Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan
I landed in Taichung not knowing what to expect, and by the second day I was already planning to come back. Taiwan’s second city is easier to get around than Taipei, less crowded, and packed with personality. It has temples from one era and art museums from another, plus some of the best street food in the country. Here are the things I would put on any first visit, straight from my own week there.
Explore the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
Start with one of the biggest art museums in Asia and, importantly, it is free. I wandered the galleries for half a day and never felt rushed. The building spaces are generous and the collection ranges from modern Taiwanese painters to bold contemporary installation work. The sculpture garden outside is a lovely place to sit with a coffee when you need a break from looking.
Watch the park come alive at night
In the evenings the green spaces around town fill with people doing tai chi, walking dogs, and playing music. I found it a wonderful window into daily life. There is none of the pull of a tourist attraction, just residents enjoying their neighborhood. Pick a park near where you are staying and go sit on a bench for an hour.
Visit the Rainbow Village
This small corner of town became an open air gallery when one veteran began painting the walls and alleys around his home in bright colors and cartoon faces. It is tiny, you can see it in under an hour, but the story is the highlight. He painted to save his home from demolition, and he did. Go early to dodge the crowds and hear the history from someone there.
Eat your fill at Fengjia Night Market
Fengjia is one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan, and it deserves the attention. I ate my way down the lanes for two nights and never repeated a stall. Do not skip the fried chicken, the smelly tofu if you dare, and the little balls of mochi. Go hungry and go late, since past nine it truly comes alive.
Look down on the city from the observatory
The top of the Tunghai area gives you a wide view over the whole basin where Taichung sits. I went up on a clear evening and watched the sunset push the haze away and the lights come on below. It is a quiet, unadvertised spot locals use for dates and photographers use for the skyline.
Step inside Lychee Forest Old Street
This restored lane preserves the look of old Taichung, with two story red brick buildings and shophouses squeezed along a narrow street. It is short, but walking it feels like stepping back in time compared with the modern towers a few blocks away. Grab a snack at one of the tiny cafes and soak up the pace.
See the sunsets at Gaomei Wetlands
On the coast just outside the city, the wetlands at Gaomei are famous for wind turbines standing in the shallow water and sunsets that turn everything pink and gold. I arrived about an hour before dusk and walked the boardwalk as the light changed. On a good evening it is genuinely one of the most beautiful spots in central Taiwan.
Wander in the Calligraphy Greenway
If you take a slow walk along the Greenway, which threads through the center of town, you connect several museums, shops, and cafes without a map. The city’s best bookshop and a couple of excellent coffee spots sit along this route. I liked that the city carved a band of calm right through the middle of itself.
Respect the quiet of the temple
I stepped into one of the older temples in town and was struck by how calm it was. Incense rises, old men play chess under a tree, and the carvings on the roof glow in the afternoon light. You do not need to be religious to appreciate it. Take off shoes where asked, stay quiet, and simply watch.
Outrun the crowds at the amusement park hills
Just outside the city the hills hold an amusement park that is more about the mountain views than the rides. I went for the view alone, and it was better than expected. If your itinerary is heavy on city walking, this makes a nice change of scene for half a day.
Eat breakfast like a local
My favorite meal in Taichung was the simplest. Breakfast shops across the city serve warm soy milk, egg pancakes, and fresh you tiao. I went to a busy place one morning, ordered by pointing at what people next to me had, and it was the best decision of my trip. Ask your host where they eat, ignore the chains, and follow the line of locals.
