Yizhong Street

Head to Yizhong Street in Taichung if you are after an insight into Taichung’s student life. Originally, this place developed to accommodate the thousands of students from First Senior High School and other nearby schools attending cram schools in the area. The more recent addition of the Chungyo Department Store commercial area has increased the number of visitors to the area as well as attracted more and more new businesses. Today, the area is the second busiest night market and CBD zone in Taichung.

While stores here tend to open from about noon until 10pm at night, we recommend heading down a little earlier to explore when it is still relatively free of the bustling crowds. You will quickly see that this place is famous for its young, trendy culture, with many fashion brands for skate-boarders, street roamers and hip-hop dancers having set up shop. A glasses store that sells snappy spectacle frames is popular among Taichung’s young people, while other trendy clothes, neat accessories and famous brands compete to attract the attention of Taiwanese youth. If you are after food, you won’t need to go far. But, be warned, Yizhong Street’s cheap and dirty food mostly tickles the taste buds of local high school students. Nevertheless, some more up-market choices can be easily found within walking distance at the many nearby cafes and restaurants. We especially recommend Jiting (偈亭), Banana New Paradise (香蕉新樂園) and Weng's Tea Shop (翁記泡沫廣場).