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Taichung, Taiwan
Photo: Original uploader was Stanley at zh.wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The centre of Taichung, consisting of Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western, Beitun, Nantun, and Xitun, is considered the downtown area of Taichung. When mentioning "downtown Taichung" (臺中市區) or "Old downtown" (舊市區), locals typically refer to this area. It was an independent administrative region surrounded by Taichung County (臺中縣) before the merger in 2010. It is the busiest and populous area of the city.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
臺中民俗公園
This park is dedicated to presenting a more traditional Taiwanese way of life. It includes a combination of authentic and recreated buildings and streets in an attempt to recreate a more rustic Taiwan. It is small, but well worth the visit at NT$50 and the lack of these kinds of buildings anywhere else in Taichung. To get here, you can take buses 31, 33 or 105, but these will take you a long time to get there. An easier option would be to get a taxi or other city bus to the intersection of Rehe Road and WenXin Road, then walk the three blocks north. Taxi drivers in Taichung don't know about the place (or the street it's on), even if either is written out in Chinese. You probably want to Google Street View it first. It's referred to there as "MinSu Park".
臺中州廳
Located in the most developed district of the city is built by world-class architect, Weber+Hofer AG Architects. The city hall has a big plaza with water, trees, birds, and flowers.
彩虹眷村
A large and elaborate science-themed museum, actually composed of seven museums in one. Its Science Center features a huge assortment of "hands-on" exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles. The separate Life Sciences section is also very large. There's also a large botanical garden with an impressive greenhouse and a giant mosquito, an earthquake museum, greenhouse, global cultures, global environment museums, and theaters. Can easily spend more than a day here, especially with kids. The majority of the exhibits have accompanying information only in Chinese. While it is easy to make sense of the scientific experiments by pushing buttons and seeing what happens, the archaeology and Chinese antiquity parts, which are necessarily less hands-on, can be daunting.
A large and elaborate modern arts museum, featuring rotating visual exhibits. The museum also has a very elaborate children's section, featuring hands-on art exhibits and creative playthings. There's also a children's reading room in the basement with Chinese and English books. Bring your children.
文英館
A frequent venue for local art exhibitions and events. It includes an art display area along with a folk art museum and Zhongzheng Hall.
臺中市忠烈祠
Adjacent to the temple is the Martyrs' Shrine, dedicated to the heroes of the Republic of China.
寶覺寺, Paochueh Temple 寶覺禪寺, Bao Jue temple
This is a Buddhist temple which features the “Big Buddha”. The gold, seven-floor Buddha is dedicated to Bodhisattva Maitreya (彌勒菩萨). The temple grounds also include a Japanese Shinto shrine. 15 min visit.
城隍廟
This temple was established during the Qing Dynasty, and has since been renovated numerous times. Its main festival is the 15th day of the sixth lunar month.
萬春宮 台中媽祖
Established during the height of the Qing Dynasty more than 200 years ago, it is home to a couplet written by Emperor Kuangshu. It is also nited for its lifelike carvings.
文昌廟
Built around 1825, this temple is dedicated to the “Scholar God.” Students frequently come to pray prior to exams to get good scores.
萬和宮
This temple was built during the Qing Dynasty in thanks to the goddess Matsu. It is noted for exquisitely-designed carvings.
北屯文昌廟
In 1864, the Wenwei and Wenping community school raised funds to construct the temple to raise the cultural standards, promote Confucianism, improve local literacy, train scholars for the imperial examinations and encourage education in the area. The temple was completed in 1871 as a Confucian Temple, retaining the two original shrines in name, operation and assets distribution, which were the Wenwei and Wenbing Shrines.
台中樂成宮 旱溪媽祖廟
Over 200 years old, the Le Cheng temple is dedicated to the goddess Mazu, and is known locally as the “Hanxi Mazu”. It includes an ancient cauldron and other artifacts.
樂成宮
Mazu is the main deity worshipped here; the sea goddess is known as the "Hanxi Mazu" after the nearby Han River.
Designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei, the Luce Memorial Chapel is an architectural landmark on the campus of Tunghai University. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and a place of worship regardless of visitors' religion. It's only open on Sunday, but it doesn't prevent seeing the outside, which takes 5-10 min.
