Located on the west coast of Taiwan, Taichung is the second-largest metropolitan city in the country. It comes with no surprise as it rose to an economic, transportation and cultural hub during the Japanese occupation due to the development of infrastructure.
Once arrived in Taichung, I would easily for in love with the city. It is home to many charming neighborhoods, friendly people, appetizing food, fascinating historic sites and the largest Taiwanese night market named Fengjia Night Market.
Best Time to Visit
Taichung can be visited throughout the year, but the ideal time to travel here is from March to April and September to November. Taiwan has its own cherry blossom season that falls in February and March.
The temperature varies between 12Ā°C in January and 33Ā°C in July. It rains a lot between May and August. The winter isn’t cold and find fewer outdoor activities. It is best to avoid visiting during the summer between July and August as you will expect hot and humid weather.
If you donāt mind the crowd and love celebrating local festivals like Chinese New Year, you can visit at the end of January or early February. Accommodation and air tickets tend to be more expensive and always advisable to book well in advance. Another important festival is the Tomb-Sweeping Festival which falls on April 3-6. when people make preparations for their prayers to their ancestors. Buses and flights are quickly booked up and expect to be a little pricey. Many shops will be closed during the two festivals when they travel back to their hometown.
Getting There
By Plane
Taichung International Airport
Taichung is reachable through its Taichung International Airport (Airport Code: RMQ) with limited flights from a few nearby Asian countries. This includes big cities from Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and China. At the airport, you can take Taichung Bus Route 9 or U Bus Route 302 to Taichung Railway Station in an hour and costs NT$15 with EasyCard or iPass.
There are also buses from the airport to Taichung Bus Terminal. Take a 45-minute A1, A2 or A3 Taichung International Airport Bus to reach the bus terminal which costs NT$100.
Taoyuan International Airport
Most visitors traveling from overseas will arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (Airport Code: TPE) before coming to Taichung. The fastest way of getting from Taipei to Taichung is by Taiwan High-Speed Railway (HSR).
The MRT station is located behind the airline check-in counter and the signage will guide you to the station. The train token can be bought at the ticket machines or use EasyCard for NT$25. The card is sold at Taoyuan Airport MRT service counter on the way to the station for NT$100. Take the train bound for Huanbei/ Zhongli heading southward to Taoyuan HSR Station.
This was exactly what I did when I arrived in Taiwan and made my first stop at Taichung before going to Taipei. Taking the MRT Airport Line to this station saves me time and money without going to the city center to catch the HSR train from Taipei Main Station.
The journey from Taoyuan to Taichung takes 36-41 minutes for NT$540. Tickets can be bought from Taiwan HSR website 28 days before departure and you can enjoy up to 35% off if you buy an early ticket. Once you arrive at Taichung HSR Station, take the Green Line commuter train from Xinwuri Station (ę°ēę„ē«č»ē«) to Taichung city.
By Train
From Taipei and Kaohsiung
If you are currently in Taipei City, take the HSR train from Taipei Main Station to Taichung HSR Station. It will take an hour to get to Taichung for NT$700. The train from Kaohsiung departs at Zuoying Station and the journey also takes about 1 hour for NT$790.
From Taichung HSR Station, you can take the local train from Xinwuri Station (ę°ēę„ē«č»ē«) to Taichung Station in the city center.
Getting Around
Public Transport
Taichung is relatively a big city, it is in fact the second largest city in Taiwan. Planning a trip around Taichung will take a little extra work of planning. Unlike Taipei or Kaohsiung, this city is only accessible by MRT Green Line and a local commuter train. It is rather easy to get around with Taichung City Buses which depart from HSR Taichung and Taichung Station.
YouBike
A fun way to explore Taichung is with YouBike that is widely available in Taichung. The YouBike app will easily help to locate the bike stations. You can rent a bicycle with a small fee to cycle from one location and drop it off at a different place. It is safe to cycle along the road and footpaths as long as you stay on the pathways for bicycles.
Before renting the bike, check if the tires are firm with air and the brakes are tight. Also, test if the bell is working by giving it a twist if it rings fully. Lastly, see if the seat is adjustable, and if there is something wrong, turn the seat around to signal YouBike workers to fix it and other cyclists will not use it.
Once everything is good, swipe your EasyCard on the sensor zone and wait for the green light to flash. Then, pull out the bike and enjoy the ride. It will charge NT$20 every 30 minutes during the first 2 hours and NT$40 every 30 minutes onward.
After cycling, use the app again to locate the nearest bike station. Simply slide the bike back into the station dock and you should hear a beeping and a blue flashing light. Then, swipe your card again and the station light will turn green, displaying the amount deducted from the card with the remaining balance below.
The Best Activities for 1 day in Taichung
Taichung is definitely worth a trip if you ask me. With beautiful parks, gorgeous temples, bustling markets and delicious food, the city has something for everyone to enjoy. It is great to spend 3 nights in Taichung to take 1 day plus to explore the city and another day trip to the stunning Sun Moon Lake . Some attractions are widely spread out in Taichung, so it is best to consider taking traveling time into factor.
Have a sweet treat at Miyahara
Having a sweet tooth?
