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Taiwan Travel Guide & Tips Posts
Taichung (臺中 or 台中 Táizhōng) is located in the west-central part of Taiwan. It has a pleasant climate and a population of just over 2.8 million people, making it the second largest city on the island.
Getting There: Transportation Options
As a major city, getting to and from Taichung is easy.
- Taoyuan International Airport: Take a direct bus or train to Taichung, which takes around 2 hours.
- Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR): Taichung is a major stop along the HSR network, with frequent trains from Taipei, Kaohsiung, and other cities. The High Speed Rail station is located in Wuri District on the outskirts of Inner Taichung. You can take a regular train between the two stations in about six minutes. In addition, a free bus is available to take HSR passengers downtown, to the universities, etc.
- Regular Train: The Western Line of the Taiwan Railway Administration is split into the Taichung Line serving inland districts and the Coastal Line serving serving coastal districts. Many north and south bound trains make a stop at major Taichung Station in Central District along the Taichung Line. Other trains bypass Taichung Station by taking the Coastal Line. Make sure to take the correct train to reach the intended destination. Express trains (ZiQiang) to Taichung Station cost NT$375 from Taipei and NT$469 from Kaohsiung. Midrange ticket prices (Jukuang class) to Taichung Station cost NT$289 from Taipei or NT$361 from Kaohsiung. The entire trip takes about three hours from both Taipei and Kaohsiung..
- Bus: From Taipei Train Station, go to the bus terminal and take the U-Bus (統聯客運), Kuo-Kuang Bus (國光客運). Tickets cost from NT$100–350, depending on what day of the week you travel on. Buses depart several times an hour from the early morning through evenings and the entire ride is about three hours long.
Getting Around Taichung
Taichung has an extensive bus network, with routes covering all major attractions and neighborhoods. I read that Taichung Metro’s (MRT) first route, the Green Line, officially began operation on April 25, 2021, making it the 5th rapid transit system operating in Taiwan, though I didn’t really notice or use it during my time in the city.
Things to See and Do in Taichung
Some popular things to see and do include: National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung Metropolitan Opera House, Taichung Park (also called “Chungshan Park” or “Sun Yat-sen park”), Taichung Folklore Park, Luce Memorial Chapel (designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei), Taichung Winery, Taichung Prefectural Hall, National Museum of Natural Science, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Gu-Guan Hot Spring, Taichung Municipal City Huludun Cultural Center, Stock 20 (a converted railroad warehouse with exhibition space for regular displays of modern art), 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan, Asia Museum of Modern Art.
There are, of course, various temples you can visit, including Pao Jiue Temple (home to the Big Buddha) and Le Cheng Temple.
The Parkway is a nice place to visit/stroll. This narrow corridor of greenery runs south/north between the Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Natural Science. You can spend minutes or hours walking along it, or relax in one of the parks. The southern end is home to the Art Museum with Modern and Traditional exhibits. At the north end, behind the Science Museum, is a botanical garden home to interesting plants and trees (and a cool modernist building housing them).
Another popular attraction, and one of my favorites, is the Rainbow Village. Originally a military dependents’ village, it was transformed into a whimsical wonderland by the artistic efforts of its resident, Huang Yung-Fu. Each corner is adorned with colorful murals, creating a picturesque setting perfect for snapping Instagram-worthy photos.
And, if you are into street art like I am, be sure to check out Comics Alley, (aka Painted Animation Lane) a short side street filled with murals depicting different kind of comics and anime characters and scenes.
Of course, being Taiwan, there are naturally some night markets to satisfy your dinnertime, including Feng Chia Night Market (逢甲夜市), Xiang Shang Market (向上市場), Jianguo Market (建國市場), Second Market (第二市場), Third Market (第三市場), and Fifth Market (第五市場). Yizhong Street is also a popular place to find a restaurant or food/drink vendors.
Taichung is also well known for its Chinese bakeries. Pastries that are worth a try include sun cakes (太陽餅) and pineapple tarts (鳯梨酥)
Final Thoughts
Taichung may not always be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a trip to Taiwan, but it deserves a spot on your itinerary, especially if you are a fan of street art like I am.
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