This narrow corridor of greenery forms a pleasant parkway which runs south/north between the Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Natural Science, intersected by the main Taizhonggang Rd. You can spend minutes or hours walking along it, or relax in one of the parks. The southern end is home to the Art Museum with Modern and Traditional exhibits, a cafe on the third floor and a garden area which is particularly popular with families at the weekend. Linked to the Art Museum is the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, with a large reading room among other facilities. At the north end of the Parkway behind the Science Museum is a botanical garden home to interesting plants and trees (with a few dinosaurs hiding in them). You can climb to the top of the little hill and listen to the birds singing. Some Taichung residents do Tai Chi and other exercises outside the museum, early in the morning. Beyond the botanical garden is a cycle track and path where the greenery continues through a more residential area. The gardens here are carefully tended by locals. The roses create beautiful perfumes in the evening. Shops on either side include cafes, restaurants and a 24-hour optician. If you continue walking along this path, it takes you west, past the university hospital to another nice place - Zhongsheng Park. Here there is an open-air swimming pool, old style benches and a foot massage path. From Zhongzheng Park, North and across the river is the Baojiue Temple. South of the park is the Yizhong Street area, Confucius Temple, Martyrs Shrine, Chungyo department store, Taichung Gym and Taichung Park.
DaKeng in BeiTun District has several hiking paths along elevated wooden walkways. Trails are connected and some loop to connect with other trails. In summer, come early to beat the heat. Trails are numbered with some gaps (closed/disappeared trail? No more 5). Initial and more popular trails from farmers market are 9, 9-1, and 10, the latter two, more stairs-intensive. Mostly well-maintained concrete, stairs or wood platforms path. Partly sun exposed depending on conditions. About 30 min one-way. After those, stop at Guanyin pavillon and either loop back, either continue on trails 6, 7 or a mix of them as they partly intertwined. Trail 8 a bit on side. Finishing north at Wind-moved rock and a small temple before looping back. Full loop about 2-3 hours.
臺中都會公園
On the west side of the mountain. Great place for the weekend. Good night view.
臺中公園
The oldest park in Taichung. It was built when Taiwan was under Japanese rule and is also called “Chungshan Park” ('Sun Yat-sen park').
圓滿戶外劇場
A large-scale outdoor amphitheater in Wen-Hsin Forest Park on Wenxin Road. Every year, Taichung City Government holds "MidTaiwan Lantern Festival" here.
臺中國家歌劇院
A world-class opera house designed by famous architect Toyo Ito.
臺中市洲際棒球場
The stadium opened in 2006, replacing the antiquated Taichung Baseball Field. The stadium is also a venue for rock concerts.
老骨頭飯糰
Good place for breakfast with a menu in both Mandarin and English. Also, an English map of where to go around (see, eat). Seems popular and radish cake can be sold out after 09:00.
日日利海盜飯糰
While it's not cheap in terms of a breakfast meal (thus the name "pirate"), its rice ball is pretty delicious. They also provide sandwiches and drinks.
半島鐵盒茶餐廳
Good and inexpensive Dim Sum restaurant
翁記剝骨鵝肉
This restaurant offers goose cooked in three different ways: smoked goose, drunken goose, and salt-water goose. No matter which flavour you choose, the meat is tender and juicy
小印度清真館
This little hole-in-the-wall is more about good honest food and less about decorations.
淇里思印度餐廳
Actually, there are five Chilliesine restaurants in Taichung, and all of them are the nice Indian restaurants in town. Aside from food, they also have good service and atmosphere. It received a Michelin Bib Gourmand for years for a good reason.
活力印度餐廳
雙城美式餐廳
American-style diner, providing good Western-style dishes, while customers can watch sports as well.
Singaporean cuisine, Michelin three-star restaurant.
養機場
A very popular restaurant that attracts a lot of teenagers. The decorations on the walls are very cute and special. The restaurant is filled with energy and good cheer.
Chinese: 臺中市第二市場; pinyin: Táizhōngshì Dì'èr Shìchǎng
This market opened in 1917, and in the late 20th century became a tourist attraction known for its wide offerings of Taiwanese cuisine.
臺中市第三公有零售市場
A traditional market offering local street food such as dumplings, clothing, shoes, and household goods. It's larger than the Second Market and provides an authentic glimpse into the city life among locals.
A marketplace for fruits and vegetables, and a great place to find local snacks.
建國市場
默契咖啡
Match provides a pleasant atmosphere where one can have a cup of coffee, a bagel or a sandwich and work on one's computer.
尼克咖啡
The Naked Cafe serves up coffee, tea, great sandwiches and fries in a somewhat Euro-inspired atmosphere.
UZO 地中海餐廳
Fresh Mediterranean specialities: kebab wraps, gyros, falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, dolma, pizzas, salads and a selection of appetisers. Large selection of imported beers. Comfy outdoor seating. Staff speak great English and the service is good. Relaxed and easygoing atmosphere, rowdy kids and adults are not tolerated.
