Located on the west coast of Taiwan, Taichung rose as an economic, transportation and cultural hub during the Japanese occupation due to the development of highways and railways. Over time, the city became the country’s third-largest city and offers a myriad of activities for travellers.
Besides finding the remnants of Japanese culture, Taichung has many things to see including quirky temples, creative cultural parks and modern architecture. If this is your first time travelling solo to Taichung, keep reading and find out everything you can do and see in the city and all the day trips and excursions you can take from Taichung.
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Taichung travel guide: what you need to know
Before you check out some of the best Taichung attractions, 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 prepaid SIM card, transportation around the country and more.
Here are a few quick tips for travelling to Taichung:
- Taichung is a safe city for solo female travellers.
- Purchase a rechargeable smartcard called EasyCard or iPass. Either card is good for taking public transportation in major cities in Taiwan. You can get a rechargeable card at any train station or convenience store in Taiwan.
- Plan your visit to Taichung with the following festivals and events:
- Taichung Lantern Festival (15th of lunar month) – see fun and creative lanterns at this annual lunar new year event.
- Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival (November to December) – each year is a different theme for this annual flower event in Xinshe
How to get to Taichung Taiwan
Plane
Most international travellers will arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei. Take the Metro (MRT) from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei Main Train Station. Then, take a fast local train or highway bus to Taichung.
Or you could be on one of the domestic and international flights (from Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, and Thailand) that fly directly to Taichung International Airport (RMQ). Take a metered taxi or hop on Bus 302 to the city centre, which also passes through Xitun District. The bus takes about an hour and costs about NT$50.
Train
It is possible to take the Taiwan High-Speed Railway (HSR) to Taichung. But Taichung HSR Station is 8km southwest of the city centre. Once you arrive at Taichung HSR Station, take the TRA train to Taichung Station. It is only 20 minutes.
Alternatively, take the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) regular train from anywhere in Taiwan to Taichung. This is a more economical option but slower.
How to get around Taichung Taiwan
Taichung is a relatively big city, so take the Taichung City Bus whenever you can. Buy an EasyCard or iPass so you can take the public bus easily. As of 2021, the basic fare for a bus ride is NT$15.
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 an excellent and cheap transportation option if you don’t want to take the bus or use the shared bike program. Download the Uber app and set it up before you use it. And if you are setting it up in Taiwan, you will need a local phone number.
Moreover, Taichung has a new transit system that started operating in April 2021. Taichung MRT is the rapid transit system. Currently, there is only one line (green line) and it travels from HSR Taichung Station to Beitun Main Station. Metro fare starts at NT$20 and capped at NT$50. Additional NT$5 is added for every 2km travelled.
Best Things to Do in Taichung for Solo Travellers
If you have never been to Taichung, plan to stay at least two nights and see all the tourist sites in the city centre. If you stay longer, you can take many day trips and experience the suburban areas outside of Taichung.
So, in no particular order, here is my list of the best things to do for independent solo travellers going to Taichung.
Taichung: Things to See for First-Time Visitors
1. See colourful houses 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 homes and build new modern buildings. Most residents took compensation and moved 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.
I went in 2019 and saw the original murals and even saw Rainbow Grandpa. He was happy to take photos with visitors. He has since passed away. And unfortunately, many original murals were vandalized in 2022. But 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 one of the best attractions of Taichung.
2. See famous temples around Taichung
Taichung has many temples across the city and many of them are dedicated to various gods or are associated with folk heroes. But you don’t need to see them all; I found a handful that you might be interested in seeing:
- Paochueh Temple (9am-5pm) – the temple was built to commemorate all the fallen Japanese soldiers during World War II. Since their remains were not claimed, the deceased were gathered in the columbarium at the temple. Many Japanese tourists come here to pay their respects every year. But for me, the highlight has to be the 7-storey giant laughing Buddha.
- Nantian Temple (8am-9pm) – one of the first and biggest temple in Taichung. It is a large temple with a 146m tall statue of Emperor Guan, also known as the God of Wealth Temple.
- Taichung Confucius Temple (9am-5pm; closed Mondays) – the temple was built between 1972 and 1976 and was designed and constructed in the classic architectural style of the Song Dynasty. The temple complex layout resembles the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius in China. This is one of several Confucius Temples across the country.
3. Enjoy the green spaces around Taichung
Besides all the cultural attractions, Taichung has a lot of green spaces scattered all over the city. These parks are excellent for taking a break and photo opportunities. Here are some of my favourite parks in Taichung:
- Taichung Park – it is the oldest park in the city and is centrally located. There is an artificial lake and a double pavilion built to commemorate the Crossway Railway in 1908.
- Liuchuan Riverside Walk – a modern park at the Liuchuan canal is especially nice during Christmas because of all the decorations, installations and twinkle lights.
