There is so much to do and see in Taichung that it might be difficult to squeeze everything all in one day. After all, it is the third-largest city in Taiwan.
But if you have never been to Taichung and you only have one day in the city, then you must follow my solo Taichung itinerary. In one day, you can see the best tourist spots, experience Taiwanese culture and visit one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan.
So get ready to taste some of the best Taiwanese food, indulge in modern art and culture and experience what Taichung is all about. Keep reading and learn how you can see the best attractions with my self-guided 1-day Taichung itinerary.
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Before you start your Taichung itinerary
Before you start your Taichung day tour, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan. I included a lot of information, including getting a Taiwan tourist SIM card and more.
And check out my solo travel guide to Taichung and learn about other attractions in the city, day trip ideas.
Here are a few more additional tips that you might find helpful during your Taichung day trip:
- Taichung is a safe city for solo female travellers. I spent over a month in the city wandering around day and night, and taking public transportation all around the city without any issues.
- Plan a day trip to Taichung on weekdays if you prefer a quieter day tour. Night markets, buses and everywhere else seem to be quite busy during weekends.
- Buy an EasyCard or iPass so you can take the public bus easily.
- Bring cash as many local food vendors accept cash payment only.
One day in Taichung: How to get Around
Taichung is a relatively big city, so take the Taichung City Bus whenever you can. Tap your EasyCard or iPass when you get on the bus and when you alight. As of 2021, the basic fare for a bus ride is NT$15. Use Google Maps app to check bus routes. I find that the bus schedules for Taichung city buses are pretty accurate.
Also, consider setting up a YouBike account. It is a point-to-point electronic bike-sharing program popular in most of Taiwan’s cities, including Taichung. You can pick up a bike at one location and drop it off at another. Use your EasyCard or iPass and your local mobile number to register the first time you use YouBike. The first 30 minutes are free, then it is NT$10 for every 30 minutes after.
Uber is also an option. Download the Uber app and set up the app before you order your first ride. And if you are setting it up in Taiwan, you will need a local phone number.
Where to stay in Taichung for one night
My Taichung 1 day itinerary is packed with many attractions and activities. I highly recommend staying the day before or the day of so you can get proper rest.
If you are only staying for one night in Taichung, stay near Taichung Station, which is located in the Central District. My favourite boutique hostel, Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung (check rate at Agoda or Booking) and favourite boutique hotel, SOF Hotel (check rate at Agoda or Booking) are both in walking distance from the train station.
Alternatively, I have other suggestions on where to stay in Taichung in this post.
Taichung 1-Day Itinerary Map
Wondering how you should spend 24 hours in Taichung? Follow my Taichung 1 day itinerary, and you will see all the best Taichung attractions in one day.
All the Taichung activities are pinned in the interactive map above. Follow the numbers and find more information about each Taichung attraction by clicking on the individual pin. And read the description below.
Taichung Itinerary: Things to Do in Taichung Day Trip
1. Have breakfast at Taichung Second Market
Your Taichung 1-day tour must start with a hearty breakfast, and the Taichung Second Market is famous for its local food, especially traditional breakfast food. There are several places where locals (and travellers) eat and some of these popular places are:
- Grandma A Xiangsi Noodle Shop 阿嬤a相思麵店 – they are known for their dry noodles, sticky rice sausage, taro cake, carrot cake, sausages and many types of soups. Use Google Translate to read the menu.
- Wang’s Cabbage Rice Sausage 王家菜頭粿糯米腸 – get radish cake with a fried egg in a tangy sauce, taro cake or sticky rice sausage. Both of these places are at the south entrance.
- Shanhe Braised Pork Rice 山河魯肉飯 – they are famous for their braised minced pork over rice. There’s a long queue but it moves quickly.
- Lai’s Tea Shop 老賴紅茶 – get an iced black tea at this popular tea shop.
If you see a long queue at the food stall, you know the food will be good. So prepare to wait a little but it is worth it
And when you finish breakfast, browse around the narrow alleys of Taichung Second Market and see the temple, hexagonal heritage building, other shops selling things like craft and food souvenirs.
How to get to Taichung Second Market: From the Taichung Station, walk north on Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, for 13 minutes. The market is on the left.
2. Buy food souvenirs at Miyahara
Speaking of getting souvenirs, Miyahara is one of the best places in Taichung for food souvenirs. It was once an ophthalmology clinic during the Japanese Colonial Era but today, it is a retail store known for its ice cream and food souvenirs. Browse through the store and look for items like chocolate, cookies and traditional Taiwanese treats like pineapple cake and sun cake.
Besides all the goodies at Miyahara, many visitors visit the store because of the Harry Potter-esque interior. The elaborate details of the staircase, bookshelves and display cases are all one-of-a-kind and very detailed. It is the perfect place for taking photos (as you can tell by the crowd).
If you are staying overnight in Taichung, either at one of the accommodations I suggested above or another place in Central District, you can drop off your Miyahara purchases before continuing the rest of your Taichung city tour.
How to get to Miyahara: From Taichung Second Market, walk south on Zhongshan Road for 11 minutes. The shop opens at 10am.
3. Get zen at Taichung Confucius Temple
The Taichung Confucius Temple was built in a classic architectural style of the Song Dynasty. And the temple complex resembles the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, which is the birthplace of Confucius in China.
If you have never been to a Confucius Temple in Taiwan (there are several around the country), the one in Taichung is one of the best ones. The temple premise is serene and not crowded. Take a walk through the front gate and explore all the covered corridors, shrines and courtyards. And pay attention to the colourful decorated details in the roof, beams, and columns.
