Taichung in Taiwan is changing! Once best known as an industrial city, it has undergone a total transformation in recent years and become famous for its food scene, quirky activities and arts scene.
Taiwan’s second biggest city, there are so many things to do in Taichung with new attractions opening all the time – for instance, opened in 2024, you can now visit the Taiwan National Museum of Comics.
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Located on Taiwan’s west coast, Taichung is becoming increasingly popular with domestic and Asian tourists with heaps of attractions to suit all budgets and tastes.
On our first visit to Taichung years ago, we were practically the only westerners visiting here during our inaugural Taiwanese adventure but overseas tourism in Taichung is now booming!
This article was originally published on cktravels.com in May 2019.
Taichung, Taiwan Overview
Given the scope of things to see and do in Taichung (and eat) in the city, Taichung should be high on your Taiwan hit-list.
Although not as well known as Taipei, Tainan or Kaohsiung on the tourist circuit, Taichung should definitely be a part of your Taiwan itinerary.
From the Rainbow Village to ship-shape churches, gorgeous green spaces to Instagram worthy ice-cream, there are plenty of top Taichung tourist spots and things to do.
Here is our things to the top things to do in Taichung, Taiwan in 2024.
You might like – Things to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan >
Travelling to Taichung, Taipei
As Taichung is Taiwan’s second biggest city (after Taipei) plus one of the most populated places in Taiwan, there are many transport options to get here.
Going to Taichung via Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR)
We visited Taichung from Taipei on the Taiwan High Speed Rail train (HSR) which takes around 47 minutes.
You can buy discounted Taiwan High Speed Rail one way tickets between Taipei and HSR Taichung station (plus other stations) via this Klook HSR booking link >
Please note these discounted Taiwan High Speed Rail 2024 tickets are exclusive to overseas tourists and you will need to show your passport upon redemption.
There is also a much cheaper TRA train from Taipei that arrives at Taichung station in downtown Taichung (the HSR station is a little further out of town). The journey takes just over 2 hours.
Taichung by bus
You can take a bus from Taipei to Taichung in two hours for as little as NT$260 one way (prices correct as of May 2024).
Book your Taipei to Taichung bus ticket here >
If you’d rather just do a day trip from Taipei to Taichung, check out this classic attractions and Gaomei Wetlands >
Taiwanderers Tip
Grab a Taiwan EasyCard as a convenient way to use buses and public transport in Taipei and across Taiwan. They can be easily topped up at stations and convenience stores.
Read more about how to use a Taiwan EasyCard, including how to top up >
You might like – 30+ cutest EasyCard designs in Taiwan >
Taichung accommodation
Mid-Range ($$)
Park City Hotel Central Taichung
Modern affordable hotel located a 10 minute walk from Taichung Train Station. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Luxury ($$$)
Millennium Hotel Taichung
Modern high-rise 5 star hotel. Facilities include a rooftop bar, outdoor pool, sauna and on-site restaurants. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Check out the best hotels in Taichung via booking.com or agoda.com
Things to do in Taichung and attractions
1. National Taiwan Museum of Comics Taichung
Taichung’s newest thing to do and major tourist attraction, the National Taiwan Museum of Comics opened in early 2024, located in the grounds of a former prison.
The site has been extensively renovated and it is now a lush green open space with lots of exhibition rooms located across historic buildings.
Chock full of comic-book attractions, exhibitions, archives and cafes, the entire site will continue to expand until it fully opens in 2029.
From children reading comic books in the libraries to families collecting the stamps across the site, it was one of the busiest attractions in Taichung City. It also felt very reminiscent of the nearby Taichung Cultural Heritage Park – but WAY better!
From the history of the prison site to the buildings that are currently open, read our Taiwanderers guide to visiting the National Taiwan Museum of Comics plus photos >
Try this – Top 10 Taichung tours with Klook and Get Your Guide
2. Bugcat Capoo Shop Taiwan and Foam Cat Cafe
Chances are if you’ve spent any time in Taiwan, you’ll have spotted the bright blue Bugcat Capoo comic character – so popular, there is even a themed Bugcat Capoo 7-Eleven store in Taipei.
Bugcat Capoo celebrates its 10th anniversary (soooo young) in 2024 so it is a perfect time to do all things Bugcat Capoo whilst in Taichung.
As well as two Bugcat Capoo shops (including a new one at Taichung Station), there is also a rather ‘purrfect’ Foam Cat Cafe, renowned for its latte art, plus a Bugcat Capoo pop-up at the above National Taiwan Museum of Comics.
