Taichung Park
A historical landmark, this beautiful 20-hectare park was designed by the Japanese in the early 1900s. The elegant wooden Japanese pavilion was a later addition – purpose-built for a visit by the Japanese prince to witness the launch of the Taiwan Railway. All around the lake, gorgeous squirrel-filled banyans offer shade to locals walking their dogs, having a picnic or catching a few winks.
Fengjia Night Market
There are many night markets throughout Taiwan, but Fengjia Night Market in Taichung is said to be the biggest. Home to an estimated 15,000 shops, restaurants, and stalls, it’s a hugely popular night market with a wide selection of food. If you had time to visit just one night market in Taichung, then Fengjia Night Market should be it.
Rainbow Village
Rainbow Village or Caihongjuan Village is another of Taichung’s most popular tourist attractions. Located in Nantun District, it’s a former military village that had deteriorated over time and was set to be demolished. Huang Yung-Fu, a former soldier of the Nationalist Kuomintang Army, refused to leave even after he was the village’s last remaining resident. He started painting colorful figures and patterns around his village which ultimately led to it being saved from demolition. Today, it receives over one million visitors annually.
Gaomei Wetlands
Beautiful wetlands teeming with life made surreal by the sight of wind turbines on the horizon. It's the prime spot for a bird-and-sunset-watching combo in the greater Taichung area. Gaomei Wetlands in Qingshui District is one of the most well-preserved wetland habitats in Taiwan. It spans over 300 hectares and is home to a diverse array of plants and animals like birds, mud-skippers, and crabs. The area is characterized by a row of giant wind turbines and an 800-meter curved boardwalk, at the end of which you can take your shoes off to walk on the soft muddy sand.
Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan's largest lake, Sun Moon Lake is located in the mountains of Nantou at the geographic center of Taiwan island. The name of the lake is inspired by the beauty of the area. The east side of the lake is round, like the sun, while the west side is long and narrow, like a crescent moon.
Qingjing Farm
Qingjing Farm is one of the most popular day trips you can make from Taichung. Located about two and a half hours east of Taichung in Ren’ai Township, Qingjing Farm is a picturesque tourist farm known for its crisp mountain air, its rolling hills, and acres of flowers. Apart from enjoying the atmosphere, tourists flock to Qingjing Farm to interact with its many farm animals like cows, sheep, and ponies.
Paochueh Temple
This Buddhist columbarium-and-temple complex has a few unusual monuments. Besides the gigantic golden laughing Buddha with oddly placed windows, you'll see an old temple enshrined inside a large new one built for the purpose of preserving the former. Near the entrance of the complex is a small graveyard with a Shinto shrine containing the bones of Japanese who died in Taiwan during WWII. Japanese diplomats come to pay their respects every year. Behind it, a pagoda commemorates 36,000 Japanese soldiers of Taiwanese descent.