Taichung (臺中 or 台中 Táizhōng) is a city in the west-central part of the island 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 after New Taipei. The city is home to many manufacturers and has experienced rapid growth in the diversity of its cultural offerings. Among the activities to catch when visiting Taichung: the world-class science museum and hiking in the nearby hills. There are also many famous night markets that provide night-time excitement.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Taichung is divided into 29 geographical subdivisions which may be grouped as Inner Taichung that was the smaller Taichung City until 2010, Datun southeast of Inner Taichung, Mountain Line (山線) as inland mountainous area, and Coast Line (海線) as coastal area:
Indigenous people used to populate the plain where modern Taichung City is located. They lived by cultivating millet and taro and hunted deer. Several local names in central Taiwan contain the word for "deer," including Shalu Township and Lukang Township in Changhua County. Taichung was founded in 1705 as a part of Changhua County with the name of Dadun (ch: 大墩; p: Dàdūn; w: Ta-tun; lit. large mound). At this point in history, the Qing Dynasty, formed by invading Manchus in the 1640s, was consolidating its hold on western Taiwan, which it had wrested from the Cheng family in 1682.
After a long and difficult construction, the Taichung Metro started operating in 2021. The Metro Line is very clean, more comfortable than buses, and can serve you from the HSR station to certain sites in western downtown Taichung. However, you will quickly find that the Green Line, the only metro line in Taichung, is insufficient even for a trip to downtown Taichung. Since the Blue Line has started its construction since 2025, and is expected to be finished in 2034, buses and bicycles are still the main public transport in your travel plans. If you are going to the High Speed Rail Station, stop at HSR Taichung Station and do not stop at Wuri Station.
Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden in Datun is the former residence and grounds of the Wufeng Lin Family. Taichung Winery. Dating back to the Japanese era, this still-operational winery also includes a wine museum, which has displays on wine-making and the history of the winery. (updated May 2021) National Museum of Natural Science in Central Taichung is a large and elaborate science-themed museum, actually composed of seven museums in one. National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Central Taichung is a large and elaborate modern arts museum, featuring rotating visual exhibits. Asia Museum of Modern Art in Datun houses a café, a shop and a lecture hall on the ground floor and art galleri…
Gu-Guan Hot Spring is a nice hot spring at Mountain Line. The Parkway is a narrow corridor of greenery in Central Taichung forms a pleasant parkway which runs south/north between the Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Natural Science, intersected by the main Taizhonggang Rd. You can spend minutes or hours walking along it, or relax in one of the parks. Gaomei Wetlands is 1½-2 hr from central district in Coast Line. It is a popular spot for sunset. Lihpao Land is a large amusement place in Mountain Line with a waterpark (opens in summer months), an amusement park, a racing site, and famously, the tallest Ferris wheel in Taiwan. Taichung Jazz Festival (臺中爵士音樂節).
With a proliferation of noodle shops and street vendors peddling anything from the exotic to common household dishes, there is no lack of choice for enjoying local delicacies. Walking through the streets of Taichung, one can locate exotic cuisines like Indian, Japanese, Indonesian, and continental. The Taiwanese are quite accustomed to non-Chinese speakers, so using gestures will get you what you want (with perhaps a little surprise!) 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).
Taichung is generally safe as long as you are vigilant at all times. Look both ways before crossing roads, then look again while you cross. Most injuries and fatalities to travelers in Taichung occur from vehicular accidents. Often, there are no sidewalks, or shops block them, and you'll have to walk on the road. As you alight from a bus, be sure to look to your right before stepping down to prevent being hit by a scooter.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Oct, Taichung typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 7 rainy days.
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