taichung must visit place

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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Taichung Tourism

Top 10 must go, 〝the beauty of a city does not come from nowhere or simply lies on the surface; it is deeply rooted in the soil, and then blossoms vigorously.〞, national taichung theater.

Most visited locations on Instagram

Calligraphy Greenway

One city, two attitudes

Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way Green Corridor and Hou-Feng bike path

Green Dajia River

The 4.5 kilometer long Hou-Feng bike path was built along the old Mountain Railway Line. The beautiful scenery constantly varies. It crosses an iron bridge over the Dajia River and goes through the old railway tunnel, adding to its charm.

Feng Chia Night Market

Top ten tourist attractions in Taichung

Guguan Hot Spring

Satisfaction for your body, heart and soul

Gaomei Wetlands

Birdwatching, water play and sunset seeing

Dajia Jenn Lann Temple

Three treasures of Taichung

Taichung Park

The first century-old park in Taiwan

Wufeng Lin Family Garden

The first Minnan style official residence in Taiwan

Lishan Scenic Area

The Town of Pears

25 Unique Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Welcome to Taichung!

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

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

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

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

Taichung Travel Essentials

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

Getting from Taipei to Taichung

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

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

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

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

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

Getting around Taichung

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay in Taichung

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

Best Hostel

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

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

Mid-Range Hotels

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

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

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

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

Things to Do in Taichung City Center

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

 Miyahara Ice Cream

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taichung Cultural Heritage Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chun Shui Tang, the Homeland of Pearl Milk Tea

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

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

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

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

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

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

Painted Animation Lane

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

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

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

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

Taichung Literature Museum

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

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

Liuchuan Riverside Walk

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

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

Taichung Second Market

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

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

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

Taichung Park

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

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

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

Yizhong Street Night Market

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

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

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

ShenJi New Village

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

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

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

Calligraphy Greenway

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

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

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

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

I’m Talato Ice Cream

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

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

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

National Museum of Natural Science

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

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

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

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

Taichung Totoro Bus Stop (CLOSED)

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

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

Northern and Western Taichung City Center

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

Confucius Temple & Paochueh Temple

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

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

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

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

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

National Taichung Theater

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

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

Feng-Chia Night Market

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

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

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

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

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

Rainbow Village

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

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

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

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

Luce Memorial Chapel

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

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

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

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

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

Southern Taichung

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

Dali Art Plaza

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

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

Wufeng Lin Family Garden

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

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

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

Guangfu New Village

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

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

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

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

921 Earthquake Museum

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related Posts

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

Very informative! Thanks for the info!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Loving your info, suggestions, and Facebook.

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

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Taiwanese Secrets Travel Guide

Top 20 Attractions & Things to Do in Taichung

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

The Middle City 台中

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

Popular Taichung Attractions

Rainbow village – 台中彩虹均村.

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

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

National Taichung Theater

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

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

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

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

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

Audit Village (Aka. Slow Village)

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

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

Parks and Waterways

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

Donghai University – Luce Memorial Chapel

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

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

Xiangshang Market – 向上市場

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

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

Confucius Temple

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

Shin Sei Green Waterway (Luchuan Canal)

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

Baojue Temple And The Happy Buddha

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

The Green Belt – Calligraphy Greenway

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

Taiwan Museum of Art

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

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

National Museum of Natural Science

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

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

National Botanical Garden

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

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

Fengchia Night Market

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

Maple Garden

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

Taichung Folklore Park

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

Taichung Park

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

Walking Guide to Taichung Parks and Canals.

God of Literature Temple

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

Nantian Temple – God Of War

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

Taichung Second Market

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

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

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion

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

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

Tuniu Hakka Cultural Hall

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

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

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

Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地

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

Taichung City to Gaomei Wetlands

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

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

• Hiking, Camping, Hot Spring in Dakeng

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

Map of Taichung Attractions

Info About Taichung

Where is taichung.

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

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

Which District to Stay in Taichung?

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

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

What about the Train Station Area?

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

Best Food in Taiwan?

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

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

Check my favorite restaurants in Taichung.

Taichung Weather

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

Check the CWB website for Taichung weather forecast.

Pollution in Taichung

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

More about Taichung air pollution here…

Accommodation – Hotels – Guesthouses

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

Taichung Links

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

Places of interest near Taichung:

Lugang : temples, ancient Chinese culture

Changhua : gateway to Baguashan, a nice Confucius Temple

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

Sun Moon Lake : Taiwan’s biggest lake

Dakeng : Hiking trails

Sanyi : Wood sculpting, tea, countryside, Hakka food

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

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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.

