larger signs that are red with white letters that say the same thing. They sell boiled dumplings with pork filling for NT$2 each. You just ask for how many you want. You can get these to go, or you can sit at a table in a small area behind the stand. Also, you can buy uncooked dumplings to bring home. Just tell them how many you want ‘冷凍’ (ren dong), which means uncooked. The oldest, original part of the market is a covered walkway on Zhongmei Road about 100 m from Xianshang Road. There are many different types of vendors in here, but none of them are unique or interesting. In sum, they pretty much sell stuff you can buy just about anywhere. There is probably no article of Taiwanese food you couldn’t find here. Walking through here gives you a real idea of what an old Chinese marketplace must have been like. At the intersection of 向上北路 (Xianshang Bei Road) and 向上北路224巷 (Xianshang Bei Road Lane 224), there are two vendors that have some of the lowest prices in the area for fruits and vegetables. The fruit vendor is on Xianshang Bei Road to the left of the entrance of the covered market area, and the vegetable vendor is about 25m down Lane 224 on your left. Both of these places sell by the piece or by weight. You may see hand written signs that say things like 4把50元or 4顆100元 which means how many of something you get for how much money.
• 專賣澎湖空運海產 (Specialty Vendor of Peng hu Air Freight Seafood) On Lane 224 inside the covered area of the market, there is a small seafood vendor. This vendor has a white sign with blue and red writing on it. The name on the sign says 專賣澎湖空運海產 (Specialty Vendor of Peng hu Air Freight Seafood). It is about 50m down the lane on your right. As with most seafood vendors, you buy by weight. Under a green awning at the corner of 向上北路 (Xianshang Bei Road) and 華美路 (Huamei Road) there is a restaurant with no name. They have a red sign with white letters that gives the names and prices of the food. One good thing to try here is 魯肉飯 (Lou Rou Fan) which is soy sauce-marinated ground pork over rice. One bowl costs NT$25. On Huamei Road about 25m from Xianshang Road, there is a small restaurant that sells 4 things - 肉燥飯 (Rou Zao Fan) is NT$20, 魷魚肉羹麵/飯/米粉/冬粉 (Youyu Rou Geng Mian/ Fan/ Mi Fen/ Dong Fen) is NT$30. This is a kind of thick soup served over your choice of different types of noodles or rice. 魷魚肉羹 (Youyu Rou Geng) is NT$30 and 乾麵 (Gan Mian) is NT$20. There is a large sign with a picture of rose on it high above the street with the name of the place on it. Over the cooking area at the front of the restaurant, there is a yellow sign with the names of the dishes on it. You have to tell them what you want, and they will ask you 內用外帶 (Nei Yong Wai Dai) which means “for here or go.” The seating area is small, and second place dose a lot of business. This place does a lot of business because the food is delicious and cheap. If you want 內用 (Nei Yong), you may have to wait a while. You should be happy with whatever you ask for. On Xianshang Bei Road a short distance away from the market, there is a restaurant an the left side of the street as you approach 美村路 (Meicun Road). This is a place that sells 清蒸肉圓 (steamed ba wan) in a special, delicious sauce. They have a large, white sign that says 狀元 (Chuang Yuen) in green and 清蒸肉圓 (Ching Jen Rou Yuan), which roughly translates as ‘top student’ steamed glutinous rice flour dumplings. Though the name is a bit self-explanatory, it may be helpful to know that these are large, gloopy, semi - transparent dumplings with pork filling. Most places sell ba wan fried, but this is one of the few in Taichung that sells them steamed. Just ask for一份 (Yi Fen) and you get one serving of 2 ba wan. They also have a full menu of standard Chinese fare.
• 阿川鵝肉 (A Chan E Rou) At the intersection of 美村路一段 (Meicun Road) and 中美街224巷 (Zhongmei Street Lane 224) there is a restaurant that sells 鵝肉 (goose) They have a large sign that says 阿川鵝肉 (A Chan E Rou) in white with a picture of goose on it. They sell by weight. They will ask you which part of goose you want.

Jianguo Market (建國市場) [ edit ]

• Opening hours:
• Address: 臺中市東區建國路 224 號 No.224, Jianguo Rd., East Dist., Taichung City

Jianguo market is at the corner of 建國路 (JianguoRoad) and 八德街 (Bade Street) near the main train station. The market runs for about two blocks along Bade Street, and there are also many vendors along the side streets off of Bade Street. This is the biggest traditional market in Taichung. Aside from being a market for everyday shoppers, it is also a wholesale market, supplying other traditional markets and restaurants in Taichung. Look for signs that say 寄車 (Ji Che), which are for pay parking. These usually charge NT$30 per hour. You can also park your car or motorcycle at the intersection of 八德街 (Bade Street) and 復興路四段 (Fuxing Road Section 4). Someone will clip a ticket onto your car or motorcycle, and you can then go to any convenience store to pay the parking fee. The fee is printed on the ticket. Inside the market building at the corner of Jianguo and Bade Street there is a warren of small vendors selling everything from household items to frog’s legs.

• 蘋果專賣店 (Specialty Vendor of Apples) On 八德街 (Bade Street) about 500 m from the bridge at Fuxing Road, there is a stand with red canvas and white letters that say 蘋果專賣店 (Specialty Vendor of Apple). They sell apples based on the sizes of the apples. For example, you can get 3 large apples for NT$100, or 13 smaller apples for the same price. You can buy the apples in a bag or they will place them in a gift box.
• 雪農產行(Shiue Agricultural Production) On 新民街 (Xinmin Street) about 30 m from 南京路 (Nanjing Road), there is a sign with red and green letters that say 雪農產行(Shiue Agricultural Production). They sell a variety of vegetables. You may see handwritten signs that say things like 一把10元, 一斤30元, 一粒5元 or 一條10元, which means how many of something you get for how much money.
• 三郎水果行 (San Lang Fruit Vendor) This is a popular fruit vendor on 武德街 (Wude Street) about 20 m from 八德街 (Bade Street). It’s always the most crowded fruit vendor at this market. They sell just about any kind of fruit you can imagine. The stand has a red canvas awning with green letters that say 三郎水果行 (San Lang Fruit Vendor). They sell fruit by weight or by the piece.
• 萬家香 (Wan Jia Shiang) There is a store called 萬家香 (Wan Jia Shiang) at 建國路228號 (228 Jianguo Road). This store has a red sign and white letters. It sells cured meat, pork sausage and liver sausage. Their most popular product is ham.
• 阿鄉 (A Shiang) Many blogs recommend a small restaurant, that’s right inside the large market building at the corner of Jianguo and Bade Street. There is a small sign on the wall in front of the restaurant that says 阿鄉 (A Shiang) 1987. It is open daily from 07:00 till 14:00, and it is closed on Mondays. They sell 雞腿飯 (ji tui fan - chicken leg with rice), 排骨飯 (pai gu fan – pork filet with rice) and 爌肉飯 (kuang rou fan – pork belly with rice). Their meals are very delicious, so even though it is small and dingy, it is worth a try. When you order a meal like ji tui fan (chicken leg with rice), you have to select three side dishes from the display case. You can just point at what you want. The prices are on the wall behind the counter. Ji tui fan, for example, costs NT$70.
• 聖芸 (Sheng Yun) vegetarian restaurant is at 建國路197號 (197 Jianguo Road). It has a white sign and red letters. It is open from 06:30 to 13:30. They sell many kinds of noodles, soups and a tasty kind of ground pork with rice. The most popular soup is jute soup because while jute soup generally tastes bitter, the soup here does not.

Second Market (第二市場) [ edit ]

• Opening hours: 06:30-15:00

臺中市中區三民路2 段87 號 No.87, Sec. 2, Sanmin Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City

At Second Market all of the vendors are under a roof. There is a map of the layout of the market at each entrance. Second Market assigns numbers to all of the vendors. In the descriptions of selected vendors below, the ‘vendor number’ is the number assigned to the vendor by the market authority. The numbers include the Chinese characters 臨 (lin) and 內 (nei). For example, if a vendor’s number is 臨175, there will be black letters on the vendor’s stand.