Taichung’s Bugcat Capoo House is located in an old traditional Taiwan style building with wooden arches and tiles. It really is a charming set-up and has hundreds of Bugcat Capoo gifts and merchandise including exclusive postcards and even Bugcat moped helmets!
For the full low-down on all things Bugcat Capoo in Taichung (including the Foam Cat Cafe), check out our Taiwanderers guide to Bugcat Capoo shops here >
Join our Facebook Taiwan Travel Tips Group!
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3. Shen Ji New Village
Push your way through the hardcore hipsters and selfie snappers and this pretty independent retail village in Taichung is actually a rather enjoyable area to explore.
From boutique breweries to cute coffee shops, it is easy to spend an afternoon (and the contents of your wallet) at Shen Ji New Village, a top Taichung tourist spot.
Formerly a 1960’s dormitory complex for the Taiwan Provincial Government, Shen Ji New Village in Taichung retains its historical charm and you can still explore the nooks, crannies and mezzanine staircases to the second floor.
We visited Shen Ji New Village one afternoon during what we think was the last day of school or university as there were lots of students posing for graduation photos all over the village. The local youngsters love it here, especially posing in the British style red phone box.
You might like – From Taipei: Taichung Instagram day tour >
4. Taichung River Walk
The Da’an River flows through the centre of Taichung and efforts have been made to make the central sections accessible, by creating paved walkways along either side of the river, as well as water sculptures and stepping stones across the river.
It has been really well done, and lots of local people hang out along Taichung River Walk having their lunch or walking with friends (very popular with young mums and their pushchairs). It is certainly one of the best (and most fun) free things to do in Taichung.
You might like – Our 1 day in Taipei guide or our best of Taipei 3 day itinerary
5. Miyahara Taichung
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream! Miyahara is a beautiful and Instagrammable ‘olde worlde’ red brick building from the 1920s (a former ophthalmology clinic), which now houses an incredibly popular ice-cream shop, Miyahara, alongside a retail shop and high-end restaurant.
Taichung’s Miyahara n-’ice’ shop interior resembles Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies and has to be seen to be believed – it is packed full of wall to-wall large bookcases and gleaming shop counters, with staff all besuited in immaculate uniforms.
At Miyahara, you will find local snacks such as pineapple cakes, plus luxury tea and coffee, cookies and gourmet chocolates, all presented in beautiful packaging and kept (tantalisingly) behind glass.
Upstairs at Miyahara, you’ll find a restaurant called Moon Pavillion which serves up old Taiwanese gourmet cuisine in a retro setting.
Eating one of Miyahara’s ice creams is one of Taichung’s top things to do and the queues are crazy busy.
If you do not want to queue for an hour or so, we would recommend going to get your ice-cream early in the morning (ice-cream for breakfast needs to become a thing!) or late in the evening.
They also have a smaller venue down the road at Forth Credit Union dessert hall with smaller queues!
There are over 50 fantastic flavours of ice cream and a sundae with several scoops will cost you around NT $450 (Mihayara prices correct as of summer 2024). Toppings such as cheesecake, waffles and pineapple cake are available at an extra cost.
You might like – Things to do in Tainan, Taiwan >
6. Taichung Night Markets
Taichung is home to the largest night market in Taiwan – Fengjia Night Market, one of the best attractions and top tourist spots in Taichung. Fengjia Night Market is open from 6pm to 3am daily (as of 2024).
However, Fengjia is quite far out of the city (a long bus ride – definitely not easily walkable) so we visited the smaller but more centrally located Yizhong Street Night Market for our nocturnal noodles.
A short walk away from all the main hotels and hostels in downtown Taichung, Yizhong Street Night Market runs along both sides of a main street and has a combination of street-food stalls, restaurants and outdoor seating areas with entertainment.
Unlike Kaohsiung’s tourist night markets, the main road remains open throughout so watch out for errant mopeds joining the food stall queues.
There is a nice range of food stalls at Yizhong Street Night Market, with plenty of choice. Stalls usually open late afternoon until around 11pm (so Fengjia Night Market stays open later).
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7. Taichung Rainbow Village – now reopen in 2024
The Rainbow Village in Taichung is a popular tourist attraction and Instagram hotspot but possibly also overrated (in our ‘unexpert’ opinion).
After a recent spate of vandalism at the Rainbow Village Taiwan (ironically by those who were paid to look after it), many of the original features and walls have now been painted over or replaced with artwork completed by the local pupils and painters.
Alas, the creator of Rainbow Village died in January of this year (2024) at the age of 101 years old.
Still incredibly popular with dozens of tourists filing through during our visit (even complete with a weird, singing ‘Iron Man’), it remains one of the most colourful things to do in Taichung.
