Are you planning a trip to Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city? If so, you’re in for a real treat! Taichung is a beautiful city, with loads of exciting things to do and places to visit. Whether you want to visit the city’s popular attractions, explore its temples or museums, relax in its green spaces, or try out the delicious food at the night market, Taichung has a lot to offer! To help you discover the city’s best bits, here’s my list on the very best things to do in Taichung! This guide includes the top tourist spots as well as several hidden gems you won’t find on any other Taichung must-do list!
Ready to find out what to do in Taichung? Let’s go!
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Before You Go to Taichung
- Taichung has a great selection of hotels and hostels. My favorite places include SOF Hotel, The Carlton, and Calligraphy Greenway Hotel. For more options, search for best hotels deals in Taichung here on Agoda.
- Taichung is easily accessible by high-speed rail, bus, or local train. Read my guide on exactly how to get to Taichung from Taipei. This Taiwan travel apps guide will also come in handy.
- While buses, Uber, and MRT are available, renting a scooter is a fun way to explore the city at your own pace. Note, you need an international driver’s permit to rent a scooter in Taiwan.
- Taichung has a fantastic selection of places to visit in and around the city. If you’d rather someone else plan all your stops, check out this organized full-day tour or this fun Instagram tour. Another great option is this chartered day tour, which lets you plan all your stops without worrying about the logistics.
- If you have time to explore some of the pretty places outside the city, like Sun Moon Lake or Cingjing Farm, here’s my guide on the best day trips from Taichung.
Top Things to Do in Taichung
Rainbow Village
Rainbow Village is a former military dependents village turned Instagram hotspot. It used to be one of the top things to do in Taichung and a huge must on any Taiwan bucket list.
The village was nearly destroyed a couple of decades ago when the government wanted to demolish the houses to make room for new developments. However, Huang Yung-Fu, the famous Rainbow Grandpa (now sadly deceased), refused to leave, and painted colorful drawings of people, birds, and animals on several houses. After a group of university students discovered this quirky site, protests ensued. And finally, it became a designated tourist spot in Taichung drawing thousands of tourists.
Unfortunately, some of the artwork was vandalized in 2022, and the site was closed for some time. The village reopened to tourists in 2023, but many of the original paintings are now gone, and the site no longer looks the same. Most of the damaged areas are now covered by new artworks made by local artists or kids. Although this Taichung cultural attraction is much different than before it was defaced, it still draws crowds. If you want to see what’s left (and the new artwork), plan to spend about 30 minutes here.
National Taichung Theater
The National Taichung Theater is a stunning opera house in Taichung’s Xitun district. It features a whopping 2000-seat theater designed by world-renowned architect Toyo Ito.
The entire place is extremely modern, featuring undulating curves and huge glass windows. As a result, it’s a must-do in Taichung and one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots!
While the primary purpose of the National Taichung Theater is to promote art and host live performances, there is a lot to see both inside and outside the theater. Among the highlights include cafes, galleries, shops, and a Sky Garden on the rooftop that provides one of the best views in the city. Be sure to explore the perfectly manicured gardens surrounding the theater, too! The huge park opposite the theater also has some cool art installations that make the perfect backdrop for selfies.
Shen Ji New Village
Shen Ji New Village is a funky creative hub that has to be on your list of things to do in Taichung!
This former government dormitory turned hip artists’ village is one of the best hangout spots in the city. The complex is chock-full with cute cafes, boutique shops, and small businesses selling all kinds of artsy goods. As a result, it’s a great place to spend a lazy afternoon shopping, sampling craft beer, taking photos, or simply soaking up the energetic vibe. Make sure to climb to the elevated walkway to get a bird’s eye view of the complex and flea market in the courtyard below.
Shen Ji New Village is about a 10-minute walk from the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, so combining these two stops is easy.
Miyahara
Miyahara is a popular tourist spot in Taichung and often included on historical tours of the city.
