If you are visiting Taichung for the first time, you must be wondering where to stay in Taichung City. The city is quite big, and tourist attractions are pretty spread out. Plus, there are many options when it comes to accommodations in Taichung. Solo travellers can find budget, mid-range and luxury accommodations throughout the city.
After visiting Taichung several times and staying in different neighbourhoods, I recommend staying either in the Central District or West District. These two neighbourhoods are the best areas for solo travellers who have never been to Taichung, returning visitors or even day trippers who want to stay overnight.
In this post, I will show you all the highlights of the two districts and my honest review of the five hostels and hotels I stayed at. Also, I will include my overall recommendation for a first-time traveller to Taichung, Taiwan.
My Taichung accommodation review is my opinion, and I received no compensation. I only want to share what I love.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read the disclosure.
Best Place to Stay in Taichung: what you need to know
Before you start your search for Taichung accommodation, 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.
And check out more tips on my solo travel guide to Taichung and learn about all the attractions in Taichung.
Here are a few additional tips for searching for accommodation in Taichung:
- Generally, check-in is 3pm and check-out is 11am.
- Disposable toiletries may or may not be included – it depends on the hotel’s policy.
- Every hotel has its own housekeeping schedule – not every hotel clean rooms each day.
- Taichung accommodation prices can be higher on the weekends (especially Saturdays), during high seasons (national holidays, Christmas, etc) and for special events.
- Pay attention to payment details like cancellation policy, etc. If you are unsure of your travel dates, choose the option to get a refund if you change your mind or if something comes up unexpectedly.
Where to stay in Taichung for Solo Travellers
If you are visiting Taichung for the first time, the best places to stay are the Central District and the West District.
Besides these two districts, there are other districts in Taichung. The North District (orange), East District (beige), South District (grey), Nantun District (green), and Xitun District (purple) are all part of Taichung. Still, they don’t have as many accommodation options as the two mentioned previously.
I stayed in several hotels around different Taichung districts during my last trip. I included my reviews for five low to mid-range hotels in two districts, including a general overview of the hotel and my honest opinion of each in the highlight and lowlight sections.
Here is the list and a map indicating the hotels and districts of Taichung:
| Areas in Taichung | Characteristics | Taichung Accommodations |
|---|---|---|
| Central District (red) | * Centre of Taichung – old area * Best area to experience Old Taichung * Direct access to Taichung Station | Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung $-$$) Agoda | Booking SOF Hotel ($$) Agoda | Booking Red Dot Hotel & Culture ($$) Agoda | Booking |
| West District (blue) | * Centre of Taichung – new area * Best area to experience modern Taichung * Many local eateries, trendy cafes and boutique shops | Star Hostel Taichung Parklane ($-$$) Agoda | Booking Hotel Si ($$) Agoda | Booking |
Central District: Best Area to Experience Old Taichung
The Central District is the smallest urban district of Taichung. It is located in the heart of the city and is considered the Old City of Taichung. The area experienced significant development during the Japanese occupation of Taichung. The train station was built, and surrounding it were buildings and roads. It was the centre of business and commerce.
Today, this is the best area for solo travellers looking for budget or mid-range accommodations, or for day trippers who are only staying overnight. Even though the district is small, there are a few attractions, and the area is well connected by many Taichung buses.
Why you should stay in the Central District:
- Nearby attractions include Miyahara, Taichung Second Market, Liuchuan Riverside Walk, Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park, Sunshine Plaza Outlet and Jiguang Shopping Street
- Walking distance to many local Taiwanese restaurants, including affordable Michelin-recommended places
- Direct access to TRA trains at Taichung Station and many Taichung bus lines
Best places to stay in Central District
1. Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung 路得行旅 國際青年旅館
Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung is a boutique hostel offering shared dorm rooms and four private rooms. Guest rooms and sitting areas are located on floors 8 to 12. The 12th floor has a reception area, a large shared kitchen, and a long dining table.
There are also laundry facilities on the 9th floor and a rooftop patio on the 13th floor. The entire hostel is furnished with Muji furniture, giving the space a modern Scandinavian feel.
When I stayed in the 2-bed Female Dormitory, I got a 15sqm room with a single bed, several shelves, a safe deposit box and a shared bathroom. It is not your typical hostel dorm where you must share a room with many travellers. There are only two people per dorm room. That means you only share the bathroom with one other person.