From opening times to how to get there plus photos of the new artwork, here is our Taiwanderers guide to visiting Taichung’s Rainbow Village in 2024 >
8. Fourth Credit Union
This is a Taichung dessert hall with a difference; you can ‘bank’ on it!
Situated over three floors of a former bank, Fourth Credit Union is an opulent retro setting, really making the most of its historic surroundings.
It used to have lots of different street-foods but is now focused on sweet-treats (as it has been taken over by nearby Miyahara’s ice-cream shop owners)
There are a lot of culinary choices here, (mostly desserts including a second branch of Miyahara Ice Cream). All reasonably priced, so in keeping with your surroundings, it won’t break the bank!
Our tip is that if you want a Miyahara ice-cream but don’t want to stand outside the main shop eating it, head on over to Fourth Credit Union as there are lots of seats and smaller queues. You’re welcome!
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9. Animation Alley / Animation Lane, Taichung
Channel your inner anime by visiting Taichung’s animation alley – these are two laneways adorned with paintings of all your favourite cartoon characters including Super Mario, Spongebob Squarepants, Studio Ghibli, the Simpsons and Pokemon (plus loads more that we can’t name!).
We were a little underwhelmed by our Animation Alley / Lane visit to be honest – it takes about one minute to see them all, and the alleyway itself is nothing special plus some of the paintings are peeling and a little slapdash.
If you have limited time in Taichung, we wouldn’t say this is one of the best things to do in Taichung nor a top Taichung tourist spot.
10. Taichung train station & Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park
Taichung’s swish modern TRA train station is an unexpected great photo spot in the city. Head over to admire some of the awesome art installations dotted around outside.
Next door, the old Taichung railway station has been turned into the Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park where you can dine on old carriages and enjoy picnics on the old railway tracks.
At the weekends, the old railway tracks and former station platforms play host to cute crafts markets and bakery stalls – or there are old Taiwan Railway carriages which have been transformed into a cool cafe and cute gift shop full of train merchandise.
A new Bugcat Capoo store also opened in April 2024 in the old station.
Check out all our themed 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan guides:
• Coca-Cola
• Hello Kitty
• Mofusand
• Snoopy / Peanuts
• Pokémon
• Ultraman
• STARLUX
• Sumikko Gurashi
Plus check out our guide to why 7-Elevens in Taiwan are the best in the world!
11. PARK2 Caowu Square
A large restaurant, bar and cafe complex that is part cultural hub, part entertainment center, the architecture here is quite unusual with a square at the top plus more food and drink places located underground in a sort of ‘sunken plaza’.
We visited on a Saturday afternoon and it was busy with groups of friends plus large groups of families. There are lots of international foods like a Korean BBQ joint (standing only), Toasters Mediterranean restaurant plus the Sunmai Brewery taproom.
There was also a branch of the Rockland outdoor adventure store complete with a cool cafe and live music – rock on!
You might like – Things to do in Hualien, Taiwan >
12. Fantasy Story Green Ray
A creative area located in old warehouses and packed full of fashion and book shops, craft stores, charming coffee shops, this trendy Taichung neighborhood has sprung up in the old dormitory of the Taiwan Water Corporation.
Home to a mix of permanent places like Taihu Brewing to more temporary pop-up stores, this is one of the best hipster hangouts in Taichung. You’ll also find some restaurants and street food stalls hidden away on the terrace up top.
You might like – Rongjin Gorgeous Time, Taipei’s trendy mall in an old prison >
13. UpToy / Taichung Yue Lao Office
One of the coolest toy shops and retro goods stores we visited in the whole of Taiwan, UpToy Taichung (map) is top stuff.
The ground floor is full of cute and Kawaii goods like gachapon capsule toys, plushies and dolls whilst the upper floor is something even more curious…
One section is dedicated to second-hand vintage goods and classic toys and character merchandise plus nostalgic goods like classic Coke merchandise but the other area is something rather unusual!
What intrigued us the most is the ‘Old Office’ / Yue Lao Office upstairs that was full of large groups of teenagers trying to find ‘true love’ matches via coloured capsules – blue jars with single men’s details and pink jars with women’s details. Yue Lao incidentally is the god of marriage and love.
Who needs ‘Bumble’ when you have Taichung’s Yue Lao Office!
You might like – Our guide to Taiwan’s highest coffee shop, Simple Kaffa Sola atop Taipei 101 >
14. Confucian Examination Hall x Zhong Dao GLAb
Talking of epic transformations, also check out this super-cute coffee shop located in an old school examination hall, the only one left remaining from the Qing Dynasty.
