Taichung

Fengjia Night Market (逢甲夜市), located near Feng Chia University, is the largest, most famous, and liveliest night market in central Taiwan. With over 1,600 vendors, it offers a wide variety of delicious street food that you won't want to miss. From takoyaki and baked potatoes to sausage wrapped in sticky rice, crepes, oyster omelets, tofu pudding, fried chicken cutlets, and giant ice cream, there are countless mouthwatering options to try.

In addition to the street food, Fengjia Night Market (逢甲夜市) is also home to one of the best pearl milk tea shops in Taiwan, ChuPenWay, offering their signature Nodding Milk Tea. For those who prefer to dine in a restaurant, there are several notable options nearby, including Zunpin Beef Noodle, Jun Yong Cun, and Jingcai Xiaoguan, all serving authentic and delicious Taiwanese cuisine.

After indulging in the local delicacies, take a stroll along the streets lined with numerous clothing and shoe stores. Whether you're into Japanese, Korean, or American fashion, you'll find a wide range of styles at affordable prices. For those who love sports, there are plenty of sneaker stores offering a wide selection of basketball shoes and sportswear at unbeatable prices.

Overall, Fengjia Night Market (逢甲夜市) provides a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination for both food enthusiasts and avid shoppers.

Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (大甲鎮瀾宮) in Dajia District is one of the most well-known Mazu temples in Taiwan, dedicated to Mazu, the guardian goddess of the Taiwan coast. The temple attracts a large number of worshippers throughout the year. The highlight here is the annual ""Mazu Pilgrimage"" held in April, during which a procession passes through up to 110 Mazu temples in the central and southern regions. The event draws over 1.1 million participants, including many foreign tourists who join in for portions of the route. There are also many must-try local snacks near the temple entrance, such as crispy taro balls from Wujia Land and Ji Jia Le Taiwanese meatball. The adjacent Jiang Road Tourism Night Market, which has developed alongside Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (大甲鎮瀾宮), is also a highly recommended place to visit.

With a history of over 200 years, the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (大甲鎮瀾宮), designed in the style of a palace, occupies a vast area, reflecting its significance in the hearts of residents in the central region. The original temple had fallen into disrepair, and after 1980, the local residents of Dajia decided to rebuild it at its current location. Substantial funds were raised, and skilled craftsmen were enlisted to ensure that the new Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (大甲鎮瀾宮) was recreated to be identical to its original site.

As the temple's importance continued to grow, both local and visiting worshippers naturally had needs for food and rest. There is a bustling food street next to the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (大甲鎮瀾宮), offering a wide variety of snacks, including scallion pancakes, angelica duck, pig's trotter vermicelli, and various sweet soups and desserts to satisfy everyone's appetites. Taichung is renowned for its pastry industry, and the most famous local delicacy is buttery pastry cakes. Be sure to try one before you leave and savor this renowned snack!

Located to the west of Tunghai University in Taichung, Tunghai Night Market caters to local residents and students alike, while some of the stalls draw in a significant number of tourists who put these street food on their bucket list, inclusive of chicken feet galantine, duck’s heads and gua bao (a fluffy white steamed bun).

The most vibrant section throughout the night market is at the intersection of Dongyuan Lane and Xinxing Road, where you can find all the popular snack stalls. The most representative has to be the one selling the flavorful chicken feet gelatine that is stewed in a potent mix of Chinese herbs, soy sauce, sesame, salt and wine, where Lianxinbing, a bowl of mung bean smoothie topped with a scoop of red bean ice cream, is also on the menu. Another not-to-be-missed stall is Tunghai Guabao Dawang, serving a wide variety of steamed buns with different fillings from chicken thigh to pork belly and ham. Finally, Tunghai Dongshan Duck’s Head will impress your taste buds with its second-to-none duck’s heads nicely stewed and soaking up all the goodness from the orange marinade.