25 Must-Visit Taichung Attractions

If you have been to Taipei , you should come to Taichung next time.

Taichung (台中) is Taiwan’s second-largest city located on the western side of central Taiwan.

It has convenient transportation and much more fun things to do, you might likely to stop over or even spend the night here.

We’ve selected 25 Taichung attractions for you so that you can put them on your travel list.

Taichung Attractions

1. gaomei wetlands （高美濕地）.

Spanning over 300 hectares, Gaomei Wetlands is a well-preserved wetland in Taichung and also home to diverse plants and animals like birds, fishes, crabs, and invertebrates.

What to expect – The breathtaking sunset in Gaomei wetlands you will never forget.

• Hours ：Mon – Sun 08:00~18:00
• Get Location
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 309
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 655 (Weekend Only)
• Admission fee ：Free

2. National Taichung Theater （臺中國家歌劇院）

The National Taichung Theater is known as “the most difficult building to accomplish in the world”, because of its irregular curved walls and structure without beams, which was designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito and completed by Taiwan Lee Ming Construction Co. Ltd.

What to expect – Go up to the sky garden on the roof, enjoy spectacular views across the Taichung City.

• Hours： Sun – Thu 11:30~21:00 | Fri – Sat 11:30~22:00 | Mon Closed
• How to get there： Check here

3. Shen Ji New Village（審計368新創聚落）

Renovated from the old residential area, Shen Ji New Village is a lively cultural and creative center where gathers many special shops, stalls, cafe, and dessert shops.

What to expect – Stroll through the creative market under the nostalgic vibe.

• Hours： Mon – Sun 11:30~20:30
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 5, 51, 71, 290
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: Take the train to Taichung train station and transfer bus
• Admission fee： Free

4. Rainbow Village （彩虹眷村）

Rainbow Village is a brightly colored village, the entire village was painted over with various unique and colorful artworks by a veteran, Huang Yung-fu to save the village from demolition.

What to expect – Meet the 97-year-old Rainbow Grandpa and take photos together.

• Hours： Mon – Sun 08:00~18:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 27, 30, 40, 56, 89, 290
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 26, 56, 70, 99

5. Guangfu New Village（光復新村）

Guangfu New Village was the first village built for dependents of civil servants of the Taiwan provincial government in 1956, although many residents moved out after 921 earthquakes, this once abandoned village has transformed into a cultural and creative space.

What to expect – Sitting on the wooden chair in front of the old house with a cup of coffee will give you a nostalgic vibe.

• Hours： Mon – Sun 10:00~20:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 50, 59, 107, 201
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 151

6. 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan（九二一地震教育園區）

The 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan is a national museum in memorial of the 7.3 earthquakes that struck the central part of Taiwan at 01:47 AM on 21 September 1999 , the worst natural disasters in Taiwan which killed thousands of lives and destroyed many buildings completely.

After the earthquake, the local government decided to preserve some building debris from the earthquake to teach the public earthquake knowledge and how to be prepared for the earthquake that might happen in the future.

What to expect – Experience what the 7.3 earthquake like in their theater room.

• Hours： Tue – Sun 09:00~17:00 | Mon Closed
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 50, 59, 107, 201, 6871
• Admission fee： NT$50 ($1.7)

7. Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden（霧峰林家宮保第園區）

A long time ago, there are five powerful families that control different places in Taiwan, which of them is the Lin Family, they built the mansion and gardens in the Wufeng area.

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion is a Fuzhou style architecture and is remained for more than a century, this historical site divided into 3 parts: the Lower Mansion, the Upper Mansion, and the Lin Family Gardens (Lai Yuan).

Lin Family Gardens (Lai Yuan) is hidden in the Mingtai high school near the Lin Family mansion, the entrance is the school’s main door and just a few 5 minutes walk from Lin Family Mansion.

What to expect – the only one Fuzhou-style stage in Taiwan.

Mansion Info ：

• Hours： Mon – Fri 09:00~12:00 / 13:00~17:00 | Sat – Sun 09:00~17:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 50, 201
• Admission fee： NT$250 ($8.3)

Lin’s Garden Info:

8. Asia University（亞洲大學）

Asia University has known as the most beautiful university in Taiwan because the entire campus is surrounded by European style buildings, you will see the European palace-like library, the gymnasium with the Colosseum of Rome appearance, and the Museum of Modern Art, a triangular-structured museum designed by the world-renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. All that architecture has become famous landmarks in Taichung.