• 菜頭粿王糯米腸 (Radish Cake Wong Sticky Rice Sausage) is at 三民路二段87號 (87 Sanmin Rd, Sec.2). It is a small vendor’s stand. It has a yellow sign with red letters that say 菜頭粿王糯米腸 (Radish Cake Wong Sticky Rice Sausage). It also has black letters that say 臨175 on it. It has another white sign with red letters that say 菜頭粿+米腸+蛋 55, which means radish cake plus sticky rice sausage plus egg cost NT$55. Just say 一份菜頭粿+米腸+蛋 (yi fen tsai tou guei jia mi chang jia dan). They also sell 甜不辣 (tempura), 大腸 (pork intestines), and soup. It is open from 07:00 to 18:00. You can get this to go, or you can eat it at tables.
• 三代福州意麵 (Three Generations Fuzhou Yee Mien) Just across the street from this vendor, there is a white sign with red letters that say 三代福州意麵 (Three Generations Fuzhou Yee Mien) and blue letters that say 餛飩‧福州魚丸‧排骨 (won ton, fu jou fish balls, pai gu). It is open 08:30 to 16:30. This is a small restaurant that sells many kinds of noodle dishes, 糯米腸 (sticky rice sausage), 滷味 (soya-mixed meat) and soup. You can order 一碗乾意麵 (yi wan gan yee mien). One bowl costs NT$40. When you order something, they will ask 內用外帶? (Nei yong wai dai?), which means, ‘for here or to go?’ There are many tables inside where you can sit. You can also buy uncooked won ton to bring home. A box of won ton costs NT$120. Also, you can buy a bottle of their special sauce 麻醬 (ma jiang). One bottle costs NT$150. Their number is 內153.
• 楊田肉舖 (Yang Tian Meat Vendor) Near the hexangular pillar in the center of the market, there is a white sign with black letters that say 專賣黑豬肉 (Specialty Vendor of Black Pork). It also has red letters that say 楊田肉舖 (Yang Tian Meat Vendor) with their telephone number on it. It has a white board with blue letters that say 今日肉價 (today’s prices). There is also a sign that says TFP (Taiwan Fresh Pig) on a black pig’s body. This is a quality mark for pork in Taiwan. It is closed on Mondays. They sell 里肌肉 (li ji rou – pig’s back), 五花肉 (wu hua rou – pig’s belly) and 胛心肉 (jia shin rou – near the pig’s front of feet). This meat vendor is the most popular one at Second Market. You can choose which meat you want and look at the white board to check the price.
• 三寶剉冰 (Shan Bau Shaved Ice) is on 三民路二段第二市場三之一 (Sanmin Rd, Sec.2, Second Market Third of First). It has a banner with dark red letters that say 第二市場三寶剉冰 (Second Market Shan Bau Shaved Ice) and blue letters that say 各式剉冰 (many kinds of shaved ice). They sell 剉冰 (shaved ice), 咖啡 (coffee), 柳橙汁 (orange juice), 檸檬汁 (lemon juice), 木瓜牛奶 (papaya with milk) and 酪梨牛奶 (avocado with milk). The shaved ice is served in bowls and mixed with various ingredients. One good thing to try here is 一碗綜合剉冰 (yi wan zong he cuo bing). This is a bowl of shaved ice served with red beans, peanuts, pearl barley, and sweet beans. One bowl costs NT$40.
• 李海魯肉飯 (Lee Hai Braised Pork Rice) Their vendor number is 內 98. It has a yellow sign with red letters that say 李海魯肉飯 (Lee Hai Braised Pork Rice). It is open from 17:00 to 05:00. A small is NT$45 and a large is NT$55. You can say 一碗大的魯肉飯 (yi wan da de lou rou fan), which is braised pork served over rice. You can get this to go, or sit at tables.
• 山河魯肉飯 (Shan Ho Braised Pork Rice) Another good place to get braised pork dishes here is 山河魯肉飯 (Shan Ho Braised Pork Rice). Their vendor number is 內 103. It has a red sign with yellow letters that say 第二市場山河魯肉飯 (Second Market Shan Ho Braised pork rice). There is also another large sign that is red with white letters that say the same thing. It is open from 04:00 to 14:30. You can ask for 一碗魯肉飯 (yi wan lou rou fan), which is braised pork served over rice . One bowl costs NT$45. It has two dining areas, so you can eat it there or get it to go. Both 李海魯肉飯 (Lee Hai Braised Pork Rice) and 山河魯肉飯 (Shan Ho Braised Pork Rice) are famous for their delicious braised pork rice.
• 茂川肉丸 (Mao Chuan Meat Balls) is outside the market at 中正路225號 (225 Zhongzheng Rd). It has an orange sign with red letters that say茂川肉丸 (Mao Chuan Meat Balls) and black letters that say 原丁山肉圓 (Yuen Ding Shan Meat Balls). Their vendor number is A01. There is also another large sign that is red with white letters that say the same thing. They sell 意麵 (yee mien), 餛飩麵 (won ton noodles), 肉丸 (meat balls) and soup. This is a small restaurant that has an air conditioned dining area.
• 顏記肉包 (Yan Ji Meat buns) is at 三民路二段103號 (103 Sanmin Rd, Sec.2). It has a yellow sign that says 顏記三代老店餛飩湯 (Yan Ji San Dai Lao Dian Hun Dun Tang ) in red, 肉包正第二市場 (Rou Bao Zheng Di Er Shi Chang) in blue and A17 in black. There is another sign with orange and green letters that say the same thing on the glass. They only sell two things － 肉包 (meat buns) and 餛飩湯 (won ton soup). A typical order here is 一顆肉包和一碗餛飩湯 (yi ke rou bao han yi wan huen duen tang) which means one meat bun and a bowl of won ton soup. Each Meat bun costs NT$30 and won ton soup costs NT$40. You can eat there or get it to go.

Third Market (第三市場) [ edit ]

• Address: 臺中市南區臺中路 90 號 No.90, Taichung Rd., South Dist., Taichung City

Third Market runs for about one block on Heping Road and for a couple of blocks in either direction where Heping Road intersects with Minyi Street. The area has a covering of colorful plastic streamers stretched between the buildings over the streets.

• 蔡紅豆餅 (Tsai Red Bean Cake) is on Heping St right at the market entrance. This is a small cart. It has a purple sign with yellow letters and red letters that say蔡紅豆餅 (tsai hung dou bing). It sells 紅豆餅 (red bean cake), 奶油餅 (butter cake), and 蘿蔔絲 (radish silk cake). You can ask for 一個紅豆餅 (yi ge hung dou bing) to get a red bean cake. Each cake costs NT$7 and three cost NT$20.
• 廣記肉鬆專門店 (Guang Ji Fried Pork Fiber Specialty Shop) is at和平街13號 (13 Heping Street). The opening hours are 09:00 to 20:00. It has a white sign with red and blue letters with the name of the shop on it. It has been in business for 70 years. They sell 肉乾 (dried meat), 香腸 (sausage) and 肉鬆 (shredded pork). 肉鬆 (roo sung) costs NT$300 per 300 grams. You can also buy a gift box and choose what you want to put in it.
• 榮記餅店 (Rong Ji Cake Shop) is at 復興路三段370巷11號 (370 Fuxing Road, Section 3, Lane 11). It has a yellow sign with dark red letters and has been in business for many years. They sell delicious cakes. 兩相好 (liang shiang hau–fried bread) costs NT$220 per 600 grams, and 鹹蛋糕 (shian dan gau–salty cake) costs NT$150 per 600 grams. These are two of their most delicious selections. They also sell 檸檬蛋糕 (ning meng dangau – lemon cake) 鳯梨酥 (feng li su – pineapple cake) and 老婆餅 (lau po bing – a sweet cake) by the piece for NT$20.
• 紅茶 (Hong Cha Cart) – There is a no-name cart that has a yellow sign with black letters that say 紅茶 (hong cha) at 民意街53號 (53 Minyi Street). They sell 紅茶冰 (iced black tea), and their opening hours are 09:00 to 18:00. A medium (中 – zhong) is NT$25, and a small (小 – small) is NT$20. You can say, 一杯小杯紅茶冰 (Yi bei shiau bei hong cha bing). They also sell 冬瓜茶 (dung gua cha - tea flavored with a Chinese squash) and 咖啡紅茶 (ka fei hung cha-tea flavored with coffee).
• Vegetable Vendor – There is a no-name vegetable vendor next to 廣記肉鬆專門店 (Guang Ji Fried Pork Fiber Specialty Shop). All the vegetables there are very fresh. When you buy any vegetable, the vendor will give you a bunch of green onions for free.

Fifth Market (第五市場) [ edit ]

• Address: 臺中市西區大明街 9 號 No.9, Daming St., West Dist., Taichung City

Fifth Market begins at the corner of 大明和自立街 (Daming and Tzli Street). There is a big sign on the building at the corner that says 第五市場 (di wu shr chang), and it also says The Fifth Market in English. The market has stalls, vendors and shops along both Daming and Tzli Street, as well as on 樂群 (Luchuen Street). There are many different vendors and shops inside the building. There is a parking lot on Luchuen Street near Tzli Street. You can also park a scooter on the streets, lanes and alleys.

• 龍成肉舖 (Long Cheng Meat Vendor) is inside the market building near an entrance on 自立街7號 (7 Tzli Street) and 自立街9號 (9 Tzli Street). There is a stand with blue letters that say 龍成肉舖 (Long Cheng Meat Vendor). They sell meat by weight. It is very popular and their meat sells out quickly every day. There are no price signs, so you have to ask the vendor 肉一斤賣多少錢? (Rou yi jin mai duo shao cian?), which means, How much is this?
• 聯發製麵廠 (Lian Fa Jhih Mian Chang) is at 大明街7號 (7 Daming Street). There is a stand with a yellow sign with blue letters that say 聯發製麵廠 (Lian Fa Jhih Mian Chang). They sell uncooked noodles like 意麵 (Yi Mian) and 全麥麵 (Cyuan Mai Mian). They sell prepackaged noodles and they also sell noodles by weight. 意麵 (Yi Mian) costs NT$35 for one small bag.
• 大方烤雞 (Da Fang Roast Chicken) is inside the market building near an entrance on Tzli Street. There is a stand with a yellow sign with red letters that say 大方烤雞 (Da Fang Roast Chicken). They sell 煙燻烤雞肉/鴨肉/鵝肉 (yan syun kao ji rou, ya rou and e rou- barbequed chicken, duck and goose). A small is serving costs NT$150 and a large is NT$250. Just tell them 一份小的or一份大的 (yi fen xiao de) (yi fen da de), which means one small or one large 煙燻烤雞肉/鴨肉/鵝肉 (yan syun kao ji rou, ya rou and e rou). For example, if you want a large serving of chicken, you should say, “Yi fen da de ji rou.” Da Fang Roast Chicken is popular, and many blogs recommend it. There is a vegetable vendor with no name next to Da Fang Roast Chicken. There is a small white sign with blue letters that say GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) displayed on their stand. They sell by piece or by weight. There are no price signs, so you have to ask 怎麼賣? (Ze me mai?), which means, How much is this? And just point at want you want.
• 麻糬之家 (Mochi Jhih Jia) is inside the market building near an entrance on大明街9之1號 (9-1 Daming Street). There is a stand with a purple sign with white letters that say 麻糬之家 (Mochi Jhih Jia). They sell mochi, herb jelly and vegetarian gelatin. Their mochi is their most well-known item. It comes in three favors- peanut, sesame and red bean. There are signs that say 每盒10粒,一盒50元, which means you get 10 mochi for NT$50.
• 太空紅茶冰 (Tai Kong Iced Black Tea) is at 樂群街41-1號 (41-1 Luchuen Street). There is a cart with a white sign with small blue letters that say 太空 (Tai Kong). It also has big red letters that say 紅茶冰 (Iced Black Tea). They sell iced black tea in plastic bags and in cups. Previously in Taiwan, drinks were always sold in plastic bags, and some people still prefer to buy it this way. Also, you get more tea for the same amount of money that you pay for a cup.