- Calligraphy Greenway – the 3.6km long urban sculpture park running north to south that connects many places including Taichung Civic Square and Park Lane by CMP.
- Taiwan Connection 1908 – the 1.6km long recreational park is part of the greenway that was transformed from the original railway. The actual Taiwan Connection 1908 can be accessed at Taichung Station. If you want to see the entire length of the greenway, it is over 21km long from Daqing Station to Fengyuan Station.
Creative and Cultural Things to See in Taichung
4. Visit cultural centres and parks
I noticed many cities across Taiwan have many cultural parks. Not all of them are worth visiting because some are open on weekends only and some look abandoned. And in Taichung, there are quite a few but I would only recommend these ones:
- Beitun New Village (10am-5pm; closed Mondays) – it was an air force village back in the late 1940s but it is now a retro museum with displays of vintage clothing, furniture and everyday items from the 1950s. There’s also a general store selling nostalgic Taiwanese toys and trinkets.
- Shen Ji New Village (11am-7pm) – the area was initially built as a government dormitory but it has since been converted into a creative hotspot where young entrepreneurs come together and transform the area into a lively neighbourhood. Visit the boutique shops, cafes and restaurants on the weekends and take many Instagram photos.
- Fantasy Story – Green Ray (10am-9pm) – it was an old dormitory for the water corporation back in the day. The old dorm houses are converted to restaurants, cafes, brewery and shops selling retro gifts.
- Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park (11am-9pm) – part of the old Taichung Train Station is transformed into an area of creative pursuit. Visit during the weekends as many vendors set up shop selling handmade items.
5. See modern architecture around Taichung
Taichung is a developed city with a few modern architectural gems. If you appreciate contemporary architecture, you might want to see one (or both) of these buildings.
- National Taichung Theatre – see the futuristic building that is used to promote art and host various live performances. Also take the elevator to the Sky Garden on the rooftop to see the view and modern garden.
- Luce Memorial Chapel – the Christian chapel stands on an irregular hexagonal base, with a curvy tent-like structure made of reinforced concrete acting as the walls and roof of the chapel. The modern chapel is outside of the city located in Tunghai University but it is worth the trip if you love contemporary architecture.
6. See art murals at Painted Animation Lane
Painted Animation Lane is a small alley full of graffiti of anime and popular cartoon characters. You might recognize cartoon characters like Super Mario Brothers, Popeye, Dragon Ball, etc. I remember a few from old Chinese cartoons called Old Master Q. Back in the day, I read comic books of these quirky characters in Hong Kong. Does anyone know who I am talking about?
Anyway, these colourful murals are painted on both sides of the alley and is quite a fun spot for taking photos. There is also a Totoro bus stop at the west end of the street.
7. Visit various museums in Taichung
Taichung has many museums and I found several that are worth visiting. Most of them are art-related and one is so unique that you won’t see anywhere else.
- CMP Inspiration (10am-6pm; closed Mondays; NT$150) – an inspirational space centred on “imagination”. The small modern museum open its doors in January 2025.
- The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) (9am-6pm; closed Mondays; free) – see modern and contemporary artwork by Taiwanese artists inside the 4-storey museum and also in the courtyard.
- National Taiwan Museum of Comics (10am-7pm; closed Tuesdays; free) – several buildings house the displays for the comics museum. There’s not a lot of content but I really enjoyed walking around the area and see old Japanese-styled houses.
- 921 Earthquake Museum (9am-5pm; closed Mondays; NT$50) – it has five exhibition halls including an earthquake simulation theatre (extra fee required). And visit Guangfu New Village nearby.
Places to shop around Taichung
8. Shopping Malls and Areas in Taichung
I’m not really a shopper but I did find some interesting shopping places in Taichung. These are good to visit on a rainy day or if you are looking for souvenirs or deals at the outlet.
- Mitsui Shopping Park Lalaport Taichung (11am-10pm) – the best shopping mall in Taichung. It is new and has many international brand names and a good food court.
- Taroko Mall (11am-10pm) – many shops and restaurants and a 24-hour Carrefour.
- Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taichung Zhonggang Store (11am-10pm) – another department store in Taichung
- Top City Taichung (11am-10pm) – a regular shopping mall but the foodcourt on the top floor is really nice.
- Chungyo Department Store (11am-9:30pm) – it is actually three connecting buildings that make up the department store.
- Sunshine Plaza Outlet (11am-10pm) – a small shopping centre with four floors of discounted goods.
- Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Port (11am-9:30pm) – find discounted items at many stores at the outlet mall outside of Taichung City.
Best places to eat in Taichung
9. Try the original bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang
If you are a bubble tea fan, don’t leave Taichung without trying THE original bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang, the original home of this Taiwanese specialty drink.
