Blossoming sakura, night markets, and a rainbow village: what to see in the Taiwanese city of Taichung
This year's winter in Europe is surprising with extreme temperatures, snowfall, and cold weather. If you are looking for an interesting place where the weather is good almost all year round, we have a great recommendation for you - Taichung.
"At any time of the year, Taichung pleases with mild weather and moderate temperatures, so it's a great place to spend your vacation. Taichung is a relatively lesser-known city in Taiwan compared to the capital, Taipei. However, it is a beautiful hidden gem that has many treasures to offer," writes TripZilla and offers tips on what to do in Taichung.
Go for a bike ride in picturesque locations
Taichung has the Hou Feng Bicycle Trail, a charming 5.8 km long mountain route that can be completed in about an hour.
The scenery along this route is breathtaking. You will cycle through the famous Tunnel 9 and enjoy a bird's eye view of the Dajia River Valley. The Hou Feng cycle path connects famous places such as the Steel Bridge on the Dajia River, and the route ends at the Houli Railway Station. Cycling here is one of the best things to do in Taichung to get the full Taiwan experience.
If you are looking for a longer bike route, then this one might be just for you! The Taichung City Seaside Bike Path (Daan section) is 15.1 km long and offers great views of the coast. You can ride this bike path to scenic seaside spots such as Daan Beach and the Daan River Bridge. This route takes about 2 hours.
Blooming nature in the Gaomei Wetlands
Gaomei Wetlands is a very famous place in Taichung that boasts a large number of plants and animals. It is an amazing place for birdwatching as it attracts many migratory birds throughout the seasons, especially in the fall and winter. This hidden gem is also famous for its gorgeous sunsets! It is one of the best places in Taichung for nature lovers.
Get an adrenaline rush at Lihpao Land
Lihpao Land is the largest resort park in Taiwan, boasting both an amusement park (Exploration Park) and a water park (Mala Bay)! It is loved by both children and adults.
The amusement park is full of amazing rides that will be perfect for you if you are looking for adventure. In particular, there is a unique Earth Rescue ride, which is the world's only high-altitude roller coaster with broken rails. For thrill-seekers looking for an adrenaline rush, this is one of the best things to do in Taichung!
On the other hand, Mala Bay offers 13 thrilling water rides, including children's rides! It's a great place to spend time with friends and bond with the whole family. However, please note that Mala Bay is only open in summer.
Incredible exhibits at the National Museum of Natural Sciences
Do you have a child who is always bored and has a hard time sitting still? If so, this museum will be a real joy for your child. The National Museum of Natural Sciences is one of the most popular museums in Taiwan, and for good reason. It contains dozens of exhibits covering various fields of knowledge, including astronomy, ecology, and plants. What's even more exciting is that many of these exhibits are interactive and hands-on - they entertain and educate at the same time! This museum is loved by locals and tourists of all ages, and it's known as one of the best places in Taichung to learn about science and ecology! You can easily spend three or more hours exploring the museum.
The place where world-famous Taiwanese beer is made
Wuri Brewery is one of the largest breweries in Taiwan, known for producing world-famous Taiwanese Gold Medal beer. Here you can watch how different types of beer are produced and even book an individual tour of the factory. There is even a beer museum!
In addition, there are many good restaurants and shops around the brewery, which are collectively known as the Wuri beer market. In this market, you can find many beer-related products. There are even craft beer workshops where you can try different types of beer.
Admire the cherry blossoms
Spring is coming, and that means cherry blossoms! While Japan and South Korea often get the most attention as must-see destinations during cherry blossom season, we think Taichung deserves more respect for its gorgeous cherry blossoms.
Surrounded by high mountains, Wuling Farm is known for its vast expanses of cherry blossoms that are breathtaking, and cherry blossom festivals can be visited in the spring (around February).
Another place in Taichung where you can admire the cherry blossoms is the Dongshi Forest Garden. Although it is more discreet than Wuling Farm, it is definitely worth a visit. In spring, the cherry blossoms are very beautiful, and you can even see fireflies at night! In addition to the cherry blossoms, the Dongshi Forest Garden is also home to gorgeous maples, cedars, and acacias. If you love flowers and trees, visiting this garden will be one of the coolest things you can do in Taichung.
Rainbow Village for art and history lovers
Veselkove Selo is an incredible Instagram destination. It used to be a residential settlement for military veterans. When the government was planning to demolish the settlement in 2007, Huang Yong-Fu, a military veteran who had lived there for most of his life, painted many of the houses as a sign of farewell to his beloved home. But Huang's work unexpectedly went viral, leading to a successful petition against the planned demolition. In the end, the government preserved the site as a public park, which is now known as Rainbow Village.
Since the village reopened in early 2023 after a fortification project, volunteer artists have added several new pieces of art. Rainbow Village is one of the best places to visit in Taichung if you love art and history!
Visit Zhongshe Flower Market
For flower lovers, visiting the Zhongshe Flower Market is one of the best things to do in Taichung because the market is a real floral wonderland. There is a wonderful assortment of flowers that change beautifully depending on the season, and in the spring, when tulips and lilies are in bloom, it is especially dazzling! It goes without saying that the market is a popular place for photography - many locals even take wedding photos here. Visitors can also pick strawberries during the strawberry picking season from December to April.
Go for a romantic stroll on the Liuchuan Canal Promenade
The Liuchuan Canal Promenade, also known as the Liuchuan River Promenade, is a very popular place for couples to take a stroll together at night when the canal is transformed into a romantic, fairytale setting with beautiful light installations. This is one of the most romantic places in Taichung if you love night lights!
Taste mouth-watering food and buy things at night markets
Taiwan's famous night markets are a huge source of national pride, and Feng Chia Night Market is no exception. Feng Chia is the largest night market in Taichung and one of the most famous night markets in all of Taiwan!
Eating street food at night markets is truly one of the best things to do in Taichung. At Feng Chia, you can find a wide range of delicacies such as Feng Chia Four-in-One (a mixture of fig jelly, tapioca pearls, kumquat, and lemon juice), pancakes, and takoyaki.
This is another night market in Taichung that is definitely worth a visit. Feng Chia may be the center of attention, but Yizhong Street Night Market is much easier to get to from the city center than Feng Chia. Yizhong is conveniently located near several Taichung universities, so it is often visited by students.
Like Feng Chia, Yizhong offers all kinds of amazing food and affordable shopping options. But what sets Yizhong apart from Feng Chia is that it is more geared towards young people. If you're a student hoping to travel on a small budget, you'll be thrilled because Yizhong is one of the best places in Taichung to buy fashionable clothes at affordable prices.
Enjoy the perfect view of Taichung city
Wanghaoliao Night Amusement Park truly lives up to its name as it offers spectacular nighttime views of Taichung City with views of major landmarks such as Taichung Port, Taichung City Center, and Lihpao Land. There is a 180-degree arc-shaped amphitheater where you can sit and admire the view. If you love night photography, a visit to Wangaoliao Night View Park is a fantastic opportunity to take stunning night shots, making it one of the best places to visit in Taichung. It's also an amazing place where you can enjoy a relaxing night stroll with friends.