How to get to Taichung Confucius Temple: From Miyahara, take Bus #59, #65, #131, #154 or #270 near Taichung Station then alight at Juguang Xincheng. Then walk 3 minutes to the temple. Or rent a Youbike near Miyahara, cycle for 12 minutes and return it near Confucius Temple.
4. See the giant Buddha at Paochueh Temple
Paochueh Temple was built to commemorate all the fallen Japan soldiers during World War II. Many Japanese tourists visit the temple to pay their respects as the deceased were gathered into the columbaria.
When you enter the temple premise, there is the original main temple built in classic Japanese-style and is surrounded by concrete walls. But most people visit the temple because they want to see the 7-storey tall giant laughing Buddha.
You might have seen online photos of the giant Buddha in a yellow golden colour. It was yellow few years ago but it is now a light grey Buddha. Still very happy and jovial.
How to get to Paochueh Temple: From Taichung Confucius Temple, walk 10 minutes to Paochueh Temple.
5. See retro relics at Beitun New Village
Beitun New Village was one of 134 military kindred villages in Taichung built to house soldiers, sailors and marines and their families in the late 1940s. When the residents moved away, the buildings were renovated and repurposed.
Today, you can visit the former military dependents’ village and see what life was like back in the day. There is a museum which displays retro furniture, vintage clothing, and everyday items from the 1950s. Also, there is a Chinese restaurant, a cafe serving desserts, a barber, and a general store selling nostalgic Taiwanese toys and trinkets.
Plus, there are lots of cute places to take photos. It is all free. However, it is closed on Mondays.
How to get to Beitun New Village: From Paochueh Temple, walk 15 minutes to Beitun New Village.
6. Take many Instagram photos at Rainbow Village
When a residential area in Taichung’s Nantun District was purchased by a developer, the plan was to tear down all the old run-down homes and built new modern buildings. Most residents took compensation or new housing, but Huang Yung-Fu (aka Rainbow Grandpa) stayed and painted the remaining 11 houses in the area and saved them from demolition.
Today, this former military dependents village is known as Rainbow Village, a designated cultural area. When you visit the village, you can see colourful murals of animals, people and other whimsical creatures all over the exteriors walls and floors.
Unfortunately, many original murals were vandalized in 2022. New murals were added and eventually the village open its doors in June 2023.
Even though Rainbow Village is at the far end of the city, it is worth travelling there to see an important part of Taichung.
How to get to Rainbow Village: From Beitun New Village, take Bus #14, #15, #105 or #900 to Sanmin Jinxin St. Intersection. Then hop on Bus #56 at Wuquan Xueshi Rd Intersection and alight at Rainbow Village. The entire journey takes 54 minutes. Or take a 30-minute Uber ride.
7. Visit the futuristic National Taichung Theatre
While the primary purpose of the National Taichung Theatre is to promote art, incubate creative ideas, and host various live performances, many people visit the theatre to see the futuristic modern architecture.
While you are there, walk through the entire theatre and see all the exciting spaces. The performance stages are on the second through the fourth floor, a restaurant on the fifth, and a cafe, shop and “art corner” are all on the main floor.
Don’t forget to take the elevator to the Sky Garden on the rooftop. It is an excellent spot to see the neighbourhood from above.
How to get to National Taichung Theatre From Rainbow Village, take Bus #358 at Lingdong High School bus stop and alight at Tiger City. Then walk 4 minutes to the theatre. Or take a 15-minute Uber ride.
8. Eat street food at Feng Chia Night Market
And to finish off your Taichung day trip, visit Feng Chia Night Market, the biggest and one of the best night markets in Taichung.
The large night market is located in Xitun District, which is on the north side of Taichung. The market is popular with locals as the night market is located right by a university.
Besides all the typical traditional Taiwanese food you can find at any night market in Taiwan, there are a few popular food stalls at Feng Chia Night Market that you might want to check out. Try the Taiwanese hot dog, scallion pancakes, clams in broth, sesame chicken soup and deep-fried taro balls. These are some of the best street food I ever had!
How to get to Feng Chia Night Market From the National Taichung Theatre, walk back to Tiger City bus stop and take Bus #358 to Dingnanzai (Xitun Rd). Then walk 4 minutes to the night market.
Was this Taichung 1 day itinerary helpful?
I hope this Taichung itinerary is useful for you to maximize your day in the city. These are my favourite Taichung attractions. And because it is so easy to get around the city, it is possible to do a self-guided day tour of Taichung on your own.
Let me know in the comments if you like this Taichung itinerary or if you have any suggestions to make the itinerary better.
Ready to plan your trip to Taichung? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner
* Book accommodation: find the best Taichung accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination. Or find out how and where to get a SIM Card in Taiwan.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours in Taichung.
For more Taiwan travel inspiration, check out my Taiwan page for more posts on solo travel in Taiwan:
Introduction to Taiwan
- Things to know before visiting Taiwan
- How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
- How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan
- 22 must-eat food in Taiwan
- Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food
Central Taiwan posts
- Best things to do alone in Taichung
- Where to stay in Taichung for solo travellers
- Miyahara Taichung: best ice cream and food souvenirs
- Taichung Second Market
- Top 5 Taichung Night Markets
- Norden Ruder Hostel: best minimalist hostel in Taichung
- Zhongshe Flower Market near Taichung
- Carton King Creativity Park: 1-day itinerary
- How to spend 1 day at Gaomei Wetlands
- Xinshe Sea of Flowers near Taichung: 1-day itinerary
- Xinshe Castle near Taichung
- What to do in Sun Moon Lake: 2-day itinerary
- Things to do in Changhua in One Day
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Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!