Restaurants at Yizhong Street [ edit ]

• 三時茶房 (San Shih Cha Fang) : 11 Lane 107, Taiping Road (太平路107巷11號). This lane is across from California Fitness. The sign is a red circle board with black letters that say ”ㄙㄢㄕˊ”. These are Taiwanese phonetic symbols which sound like the name of the tea house. Their hours are 11:00 to 22:30 There is a black menu on the wall. They sell almond tea and snacks such as clay oven rolls with fried bread sticks. We ordered one cup of their specialty-almond tea, and it tasted smooth and mellow. The prices are between NT$35 and NT$85. If you want a cup of almond tea, say我要一杯杏仁茶 (Wo yao yi bei shing ren cha).
• 香蕉新樂園 (Banana New Paradise) : 111 Swan Shi Road Section 2 (雙十路二段111號二段). It has a red wall and a white gate out front, and there is a train beside the building. They sell Hong-Kong-style snacks and hot pot meals. They also sell things like candy and toys. Another special thing about this restaurant is that there is an old railroad car next to the building. It’s like a museum exhibit you can walk around in and imagine what it was like to ride a train many years ago. Single servings of snacks cost NT$60-100, and hot pot meals cost NT$200-300.
• 一中豐仁冰 (Yizong Fong Ran Ice) : 6 Yee Tsai Street (育才街6號). The stand has a white board with the name of the shop on it. In summer, you may have to wait in line for a long time because it’s very popular. The specialty is 豐仁冰 (Fong Ran Ice). This is crushed ice mixed with plum juice, red beans, and ice cream. If you want to eat this at the shop, you must ask for a bowl 一碗 (Yi Wan). If you want it to go, you must ask for 一杯 (Yi Bei).

Food and drink vendors at Yizhong Street

• 青蛙下蛋 (Ching Wa Sha Dan) : 43 Yizhong Street, opposite the 水利大樓 (Shuei Li Building). They sell drinks made with gelatin mixed with milk or brown sugar water. It has a big white sign with a green and orange words, and there is a picture of a frog beside the words. You can choose what you want from the board, and order 一杯 (Yi Bay) for one. 青蛙下蛋 (Ching Wa Sha Dan) also sells vegetarian gelatin combined with lemon. The price is NT$25-30.
• 半月燒 (Ban Yue Shau) : 31 Yutsai South Street (育才南街31號) across from the 水利大樓 (Shuei Li Building). This is the tallest building in the area There’s a yellow sign with a big sign with black letters that say半月燒 (Ban Yue Shau). Under the sign, there are five pictures that show different kinds of pancakes. There are pork, corn, tuna, chicken and beef. These may be ordered with or without cheese. This shop also sells pancakes made with fried eggs and Chinese basil. They cost NT$35-40. You can just point at one of the pictures to order, and you can pay NT$5 to add cheese. To order a chicken flavor for one, you should say 一份雞肉燒 (Yi Fen Ji Rou Shau). It costs NT$35. The vendor will ask you 加起司嗎 (Jia Chisz Ma?), means “ Do you want to add cheese?
• 饕饌 (Tau Juan) : No.33, Yutsai South Street (臺中市育才南街33號 ). It’s next to 半月燒 (Ban Yue Shau). There’s a big sign with two pictures of rice balls and clay oven rolls. On the top of the sign there are beige and brown letters that say 饕饌 (Tau Juan). Under the big sign, there’s a small white sign with black letters which lists eight selections. This vendor only sells clay oven rolls and roast rice balls. Both of them are made with pork, chicken, beef or lamb. The filling of the roast rice balls includes pickled cabbage, dried bean curd, stewed egg and fried bread sticks. The fillings of the clay oven rolls are cabbage and diced, preserved radish. These cost NT$40-45. The vendor also adds Taiwanese pickled cabbage to every order for free. The most popular snack is the roast rice balls. To order roast rice balls with chicken, you should say 一份烤飯糰 (Yi Fen Ji Rou Kau Fan Tuan). It cost NT$45.
• 王印乾麵 (Wang Yien noodles) : 65-1 Taiping Road (太平路65號之1). 王印乾麵 (Wang Yien Noodles) is pointed on a small yellow sign with yellow words. The speciality at 王印乾麵 (Wang Yien Noodles) is handmade noodles with a spicy sauce. Many people will order this when they visit there. You should ask for 一碗 (Yi Wan) for one, and the price is NT$30-40.
• 山西刀削麵食館 (Shan Shi Dau Shiau Mian Shr Guan) : 18 Yutsai South Street (育才南路18號). It has a big white sign with the name of the shop in red words. Its specialties are hand-sliced noodles with beef soup, and木須炒麵 (moo shi chao mian). The price is NT$50-70, and they also sell fried rice and many other noodle dishes. You should ask for牛肉麵 (a bowl of beef noodles) or 炒麵 (fried noodles) for one.
• 胖子雞丁 (Ponz Ji Ding) : 20 Yizhong Street. There is a cartoon man on an orange sign with purple letters that say胖子雞丁. Their opening hours are 11:30 to 23:00, and they are closed every Tuesday. They sell fried chicken, including chicken legs, and chicken breasts. They also sell French fries and various quick-fried vegetables. There is a menu in Chinese that shows the items and the prices. If you want to buy a small bag of diced chicken, you say 我要一份小的雞丁 (Wo yao yi fen hsiao de ji ding). A small one costs NT$40, and a large bag costs NT$60.
• 雄爺雞蛋糕 (Shong Ye Ji Dan Gao) : 65-1 Taiping Road (太平路65號之1), next to胖子雞丁 (Ponz Ji Ding). Opposite the building is中興堂 (Zhong Xing Tang). There is a white sign with black letters that say 雄爺雞蛋糕 (Shing Ye Ji Dan Gao). They sell small cakes with different fillings such as chocolate, butter, cheese, or peanuts. There are many small boards below the sign that show the flavors and prices. If you want to want a bag of cheese flavor, you can say 我要一份起士口味的 (Wo yao yi fen cheese kou wei de). These are small and convenient to eat while you walk around. A small bag of any flavor costs NT$10-20.
• 日式炸物 (Japanese Fry) : An unusual and cheap vendor in the Yizhong Street market area. It’s on Yutsai South Street (育才南街), in front of 一中二街購物廣場 (Yizhong Second Street Shopping Plaza). There’s a blue sign with white letters that say日式炸物 (Japanese Fry), and the small stand is decorated in a Japanese style. The snacks are unique and delicious. They sell fried bananas, fried cheese balls, fried hash browns, and fried chicken speared on skewers. The cost is NT$15-30. One popular snack they sell is fried bananas. A skewer of fried bananas is only NT$15. To order a fried banana, you should say 一份炸香蕉 (Yi Fen Ja Shiang Jieu).
• 豪大雞排 (Hao Da Ji Pai) : 49 Yizhong Street. It has a big yellow sign with a chicken picture and red words that say 一中豪大雞排 (Yizhong Hao Da Ji Pai). The wall inside is made of wood. This vendor sells fried food like French fries, quick-fried vegetables, chicken breast filets, and mushrooms. The most popular item is the chicken breast filets. Just say, 一份雞排 ( Yi fen ji pie ) to ask for one. The seller will ask you 要切嗎? (Yao chie ma? ), which means do you want it chopped up or not. It costs NT$45. If you want it spicy you can say, 我要加辣 (Wo yao ja la), and they sprinkle it with cayenne pepper powder.
• 山姆先生 (Mr. Sam) : Yizhong Street 61 Lane. The sign is black with a yellow cartoon child’s face on it and white words that say 可樂奶 ( Kele Nai). This is a drinks vendor. They sell many different kinds of drinks, and the most special drink is 可樂奶 ( Kele Nai). It is Coke with milk tea. If you want to buy a cup of this, you can say 一杯可樂奶 (Yi bei kele nai). It’s a large cup, and it costs NT$30. The seller will ask you 甜度冰塊 (Tian du bing kwai), which means how much sugar and ice do you want. The best way to enjoy this is not too sweet and very cold, so you should say “Ban tan duo bing”.
• 臭豆腐 (Chou Tofu) : Yizhong Street across from 胖子雞丁 (Ponz Ji Ding). The sign si white and red words say 臭豆腐. This vendor has been in business for thirty years. They sell only stinky tofu. This is the small brown squares of fried stinky tofu that many vendors sell, but it’s always fresh and well-prepared. You can say 一份小的 (Yi fen shiao de) for a small box, it costs NT$30, or 一份大的 (Yi fen da de) for a bigger box that costs NT$40. The seller will ask you “Jia la ma?”, which means do you want it spicy. You can choose to eat it there or get it to go.
• 北京茶燻 (Bei Jing Cha Shien) : Yizhong Street near the A-Sir tea shop. Its sign is black and with red words with the vendor’s name on it. They sell cold boiled food like blood rice cake, chicken leg, beans, tofu and meatballs. You put the items into a small basket yourself, and they chop it up and put into a bag for you to eat with skewers. Each item costs NT$10. You can say, “Wo ye ja la”, which means do you want to add spice. The seller will ask you, “Yau ja swan tsai ma?”, which means do you want Chinese pickled cabbage or not. The rice sausage and blood rice cake are very good at this vendor. If you have no idea about what you should try, just grab a bunch of stuff and see how you like it.
• 打餅舖 (Da Bing Pu) : 83 Yizhong Street near 豪大雞排 (Hao Da Chi Pie). There is a vendor stand with a red sign with white words that say 打餅舖. This vendor sells Chinese pancakes. Their top most popular flavors are pictured on a placard over the stand. The best-seller is Chinese pickled cabbage with cheese and egg. However, we thought that cheese with egg was better than that because we tried both of them. It cost NT$30 for the cheese with egg, and the Chinese pickled cabbage with cheese and egg costs NT$35. You can say “我要一份起士蛋”(Woy au yi fen chiz dan) for cheese flavor, or “我要一份酸菜起士” (Woy au yi fen swan tsai chiz) for the Chinese pickled cabbage with cheese and egg flavor. They will ask you 要加辣嗎? (Yao ja la ma?), Which means do you want spicy.
• 泰好喝(Thai How Her) : 8 Lane 75 Taiping Road. This stand is made of wood, and there are two lovely chairs in front of it. The sign over the stand says 泰好喝, and it is decorated with LED lights. They sell Thai-style drinks like black tea and milk tea. We bought a cup of milk tea. It’s orange and not very sweet, and it has a strong tea taste. We think the best way to enjoy it is fairly sweet and very cold, so you should say,”一杯奶茶全糖多冰” (Yi bei nai cha. Chuan tan duo bing.) One cup costs NT$35. They may ask you 要袋子嗎? (Yao daiz ma?) means do you want a plastic bag.
• 老虎堂 (Tiger Sugar) : 96 Yizhong Street in I PLAZA 愛廣場, next to Taichung First Senior High School (臺中一中). It has a black and yellow sign with the character "虎"(tiger). The vendor mainly sells bubble tea with a special, tiger-like appearance, which is a mixture of brown sugar and fresh milk. The vendor has therefore become one of the most famous bubble tea stores on Yizhong Street recently. To enjoy one, you can say "我要一份黑糖波霸厚鮮奶" (Woy au yi fen hei tang bo ba hou sian nai) for its flagship product, "Black suger boba and cream mousse". You can't change the sweetness or ice of the tea, so they won't ask. One cup costs NT$60.
• 多多茶坊 (Dou dou cha fang) : 38 Zunxian Street across from the 水利大樓. Under an ordinary look and a menu with nothing special, there are some hidden drinks with creative flavors in the vendor. Thus, it gets popular among students. One of the most classic drinks is "核廢料" (He fei liao, "nuclear waste"), combined with mung bean soup, Ovaltine, and milk powder. It costs about $35. If you are feeling lucky, try "隨便" (Sui bian). The owner will make a drink with random ingredients, at the cost of NT$25.