What to expect – Take time to walk around the campus, and then enjoy an afternoon tea in the art museum cafe with an artistic atmosphere.

• Library: Mon – Fri 08:00~22:00 | Sat – Sun 09:30~17:30
• Museum: Tue – Fri 09:30~17:00 | Mon Closed
• Gym: Mon – Sun 08:00~21:30
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 108, 201, 6322

9.Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center（道禾六藝文化館-台中刑務所演武場）

Built in 1937, this traditional Japanese style building was once used to train Japanese police officers and prison wardens to practice martial arts. As the martial arts hall was severely damaged by fire in 2006, the Taichung Government decided to restore this historical heritage according to the original model and opened it to the public.

What to expect – Visit Japanese traditional martial arts hall and experience kendo and archery lessons.

• Hours： Mon 09:30~17:00 | Tue – Sat 09:30~22:00 | Sun 09:30~18:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 1, 8, 15, 21, 55

10. Maple Garden（秋紅谷景觀生態公園）

Covers an area of 3 hectares, Maple Garden is a unique U-shaped recreational park located in the midst of the hustle and bustle area of Taichung, with lakes, green lawns, mangroves, a bridge, and a viewing platform.

What to expect – Awesome place to go, especially at night, see the beautiful moonlight reflection of the Maple Garden.

• Hours： Mon – Sun 24hrs
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 303, 304, 306, 307
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 151, 155, 160

11. Miyahara（宮原眼科）

It was used to be an ophthalmology clinic built by a Japanese ophthalmologist Miyahara during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. Today it is a famous dessert shop selling ice cream, cheesecake, pineapple cake, chocolates, tea, cookies, and tea snacks. Also, it retains the name and appearance of the old building, which makes this dessert shop a famous attraction in Taichung.

What to expect – Be fascinated by the Harry Potter-like interiors of Miyahara

• Hours： Mon – Sun 10:00~22:00
• From Taichung Train Station: 4 minutes walk.
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: Take the train to Taichung train station and take 4 minutes walk
• Avg. Cost： NT$110 ($3.6)

12. Fantasy Story – Green Ray（綠光計畫范特喜文創聚落）

Twelve old dormitories of the water company are transformed into a creative culture spot where gathers numerous dessert shops, restaurants, cafe, and local art shops.

What to expect – The second-floor terraces have a different vibe from the first floor

• Hours： Mon – Sun 09:30~18:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 27, 51, 290

13. Luce Memorial Chapel（路思義教堂)

Located on the campus of Tunghai University, the Luce Memorial Chapel was named after an American missionary of the late 19th century. The unique design and shape of the chapel make itself a famous landmark in Taichung.

What to expect – Have a picnic in front of the Luce Memorial Chapel 

• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 310, 323, 324, 325
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 161

14. Zhongxin Market（忠信市場）

Zhongxin Market is a gradually declining traditional market, with only a few vendors left in this once-busy market. Therefore here has transformed into a cultural and creative spot where gather cafes, restaurants, thrift shops, art exhibits, and installation art, which bring new life to the old traditional market.

What to expect – Discover the beauty of the old market and modern art in the forgotten corner of the city

• Hours： Mon – Sun 14:00~22:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 71, 75
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 159

15. Taichung Broadcasting Bureau（臺中放送局）

The bureau was built in 1935 by the Japanese government to broadcast radio and news all over central Taiwan. With the light yellow beautiful building with 94 windows of various styles and shapes, which has become the hot spot for photography.

What to expect – Very quiet place, perfect for a cup of coffee

• Hours： Tue – Sun 10:00~18:00 | Mon Closed
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 18, 41, 50, 56, 59, 65, 163

16. Aofong Hill Observatory (鰲峰山觀景平台)

Aofong Hill Observatory is a great place to see a 180-degree awesome view of the city from the top, there is a seating area in the observatory, so you can have a drink or snack while enjoying the beautiful view. 

What to expect – Indulge in a moment which sunset to night view

• From Taichung Train Station: Take the train to Qingshui train station and take bus 111 (Weekday Only)
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: Take the train to Qingshui train station and take bus 111 (Weekday Only)

17. Liuchuan Riverside Walk（柳川藍帶水岸）

Liuchuan was once a dirty and smelly river, but now it has turned into a beautiful riverside walk in Taichung. It is a great place to walk along the river or take a short break by the bank.