There are many types of bubble teas to choose from. But try the classic pearl milk tea, first created in 1987. Or if you prefer the signature black tea, that’s a favourite too. If you are hungry, Chun Shui Tang also has a food menu.
If you cannot make it to the original location, there are plenty of outlets across Taichung.
10. Try one of many flavours of ice cream at Miyahara
Miyahara used to be an ophthalmology clinic but today, it is a food souvenir shop with beautiful Harry Potter-eques interior. Visitors go to Miyahara to take Instagram photos, buy food souvenirs like pineapple cakes.
Besides buying local treats to bring home, there is always a long queue for the ice cream parlour located just outside of the main entrance. They have over 50 flavours of ice cream. Choose one of the many tea-infused flavours or chocolate flavours. Protip: go early or late because there is always a long queue or go to the Fourth Credit Union and enjoy ice cream there.
11. Eat at one of the food markets in Taichung
Taichung has many markets across the city offering excellent food options. Some markets have cook food and some have fresh produce. While there are many Taichung food markets, these are the only ones worth going:
- Taichung Second Market (various) – grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at this popular market. Try the braised pork rice, radish cake with a fried egg, or soup with wonton, and wash it down with Taiwanese black tea.
- Jiguang Shopping Street 繼光街年貨大街 (various) – ethnic restaurants on this street offer Indonesian food, Vietnamese food and Thai food.
- Jianguo Public Retail Market (5am-12pm; closed Mondays) – locals buy fresh produce here as it opens early. There’s also a food court at the back.
- Taichung Third Market (8am-5pm) – vendors sell fresh produce and household goods. Visit the market first then go to Zhongxiao Road Night Market.
- Taichung Sixth Market (10am-8:30pm; closed Mondays) – a modern market with food vendors on the third floor of the building.
12. Visit Taichung night markets
Taichung has several night markets within the city and each market has very unique street food. Follow my post and find out exactly what you can eat at these night markets in Taichung. Here is a preview:
- Feng Chia Night Market (1pm-1am) – the biggest night market in Taiwan. Most stores and food vendors open late afternoon so don’t go too early.
- Yizhong Street Night Market (11am-10pm) – a centrally located night market favourite among locals. There are street vendors, cafes and restaurants along the main road. And if you poke around the side streets, many boutique stores and vendors sell souvenirs and other knick-knacks.
- Zhongxiao Road Night Market (3-11pm) – local food vendors and restaurants on Zhongxiao Road open every night serving delicious and affordable food.
- Hanzi Night Market (5pm-1am; closed Mondays, Wednesdays & Sundays) – a closed night market with over 80 food vendors.
- Daqing Guanguang Night Market (5pm-12am; closed Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays) – another closed market. A bit smaller but the games area is much bigger.
13. Eat your way around Taichung
Besides all the food recommendations suggested in this post, there are many more places to eat in Taichung including Michelin recommended spots. Below, I listed some of the few places I really enjoyed during my last trip to Taichung.
- Chin Chih Yuan 范記金之園草袋飯 (No. 170, Chenggong Rd, Central District) – a Michelin recommended restaurant featuring fried pork chop and beef with shacha sauce.
- Shanghai Dim Sum 上海點心 (No. 85, Section 3, Ziyou Rd, East District) – this local favourite sells different types of buns, noodles and soups.
- Old Chen Chicken Rice 老陳海南雞飯 (No. 300, Section 3, Fuxing Rd, South District) – really delicious boneless chicken rice with minced pork, veggies and chicken soup. Always a queue so go early.
- Hot Pot 萬客什鍋 (No. 185-1, Section 1, Meicun Rd, West District) – excellent individual hot pot selection.
- Xinhong Ruizhen Food 新洪瑞珍食品有限公司 (No. 125-2, Zhongshan Rd, Central District) – a popular bakery selling delicious sandwiches
- Minimal (No. 16, Lane 133, Section 1, Meicun Rd, West District) – the world’s first Michelin ice cream parlour.
Other things to do in Taichung: Outside of the Central District
14. Visit a historical residence in Taichung
Wufeng Lin Family Garden began construction in 1858 and completed by 1895. The Qing-era residential home is largest and most complete in Taiwan and it belongs to the Lin Family, one of Taiwan’s most influential families.
The historical complex consists of the upper and lower residential mansions and the Lai Garden, which are both listed as a national cultural monument.
The highlight of the residence has to be the Grand Flower Hall. It is used as a banquet hall for entertaining guests. There is a large Fuzhou-style stage and elaborate design details everywhere. Look for exquisite peony flower carvings and peach-eye lion, Chinese unicorn and dragon-fish motifs.
The residence is open from 9am to 5pm and costs NT$250.
15. See fields of flowers outside of Taichung
During winter, there are many flower fields outside of Taichung City in full bloom. Here are two of the most beautiful ones that you could check out:
- Xinshe Sea of Flowers – see hectares of flower fields, including many colours of cosmos and marigolds during November and December. The flower expo has a different each year so it is worth returning even if you have been before.