Drink [ edit ]

• 24.155307 120.657303 1 UZO Mediterranean Bar & Grill , 22, JingCheng 5th St , ☏ +886 4-2327-3518 . 18:00 - 24:00, closed on Monday . Great place for a drink. Possibly the best beer selection in Taichung, well beyond the typical Taiwan Beer and Heineken. Relaxed quite atmosphere with outside seating available.  
• Golden Jaguar ( 金錢豹酒店 ), No. 960, Sec Taiwan Road, Situn District , Taichung . Taichung area's most famous nightclub, the main consumers for rich people, and there will be hostessing in uniform girl, even you can requirement they strip hostessing. ( updated Jul 2016 )
• 24.137713 120.675735 2 Chun Shui Tang ( 春水堂 ), No. 30, Siwei Street, West District, Taichung . One of the two rival claimants to having invented bubble tea. ( updated Jun 2020 )

Sleep [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

• Fu Chun Hotel .  
• Corner Backpacker - Taichung Hostel , No.85, Rixin St., West Dist, 403 , ☏ +886 973331020 . Wifi in lobby, TV in lobby, security lockers, air conditioning, bike for rent. Su-Th NT$500 per person; F-Sa NT$550 per person .  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Kao Yuan Hotel ( 高苑商務旅館 ), 392 Zhongzheng Road, Beiqu. (北區 中正路 ３９２號) , ☏ +886 4 2226-2566 . Nice, very clean rooms with jacuzzi and free Western and Chinese breakfast. LAN internet in every room, CNN, HBO, and free TW English newspaper every day. NT$1,600 per night .  
• Twinstar Hotel . Good mid range hotel located close to rear entrance of Taichung train station. Hotel and rooms are old but service is decent and Chinese breakfast served. Book on web site for lowest rates, starting at NT$1600.  
• J&I Hostel ( 逢甲美宿館 ), 407 No.9-11, Nanzi Ln., Sec. 2, Xitun Rd., Xitun Dist. (西屯區西屯路二段湳子巷 9-11號) . Comfortable and clean room, located close to the most famous night market of Taichung.  
• Lai Lai Hotel ( 來來商旅 ), No.125, Sec. 3, Sanmin Rd., North Dist. (北區 三民路三段 125號) , ☏ +886 4-2229-8282 , fax : +886 4-2229-9090 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 .  

Splurge [ edit ]

• Evergreen Laurel Hotel , 6 Taichung Gang Rd. Sec. 2 , ☏ +886 4-2313-9988 .  
• Howard Prince Hotel Taichung , 129 Anhe Rd , ☏ +886 4-2463-2323 .  
• Hotel One Taichung , 532 Yingcai Rd , ☏ +886 4-2303-1234 . High-end hotel and it is also the tallest building in the city.  
• Plaza International Hotel , 431 Daya Rd , ☏ +886 4-2295-6789 .  
• Splendor Hotel , 1049 Jien-xing Rd , ☏ +886 4-2328-8000 .  
• The Windsor Hotel Taichung , 78 Taichung Gang Rd. Sec. 3 , ☏ +886 4-2465-6555 . Along with Hotel One, this the other newer high-end hotel in Taichung.  
• The Tempus Hotel Taichung , 9 Taichung Gang Rd. Sec. 2 , ☏ +886 4-2326-8008 . Formerly known as the Landis (which might be what your taxi driver knows it as) this is a great hotel in the center of Taichung. Room includes access to the Mandara Life Club next to the hotel. The club features a 30m, 6 lane lap pool, large sauna, hot springs and a full complement of gym equipment. From NT$3300 .  

Exotic [ edit ]

In addition to traditional-style hotels, you might want to consider the exotic "love motels" for which Taichung is famous. These provide the feel of a resort with a large bath (often complete with television), large-screen television in the main room, and large beds, but without the need to travel hundreds of miles away. Rooms are individually priced and themed: everything from tropical paradise, complete with waterfall or reflecting pool, to dramatic uptown chic, to kitschy reds and pinks. Visit with your special someone for a night you won't soon forget! Here are a couple to get you started:

• [dead link] The Love Boutique Motel ( 悅豪 ), No.83, Sec.3, Hui-Chung Rd., 408 Taichung, Taiwan , ☏ +886 4-2258-3366 .  
• Enjoy Motel ( 悅萊 ), No.19, Shihjheng N. 7th Rd., 408 Taichung, Taiwan , ☏ +886 4-22597799 .  

Connect [ edit ]

The area dialling code for Taichung is 04. From overseas, dial: +886 4 XXXX XXXX

Stay safe [ edit ]

Taichung is generally safe as long as you are vigilant at all times. Look both ways before crossing roads, then look again while you cross. Most injuries and fatalities to travelers in Taichung occur from vehicular accidents. Often there are no sidewalks, or they are blocked by shops, and you'll have to walk on the road. As you alight from a bus, be sure to look to your right before stepping down to prevent being hit by a scooter.

Go next [ edit ]

As Taichung is in the middle of Taiwan, it is convenient for making trips to Taipei and Kaohsiung . There are frequent, comfortable and inexpensive freeway-bus services plying the routes. The journey to either city by bus or train takes around 3 hours, or as little as 1½ hours given optimal traffic conditions.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) is now in operation, and as it will run at up to 300 km/h, travel time to Taipei and Kaohsiung is now as little as 45 minutes.

Taichung is near several recreational areas. A short distance to the north is a large waterpark, especially enticing during the hot summer months, while the mountains and lush plains of Puli in Nantou County where you could visit Sun Moon Lake are within an hour's drive to the east. The coast is a mere half-hour from central city to the west.