What to expect – Stroll along Liuchuan’s riverwalk at night with the colorful lighting

• Hours： Mon – Fri 06:00~22:00 | Sat – Sun 06:00~24:00
• From Taichung Train Station: Take bus 48, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 326
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: Take bus 158 or take the train to Taichung train station and transfer bus

18. Shin Sei Green Waterway（新盛綠川水岸廊道）

Different from Liuchuan Riverside Walk, Shin Sei Green Waterway is much smaller but also pretty, this is a popular place to relax and take photos.

What to expect – Walk on the Green waterway surrounded by romantic LED lighting at night

• Hours： Mon – Sun 08:00~22:00

19.Wanggaoliao Night View Park（望高寮夜景公園）

Wanggaoliao is the highest point on Dadu Mountain in Taichung, where exudes a relaxing and romantic vibe, so you can quietly enjoy the spectacular view of the entire Taichung city.

What to expect – Sit in a 180-degree arc-shaped amphitheater and take in a panoramic view of the entire Taichung city

• How to get there： Drive or take a taxi

20. International Bodhisattva Sangha（菩薩寺）

Unlike typical Taiwanese temples, International Bodhisattva Sangha like a modern art museum hidden in the hustle and bustle of the city, although the place is small, it is worth looking around slowly.

What to expect – A peaceful hideaway for cleansing your mind

• Hours： Tue – Fri 13:00~18:00 | Sat – Sun 09:00~18:00 | Mon Closed
• From Taichung Train Station: By bus 6333, 50, 158, 6899D
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By bus 3, 133

21. Dajia Jenn Lann Temple （大甲鎮瀾宮）

Built in 1732, Daijia Jenn Lann Temple is one of the most famous temple in Taiwan to worship the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. 

Over 100,000 pilgrims flock to Dajia annual March for the famous event Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, experience the Taiwan religious culture, and are blessed by Mazu.

What to expect – Pray at the beautiful temple and taste traditional Taiwan snacks around the temple

• Hours： Mon – Fri 15:00~23:00
• From Taichung Train Station: Take the train to Dajia train station and take 5 minutes walk or by bus 154
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: Take the train to Dajia train station and take 5 minutes walk

22. Park Lane by CMP（勤美誠品綠園道）

The most lively place in Taichung city is near Park Lane in CMP, where many specialty shops, cafes, and food are gathered here.

What to expect – Perfect place in Taichung to shop, eat, and walk

• Hours： Mon – Fri 11:00~22:00 | Sat – Sun 10:30~22:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 27, 81, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 308

23. Dakeng Scenic Area Hiking Trail No.4  （ 大坑四號步道 ）

The hiking trails in Dakeng Scenic Area are known as the Taichung Back Garden. There are a total of 12 hiking trails, of which the No. 4 trail is the most difficult.

Although the No. 4 trail has steep ups and downs, you can see an excellent view and overlook overall Taichung City.

What to expect – Challenge one vertical steep section about 300 meters long is called the “soft foot slope”

• Hours： Mon – Fri 24hrs
• How to get there： Drive to Zhongzheng Camping Area and walk about 20mins to the trail entrance

24. The Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung（台中港三井Outlet）

Mitsui Outlet Taichung has more than 170 domestic and foreign brands for you to shop, it is also the only one shopping mall with a Ferris wheel adjacent to the sea in Taiwan. 

What to expect – Enjoy the beautiful Taichung Harbor seascape from the Ferris wheel

• Hours： Mon – Fri 11:00~21:30 | Sat – Sun 10:30~21:30
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 306, 307, 308, 310
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 617

25. Feng Chia Night Market（逢甲夜市 ）

When you come to Taichung, you have to visit the Feng Chia night market as a perfect end of the day. No matter on the roads or the small lanes, there are so many delicious food stalls that can surely satisfy your taste buds

What to expect – Explore diversity Taiwanese street food

• Hours： Mon – Sun 14:00~02:00
• From Taichung Train Station: By Bus 5, 22, 25, 29, 33, 35, 37, 125
• From Taichung High Speed Rail: By Bus 160

I hope you enjoyed reading this post, in this post, you’ve learned that what’s fun in Taichung, tell us which one you prefer, and where you would like to go first?