Miyahara (宮原眼科) is a renowned ice cream shop with a legendary reputation worldwide. It was originally an ophthalmology clinic established during the Japanese colonial period, and has now been transformed into a popular ice cream destination. The variety of must-try and distinctive ice cream flavors is so extensive that some special flavors sell out quickly when the crowds gather: such as Rum Rose Cheese, Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy), Plum, and Rum Cheese. After choosing a flavor, customers can also select the type of cookies or snacks to accompany their ice cream. It is recommended to arrive early to secure the special flavors.

In addition to indulging in ice cream, Miyahara (宮原眼科)'s main building is also worth exploring. The first floor sells pineapple cakes, cheesecakes, and other souvenirs, each with unique and thoughtful designs. The second floor houses the ""Moon Pavilion,"" serving Taiwanese cuisine in a splendidly decorated setting. The third floor is an exhibition center, occasionally open to visitors.

The only drawback of Miyahara (宮原眼科) is that parking can be somewhat inconvenient, especially on weekends. It is advisable for some members of the group to stay with the car while others go to make purchases, saving time.

Miyahara (宮原眼科) offers a Harry Potter-like world with its high ceilings, glossy floors, and large wooden furniture. Despite its history as an ophthalmology clinic and later as a public health bureau, the building was abandoned for a long time after being partially destroyed by the 921 earthquake and a strong typhoon. Dawn Cake, a pastry business in Taichung, has beautifully restored the building, preserving its history and creating a place of wonder.

Indulging in the delicacies at Miyahara (宮原眼科) is like immersing oneself in the richness of Taiwanese culture. Traditional desserts like pineapple cakes, sun cakes, and almond and date candy are not only flavorful but also steeped in history. The cute wrappings for the desserts feature wise proverbs, making them great conversation starters. With over 50 flavors of high-quality ice cream made from Taiwanese fruits, chocolates from around the world, and a variety of teas, visitors can enjoy a diverse selection. Be sure to try unique options like ""The Bright Blue Sky Days"" and ""Cheers with the Past"" during your visit!"

Renovated from old residential housing, Shenji New Village in Taichung is now a vibrant creative and cultural hub where many different art studios gather and organic markets take place from time to time. This once-abandoned complex is then transformed into a warm and welcoming space.

Creativity is beyond limits at Shenji New Village. Protest Studio (抗議工作室) shout out your anger towards everything from everyday life in a cute, amusing way, which will bring a smile to your face. The owner of Carvy (刻刻) collects wood scraps and turns them into dinnerware and car stands; each piece of work is original and unique in its own way. Other creative souls include Letian Hero (樂田英雄), an expert in packaging designs, as well as Blossom (布拉瑟) whose creations are inspired by quaint window grills. Visit Shenji New Village and see how new and old meet and coexist in harmony.

On weekends, you will often find eco-markets selling everything from organic produce to handmade arts and craft. As National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, CMP Park Lane, Zhongxing First Lane and Calligraphy Greenway surrounded by a multitude of cafés are all in proximity, Shenji New Village is still rapidly growing in popularity with locals and tourists alike.

One of the must-visit attractions in Taichung is the Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地), where the beautiful sunset views attract tourists to linger. The sunset is the highlight, and there is even a dedicated website to check the sunrise and sunset times, as well as the tidal times, and the special ""Sky Mirror"" phenomenon that only occurs 6-7 times a month.

There is a wooden boardwalk along the way to the wetlands, where a rich intertidal ecology is hidden underneath. It's important to check the opening hours of the boardwalk in advance and join a guided tour to gain a better understanding of the wetlands' history. The area used to be the Gaomei Beach, but as Taichung Port opened, the beach gradually silted up, leading to a decline in visitors. Eventually, it had to be closed, but the sediment buildup ultimately created the ecologically rich Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地) we see today.

Combined with the river mouth marshland, it has nurtured a rich and complex wetland ecology. Due to the diverse terrain, the ecological species are also quite complex, including birds, fish, crabs, and other invertebrates. Every autumn and winter, large numbers of migratory birds come here, adding different ecological features to the Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地) and making it a new base for birdwatchers.

In addition to driving, there are also public transportation options to reach this place. However, for a more flexible itinerary or to arrange a day trip to Taichung, hiring a private car for travel is also a good option!