Now school desks and canes have been swapped for cappuccinos and cake in the form of Zhong Dao GLAb coffee roasters and cafe.
The interior is all sleek and modern and looks like a cross between a library and school lab (yep, they are trying very hard to be trendy).
Outside, there is sometimes an artisan craft market held outside the old Confucian Examination Hall on the weekends.
Try this – Sun Moon Lake day tour from Taichung >
15. National Taichung Theatre
Opened in 2015, the National Taichung Theatre is one of Taiwan’s top performing arts centers and its curved interiors make it one of the most unique buildings in Taiwan, up there with the Kaohsiung Music Center.
Even if you aren’t planning on going to the opera here or a live performance, we urge you to still visit the National Taichung Theatre if only to visit the free rooftop garden.
Jump in the lift to the 6th floor and walk out into a green oasis in the middle of the city, complete with benches and ‘Tellytubby’ style dinosaurs – it was a popular photo spot for families when we visited.
You might like – Our guide to Din Tai Fung, Taiwan’s most famous dumpling restaurant chain >
16. Gaomei Wetlands
Admire the towering wind turbines of Gaomei Wetlands – a grassy and muddy tidal flat where you can catch the sea breeze and watch beautiful sunsets.
The best bit is spotting birds and various wildfowl, as you stroll along the wooden boardwalk, with the wetlands in the background – blissful!
Taichung’s famous Gaomei Wetlands are an easy and inexpensive day trip from Taichung – it is theoretically possible to go by public transport but the tours are much more efficient – some even include a visit to the famous Miyahara ice-cream stall!
Book a Gaomei Wetlands tour from Taichung >
17. Second Market Taichung / Fifth Market
Constantly recommended as the best place for Taiwanese street-food in Taichung in the day-time, Second Market is open six days a week (closed Monday) from 7am to 1pm.
Second Market has been around for over 100 years and many of the food stalls have been passed on from family member to family member – the upper section of the building also has a small museum.
We also checked out Fifth Market which is open 7 days a week and a much smaller neighborhood market, close to the Confucian Examination Hall.
Many of the stalls were selling soups and Taiwanese noodle dishes, with long lines. Fifth Market was OK but probably not worth a trip especially.
18. Taihu Brewing Taichung
Located in the Fantasy Story Green Ray area of bars and restaurants, Taihu Brewing is one of Taiwan’s top breweries and craft beer bar chains. You can even buy its beer in 7-Eleven stores, although some of it is super strong like their 9.99%(!) Happy Set.
We’ve enjoyed several Taihu Brewing craft beer bars in Taiwan including their Taichung Taihu Brewing taproom, complete with roof terrace and rather magic ‘Back to the Taihu’ / Back to the Future inspired neon sign – all have cracking beer selections.
We visited Taihu Brewing Taichung on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed – both the upstairs terrace and downstairs bar area were heaving with happy drinkers. Ganbei!
You might like – Our guide to Taipei’s best craft beer bars and Taiwan breweries >
19. Calligraphy Greenway
‘Calligraphy Greenway’ Park in Taichung is home to the world’s only* ‘World of Warcraft’ bronze statue designed by Taiwanese artist Steven Wang.
From the hit online game by Blizzard Entertainment, the statue is of Warcraft character Lich King Arthas Menethil – it is a HUGE 4.5 meters tall & like no other sculpture we’ve seen before.
*We think…unless you know otherwise
20. Taichung Creative and Cultural Industries Park
Taiwan creative parks are frequent in number and vary in terms of the visitor experience – the one in Taichung is OK to visit but nothing outstanding (we preferred Shen Ji New Village above).
And if you gauge Taiwan’s creative parks mainly by their Instagram opportunities and selfie spots, Taichung Creative and Cultural Industries Park doesn’t really have many vibrant murals or wall paintings like the others – but there are still lots of things to do here.
We liked Taichung Creative Park as it was easy to walk around, fairly quiet and is home to regular pop up exhibitions plus visit a rather interesting brewery shop (it felt like stepping back 50 years into a time-warp).
The presence of the Taichung Creative Park brewery shop is a nod to the fact this 6 acre site used to be the largest brewery in the whole of Taiwan. Cheers!
2024 update – the brewery section appears to have been closed down on our last visit. Other than a weekend flea market we stumbled upon, there doesn’t appear to be all that much going on these days at Taichung Creative and Cultural Industries Park.
21. National Museum of Fine Art
Taichung is blessed with several renowned museums and arts venues including The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts which has over 20 different galleries and exhibition spaces – it is famous for its Western art exhibitions and sculpture collection.
It is open 6 days a week (closed Mondays) and also has gorgeous grounds with lots of alfresco artwork and temporary installations.