Built during the Japanese Colonial Era, it has a unique history and once served as an eye clinic. Today, the red brick building is an iconic landmark in Taichung and one of Taiwan’s most famous dessert shops! It offers gourmet chocolates, ice cream, cookies, tea, and local snacks like sun cake and pineapple cake.
Besides all the tasty treats, what really makes Miyahara such a hotspot is its beautiful interior! Definitely come for the snacks, but make sure to snap a few pics of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, beautiful stained glass windows, and grand spiral staircase.
Since visiting Miyahara is one of the top things to do in Taichung, the lines are always long (especially for the ice cream)! Don’t let that deter you, though! The ice cream is absolutely worth the wait!
Calligraphy Greenway
Taichung has some really cool outdoor spaces. Among them is the Calligraphy Greenway — a picturesque 3.6 km pathway that runs from the National Museum of Natural Science to the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.
This place is perfect for taking a leisurely walk. It is surrounded by lush greenery and features several quirky art installations. You’ll also find some of the city’s finest cafes and restaurants here. Remember to explore the side streets branching off the main pathway, where you’ll find many bougie shops and trendy hangouts. On weekends, you’ll find various vendors selling handmade crafts and souvenirs and some buskers to keep you entertained along the walkway.
Nearby, make a point to pop into Chun Shui Tang Tea House to see where boba tea originated in Taiwan! If you love all things bubble milk tea, don’t miss their DIY bubble milk tea!
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
If you’re into modern and contemporary art, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best free attractions in Taichung.
Located a short stroll from the Calligraphy Greenway, this massive museum consists of 24 exhibition halls. It showcases a diverse range of permanent and temporary displays depicting Western art, Chinese paintings, and sculptures. There’s lots to do and see, so plan to spend at least a few hours here. Besides browsing the displays, also check out the beautiful garden, which houses some quirky artwork displays.
Painted Animation Lane
Painted Animation Lane might be tiny, but it packs a punch. If you love all things color (or cartoons), this is one spot you shouldn’t miss on your Taichung itinerary.
The small alley is full of colorful murals of anime and popular cartoon characters such as Super Mario, Popeye, Dragon Ball, Bugs Bunny, Totoro, and more. The artwork is painted on both sides of the alley, and it is best to visit during the day to appreciate it fully.
While it only takes a few minutes to stroll through the entire place, you could easily spend longer here taking photos or popping into the surrounding boutique souvenir shops, which sell everything from toys to cartoon-related knick-knacks.
Wu Wei Tsao Tang Teahouse
If you’re looking for a unique thing to do in Taichung, don’t miss the city’s best-kept secret, Wu Wei Tsao Tang Teahouse.
Wu Wei Tsao Tang is a gorgeous traditional teahouse located in Nantun District, just a few blocks southeast of the Shui-An Temple MRT stop. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and delicious meal in a serene and picturesque setting.
The teahouse is built around a wooden boardwalk and has a large koi pond as its centerpiece. Cozy tatami rooms jolt off the boardwalk, providing private and intimate spaces to relax, enjoy tea, or eat. Reserve a table well in advance, especially if you want a seat with a view of the pond.
SOF Hotel
Hotels don’t usually make it to my list of top things to do in a city, but SOF Hotel is an exception.
SOF Hotel is a gorgeous boutique hotel in downtown Taichung. It was designed by Fearon Hay Architects, who converted a dilapidated building into the stunning design hotel we see today. Many of the original features of the 1950s industrial building were retained and fused with modern elements such as concrete, black steel, and natural wood. While the design is really cool, the most striking feature here is the large void at its center, which acts as a light well.
The rooms feature beautiful minimalistic interiors that are spacious and clean. Besides being within walking distance from several of Taichung’s best tourist spots, another perk of staying here is the free snacks and wine offered every night between 7 pm and 9 pm. Try the Azarbe Rosado—a delicious pink sparkling wine! [Check rates and availability here]
Taichung Park
One of Taichung’s biggest charms lies in its sheer amount of green spaces. Among the most notable is Taichung Park.