Officially, Wuling Farm is located in Taichung; however, if you dare to drive from the city of Taichung, it will take you more than five hours through mountains to reach the farm. A better way out? Kick off your journey from Yilan, and in two hours’ time, you will find yourself standing at the altitude of more than 2000 meters. A visit to the higher elevations can be a pleasant getaway from the subtropical climate down below. Here at Wuling Farm, no matter the season, you can expect a pleasant temperature never exceeding 20⁰C. For many tourists who come to Taiwan, experiencing the country’s beautiful flowers is high on the to-do list. Every spring, this farm is alive with cherry blossoms, while it is abundant with the stunning cosmos flowers in September and drenched in maple flowers in November, when loads of people flock here to appreciate the beauty of nature. When the weather is fair, you might even get to see the orographic clouds tumbling down the top of the mountain like a waterfall as the cotton-like thick haze completely blankets the mountain — this spectacular scene is believed to be the one thing that you must witness once in your life. As the view is grand in spring, large crowds often flock to the farm when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. To ensure the quality of your visit, an entry cap on tourists entering the farm and the surrounding traffic control might be implemented. In that case, taking some specific public transportation will be the only way to reach the farm in peak season. You may visit their official website to find out more details.

As a part of the Shei-Pa National Park, Wuling Farm offers guests a wide variety of accommodation options from campsites (which need to be reserved in advance) to chalets and hotels. If you decide to stay in a hotel, just so you know you will be experiencing the performances by a live symphony orchestra as well as going on a guided tour under the stars. The national park supports a rich and diverse living community from Formosan landlocked salmon to insects and amphibians. What’s worth noting is the Taoshan Waterfall that all overnight visitors come and take in some negative ions to refresh their bodies and souls in the morning. The waterfall is 4.3 kilometers away from the entrance, and the round trip will take about three hours or so.

For every die-hard hiker out there, Wuling Farm will be a perfect base for exploring its surroundings. Within the Shei-Pa National Park, there are loads of hiking routes that can take a few days to cover, including Snow Mountain (the second highest peak in Taiwan) and four other well-known peaks that make the list of the 100 Mountains of Taiwan (all over 3,000 meters above sea level), and all these entrances happen to be located within Wuling Farm. It is highly recommended to stay a night at the farm before you embark on your hiking adventure of a lifetime!

Located in the city of Taichung, National Museum of Natural Science covers a vast area of 89,000m² and is large complex of six separate venues, including Space IMAX Theater, Science Center, Life Science Hall, Human Culture Hall, Global Environment Hall and Botanical Garden. There are over 30 permanent exhibition areas where diverse subjects like astronomy, physics, earth science, paleontology, zoology, botany and anthropology are explored. As a learning facility, a place for discovery and self-exploration, National Museum of Natural Science also offers hands-on experiences for kids and adults alike. It attracts more than three million visitors each year, of which approximately a half million of them are schoolchildren.

The Science Center aims to teach physics and chemistry in the most engaging way possible. The ultimate goal is to arouse the interest of young people for science, and even parents can join in the fun of science. A visit to the Life Science Hall will help you better understand the evolution of our world in context over a time span from the age of dinosaurs to the age of man. In the Dinosaur Gallery, you will find more than 50 different kinds of fossils and replicas as well as four life-size and lifelike animatronic dinosaurs that always generate great interest and excitement. Finally, the Human Culture Hall offers an insightful look into Chinese medicine, technology, agricultural and spiritual life, for visitors to learn from the wisdom and knowledge of ancestors.

The National Taichung Theater (NTT) is a large-scale public performing arts venue situated within the Seventh Redevelopment Zone of Xitun District in Taichung City.

The building was designed by the renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, a recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. The opera house features a unique structural design, housing three professional theaters inside, along with a multi-functional space known as the "Corner Salon."

Beyond its professional indoor facilities, the theater's overall design seamlessly integrates the external environment. Outdoor spaces include a public plaza, an outdoor theater, and a rooftop garden. This expansive planning ensures that the theater's functions are not confined to the interior; its scope extends from within the building out to the grounds and up to the rooftop, providing diverse spaces for performances and events.