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Taichung (台中; Táizhōng) is a transport hub of western Taiwan and you are likely to stop over or even spend a night or two here, especially if you plan to head inland. The city center has several attractions and it's a good base to make side trips to the outer area, which has a lot to offer.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

National Museum of Natural Science

A fantastic place for kids and botany fans, this massive museum has over 50 exhibit areas covering space, the environment, rainforests, gems and minerals,…

Gaomei Wetlands

Beautiful wetlands teeming with life rendered surreal by the sight of wind turbines on the horizon. It is especially photogenic at sunset and makes for a…

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

Taiwan's top fine-art museum features the works of both established and upcoming Taiwanese artists, as well as famous foreign creators such as Japanese …

Pi-Lu Monastery

Built by a devout Taichung family in the 1920s, Pi-Lu Buddhist Monastery looks more like a mansion than a monastery, with its red-bricked facade, Doric…

Qianyue Building

Highly Instagrammable semiderelict building with large areas covered by awesome graffiti. In the abandoned spaces of this former shopping mall, you may be…

Taichung Park

A historical landmark, this beautiful 20-hectare park was designed by the Japanese in the early 1900s. The elegant Japanese pavilion was a later addition …

Audit Village

An attractive example of the old building-turned-artsy-marketplace formula, the handful of old civil-servant dormitories known as Audit Village are now…

Zhongxin Market

There are only a few outlets left in this once-busy market – meat and vegetable operators are around from 4am to 10am; food stalls in the periphery open…

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

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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.

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Where to go in taichung — 16 must go, top places to visit in taichung & best places to visit in taichung.

Taichung is the 3rd largest city in Taiwan after Taipei and Kaohsiung. Taichung is located in the middle of the country, about 2 hours from Taipei by car. Taichung brings beauty to the harmony between traditional beauty and modern. Along with the capital of Taipei and the coastal city of Kaohsiung, Taichung is currently a hot destination that attracts many visitors around the world. So, where to go in Taichung? Let’s check it out our suggestion top places to visit in Taichung including best places to visit in Taichung (Taichung best places to visit), must go places in Taichung, must visit places in Taichung to find out the answer!

• Taichung one day itinerary — How to spend 1 day in Taichung from Taipei?
• Top night markets in Taiwan — 11 most famous, must-go & best night markets in Taiwan
• What to eat in Taichung? — 10+ must-eat, famous & best food in Taichung
• Rainbow Village Taichung blog — How to get & how to visit the most colorful village in Taichung, Taiwan
• Lukang Taichung blog — Explore the ancient beauty of Lukang Old Street & Molu Lane in Taichung

Taichung is a big city of Taiwan, despite strong development with modern architectural works but It still preserving and protecting the natural environment quite well. Visiting the beautiful landscapes of Taichung will be an exciting discovery journey in Taiwan tour that you should not miss.

In addition to the modern Taipei capital, Taichung city is also known as a tourist destination with many beautiful naturual landscapes such as Sun Moon Lake, Gaomei Wetlands, sacred pilgrimage sites and unforgettable romantic landmarks. The place blends the beauty of traditional beauty, and the romance with a bit modern. And these top tourist attractions in Taichung promise to bring you a journey of exploration and discovery that is new and memorable.

Best places to visit in Taichung: Sun Moon Lake

Starting the series “Where to go in Taichung”, I introduce to you the first place is Sun Moon Lake. Sun Moon Lake is a natural freshwater lake located in Yuchi town, Nantou district. The lake is located at an altitude of 748 meters above sea level. This is the largest natural lake in Taiwan

Referring to the beautiful scenery of Taichung, can not help but the Sun Moon Lake, what makes the special feature is that the shape of the lake, in the East is the lake as round as the sun and the West is like the crescent moon that makes anyone come here does not want to leave. Therefore, the name of the lake comes from this special shape.

Sun Moon Lake is always on the bucket list of any visitor when coming to Taichung, one of the best places to visit in Taichung (Taichung best places to visit) top places to visit in Taichung, and one of the must visit places in Taichung. With the charming beauty, surrounded by majestic mountains, in the distance are floating clouds reflex their shadow on the surface of the lake, along with the bold Chinese architecture makes Sun Moon Lake is like the fairy land, so captivating, making anyone never forget after visited.

We recommend you should spending a whole day to visit Sun Moon Lake. Coming to the lake, you will be absolutely overwhelmed by the majestic mountains. Sun Moon Lake has a very romantic cycling route around it. This route used to be in the top 10 most beautiful cycling routes in the world voted by CNN Travel. Bike rental is about TWD 200 ($6.45) for 2 hours of cycling.

Sailing cruise on the lake is also an interesting experience. Sitting on a boat and enjoying the charming beauty of the lake and majestic mountains surrounds. There are 3 boat piers. The first pier is Shuishe, the second one is syuangguang and the last is Yidashao.

Get off the 2nd pier is the famous Syuanguang Temple. At the foot of the temple is Jinpan Madame Shop selling delicious tea eggs The small cute hot eggs has a strange taste but very attractive! Come here, do not forget to try this strange snack.

We have a detailed review of the itinerary for visiting Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm for one day, please read here: Sun Moon Lake itinerary — Exploring Sun Moon Lake & Cingjing Farm for 1 day trip.

How to get to Sun Moon Lake?

Sun Moon Lake is about 65 km from Taichung city. I will show you 2 ways to getting to this lake as follow.

You go to Nantou Bus Station in Taichung to buy a ticket to get to Sun Moon Lake.

The bus tickets from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake is TWD 195 ($6.29)/one way, TWD 360 ($11.61)/round trip. There are many trips a day. Please refer to the following schedule to make your plan.

Shuttle bus

If you go in groups of 3-8 people, I feel comfortable and most active is to hire a private car (shuttle bus) to take the whole group. The cost for each trip is not too expensive, but the group can still travel comfortably. The driver will pick up your group at the hotel too! You can book this service via travel agencies such as: KKDay , Klook or Trazy.

Must go places in Taichung: Gaomei Wetlands

The second destination in the series “Where to go in Taichung?” that I want to introduce is Gaomei Wetlands. Stunning placet for devotees who love the art of nature here. Gaomei Wetlands is the place where we can watch the whole super beautiful sunset in Taichung. One of the must go places in Taichung you definitely should not miss.

This wetland is very wide, with a wooden path across the sandbank to the sea. At high tide, standing on the wooden road you feel like your foot touch the sea. In the distance are the giant wind turbines. Gaomei Wetlands is the most beautiful at the sunset, so this is the most crowded time.

You need to refer the time before sunset on the phone and watch the time to get here. Not every day the sunset at the same time. Once there, you should find and choose for yourself the most photogenic spot first. The best moment of sunset lasts only 10-15 minutes, so try to capture and take really spectacular photos!

Year built: September 29, 2005 Location: Qingshui, Taichung, Taiwan

Taichung best places to visit: Rainbow Village

Looking at the pictures below, you have seen this village is full of special, right? Actually called the Rainbow Village but now only a few houses are decorated with colorful patterns like this.

The unique, colorful backgrounds here are the perfect setting for your ‘virtual life’ photos. You will not be surprised when know the current owner of these paintings still continuing his creative work and therefore every come, visitors will feel excited when discovering the new interesting drawings.

Do you know why these houses have special patterns like this? The true story of the origin of the Rainbow Village tells the story of the old man Huang who personally painted, and decorated the village himself. The village wearing a new beautiful dress not only makes the villagers admire but according to the good rumors, many people from other places also come here to admire. The government has decided to preserve this special village and build some more works in 2010. Rainbow Village is getting more and more famous.

Address: No.56, Chun’an Road, Taichung 408, Taiwan Hours: 8AM–6PM Phone: +886 4 2380 2351

Top places to visit in Taichung: Taichung Metropolitan Opera House (National Taichung Theater)

If Australia is famous for the Sydney Opera House with oyster shells architecture; Singapore with the Esplanade Theater by the Marina Bay with durian fruit architecture, then in Taiwan with the Taichung Metropolitan Opera House. The theater is a pride of Taiwanese people in general as well as Taichung in particular.

Taichung Metropolitan Opera House is covered on an area of 60,000m2. The theater was built in an open architecture, designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito. Seen from the outside the theater is a massive building. The outer wall impresses visitors with its long, winding strips adorn with holes, very eye-catching. One great thing is the entire building does not use air conditioning to cool. The water circulation system is used during the operation to cool the theater. Extremely environmentally friendly!

Address: No.101, Section 2, Huilai Road, Taichung 101, Taiwan Opened: November 23, 2014 Capacity: 2,014 (grand theater) Phone: +886 4 2251 1777

Where to go in Taichung? Fengjia Night Market (Feng Chia Night Market)

When street lights up is also the time we dress up to go to night market! Night market is a very beautiful traditional culture of Taiwanese people for generations. Taichung has many different large and small night markets and the Feng Chia Night Market is the largest market. There are up to 15,000 stalls here. Is it a lot? Surprise? Wherever you go shopping in Taichung, you must go to Fengjia Night Market at least once.

Continued reading…

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Asia , Itineraries , Taiwan · June 7, 2020

The Ultimate Taichung Itinerary for 1-3 days

Wondering what to do in Taichung? Follow my detailed Taichung itinerary for 1-3 days to discover all of Taichung’s best bits!

Taichung (台中市) is a beautiful, laid-back city located in central Taiwan and also the main gateway to one of the country’s most revered natural wonders,  Sun Moon Lake . 

While most people rush through Taichung rather quickly to visit dreamy Sun Moon Lake, a few days’ stay in Taiwan’s second-largest city should not be overlooked. 