Finally, If you still have any questions about your trip to Taichung, please leave in the comments below, I will be more than happy to help you out:)

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Must-see attractions in Taichung

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…

Paochueh Temple

This Buddhist columbarium-and-temple complex has a few unusual monuments – a giant golden laughing Buddha with oddly placed windows, and an old temple (c…

Rainbow Village

To the west of the city, an ageing village has been transformed into an art piece with vibrant colours and drawings on every inch of the walls by Mr Wong,…

Taichung Baseball Field

Adjacent to Taichung Broadcasting Bureau is a piece of interesting nostalgic sports architecture. This old stadium (1935) was once the home of several…

Luce Memorial Chapel

An early work (1963) of the late IM Pei, the chapel that resembles a tepee is the landmark of Tunghai University. It stands on a lawn, one of many on the…

Taichung Folk Park

The park is divided into several sections but most of the interesting material is to the far right as you enter. Don't miss the collections of folk…

To the east of the city is a hilly area known as Dakeng. If you're going to spend any time in the city, Dakeng is worth exploring, as there are pleasant…

Taichung Broadcasting Bureau

Not far from Taichung Park is this leafy complex with a quaint western-style building, a small lily pond and some lovely trees. The bureau was built in…

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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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Feng Chia Night Market is located near Feng Chia University. You can getting to here by bus or train, you get off at Feng Chia University stop then walk a bit to come. In the night market selling all kinds of items: cosmetics, clothing, accessories, souvenirs, cuisine, gaming … The night market is open from the afternoon and until 2AMn (except Monday weekly, close early at 1AM). Going out during the day, walking around the night market at night is nice itinerary.

Well, at Fengjia night market there are thousands of delicious snacks. Remember to go to market at your hungry peak time and wear comfortable clothes before visiting the market. Surely, everyone goes from the beginning to the end of the market is full of stomach. Any junk food here also want to try, can’t resist!

Some of the must try foodss you can add to this list: Stinky tofu, taro sweets, bubble milk tea, tanghulu candy, fried noodle sandwiches, grilled seafood, etc.

Address: Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 Hours: 4PM–2AM Phone: +886 4 2451 5940 Opening date: 1963

Best places to visit in Taichung: Cingjing Farm (Qingjing Farm)

See Shaun The Sheep and you fall in love with the fluffy white sheep? Where to go in Taichung to see first hand the sheep who roam on the green hill? Revealing right here, is Cingjing Farm in Nantou!

Cingjing Farm is like a miniature Swiss. The smooth green grassland and windmills here are no different than European pastures at all. That’s why Cingjing is always in the top of the most visited Taichung destinations! In addition to playing with sheep, Cingjing also has a sheep herding show, trim wool for tourists to participate in.

The farm is located in a mountainous area, above the sea level of about 1700 meters. So the weather here is a bit special. During the day it is normal however morning and evening are quite cold. The higher you go, the colder you feel. Spend one night to sleep here is also a worthy experience. Imagine: In the morning, wake up, open the balcony window of the hotel and in front of you is a green landscape like Europe. Romance 100 points!

Address: No. 170, Renhe Road, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 546 Opened: February 20, 1961 Hours: 8AM–5PM Phone: +886 4 9280 2172

Must go places in Taichung: Miyahara

Miyahara is an emerging tourist attraction in the heart of Taichung. This 2-storey red brick building was formerly an eye hospital built by the Japanese during the occupation of Taiwan, undergoing many changes in history, now this building has become a famous tourist attraction, is a restaurant that specializes in traditional sweets and biscuits and tasty ice cream.

The most striking thing of the Miyahara building is the ancient architecture and design of the house with glass roofs, high bookshelves hitting the ceiling and sophisticated wooden furniture, giving you the feeling of being lost into the world of true wizards.

Address: No. 20, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 Hours: 10AM–10PM Phone: +886 4 2227 1927

Must visit places in Taichung: Lishan Scenic Area

Lishan Scenic Area is bordered by two national parks, Shie-pa and Taroko, which attracts visitors with the picturesque scenery of mountains, rivers, lush forests. Every season in Lishan has its own beauty like spring with blooming flowers, fruit-laden in summer, autumn with bright red leaves or winter with snowy scenery covered the ground.

There are 4 main attractions you need to explore when coming to Lishan: Kukuan, two farms Wuling and Sushou Shan, Lishan. Wuling Farm is also one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots every spring comes in Taiwan. It is also an ideal picnic and sightseeing spot of locals.

With an area of approximately 31.300 hectares, it is an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery with gardens, farms. Suitable for camping or a stop point on the way to Wuling Farm.

Address: No. 95, Zhongzheng Road, Heping District, Taichung City, Taiwan 424 Phone: +886 4 2331 2678

Top places to visit in Taichung: Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way Green Corridor and Hou-Feng bike path

The name is quite long so can call it is a place to cycling and sightseeing. I’ve come here to rent bicycles and walk around the area at least 3 times already. Because each season has a different beauty: verdant summers, autumn biking on yellow leaves falling on the path, winters with bare trees.