You might like – Our guide to the 10 best neighborhoods to stay in Taipei >
22. Taiwan Connection 108
Call it a ‘high-line’ or a ‘sky garden’, the ‘Taiwan Connection 108’ is a small area of reclaimed railway line that runs north from Taichung Station for just over 1km, parallel to the canal.
Popular with joggers, photo shoots and the odd romantic couple, we’d only recommend this as an easy walk way from Taichung station to Taichung Creative and Cultural Industries Park.
Otherwise, it is just a semi-interesting walk-way where you can still see some of the old sidings left over from the old railway.
You might like – Our guide to the ‘free’ Taiwan Receipt Lottery, which tourists can enter >
23. Taichung Park
Taichung has lots of top tourist spots and open green spaces but the most frequented and loved by locals is the eponymous Taichung Park (also the oldest park in Taichung).
You could easily spend a whole afternoon in Taichung Park wandering around the lake and exploring the large Japanese style pagoda, the main feature of the park.
We were amazed by the sheer number of large fish (likely koi carp) in the lake. In fact, a family next to us were feeding the fish with bread and the carp were battling the ducks for the bread (kam-’koi’-kaze?).
To get up close to the wildlife or the huge fountain in Taichung Park, pedalos can be hired to take out on the lake here. Taichung Park is open 24 hours.
You might like – things to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan >
24. Don Don Donki Taichung
Japan’s most delightful discount store is now open in Taitung, on the lower levels of Tiger City Mall.
Originally known as Don Quijote in Japan where it has dozens of stores all over the country, Don Don Donki (as it is branded in Taiwan) opened their first Taiwan store in Ximending in 2021.
This is a fairly new Don Don Donki store in Taichung that is open from 10am to 11pm daily (alas not 24 hours like Ximending).
Combined with its big fresh food area (with lots of Japanese food like takoyaki and sashimi / sushi), Don Don Donki is a great place for late night shopping in Kaohsiung.
25. Eslite Spectrum Taichung 480
Some of the most beautiful bookshops you’ll find in Taiwan (and across Asia), Eslite (誠品) is one your one stop shop for unique gifts, cute collectibles and travel reading.
We were lucky enough to visit the newest (and HUGE) Eslite Spectrum 480 Taichung branch on its opening weekend in spring 2024.
With several floors of food courts, book shops, restaurants and home furnishings, this was one of the best shopping malls in Taiwan we experienced.
The bookstore part and gift section at Eslite Spectrum Taichung 480 was particularly good plus it is great to go shopping then eat at one of the cafes or restaurants inside.
Check out our guide to Eslite Bookstores: Taiwan’s most beautiful department stores >
26. Taichung Totoro Bus Stop (Closed)
2024 update – this Taichung Totoro Bus Stop has now been moved by its owner – however, there is another mural Totoro bus stop at Taichung’s Animation Alley / Lane; more on this later.
Although not totally legit (and not approved by Studio Ghibli), this recreated bus stop from the movie ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ (when Satsuki waits at the bus stop for her parents and Totoro shelters her from the rain) is a little away from Taichung’s attractions, but ‘Totoro-y’ worth your time!
Although not an actual bus stop (just in case you spend hours waiting for a bus), this has been created by a local resident, whose workshop is to the left of the Totoro bus-stop.
When we visited, he beckoned us in to see his latest creation, a Harry Potter trolley disappearing into the wall on platform 9 3/4 (like the one at King’s Cross Station, but without the two hour queue to get your photo taken).
There are lots of awesome anime inspired photo opportunities and it is free to visit, but it located on the side of a very busy road, so you have to weave through the traffic to get the best shots from across the other side of the street.
27. Panding Church
Wow, this is one Taichung church that looks ship-shape; literally! Nautical but nice, the Panding Church is a popular place to visit and the blue and white theming also look quite similar to a sailor’s outfit.
Located a little way out in the Longjing District, this basically looks like a real Noah’s Ark (but without all the animals).
Our final thing to do in Taichung
28. Qianyue Building
A quick mention of one of Taichung’s most unusual sights, ideal for URBEX enthusiasts (although the old building is all sealed up now). The abandoned Qianyue Building can be seen from all Taichung and is very close to Miyahara and the little stream.
The 1970s 13 storey building started to decay and became unsafe after a fire in a night-club on the middle floors around 20 years ago – it has gradually decayed more and more over time.
From afar, it looks like a UFO has landed on the building and this used to be a former revolving restaurant in Taichung.
The abandoned Qianyue Building is now all boarded up with graffiti all over the exterior – maybe one just to look up at when exploring downtown Taichung.
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