Since Taichung packs the perfect mix of art, culture, history, and nature within easy reach, it’s a great city to experience a different slice of Taiwan. 

In this Taichung itinerary, I’ll cover the best things to do in Taichung for 1, 2 or 3 days. There will be opportunities to see the city’s top attractions, discover its most instagrammable gems, relax in its green spaces, and explore its beautiful outskirts. 

Ready to find out what to do in Taichung? Read along to discover the best of Taichung in my detailed 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 Itinerary Pre-Travel Tips 

Before diving into this Taichung itinerary for one day or more, here are a few pre-travel tips to help you plan the perfect trip. 

• Search the  best hotels and hostels in Taichung . There’s not much need to book accommodation in advance, unless you’re visiting during Chinese New Year or other special holidays. (See all my hotel recommendations below). 
• Book a seat on the high-speed rail to access Taichung quickly and easily. Download the THSR app to easily check schedules and book tickets. This guide on top Taiwan travel apps will also come in handy.
• Make sure you grab a  4G Sim card  or  pocket WiFi   for pickup at the airport. This way you can access maps, translations, and much more on the go. 
• Grab an Easy Card , Taiwan’s local transit card. By doing so you can use the free bus system in Taichung (up to 10km). 
• This tour  is a great way to see all of the city’s highlights if you’re traveling in a group or not comfortable navigating Taichung’s public transport.
• You may need a travel plug when visiting Taiwan. The standard voltage in Taiwan is 110V with a frequency of 60Hz. The most common plug types are A and B. 
• Like the rest of Taiwan, Taichung is an exceptionally safe city to visit — even for solo female travelers. Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. My go-to travel insurance provider is SafetyWing .

How to Get to Taichung

Taichung is easily accessed by plane, bus, high-speed rail, or train across Taiwan. Along with the tips in my guide on getting from Taipei to Taichung , here are the best ways to access the city.

Taichung International Airport is the main airport in Taichung and located 25 km from the city center. If you are arriving in Taichung straight from the airport, you can access the center by bus (#302 or #9). Alternatively grab a taxi. 

Headed to Penghu after your Taichung tour? Read my detailed guides on how to get to Penghu and what to do in Penghu .

By High-Speed Rail

The easiest and fastest way to get to Taichung is by high-speed rail. Depending on your departure point, it shouldn’t take more than 1 hour to reach the city. Make sure to  book a discounted HSR ticket online  in advance to guarantee a seat. Non-reserved tickets go for slightly lower prices, but you run the risk of not having a place to sit. 

Insider Tip: If you plan on only visiting Taichung for 1 day, this discounted HSR ticket for three consecutive days  is an excellent option to help you travel onwards. 

It’s easy to take a bus from elsewhere in Taiwan to reach Taichung. Many buses depart from Taipei Main Bus Station (near Taipei Main Station) daily. The bus ride from Taipei to Taichung takes about 2-3 hours. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative and don’t mind a slightly longer journey. See the Ubus  schedule here . 

If you’ve just arrived at Taoyuan Airport and want to skip  Taipei  altogether and head straight to Taichung, that is possible too. The bus terminal is located on B1, and from here, you can catch a bus directly to Taichung.  Book a discounted seat on the bus here  to guarantee a spot. Alternatively,  book a private transfer directly from Taoyuan  for the most convenient way to access the city. 

You can also take the train to Taichung. Prices are considerably cheaper than the HSR, but it can take much longer, depending on the train you take. Make sure to get on a  Puyuma and Taroko train , which will get you to the city faster. Tze-Chiang Express trains are cheaper, but take slightly longer to reach the city. 

How to Get Around During Your Taichung Itinerary

Taichung is a big city and quite spread out. While it’s possible to explore the city center on foot, you’ll need to rely on public transport further afield. 

• Scooter: The easiest way to get around Taichung hassle-free and explore the city at your own pace is by scooter . There is a scooter rental shop, a 2-minute walk away from the HSR station. Alternatively,  book a scooter rental online . You will however need a valid international driver’s license for a motorcycle to do so. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have decent travel insurance . 
• MRT: While the  subway  is still under construction, the Green Line is fully functional. The route runs from Taichung HSR Station to Beitun Main Station. See the MRT map here .
• Bus: Taichung also has an   extensive bus network  that offers free rides up to 10km. To use the free bus service, remember to grab an Easy Card  in advance. 
• Bike: YouBike  is also widely available in Taichung, and it’s a fun way to see all of the city’s best bits on this Taichung itinerary. You’ll need a  local SIM card and an Easy Card  to rent a bike. Non-residents are also required to pay a TWD 2,000 deposit in case of accidents. 
• Car Hire: Of course, another great way to get around the city is by  renting a car  or  hiring a private driver . This way, you can start your Taichung itinerary from the get-go and never worry about navigating your way around the city. 

Where to Stay in Taichung

Taichung is a big city with  plenty of excellent accommodation options . If you want to maximize your time in town, I’d recommend staying somewhere central. You’ll find a good selection of hotel and hostel options  near the train station , while  Xitun District  also has lots of great choices for all kinds of budgets. Here are my top suggestions on where to stay in Taichung.

Where to Stay in Central Taichung

Staying in central Taichung is an excellent choice for being in the heart of the city. Since you’ll be right in the thick of it, you’ll have easy access to lots of restaurants, shops and, of course, public transport. 

Budget  –  Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung  is an excellent budget option if you want to be within walking distance o f the train station. The hostel has a lovely communal area and plenty of room choices ranging from dorm-style to private rooms. The best part about staying here is while you’ll be right in the center of town, there are lots of green spaces nearby where you can take a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Mid-Range  –  SOF Hotel  is a chic boutique hotel boasting clean, modern rooms at surprisingly affordable rates. The hotel is located mere steps from the Gancheng Bus Station and a 9-minute walk from Taichung Railway Station. SOF Hotel is ideal for travelers looking for something a bit more upscale yet still being in the heart of the city. Don’t forget to check out the Taiwan Museum of Suncake and the Taichung Second Market while staying here! 

Where to Stay in Xitun District

Xitun District is the perfect location for those looking to experience all of Taichung’s best bits but in a more modern area of town. Xitun lies on the western side of Taichung, and you’ll find lots of shopping malls, excellent restaurants, and great city vibes here. 

Mid-Range  –  Hotel Mapp  is a great mid-range option for travelers looking for an upscale stay at affordable rates. What really sets Hotel Mapp apart from other mid-range options in the city is its uber chic design! 

Affordable Luxury  –  Hotel 7 Taichung  is a beautiful 4-star hotel located mere steps from Fengchia Night Market . The hotel features clean, modern rooms and the rooftop terrace is the perfect spot to unwind after a day out and about! Grab some beers at the nearby Family Mart to enjoy while watching the epic sunset from here! 

Luxury  – If relaxing on a rooftop with breathtaking city views and cooling off in a terrace pool sounds like the perfect location for you, then checking in at  Kun Tour Hotel  is a must! This beautiful hotel features stylish rooms and all the comforts you would expect from a 4-star property. 

Best Time to Visit Taichung

Taichung is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and hills, making it a great city to visit. The city has a sub-tropical climate with pleasant temperatures during most months. In general, the hottest temperatures reach 34°C, while temperatures drop to around 13°C during colder months. 

The  best time to visit Taichung is during spring   (March-April) . Spring in Taichung is an ideal time to explore the city, because you’ll get to see the city and surrounding areas covered in pink cherry blossoms . 

Autumn is yet another great time to visit Taichung (Sept – November)  as the temperatures start to cool down. Best of all, you’ll get to see the maple leaves change color. In October, the  Taichung Jazz Festival  is another excellent reason to visit the city during this season. 

If you must visit  Taichung during summer , be prepared for sweltering heat. From  mid-May through June , Taichung experiences some pretty heavy rainfall with the Plum Rains making their arrival. Also, typhoons aren’t uncommon during  July and August . Make sure to pack an  umbrella   and don’t forget to check the weather forecast before starting your Taichung itinerary. 

Winter (Dec – Feb) in Taichung  is cold but tolerable. Temperatures rarely reach higher than 22°C, and the average low temperature is around 12°C. January is the coldest month in Taichung . I f you must visit during this time, it’s a good idea to pack layers and a decent wind-resistant jacket .   For more tips, this guide on what to pack for Taiwan will also come in handy.

It’s best to avoid Taichung during Chinese New Year, and Lantern Festival celebrations  as buses and trains fill up quickly, and the city is packed with locals returning home. 

Taichung Itinerary Quick Overview 

• Day   1 : Rainbow Village, Painted Animation Lane, Miyahara, Calligraphy Greenway, National Museum of Fine Arts, Feng Chia Night Market. 
• Day 2:  Lavender Cottage, Rollin Farm, Gaomei Wetlands.
• Day 3:  Take a day trip to Sun Moon Lake

An Unmissable Taichung Itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 days: Top Taichung Attractions

If you’ve just started mapping out your Taiwan trip, make sure to add Taichung to your 2 week Taiwan itinerary   because there is an excellent selection of things to do! 

Below you’ll find my top recommendations on what to do in Taichung in 1 day or more. That said, feel free to tailor this guide to suit your needs and preferences. 

Read on to discover the best things to do in Taichung. Plus , get all my tips and tricks to fully enjoy your Taichung itinerary. 

1 Day Taichung Itinerary 

Only have one day in Taichung? Why? Taichung is a fantastic city with a whole bunch of exciting things to do and see! 