Not far from Taichung city, come here you seem to be lost in a poetic, cool and gentle setting. Riding bicycles under the trees together, chatting and having fun together is really interesting, right? If you have time, why not visit this place once.

Address: Zhongshan Rd, Dongshi Dist., Taichung City Phone: +886-4-25152575 Url: http://2horse.mmmtravel.com.tw/?ptype=info

Taichung best places to visit: Guguan Hot Spring

Taiwan has many famous hot springs and Taichung also has such a place, Guguan Hot Spring. You should come here in the winter, after a few hours climbing up and down the nearby hill, you will sweat and that’s when you stop by to take a bath in one of the hot springs here to relax.

This is also one of my favorite places, I came here twice by bus and once by motorbike. Surrounded by mountains, the cool weather is suitable for taking a dip in warm water and enjoying it.

Location: Lane Wenquan ,Sec. 1, Dongguan Rd.,, Heping Dist., Taichung City Hours: 7AM – 10PM

Best places to visit in Taichung: Dajia Jenn Lann Temple

This is one of the most famous temples in Taiwan, with nearly 300 years of history. There are many domestic and foreign visitors coming here for pilgrimage and was voted as one of the must visit places in Taichung and one of the best places to visit in Taichung.

Address: No. 158, Shuntian Road, Dajia District, Taichung City, Taiwan 437 Opened: 1730 Phone: +886 4 2676 3522 Hours: 6AM – 9:30PM

Must go places in Taichung: Taichung Park

This park was opened in 1903, located in the heart of Taichung with spacious and airy space and there is amusement park inside, so it is very convenient to come here to relax and rest on weekends and holidays.

Address: No. 65, Section 1, Shuangshi Road, North District, Taichung City, Taiwan 404 Hours: Open 24 hours

Must visit places in Taichung: Wufeng Lin Family Garden

This is both a garden and a residence of the Lin clan in the past. This clan is very famous for its wealth and high education. Many members of this clan are now very successful. On the sidelines, my professor is also Lin.

It is quite spacious with lakes, gardens and houses with a harmonious combination of Chinese, Japanese and Western cultures.

Address: No. 26, Minsheng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, Taiwan 413 Hours: 9AM–12PM, 1–5PM Phone: +886 4 2331 7985 Built: Tongzhi Year 3 (1864), Qing Dynasty

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Taichung you can refer to

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Are you looking for more top things to do in Taichung: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Taichung blog — The fullest Taichung travel guide for a wonderful budget trip to Taichung, Taiwan.

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Top 10 Must Visit Travel Attractions In Taichung, Taiwan

Located in the centre of Taiwan, Taichung City is the third-largest city in Taiwan with a population of approximately 2.7 million people. Taichung is a great place to visit for its climate, which is considered to be more comfortable than the hot and humid Taipei, as well as less affected by typhoons. F ood is what makes Taichung stand out. Famous Taiwanese icons such as bubble tea and sun cakes were both born in Taichung. Taichung is well worth a visit during your travels to Taiwan. Check out our recommendations as a travel influencer on the top 10 must-visit travel attractions in Taichung Taiwan if your time is limited!

1. Attractions In Taichung Taiwan – Fengjia Night Market: Night Life Destination

Fengjia Night Market is the biggest, most popular, and most interesting night market in Taiwan. Although it originated as a small market around Fengjia University, today, this place attracts over a hundred million visitors annually and does billions of TWD dollars business every year. And there is a reason. If you want nightlife, Fengjia Night Market beats the rest.  READ MORE

2. 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan: After-shocks Today

The 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan is guaranteed to leave a deep impression on your mind. With an interactive earthquake simulator room, as well as detailed information about the 921 Earthquake of 1999, this museum must be one of the most resonant in Taiwan. It is made even more touching because it is situated in the epicenter of where the worst of the damage occurred on that fateful day.  READ MORE

3. Taichung Rainbow Village 

Located along the western coast of Taiwan, the city of  Taichung  is widely regarded as the place where northern and southern Taiwanese culture meet. Many tourists just pass through the city as they venture to popular tourist destinations like  Cing Jing Nantou  as well as  Sun Moon Lake . That is quite a pity because Taichung is a great place to experience the interesting and unique culture of Central Taiwan. When we last visited Taichung, we explore the famous  Taichung Rainbow Village  – a small village with gorgeous painted murals all over its walls. If you are into amazing shots, you must visit this colourful Instagram perfect village in Taiwan.  READ MORE