金錢豹酒店
Probably the most infamous high-end nightclub in Taichung. Known for its luxury facilities, regular headline of local news, and hostessing services, you can see its four-story building from the Taiwan Boulevard, and you will never forget its glaring spotlight at night. However, a customer needs at least TWD $3200 (USD $100) per hour even when choosing the most affordable options, while choosing the most expensive option may cost over hundred-thousands TWD. Be very careful on budget when entering the nightclub.
春水堂
One of the two rival claimants to having invented bubble tea.
Dorm 8-10-beds x4 on four floors, elevator, bedlight, power plug x2, small bed table, aircon (not between checkout-checkin as cleaning happens). shared shower (x4/floor), hot water, soap, shampoo, no towel. shared toilets (x2/floor), toilet paper, no toilet gun. Wi-Fi (10-8Mbps download/upload, felt a bit slow both in dorm and common area, especially considering the capacity of hostel). common room on 1F, many tables. kitchen with fridge, water fountain, microwave, rice-cooker. Rooftop 6F, self-service laundry (NT$40 wash, NT$30 dry). can store bag for free if arrive early.
高苑商務旅館
雙星大飯店
Good mid-range hotel located close to the rear entrance of Taichung train station. The hotel and rooms are old, but the service is decent, and a Chinese breakfast is served. Book on web website for the lowest rates.
逢甲美學院
Comfortable and clean room, located close to the most famous night market of Taichung.
來來商旅
長榮桂冠酒店
台中福華大飯店
台中金典酒店
裕元花園酒店
Along with Hotel One, this is the other newer high-end hotel in Taichung.
永豐棧酒店
Formerly known as the Landis (which might be what your taxi driver knows it as), this is a great hotel in the centre of Taichung. The room includes access to the Mandara Life Club next to the hotel. The club features a 30m, 6 lane lap pool, large sauna, hot springs and a full complement of gym equipment.
廣三SOGO百貨
新光三越百貨
Sets in Taiwan Boulevard and besides Top City, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taichung is the most popular department store in Taiwan.
中友百貨公司
秀泰生活台中文心店
建國市場
This is the biggest traditional market in Taichung. The market runs for about two blocks along Bade Street, and there are also many vendors along the side streets off of Bade Street. Aside from being a market for everyday shoppers, it is also a wholesale market, supplying other traditional markets and restaurants in Taichung. Look for signs that say 寄車 (Ji Che), which are for pay parking. These usually charge NT$30 per hour. You can also park your car or motorcycle at the intersection of 八德街 (Bade Street) and 復興路四段 (Fuxing Road Section 4). Someone will clip a ticket onto your car or motorcycle, and you can then go to any convenience store to pay the parking fee. The fee is printed on the ticket. Inside the market building at the corner of Jianguo and Bade Street there is a warren of small vendors selling everything from household items to frog’s legs.
第二市場
At Second Market all of the vendors are under a roof. There is a map of the layout of the market at each entrance. Second Market assigns numbers to all of the vendors. In the descriptions of selected vendors below, the ‘vendor number’ is the number assigned to the vendor by the market authority. The numbers include the Chinese characters 臨 (lin) and 內 (nei). For example, if a vendor’s number is 臨175, there will be black letters on the vendor’s stand.
第三市場
The area has a covering of colorful plastic streamers stretched between the buildings over the streets.
第五市場
The market has stalls, vendors and shops along both Daming and Tzli Street, as well as on 樂群 (Luchuen Street). There are many different vendors and shops inside the building. There is a parking lot on Luchuen Street near Tzli Street. You can also park a scooter on the streets, lanes and alleys.
Chinese: 逢甲夜市; pinyin: Féngjiǎ Yè Shì
西昌街觀光夜市, 向上市場
There is a parking lot about 100 m from the intersection of Zhongmei and Xianshang Roads. Of course you can park a scooter just about anywhere, but the streets, lanes and alleys are small and jam packed.
一中商圈
A night market type of area northwest of Taichung, nearing Chungyo Department Store. The street consists of a college, a high school, and many cram schools from the Shuei Li building in the area. As a result, it is always teeming with students. Shops and restaurants are there to serve the youthful population and cater for their tastes with low prices and a casual atmosphere.
By train
You need to ride a train from to access downtown if arriving by HSR. Once you ride the train there, or you access cities in Taiwan by TRA, stop at and you arrive the downtown.
By bus
Two larger bus stops are available when accessing Taichung by bus. One is the TRA Taichung station, the other is .
By car
You will arrive the area by National Freeway 1 (). When accessing, exit from Taichung Interchange or Nantun Interchange.
By bus
Get around section in Taichung article has explained enough. See there for more details.
By car
The Taichung Ring Expressway ( Provincial Highway Number 74) serves the area. You enter the city at the west end of the expressway.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Taichung (Qingshui) · International · RMQ
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