Miyahara is an incredibly famous and Instagramable ice cream store, retail shop and high-end restaurant set in a renovated red block building from the 1920s. It used to be an ophthalmology clinic founded by Miyahara eye hospital and later as a government office before being bought over by a pastry company Dawn Cake.
As you step inside the store, you will be amazed by the interior of the Hogwarts-worldly store from Harry Potter movies and have to be seen to be believed! People come here to admire its cathedral ceiling, marble floor and heavy wooden furniture featuring floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
You can also pick up their pineapple cakes, luxury tea, cookies and gourmet chocolates. Miyahara’s second floor is the restaurant Moon Pavilion serving old Taiwanese gourmet cuisine in a retro setting.
Choose from more than 50 flavors at the ice cream parlor. One scoop of ice cream is NT$90 and you can choose a free topping such as cheesecake, pineapple cake and other crunchy topping. You order two scoops for NT$160 with two free toppings or three scoops for NT$225 with three toppings in a waffle cone (add NTS20 for a waffle cone).
I had their rich-flavor Uganda 80% Smoked and Alishan Oolong Tea with homemade waffles and native pineapple cake as the toppings. It is easy to order as there are different menus in Mandarin, English, Japanese and Korean.
Location: No. 20, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Enjoy local street food at Yizhong Street Night Market
Located in the heart of Taichung, Yizhong Street Night Market (äøäøč”å¤åø) is one of my favorite night markets in Taiwan. The night market is easy to reach with just 20 20-minute walk north of Taichung Station and near Taichung Park.
Named after the nearby Taichung First Senior High School, it is teeming with street vendors, cafes and restaurants along the main road where you can sample some of the best street food in Taiwan. The food prices are reasonable to cater more to students and locals.
I love the stinky tofu that gives a strong smell from a distance and the crispy fried chicken from Angel Fried Chicken store in the middle of the night market. It has quite a queue to get your hand on this delicious fried chicken. But what can I say: “It’s always worth the queue for the best food in town”
If you stroll the street, you will stumble upon many boutique shops and vendors selling souvenirs. trendy clothing, shoes and accessories for youngsters.
Location: Yizhong St, North District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11 am to 10 pm/ Saturday and Sunday: 11 am to 11 pm
Have breakfast at Taichung Second Market
A visit to Taichung Second Market is a MUST if youāre looking for a good breakfast or lunch. With over 50 shops and 150 stalls, the market feels like a maze where vendors sell fresh produce, meats, seafood, fried food and fresh fruits. There is plenty of traditional Taiwanese food to try in the market that is located at the east and south entrances of the building.
Opened since 1917, many local residents are proud to serve their signature food to customers for generations, passing down their recipes to their children and grandchildren.
One of the most famous stalls is selling traditional braised pork belly. Their pork belly is served with minced pork rice and you can order side dishes such as tofu, vegetables and egg. The stall is the most popular in the market that gets locals and tourists from other counties and aboard (including myself!) to carve for a delicious meal.
Once you are done exploring the market and your meal, make your way to the outer ring for boba tea from Like Tea Shop. There are other vendors selling noodles and traditional snacks like radish cake, glutinous rice rolls and soup. The stalls next to the boba tea shop have extensive menu, freshly made out of the griddle and very appetizing.
And don’t forget to stop by a small temple located in the center courtyard of the market. You can’t miss it if walking from the braised pork belly rice shop.
Location: No. 87č, Section 2, Sanmin Rd, Central District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7 am to 1 pm
Have the original bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang Original Store
If youāre a huge bubble tea fan, you can’t leave Taichung without trying the first-ever created bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang (ę„ę°“å åē¶åµå§åŗ), home to the creation of Taiwanese specialty drink. Visit the Siwei Original Store and grab their original pearl milk tea which was first invented in 1987.
Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House is believed to be where bubble tea was created. The owner, Mr. Liu Han-Chieh had an idea of serving Chinese tea in cold temperature after returning from Japan in the early 1980s and saw how coffee was served in the same method. His manager added Taiwanese tapioca pearls called feng yuan into the drink. Thereby, it sparked the worldwide phenomenon we now know as boba today.
If you never heard of boba before, itās a Taiwanese drink using ingredients of black tea, milk, sugar and tapioca pearls. Today, it has become so popular in Taiwan that has opened more than 15 stores nationwide and expanded to Hong Kong and Japan. The idea of making bubble tea has spread throughout the world and has been likable to many drinkers of many tastebuds. They also served deep-fried dishes, braised food, homemade bakery, traditional dishes, soup and set meals.
Location: No. 30č, Siwei St, West District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Wander through the cute Painted Animation Lane
Just a 10-minute walk from Chun Shui Tang Original Store is the Painted Animation Lane (åę¼«å½©ē¹Ŗå··). It is a small alleyway filled with graffiti art of anime and popular cartoon characters from Nintendo, Playstation and TV shows. You will come across many recognizable cartoon characters like Super Mario Brothers, Popeye, Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer and many more.
These colorful graffiti are painted on both sides of the alleys and is best to visit during the day to appreciate this colorful art scene. The alleyway is small, so you donāt need to spend too much time here.