4. Lavender Cottage: Cozy Countryside

Lavender Cottage is one of the cosiest, cutest and most relaxing little places you can find in Taichung. A beautiful lavender farm and coffee shop, the purple decorations dotted around the pretty little garden make the grass seem even greener. Removing your shoes to sit under a parasol outdoors is a perfect way to experience afternoon tea.  READ MORE

5. Attractions In Taichung Taiwan – Wufeng Lin Family Mansion: Timeless Wealth

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion is a place of luxury and grace where it is still possible to see the traditional Chinese architecture that once characterized the residences of the wealthiest in Taiwan. Given the influence that the Lin family has had in Taiwan history, this is an essential destination for those wanting to understand the timelessness of power and money. Indeed, members of the Lin family still live here today!  READ MORE

6. Qingshui Pork Rib Noodles: Local Favorite

The food at Qingshui Pork Rib Noodles is not bad at all, especially the signature ribs, which have first been fried and then boiled. When you taste this dish, you will be pleasantly surprised by the lovely aroma of the pork and the tastiness of the soup broth. Situated in the middle of Taichung, come to Qingshui Pork Rib Noodles for a hearty Taiwanese style meal as the locals like it.  READ MORE

7. National Museum of Natural Science: Fun Learning

Over 30 permanent exhibit areas cover subjects on astronomy, space science, palaeontology, ecology, gems and minerals, Taiwanese Aborigines, and tropical plants at the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung. With over three million visitors annually, this is a hands-on science learning experience for all ages!  READ MORE

8. Xinfeng Farm: Fruit-picking Fun

Xinfeng Farm is truly the place to come if you’re hungry for a bite of nature! Providing a wonderful setting for a genuine fruit picking experience that kids and adults alike will enjoy, grapes are the particular pride and joy of this place. After a long day picking and eating fruit here, you can always stay in the clean and inexpensive accommodation provided on the farm.  READ MORE

9. Taichung Second Public Market: Traditional Local Foods

Taichung’s Second Public Market provides a charm that you could never find in a supermarket. Built as early as 1917, it used to be the go-to destination for wealthy Japanese looking for up-market goods. Today, customers can’t miss the famous buns, noodles, minced pork rice, and black tea on offer here!  READ MORE

10. Attractions In Taichung Taiwan – Jiting: Hot Pot with a Twist

Originally a hot pot eatery hidden on Yizhong Street, Jiting has developed into a chain business with three restaurants in Taichung. Its success is due to its large portions , great soup stock, and attractive price. The hot pot flavours most recommended are cream cheese or the signature kimchi style. These two variations cannot be found in other restaurants in Taiwan!  READ MORE

Bonus Eats – Ergua Stinky Tofu: Best Stink in Town

If you are after cheap, authentic Taiwanese food, don’t miss Ergua Stinky Tofu – when stinky tofu is done well, it is really good. In fact, if you had to choose the best three stinky tofu vendors in Taiwan, this modest little shop that only nearby residents know about would absolutely make the cut. Go and find out the prized secret of Taichung locals!  READ MORE

Taiwan may be a small country but it has numerous natural scenic spots that a local might not even know it exists. For years, roundTAIWANround has not only successfully captured the beauty of Taiwan, they have also discovered various secret spots. It’s not one that any random travel guidebook or website would circulate. Visit their  website and expose yourself to these hidden gems. 

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Economy vs. environment: Some Taiwanese consider cashing in their chips

TAICHUNG, Taiwan — It isn’t easy to say “not in my backyard” to one of the most valuable factories in the world. But some residents in Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, tried.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which already has two factories here, last year proposed a third, where it would mass-produce its tiniest chips yet.

But some balked at the prospect, aware of the environmental burden a third plant would place on Taichung: It would require an amount of electricity equal to a quarter of what the industrial city uses as well as 6 percent of its water, according to local officials.

“We are very concerned about sacrificing water and electricity for the sake of industrial development,” Lee Cheng-Wei, the director general of Taichung’s urban development bureau, said on a smoggy recent afternoon.

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After months of delay, Taichung gave the plant the green light in August. But it sparked an ongoing debate that called into question how Taiwan’s economic growth and national security considerations stack up against its environmental concerns. Officials, activists and residents alike wondered how the city could possibly sustain another plant.

TSMC — which makes roughly 90 percent of the world’s advanced chips, powering everything including iPhones, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and fighter jets — is the centerpiece of Taiwan’s economy.