- Zhongshe Flower Market – this market has several flower fields and a garden centre for buying plant. Different types of flowers bloom throughout the year. The flower market is especially popular during tulip season, where up to 300,000 tulips bloom.
16. Visit a European castle in Central Taiwan
Xinshe Castle or Summit Castle Resort is located east of Taichung City in the mountainous region of Xinshe Township in Taiwan. It has a European castle, winery, gardens, fountains, ponds, waterfall, restaurants, souvenir shops, and hiking trails.
Many visitors go to Taichung Xinshe Castle during the spring to catch cherry blossoms, while others visit during late autumn to see all the fall colours.
And if it is possible to see Carton King, Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Xinshe Castle all on the same day. I included the one-day itinerary at the end of each of these posts.
17. See a unique creative park made out of cardboard
Carton King Creativity Park is Taiwan’s first paper-based theme park, where almost everything is made of cardboard. The cardboard park is 1,600 square meters big and ideal for anyone who wants to have a fun afternoon seeing replicas of famous structures made entirely from sturdy cardboard.
The park has several cafes, and you can dine at an all-cardboard restaurant. Yup, everything in Carton King’s restaurant is made of cardboard! The tables, chairs, shelving, lighting, etc. Even the hot pots are made of paper!
18. Cycle on bike paths outside of Taichung
If you enjoy seeing the places outside of Taichung with a bicycle, then you must take a day trip and see one (or both) of these places:
- Gaomei Wetlands – the grassy and muddy wetland spans over 1,500 acres of land and one of the best ways to see the wetlands is by cycling on the bike path. Enjoy a bit of bird watching and see a gorgeous sunset at this popular tourist spot.
- Dongfeng Bikeway & Houfeng Bikeway – these two bikeways were converted from an abandoned railway and is located just north of Taichung. The bikeways pass through small villages, farmlands, bridges and old train tunnel. If you can cycle more than 17km, you can do both in same day.
19. Hike around Da Keng Scenic Area
One of the most popular hiking spots is in Da Keng Scenic Area. Da Keng has ten trails; the first four are the most difficult. Each trail is slightly different but has many lumber bridges connecting different park areas.
Uber is the easiest way to get there. Go early in the morning and start at trail #4 (which is the hardest and the most scenic). Continue onto trail #5 and take either trail #2 or #1 back to the main road and hop on a local bus 66 back to Taichung.
Day trips and excursions from Taichung
20. Places to visit as a day trip or excursion
Taichung is an excellent city for exploring nearby towns. And you can even visit other major cities around Taiwan with the HSR high speed train.
Here are some ideas for places you could visit after Taichung or if you want to take a day trip somewhere:
- Changhua – see the Great Buddha Statue of Baguashan before going to Lukang.
- Lukang – visitors love to spend the day around Lukang Old Street and see restored shophouses and meander around the narrow alleys of the town.
- Sun Moon Lake – most people going to Sun Moon Lake will start their journey from Taichung as there are many direct buses going to the alpine lake town. You can visit SML on a day trip but I recommend staying 2 days at SML.
- Xitou Monster Village – visit this quirky Japanese-style village featuring the many cute Japanese monster statues and red lanterns. Go as a day trip or combined with SML.
- Chiayi – spend a day in this gateway city before going to Alishan.
- Tainan – it was the ancient capital. Today, it is the best city to try unique local Taiwanese food.
- Kaohsiung – visit the second largest city in Taiwan and the last city on the HSR line.
- Taipei – a trip to Taiwan must include a visit to the capital city.
Want to pack minimally for your next trip? Check out my post on how to pack 7kg carry-on luggage
Where to stay in Taichung as a solo traveller
I’ve stayed in several neighbourhoods in Taichung and highly recommend solo travellers in either the Central or West District. Both areas have excellent budget to mid-range accommodations and food options nearby.
I have an entire post on Taichung accommodations for solo travellers. Here is a summary of places I would stay again in both districts:
Central District
- Budget: Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung (Agoda | Booking)
- Mid-range: SOF Hotel (Agoda | Booking), Red Dot Hotel & Culture (Agoda | Booking)
West District
Is Taichung worth visiting as a solo traveller
I really had fun exploring Taichung (both in 2019 and 2024). It took me awhile to see everything, but if you have limited time, you can still see most of these Taichung attractions in one day. Whether you are a solo traveller or someone local doing a solo staycation, I hope you will consider going to Taichung and see the wonderful city yourself. I can’t wait to go back.
Let me know in the comments which attraction you like or if I miss other things to do in Taichung, Taiwan.
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.
Thank you for reading my solo Taichung travel guide
I have many posts on Taiwan, and you might also like these other 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
- Taichung 1-day itinerary
- 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!