Location: Lane 100, Linsen Rd, West District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Be captivated with vibrant energy of Shenji New Village
Shenji New Village was originally built in 1969 as a government housing compound, as it has been given a new life by transforming into a hub of culture, creativity and small-scale businesses. This creative and lively neighborhood has become a new hotspot for its trendy shops with its own distinctive style especially for young folks.
Each store you walk by in this eco-market boasts its own character, creating a strong sense of community and local charm. It is a brilliant way to let young souls showcase their talents and inspire others with their creativity of art, organic products and decors.
The New Village offers not only pastry stalls, cafes, restaurants and bars, but also workshops where you can get your hands on leather crafting or art painting. Specialty stores are selling one-of-a-kind artisan goods and homemade crafts to take home as souvenirs and gifts. The theme changes every few months and often have the opportunity to enjoy one of many art festivals, picnics and concerts.
Location: ę°ēč·Æ368å··4å¼8č West District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Visit Taichung Confucius Temple
Taichung Confucius Temple (čŗäøåå») was built between 1972 and 1976 in a classic architectural style of the Song Dynasty The complex layout resembles the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, which is the birthplace of Confucius in China. The beams and roofs are decorated with stylized grass and flowers, painted in vivid colors.
During examination sessions, the temple hosts blessing ceremonies for the examinees and students. If you’re lucky, you can see couples taking pre-wedding photographs with traditional Chinese costumes here.
Location: No. 30č, Section 2, Shuangshi Rd, North District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Explore Yide Mansion
Known as the āOld German Houseā, Yide Mansion (ęęé½ę å± ) is a former residence of Lin Mao-yang when he built the mansion by 1930 during his career peak. The building later accommodated high-rank officers in 1954. It went through several renovations since its establishment and today has been declared as a historical building by the local city government.
The mansion currently displays objects, furniture, paintings and artworks owned by Mr. Lin. Some of these houses had been transformed into Shin Yuan Cafe and restaurant which served Taiwanese cuisine.
Location: No. 14å··1č, Wenchang E. 11th St, Beitun District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday: 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Snack up on Taiwanese street food at Feng Chia Night Market
Located at the cityās north end in Xitun District, Feng Chia Night Market (é¢ē²å¤åø) is the biggest night market in Taiwan. The market has an abundance of street food that attracts more than 30,000 people during the weekends. It is popular with tourists, locals and students as the night market is near Feng Chia University.
With over 200 stores opened here, some snacks to try in this night market are “Small Sausage in Large Sausage”, baked sweet potato, grilled squid and Taiwanese fried chicken.
After filling the tummy, you can shop around the bustling night market for local trendy clothes, shoes, accessories, souvenirs and gifts such as the popular pineapple cake or hit one of the arcades for some fun games.
Location: Wenhua Rd, Xitun District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Daily from 4 pm to 1 am
Stroll around Cultural Heritage Park
Artist villages and urban parks are one of the special highlights in Taiwan. Either big cities or smaller towns, they often occupy old factories, housing complexes and abandoned communities.
At Taichung City, the Cultural Heritage Park (ęåéØęåč³ē¢åå) sits on a former Japanese sake distillery. It was later taken over by Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Company before being abandoned in 1998. Today, the park houses public works of art at artistsā studios and is often used as a venue for events or weekend bazaars.
Drop by TTL Taichung Wine Village if you want to try their local brew wine, and admire a tower of beer bottles and old brewing equipment used to produce them.
Location: No. 362č, Section 3, Fuxing Rd, South District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Roam through Taichung Park
Taichung Park (čŗäøå ¬å) is one of my favorite spots to relax in Taichung. It is the oldest park in the city and spans over 10 acres with an artificial Rih-Yue Lake in the center, arch bridges and Hu Xin Pavilion. It was built during the Japanese occupation as you can see the remains of a Shinto Shrine.
The green-lush park gives a calm and peaceful atmosphere despite being situated in the city center. It is a great place for a lovely walk and some recreational activities. Many old folks gather under the shady trees to chat, play Chinese traditional games or do tai-chi. Young families spend time together to have a picnic and enjoy boat-pedaling around the lake.
Location: No. 65č, Section 1, Shuangshi Rd, North District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Venture the city with YouBike
Trying to discover Taichung in a different way?
Taichung or Taiwan in general has plenty of bicycle to rent called YouBike and they are stationed in many public areas. All you need to use this bicycle is an EasyCard or iPass by tapping on the sensor machine at the center of the handlebar, release the bicycle wheel and you’re good to go (Read the brief guide above on how to use YouBike).
Riding a bicycle is a unique experience to explore Taichung when traveling from one point to another at your very own pace. I enjoy every moment of riding several blocks down the road to see the city from a different perspective as to how the local community lives their lives. Many locals often commute with YouBike to travel to their destination.
I felt very safe using the YouBike on the road as there are green side lanes meant for riders to cycle. In my opinion, drivers are pretty respectful and considerate to other road users and follow traffic rules. It is also eco-friendly because it does not pollute the environment.
Traveling to Taiwan Soon?
If you are planning to come to Taiwan, here are the posts to give you some ideas on the best things to do in the fascinating country.
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