Taichung Park is a sprawling park covering roughly 10 acres. It’s also the oldest park in the city and a historical site since 1999. History aside, this park is the perfect spot to enjoy a walk, picnic, or rent a canoe to explore the lake. The park features several key attractions, with the beautiful double-story Taichung Park Pavilion being the star. Other notable sights include the remains of a Shinto Shrine and the beautiful arch bridge next to the pavilion.
Paochueh Temple
Another unique and lesser-known attraction in Taichung is Paochueh Temple.
The temple was built in 1927 as a tribute to the Japanese soldiers who lost their lives in Taiwan during WWII. Since their bodies were never claimed, the government placed their remains in a columbarium here. Even if you aren’t into history, it’s worth visiting to peek into the beautiful traditional wooden temple set inside a new concrete structure, see the bell tower with its 600kg bell, and snap a selfie with the giant laughing golden Buddha!
Feng Chia Night Market
If you’re looking for a fun way to end any night in Taichung, you can’t go wrong with Feng Chia Night Market.
Stretching almost a kilometer wide, Feng Chia Night Market is one of the biggest and best night markets in Taiwan. You can find nearly anything under the sun here, from clothes and accessories to gadgets, souvenirs, and much more. However, the biggest reason to visit Feng Chia is for the food!
Feng Chia offers so many amazing street food options. Expect all the usual night market fare like oyster omelets, stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, and cubed beef, here. But also make sure to try some of the local favorites like tri-color sweet potato balls, rice sausage stuffed with sausage and egg crepes.
Feng Chia attracts thousands of people every weekend, so it’s best to time your visit. Plan to arrive just before 7 pm or after 10 pm to skip the crowds. If that’s not an option for you, get ready to join the scrum!
Dali Art Plaza
Dali Art Plaza is actually not in the city center, but relatively easy to get to by Uber. Located in Taichung’s Dali District, it’s a nice little pitstop if you’re en route to Wufeng Lin Family Garden, Guangfu New Village, Xianfo Temple, or Baiyang Temple of Heaven.
The plaza houses several shops and art galleries if you’re into that. However, the coolest part about this creative space is all the outdoor art installations scattered in and around it. Don’t miss the ladybugs in the courtyard and the giant quirky characters in the park.
Other Popular Places to Visit in Taichung
- If you love traditional Taiwanese breakfast and want to eat like a local, get yourself to Taichung Second Market. This indoor market is housed in a sprawling building dating back to the Japanese colonial era and features a beautiful hexagonal courtyard and tons of food vendors.
- Liuchuan Riverside Walk: If you’re looking for a peaceful place to stroll around or a romantic spot to sit and chill, head to this river walkway. Come at night to see the gardens illuminated.
- Sun Cake Museum: If you’re en route to the Taichung Second Market, keep an eye out for the beautiful red brick building that houses the Sun Cake Museum. It’s a great place to learn a little more about (and sample) these traditional sweet snacks. The gift shop has a great selection of beautiful souvenir sets if you want to buy a few boxes to take home. Want to make your own batch of sun cakes? Join this sun cake DIY class at Nine Sun Baking!
- Taichung Cultural And Creative Industries Park is not nearly as hip as Shenji New Village or the creative parks in Taipei (Huashan 1914 Creative Park) and Kaohsiung (Pier Art 2). Still, it’s worth a quick stop to check out the sculptures, murals, and pop-up exhibitions or browse the weekend bazaars.
- Luce Memorial Chapel is a bizarre little chapel housed on the Tunghai University campus. If you visit the 19m tent-like structure when it’s open, it’s worth a quick peek inside to see the beautiful interior. If not, the exterior is a nice backdrop if you’re into the ‘gram.
What to Do in Taichung in Conclusion
Whether you come for the street food, temples, museums or art, there are many fantastic things to do in Taichung! I hope this list has helped you figure out what you’d like to do in the city!
Well, there you have it: 18 really cool things to do in Taichung on your next trip! Did I miss your favorite Taichung attraction? If so, let me know in the comments below so I can check it out the next time I’m in Taichung!
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