It’s also a core part of its national security strategy: Taiwanese-made chips have been so indispensable to global supply chains, including to Chinese companies, that analysts have long thought Beijing would not risk disrupting them with military force, effectively protecting Taiwan with a “silicon shield.”

The United States also has a strong interest in Taiwan retaining its supremacy over the global chip supply as it has moved to cut off China’s access to advanced computer chips to prevent their use in military applications.

Cities around the world have tried to lure TSMC to build its next generation of factories on their shores — partly for the jobs they create, but also to diversify the world’s chip supply in case of a clash between China and Taiwan, which Beijing claims is part of its territory. But their drain on water and energy resources has been controversial in places such as Phoenix.

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Outside of Taiwan, the company has agreed to plants in Germany, Japan, China and the United States, but they won’t make the most cutting-edge chips. Taiwan’s national security considerations have made it all the more important that TSMC only builds those here.

“It represents an essential industry that needs to be protected in the conflict between Taiwan and China — it will make other countries willing to intervene,” Lee said. “That’s why this industry must stay here. They must not allow the outflow of their core technology.”

With no other company able to come close to TSMC’s dominance over the global chip supply, officials and environmental groups question how long Taiwan’s resources can continue to meet the escalating demands of the tech industry.

In Taichung, local activists knew that the factory would win out in the end and that their environmental concerns would not be able to stand in the way of TSMC’s relentless growth.

“The government’s policy is to … give them whatever they want, including land and electricity. It is not sustainable,” said Chao Hui-lin, a researcher at local nonprofit group Air Clean Taiwan. “We love TSMC, but this is not the right kind of love.”

The state utility companies assured Taichung that the next factory wouldn’t affect the city’s future water and electricity supply, Lee said. TSMC’s public relations department said in an email that the company had no information to share on a future facility in Taichung.

But add into the equation a pledge from TSMC, which operates 15 plants in Taiwan, to switch to renewable energy by 2040, and Lee just doesn’t see how Taiwan can sustain the growth. “If you look at Taiwan’s future energy policy, this plan is mission impossible.”

Taiwan is already confronting the limits of its resources. In 2021, a water shortage prompted Taiwan to cut off irrigation to thousands of acres of farmland, and the power grid has suffered multiple crippling blackouts in recent years.

TSMC consumed over 22,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity last year, roughly equal to half of all of Taiwan’s households combined. Ten percent of that electricity came from renewable sources.

The company said that it recycles more than 90 percent of the water it uses and that it conserved more than 3 million tons of water in 2022. But that’s a fraction of the 105 million tons of water the company said it used across its Taiwan facilities last year, much of which came from local reservoirs.

When asked about these concerns, TSMC’s public relations department said that the company takes water management seriously and pointed to a water reclamation project completed last year in southern Taiwan.

“TSMC’s goal is to increase the supply of reclaimed water to gradually reduce city water consumption each year,” the department said.

The company last month announced all of its energy will come from renewables by 2040, moving an earlier commitment to this goal forward by a full decade.

More broadly, President Tsai Ing-wen’s government has pledged that Taiwan will be carbon-neutral by 2050 and that it will completely phase out the use of nuclear power within the next two years, ramping up what it will demand from renewable sources.

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To meet this goal, the state power company has built acres of solar panel fields and wind farms across flat land reclaimed from the ocean west of Taichung, where the sun bakes down and the wind whips across the Taiwan Strait. As of August, 11 gigawatts of solar power had been installed, and the government plans 30 gigawatts by the end of the decade — still only a fraction of what TSMC uses.

Officials have already warned that Taiwan will miss its near-term renewable energy targets — not because enough capacity hasn’t been installed, but because the amount of energy that the Taiwanese industry requires keeps getting bigger.

Because of TSMC’s perceived importance to Taiwan’s national security, some activists say they hold back their strongest criticism.

“People are hesitant to oppose [the latest plant],” said Hsu Po-ren, a researcher at the local nonprofit Environmental Rights Foundation. “Nowadays, if you reprimand TSMC, you immediately face a lot of pressure.”

Construction is underway on two of TSMC’s newest factories in other parts of the country, and there is already talk of a next-generation plant. But questions remain about how Taiwan can sustain them.

“Can our society and our environment afford to supply them?” asked Yang Kuoh-cheng, professor of ecology at Providence University in Taichung. “Can we withstand such a test?

A previous version of this article incorrectly said that Taiwan's state power company built solar panel fields and wind farms on reclaimed land east of Taichung. The land is west of Taichung. The article has been corrected.