While one day in Taichung is ample time to see the city’s best gems, it w ill be a busy day! Therefore, to make the most of your 1 day in Taichung, staying overnight is highly encouraged. Of course, if you have a few days to spare on your Taiwan trip, spending 2-3 days in Taichung will allow you to see so much more of the city! 

So what should you do on a 1 day Taichung itinerary? Follow my 24 hours in Taichung guide to see the best in the city. Let’s go! 

Rainbow Village (彩虹眷村)

Start your 1 day in Taichung itinerary by seeing the  city’s most Instagrammable place   — Rainbow Village. Located less than a 10-minute drive from Taichung HSR Station, Rainbow Village is the perfect spot to kick off your Taichung trip!

Rainbow Village is a designated cultural area and revered for its quirky, colorful murals and intriguing history. Before becoming a tourist hot spot, Rainbow Village was surprisingly a military dependent’s housing complex. Over time the buildings started to deteriorate, and developers wanted to tear them down. When word got out of this, one resident, Mr. Huang, decided to transform the remaining houses to save his village. 

Today Rainbow village is a must-see in Taichung, and if you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to say ‘ ni hao’  to the Rainbow Granpa! 

While Rainbow Village is a fun stop on your Taichung itinerary, it’s easy to tour the entire complex, take photos, and g rab a rainbow ice cream in less than an hour. It’s best to avoid Rainbow Village on weekends and public holidays, as it is one of Taichung’s most popular tourist spots. Instead, come during morning hours in the week. 

Painted Animation Lane (動漫彩繪巷)

Painted Animation Lane is a quirky lane full of colorful murals of anime and cartoon characters. It’s a cute place for a quick s troll , and since the pathway is only a few 100 meters long, it’s perfect for a pitstop on your 1 day Taichung itinerary.  

While most travelers only visit here to quickly snap a selfie at the of totally cute Totoro Bus Stop, a short stroll further will afford plenty more Instagrammable gems! 

Miyahara (宮原眼科)

Miyahara is a popular tourist spot in Taichung famous for its Harry Potter-like interior and delectable sweet treats. Besides the excellent selection of gourmet chocolates, crunchy cookies, fine tea, and local snacks like sun cake and pineapple cake, this high-end dessert store has quite a unique history. 

Built during the Japanese Colonial Era in the 1920’s Miyahara was formerly an ophthalmology clinic. Today the red brick building is an iconic landmark in Taichung. Not to mention, one of the most famous dessert shops in Taiwan! 

If you’re into gourmet ice cream, Miyahara is the perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just a heads-up; the lines are always long, so prepare to wait! Alternatively, visit during the early morning hours or late at night. Miyahara is open from 10 am-10 pm. 

Oh, and travel tip — Taichung Park is a short stroll away from Miyahara. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy your ice cream away from the bustling city streets!

Calligraphy Greenway (草悟道)

Calligraphy Greenway is a scenic walkway stretching 3.6 kilometers between the National Museum of Natural Science to the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.

It is an excellent place for a leisurely walkabout if you have an hour or two to spare on your Taichung 1 day itinerary. Besides the superb greenery on offer, you’ll find tons of quirky art installations dotted around the park, as well as a great selection of restaurants and cafes along the way. While there’s plenty of Taiwanese food, it is one of Taichung’s best places to find an excellent variety of international cuisine. 

Make sure to explore the side streets jolting off from the main pathway t oo! T here are lots of boutique stores, DIY shops, and hipster hangouts in the area! If you happen to visit on the weekend, you’ll find the park full of vendors selling handmade crafts and souvenirs and even a few buskers ready to entertain! 

Insider Tip: A few blocks from here, you’ll find  Chun Shui Tang Tea House (春水堂)  – the birthplace of bubble milk tea. It’s a fun pitstop to make if you want to try the best boba tea in Taiwan! More adventurous travelers can also opt to join a DIY bubble milk tea class! 

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (國立台灣美術館)

No visit to Taichung would be complete without dropping by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. Located a short stroll south of the Calligraphy Greenway, the museum is a massive must for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts.

With 24 exhibition halls housing an excellent selection of permanent and temporary displays, one could easily spend a few hours here. Most exhibitions focus on Western art, Chinese paintings, and sculptures. 

Since admission to the museum is free, it’s one of the best free things to do in Taichung! Oh, and don’t forget to stroll around the beautiful gardens —there are quite a few gems on display here too! 

Feng Chia Night Market (逢甲夜市)

If this is your first visit to Taiwan, you’ve probably noticed that night markets are a thing in Taiwan! Taiwanese people love a good night snack, and one of the best places to relish delicious street food is at a night market. The best part, dirt cheap prices! 

Luckily for you, Taichung is home to the biggest night market in Taiwan — Fengjia Night Market. It’s a bustling place, and it gets crowded quickly, so try not to come too late. If you want to skip the crowds, it’s best to go before 7 pm or after 10 pm. Alternatively, get ready to join the scrum!

Taichung 2 Days Itinerary

If you have 2 days in Taichung, follow my Taichung 1 day itinerary above on your first day. Then continue with your second day in Taichung with these Taichung attractions below. 

On day 2 of your Taichung itinerary, it’s time to explore a few lesser-known gems on the outskirts of the city. While it is possible to reach some of these places via public transport, it’s better to have your own set of wheels. This can be achieved by either   renting a scooter , hiring a private driver or renting a car .

Since these places are not within the city center and involve quite a bit of traveling time, I suggest picking two options (at the most) to fill the second day of your Taichung itinerary.  For more day trip inspiration, read my detailed guide highlighting 15 of the best day trips from Taichung !

Lavender Cottage (薰衣草森林)

Just one hour east of Taichung City brings you to whimsical Lavender Cottage. While most travelers to Taichung head to Xinshe Castle , Lavender Cottage is an excellent alternative and somewhat of a hidden gem. 

Located in Xinshe District, Lavender Cottage is a lovely recreational area surrounded by lush mountains and sweeping lavender fields. If you’re looking to spend a relaxing day outdoors, this is an excellent option for you! 

There are many different trails to follow through verdant gardens and plenty of spaces where you can take a breather to admire the stunning views. Afterward, grab a bite to eat at the onsite restaurant or shop for handmade souvenirs like lavender soap and hand cream. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to try the  oh so tasty  lavender ice cream! 

Insider Tip:  To get to Lavender Cottage, take the Taichung—Xinshe line towards Zhongxingling from the Fengyuan Bus Company terminal. Get off at Xiner Station, from where you can take a taxi to Lavender Cottage. Not comfortable navigating the bus system? Check out this great tour ! 

Rollin Farm (若茵農場)

Rollin Farm is an excellent alternative if you don’t have time to visit  Alishan National Recreational Forest  to see the epic sea of clouds phenomena.

Located about a 1h30 drive from Taichung, this charming retreat sits 1,200 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views over the Taichung basin no matter which way you turn! 

There’s a lovely terrace where you can sit back, grab a bite to eat, and take in the magnificent views. If you’re feeling adventurous, taking a gentle stroll through the bamboo stalk forest won’t disappoint!

If you’d like to see the changing skies and wake up to one heck of a sunrise, consider staying overnight.  Check availability and rates here .  

Insider Tip: There is no public transportation to Rollin Farm, so you’ll need to find your own way here. It’s also a good idea to pack motion sickness medication as the road up the mountain has many twists and turns! 

Gaomei Wetlands  ( 高美濕地 )

Gaomei Wetlands is a beautifully scenic area located within a 1-hour drive from Taichung. It’s home to diverse animal and bird life and a dedicated ecological park. 

While it is possible to visit during the day, I recommend coming an hour or two before sunset. By doing so, you’ll have enough time to pop by the Visitors’ Center, where you can learn more about the varied ecology and visit the impressive red and white lighthouse. If you’re looking for a fun way to explore the area, make sure to rent a bike at one of the vendors near the Visitors’ Center. 

Afterward, grab a snack at one of the outdoor vendors to enjoy the epic sunset over the marshes from the Gaomei Walkway! Make sure to grab a spot early as the walkway gets crowded quickly right before sunset! 

Insider Tip: If you don’t have your own set of wheels, take the direct bus #309 from Taichung and alight at stop No. 18 Wind Turbine. If that sounds like too much trouble for you, consider   joining this excellent half-day tour ! 

Looking for a change of scenery? Taiwan’s brand new copper temple, Baiyang Temple of Heaven is located roughly 40 minutes drive from Taichung and offers breathtaking scenery and loads of photo ops!

Taichung Itinerary 3 days : Day Trip to Sun Moon Lake

If you have 3 days in Taichung, then you simply must visit  Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) on your last day. While it is possible to  explore Sun Moon Lake on a guided day tour  or independently, I highly recommend staying longer!

Sun Moon Lake is the largest natural lake in Taiwan and has a wealth of activities to entice visitors! From scenic hiking trails, gorgeous round-the-lake cycling paths, a bustling aboriginal food market, several majestic temples, and an epic cable car ride – Sun Moon Lake has something for everyone!

You can read my detailed  Sun Moon Lake travel guide , which sets out absolutely everything you need to know about visiting this spectacular natural wonder. Also see my detailed Sun Moon Lake transport guide to find the easiest route there, and this guide on where to stay in Sun Moon Lake .

For those traveling further afield to Cingjing Farm or even Hehuanshan, this guide on getting to Cingjing will also come in handy.

1-3 Day Taichung Itinerary Conclusion

Whether you have one day or many, Taichung is a fascinating city to visit! While these are just a handful of top things to do in Taichung, I hope this guide will help you to plan the perfect Taichung itinerary. 