I went back a few years later and stayed in a private Standard Room, a private 13sqm room with a double bed and an ensuite bathroom.
I love the hostel so much that I wrote an entire review on why Norden Ruder Hostel is the best boutique hostel in Taichung.
Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung: highlights and lowlights
- Highlights: high-end luxurious hostel experience, only sharing a bathroom with one other person, various common areas, across from Taichung Station
- Lowlights: none
Address: 12F, No. 123, Jianguo Road, Central District, Taichung City | Rate: 2-bed female dormitory starts from NT$850
2. SOF Hotel 植光花園酒店
In the Central District, SOF Hotel (Space, Order and Form) is the best boutique hotel in the Central District. The hotel was recently renovated in 2023, and it has 39 rooms and ten room types.
I chose the Deluxe Double Balcony Room, one of the upgraded rooms. It is a 28sqm room with a double bed, sitting area, desk area, an ensuite bathroom, and a balcony with a city view.
I especially enjoy SOF Hotel because of its industrial minimalist design aesthetics. I love the juxtaposition of old and new materials, as the architect used modern materials and built around an existing building. Even though the building is quite old and the architect even included the original hollow courtyard, all the spaces in SOF Hotel feel welcoming and comfortable.
SOF Hotel: highlights and lowlights
- Highlights: boutique quality hotel with a low price tag, minimal aesthetics, comfortable bed, centrally located
- Lowlights: no facilities, mosquitos in the hallway (because it is open to the outside), check-in at 4pm (not 3pm)
Address: No. 52, Guangfu Rd, Central District, Taichung City | Rate: Deluxe Double Balcony room starts from NT$2,600
3. Red Dot Hotel & Culture 紅點文旅
Red Dot Hotel & Culture is another boutique hotel in the Central District of Taichung. The 4-star hotel has a red and white polka dot theme and a fun “Cowabunga Slide.” Plus, there are other common areas like the cafe, ballroom (a room full of giant bouncy balls), a reading room and a lounge.
There are 55 rooms and eight room types at Red Dot. I chose the Standard Double Room, a 21 sqm big room with a queen bed, sitting area and an ensuite bathroom. The price of the room includes a complimentary breakfast. You can choose between four options, and they are all really good.
Red Dot Hotel & Culture: highlights and lowlights
- Highlights: comfortable bed, spacious and clean room, gourmet breakfast, walkable to many places in Central District, cool hotel design, i.e. slide
- Lowlights: low ceiling (which makes the room feel smaller), strong cologne scent in the lobby
Address: No. 206, Minzu Rd, Central District, Taichung City | Rate: Standard Double Room starts from NT$2,100
West District: Best Area to Experience Old Taichung
West District is the second-smallest district in Taichung, after Central District. The area is about five square kilometres. It is also considered the centre of Taichung City, but it has a modern feel.
This is the best area to stay for solo travellers who have never been to Taichung and want to be in a modern and trendy neighbourhood. Many accommodations are newer than the ones in the Central District. Plus, staying in the West District means you’re within walking distance of tourist attractions, excellent local restaurants, cute cafes, and boutique shops.
Why you should stay in the West District:
- Nearby attractions include Painted Animation Lane, Calligraphy Greenway, CMP Inspiration, National Museum of Fine Arts, National Taiwan Museum of Comics, Shenji New Village and the original Chun Shui Tang location
- Walking distance to food markets and local Taiwanese restaurants, including affordable Michelin-recommended places
- Access to many Taichung bus lines
Best places to stay in West District
1. Star Hostel Taichung Parklane 誠星青年旅館
Star Hostel Taichung Parklane is located on the 15th floor of the Green Park Lane Shopping Center. The building has many shops, restaurants and cafes and is located next to Taichung Civic Square.
In addition to its great location, the hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Moreover, there is an outdoor plaza and coffee bar and common areas featuring wooden dining tables and a tatami lounge.
Star Hostel Taichung Parklane is a sister hostel to Star Hostel Taipei Main Station, one of my favourite hostels in Taipei. And the one in Taichung is of the same high standard as the one in Taipei. The guest rooms are spotless, the bathrooms are clean, and the common area is welcoming.
