Taichung

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National Taichung Theater, Taichung, Taiwan

About Taichung

Taichung, on the plain of central western Taiwan between the Central Mountain Range and the Taiwan Strait, is the island's second-largest city and arguably its most relaxed. The climate is drier and sunnier than in Taipei, the streets are broad, and a string of museums, parks and green belts give it an easy, walkable feel in the centre.

The city grew under Japanese rule, when its grid, its red-brick railway station and Taichung Park were laid out, and many buildings from that era have been reborn as cafes and shops, such as the old Miyahara eye clinic. Bold new architecture sits alongside: Toyo Ito's cave-like National Taichung Theater is one of Taiwan's most photographed buildings. Bubble tea is widely said to have been born here.

Taichung is also a base for nature. Within the city limits are the Dakeng hiking trails, the Gaomei Wetlands on the coast and the Lin family mansion in Wufeng, while Sun Moon Lake and the mountains of Nantou are a short drive away. Night markets like Feng Chia keep the evenings busy.

Best seasonOctober to April, mild and mostly dry

Ideal stay2-3 days

ArrivingTaiwan High Speed Rail to Taichung Station, or Taichung International Airport

Taichung Has So Much to Discover: 12 Highlights

Arts 2

National Taichung Theater

Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito and opened in 2016, this performing arts centre in Xitun has no straight walls inside: cur...

Rainbow Village

When this former military dependents' village in Nantun was set for demolition, retired soldier Huang Yung-fu began covering its w...

Nature 1

Gaomei Wetlands

At the mouth of the Dajia River in Qingshui, these protected tidal flats stretch towards the sea beneath a row of tall wind turbin...

Food and Drink 2

Feng Chia Night Market

Spreading through the streets beside Feng Chia University, this is one of the largest night markets in Taiwan and a testing ground...

Miyahara

This red-brick building near Taichung Station opened in 1927 as an eye clinic run by Dr. Miyahara Takeo. Restored by a local confe...

Parks 2

Calligraphy Greenway

This long ribbon of lawns, trees and art installations links the National Museum of Natural Science with the National Taiwan Museu...

Taichung Park

Laid out in the early 1900s during the Japanese era, this is the oldest park in the city centre. Its symbol is the Huxin Pavilion,...

Museums 2

National Museum of Natural Science

One of Taiwan's most visited museums, this large complex covers life science, earth science, Chinese science history and space, wi...

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

At the southern end of the Calligraphy Greenway, this spacious museum focuses on modern and contemporary Taiwanese art, from early...

Hikes 1

Dakeng Hiking Trails

In the hills of Beitun District on the city's eastern edge, the Dakeng scenic area has a network of numbered trails through bamboo...

History 1

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden

In Wufeng District, south of the centre, this sprawling compound belonged to the Lin family, one of the most influential clans in...

Landmarks 1

Old Taichung Station

Completed in 1917, the red-brick station with its white trim and central clock tower was the city's gateway for a century. When tr...

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