That wraps up this Taichung travel guide! Have you visi ted Taichung yet? What tips or tricks do you have for fellow travelers planning a 1-3 day Taichung itinerary? Let me know in the comments below. 

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1-3 Day Taichung Itinerary and Things to Do in Taichung!

Categories Asia , Itinerary , Taiwan

Taichung may be the second biggest city in Taiwan but it has got nothing on Taipei, in my opinion. There are a few popular Taichung attractions but I will warn you now that these popular places to visit in Taichung are pretty spread out and getting around Taichung is not easy as there is no metro system so you need to rely on walking, uber, taxi’s or buses, and I couldn’t quite get my head around how to catch a bus in Taichung.

That said, a stop in Taichung works well if you’re travelling around Taiwan on a loop or travelling between Taipei and Kaohsiung , plus there are 2 popular day trips from Taichung that are worth visiting the city for. Essentially, it’s a good base and stopover city in Taiwan.

Taichung Itinerary

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How to Get to Taichung ?

This is a pretty important Taichung travel tip ! Taichung is accessible via bus or train. Getting to Taichung by train is probably the best and easiest way to get there whether you are travelling from Taipei to Taichung or Tainan to Taichung. However, one important thing to note is that Taichung has 2 train stations, and they’re not close together!

There’s the TRA Station which is the local train station in Taichung, this is in the centre of the city, then there is the HSR (High-Speed Rail) Station which is a lot further out of the city and a 20-minute taxi ride. I believe there is a train between the two, and there are definitely buses, but keep this in mind when planning your Taichung travel.

It might be easier to catch a high-speed train from Taipei to Taichung for example but it will still take you another 20 minutes to get into the centre by taxi, and therefore cost more. The high-speed trains in Taiwan cost more than the local trains, so if you’re on a budget in Taiwan and you have time, I’d recommend the slower local train which is still a pleasure to travel on.

One Day Taichung Itinerary

Taiwanese breakfast in taichung.

Taiwan is all about its breakfasts and getting a Taiwanese breakfast is something you must do at least once in Taiwan. For the best local breakfast in Taichung head to Second Market . Be warned that on a weekend in Taichung it will be busier as locals love this market too! It was when I walked past on a Saturday morning but that also adds to the atmosphere!

You may not know what you’re ordering but have a look at what the locals are getting and get whatever you can, it’s going to be good either way!

Taichung Rainbow Village

Taichung Rainbow Village is where I suggest you head next on your Taichung itinerary. How to get from Taichung to Rainbow Village is a little difficult as it is not in the city centre. You can get a public bus- bus 27 or 40 to Lin Tung University which takes about 1 hour plus a little walk from the university to the Rainbow Village. Or you can get a taxi or Uber . Taxi’s in Taichung work on the meter so I got an Uber which cost 240NTD each way.

Be aware that although the Rainbow Village in Taichung is worth visiting and it is a well deserved Taichung attraction , it is very small and there is nothing else to see and do around it so you’ll only need one hour at the Rainbow Village maximum to take photos and have a look around. In fact, visiting there on my own took me about 30 minutes and then I felt ready to leave!

For more information on the Rainbow Village history and how to get there, check out my friend Janet’s blog post here .

To help you plan your trip around Taiwan, have a look at all of my Taiwan Blog Posts here!

Chun Shiu Tang Bubble Tea

Back in the city, as far as things to do in Taichung go it’s pretty much all about the food and drinks! Taichung is the home of Bubble Tea and Chun Shiu Tang on Siwei Street is the original Bubble Tea store in Taichung and a popular place to visit in Taichung . They don’t serve Bubble Tea only, they have a full menu of different tea’s and plenty of food options so it’s a good place to visit for lunch in Taichung on this Taichung itinerary!

If you run out of time or it’s too far for you to get to, Chun Shiu Tang is a chain of Bubble Tea stores in Taiwan and the tea you’ll get in here will be the same as in any other store, and any other Bubble Tea store in Taiwan for that matter. There’s nothing particularly special about the Chun Shiu Original Store in Taichung apart from the fact that it’s the original store!

However, if you are a Bubble Tea fan like myself maybe you’d fancy doing a Bubble Tea masterclass which you can do in this store. I think this is a pretty cool Taichung activity and a great thing to add to your Taichung itinerary seen as there are not many other fun things to do in Taichung , to be honest!

You can book a Bubble Tea making class online KK Day using this link.

Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park

In the afternoon on this Taichung itinerary , for another one of the places to visit in Taichung you could head to Taichung’s Creative Park. One of the really unique things to do in Taiwan are its Creative Parks, I’ve seen cool ones in Taipei and Kaohsiung and Tai chung has one too!

Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park used to be an old fashioned brewery and now it’s a modern place where you can check out the cool art exhibitions, take some good photos and chill out in a pretty peaceful area of the city.

If you’re in need of more things to do in Taichung , Taichung Park is not huge but it is a nice green area of the city and I love the parks in Taiwan for observing local life so be sure to consider this when planning your day in Taichung!

Taichung Night Market

For things to do in Taichung at night there’s only one option – a night market !

Taichung Night Market’s span the city which is great in theory but it doesn’t make getting to them harder as they are not all centrally located.

Personally I ended up at Yizhong Street Night Market twice because it centrally located close to Taichung Park and close to my accommodation in Taichung.

However, Fengjia Night Market is where you want to head if you can because it’s Taiwan’s biggest night market and that’s saying something because Taiwan has some seriously big night markets around the country!

Fengjia Night Market really is huge with food stalls running on both sides of the street and you literally can’t even see the end, let alone walk to the end!

If it’s your first trip to Taiwan and you want to get a full Taiwan experience I think Fengjia Night Market is a must-visit place in Taichung as it’s definitely the best night market in Taichung for a real local experience!

If you don’t fancy a night market or perhaps if you’re looking where to have dinner in Taichung on another night, somewhere that might take your fancy is the Modern Toilet Restaurant . There are 2 of these themed restaurants in Taipei and there’s one in Taichung too.

I did read on Taichung Tripadvisor that the food isn’t that great and they have limited vegetarian options which is why I didn’t eat there but it’s a fun and quirky restaurant in Taichung which is what Taiwan is all about!

Two to Three Day Taichung Itinerary

One of the reason’s Taichung is a popular city for tourists to visit is because of two places – Sun Moon Lake and the Dakeng Hiking Trails .

Day Trips from Taichung

Sun moon lake day trip from taichung.

I visited Sun Moon Lake on my Taichung day trip . It’s really easy to get a bus from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake. At the bus stop, they sell Sun Moon Lake passes which include bus travel, a boat ticket, a ropeway ticket and they can include bike hire too. It takes 1.5-2 hours to travel from Taichung City to Sun Moon Lake and once you’re there you need about 4-5 hours to see the lake and head over to Ita Thao Village.

Unveiling Sun Moon Lake: Venture into areas unattainable on foot and behold nature in all its vastness.

Some websites rate Sun Moon Lake as one of the Taipei attractions but in my opinion, it is too far away from Taipei and will be a pretty exhausting day trip so it is best to go from Taichung!

For full details on how to do this day trip, have a read of my Sun Moon Lake Travel Guide from Taichung here !

Dakeng Trails Day Trip from Taichung

Taichung doesn’t have a national park close to it but it does have hiking trails and hiking in Taiwan is very popular. I got my first taste of Taiwan hikes when I went to Taroko National Park from Hualien on my first trip to Taiwan!

There are a number of hiking trails and they are numbered, note that some of them are harder than others and the Dakeng trails in Taichung can get very busy on weekends so it’s the best time to go hiking in Taichung is on a weekday if you can. The easier trails get particularly busier than the harder trails too.

It’s possible to get a bus from Taichung to Dakeng Hiking Trails and it’s best to leave early in the morning so you have all day to do your chosen trail. I ran out of time to do the Dakeng Trail hiking but I found this blog post very helpful on how to get to Dakeng Trails and which trail to hike.

Tainan Day Trip from Taichung

Another alternative day trip from Taichung is to Tainan  if it’s not already on your Taiwan itinerary, although I personally liked Tainan and think it is worth at least one night.

There is a high-speed train from Taichung to Tainan which takes 40 minutes however neither of these cities HSR stations are in the centre so you need to get a train from this station to the central station or go a slower local train which will take longer in theory but will be less hassle. Travelling around Taiwan by bus is also popular and possible, Taichung’s bus station is in the centre of the city so a bus from Taichung to Tainan could be an option.

You can’t book trains online via Taiwan’s train system but you can book them online using 12GO Asia, the top transport booking platform in Asia. Search for your trains to Taichung here!

Where to stay in Taichung ?

As far as accommodation in Taichung goes, location wise because the city is spread out you are always going to be far from something in Taichung. I stayed pretty close to Taichung Park which was a good location and I’d say staying close to Taichung Rail Station (if you use the TRA local train to get there) is a good location too.

Good rated Hotels in Taichung are:

Lailai Hotel

Calligraphy Vast Residence

The Landis Hotel

Good rated Hostels in Taichung are:

Norden Ruder Hostel

Stray Birds Hostel

Loosha Hostel

• More of my Taiwan Posts:
• How to do a Day Trip from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake.
• 2-3 Day Itinerary for Kaohsiung!
• Visiting Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung.
• How to Do a Day Trip to Taroko National Park via Bus from Hualien!
• 12 Taipei Travel Tips!

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