Star Hostel Taichung Parklane: highlights and lowlights
- Highlights: comfortable and cozy dorm bed, feels like a high-end hostel, modern and clean, cool lounge area with a view of Taichung, complimentary breakfast, centrally located
- Lowlights: the bathroom is on another level and far away
Address: 15F, No. 68, Gongyi Road, West District, Taichung City | Rate: 8-bed female dormitory starts from NT$650
2. Hotel Si 嬉行旅
Hotel Si is a 3-star design hotel in a cozy neighbourhood in the West District. The minimalist hotel has a well-designed lounge area and a rooftop with a view. Plus, it is walkable to many places in the West District where you can find many local restaurants, trendy cafes and boutique shops.
There are 33 rooms and five room types at Hotel Si. I chose the Deluxe King with Balcony, which is one of the upgraded rooms. It is a 24sqm room with a king bed, a sofa bed, an ensuite bathroom and a balcony. The room design is quite unique as the ensuite bathroom is accessed through the balcony.
Hotel Si: highlights and lowlights
- Highlights: well-designed and clean room, very comfortable bed (Sealy mattress), detergent for handwashing clothes, cute cafes in the neighbourhood, walkable to many eateries and shops
- Lowlights: check-in at 4pm (not 3pm)
Address: No. 8, Lane 225, Minquan Rd, West District, Taichung City | Rate: Deluxe King with Balcony room starts from NT$2,100
Staying in Other Districts in Taichung
Besides the Central and West Districts, there are other neighbourhoods in Taichung that you could stay. But I wouldn’t recommend it. Here’s why.
North District
North District (orange area on map) is an area just north of Central District and it has many universities, shopping malls and cultural things to see. There are some attractions in the area, such as Taichung Park and Yizhong Street Night Market.
As for accommodation, there are only a handful. I searched high and low for a place to stay and it was a newly renovated hotel but it smelled horrible. I can’t recommend the hotel or staying in this area as there isn’t much to do.
East District
East District (beige) is south of Central District and it has a few attractions like Hanxi Night Market and Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Taichung. I was only able to find a few “minsu” (homestay), and they didn’t look particularly good, so I didn’t stay there.
South District
South District (grey) is south of West District and there isn’t much to do. And I didn’t find any interesting accommodations.
Nantun District
Further west is Nantun District (green) and it is mostly a residential neighbourhood. Rainbow Village is part of this neighbourhood, but other than that, there’s not much else.
I did stay at Moxy Taichung (Agoda | Booking). It is a great hotel – the room is well-designed and rate is cheaper than other hotels on Saturday. But it is far from many places in Taichung so if you are only staying a few days only, stay in Central or West District.
Xitun District
Xitun District (purple) is the unofficial downtown. There are shopping malls, large green space and the area is being developed. And most of all, the area has one of the best night markets in Taiwan: Feng Chia Night Market.
I stayed at two different hotels in Xitun. They were just mediocre at best. Plus, there isn’t much to do during the day when you stay near the night market. You have to either walk really far or take the bus to a shopping centre nearby. Because of the lacklustre accommodation options in Xitun, I wouldn’t recommend staying there either.
Where to stay in Taichung: My Recommendation
If I were visiting Taichung for the first time, I would stay in West District because the neighbourhood has cute cafes and is walkable to good eateries and shops around Taichung Civic Square. I would stay at Hotel Si as the rooms are beautifully designed. Star Hostel Taichung Parklane is also a good option for anyone who is on a budget.
I would also consider staying in Central District because of its proximity to Taichung Station and other attractions in the area. The area is a bit run down and it feels a bit abandoned as many buildings are old and are not occupied. But the accommodation options are pretty good. Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung would be my top choice if budget is a concern. Otherwise, I would stay at SOF Hotel for its location and beautifully designed rooms. Red Dot Hotel & Culture would be my second choice after SOF Hotel.
However, I would not stay in the North District, East District, South District, Nantun District or Xitun District. There aren’t many good accommodations in these neighbourhoods and they are far from all the attractions.
So there you have it! Let me know in the comments which Taichung hotel you decide to book for your next trip, or if you find any other hotels worth recommending to solo travellers. I would love to know!
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 accommodation 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
- Best things to do alone in Taichung
- Taichung 1-day itinerary
- 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
Like this post? Pin it on your Pinterest board!
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!
