Taichung is one of those cities that quietly surprises you. Often skipped in favor of Taipei or Kaohsiung, it turned out to be one of my favorite stops in Taiwan. With green spaces, creative neighborhoods, night markets, and easy day trips, Taichung offers the perfect balance between city life and nature. In this guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Taichung, how many days you need, how to get there, and how to get around, all based on our personal experience to help you plan your trip with confidence.
Why Visit Taichung?
Taichung feels more relaxed than Taipei but still has plenty to offer. During our time there, we noticed how walkable and live the city feels, with parks, cafés, and cultural spots spread throughout. Moreover, the weather is often sunnier, and the pace of life is slower, which makes it ideal if you want to explore without rushing.
If you enjoy architecture, food, sunsets, and creative spaces, Taichung should definitely be on your Taiwan itinerary.
How many days in Taichung
From our experience, spending 2 to 3 days in Taichung works really well. If you have just two days, we’d focus on the city highlights: the parks, interesting architecture, and, of course, the lively night markets. With three days, you can also add Gaomei Wetlands and even plan a day trip to Sun Moon Lake.
We didn’t manage to make it to Sun Moon Lake ourselves, but we’ve heard it’s incredible and it’s definitely a highlight. If you have extra time, it’s worth going, and honestly, it gives us a perfect reason to come back and explore it properly next time.
Overall, this pace lets you enjoy the city without feeling rushed, while leaving a little flexibility if you want to fit in some extra experiences.
How to get to Taichung
Getting to Taichung is very easy, and there are a few options depending on where you’re coming from. We actually took a direct bus from Taipei Airport, which was convenient and straightforward.
If you prefer, you can also take the High-Speed Rail (HSR): from Taipei it takes about an hour, and from Kaohsiung it’s roughly the same. Once you arrive at Taichung HSR Station, it’s easy to connect to the city using local trains or buses.
How to get around Taichung
We stayed right in the city center, so a lot of attractions were close by. For us, walking was the easiest way to see the city. It can get tiring, but walking lets you notice the little details, discover hidden streets, and enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace.
Some places were farther away, so we used public transport when we needed it. Buses and taxis are easy to use, and YouBike, the city’s bike-sharing system, is great for short trips or exploring parks and green areas.
Even though we used buses sometimes, most of the time it just made sense to walk. We ended up walking quite a lot, and it was tiring at times, but it’s honestly one of the best ways to see Taichung properly.
Best things to do in Taichung
If you want to see what this area looks like in real life, we also shared a short video on Instagram showing the atmosphere and the views.
🌳 Taichung Park
Located right in the city center, Taichung Park is a great place to slow down. We loved starting our mornings here, watching locals walk, exercise, or simply relax by the lake. It’s an easy stop and a nice contrast to the busy streets nearby.
🏛 National Taichung Theater
This is one of the most impressive buildings I visited in Taiwan. The architecture is futuristic and unique, even if you don’t go to a show. Walking inside feels like being in an art installation, and it’s completely free to explore.
🎨 Rainbow Village
Although small, Rainbow Village is colorful and full of character. It’s a quick visit, but it makes for great photos and shows a different, creative side of Taichung.
🍜 Fengjia Night Market
You can’t leave Taichung without visiting Fengjia Night Market. It’s one of the biggest in Taiwan and full of street food options. I recommend coming hungry and trying a bit of everything.
🛍 Yizhong Street Night Market
Yizhong Street Night Market is smaller than Fengjia but has its own charm. We loved wandering through the streets, trying local snacks, and checking out the shops. It’s especially great if you’re looking for a more relaxed night market experience compared to the bigger, busier Fengjia.
The atmosphere is lively but manageable, and you can find everything from street food like fried chicken and bubble tea to trendy fashion stores and quirky souvenirs. We spent a fun evening here, tasting different snacks and just soaking up the local vibes, it’s a perfect spot if you want a taste of Taichung life without feeling overwhelmed.
🚂 Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park
We really enjoyed walking around Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park. It’s one of those places where you don’t need a plan, you just walk, look around, and take it slow. The old station area has been turned into a cultural space, and it still feels very connected to the city’s railway history.
Some of the old trains have been renovated and turned into cafés, which we found really charming. Sitting inside a train carriage with a coffee felt different and fun, and it’s a nice break from the busier parts of the city. We spent some time just wandering around, taking photos, and enjoying the atmosphere.
It’s close to Taichung Station and easy to fit into your itinerary, especially if you enjoy slower walks and places with a bit of character.
🌅 Gaomei Wetlands
Watching the sunset at Gaomei Wetlands is one of the most peaceful things to do in Taichung. The wooden boardwalk, the reflections on the water, and the wide open sky create a calm, almost cinematic atmosphere. There for, it’s best to visit on a clear day so you can make the best of your time and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
☕ Miyahara Ice Cream
Miyahara Ice Cream is very popular in Taichung, and while it’s known for its beautiful building, it can also get quite busy and a bit pricey. If you’re curious, it’s still worth a quick stop to see the architecture.
That said, Taichung has plenty of smaller, local cafés and dessert spots that feel more relaxed and just as enjoyable. Wandering around nearby streets and finding a quieter café can be a great alternative if you prefer something less touristy.
🚲 Day Trip to Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is often mentioned as one of the best day trips from Taichung, and for good reason. It’s easy to reach and offers a peaceful escape into nature. You can bike around the lake, walk along the shore, or simply enjoy the views.
If you happen to have extra time beyond the main 2–3 day itinerary, a day trip to Sun Moon Lake is a great possibility. It’s a beautiful spot to slow down and experience the scenery, but for most visitors, the activities in Taichung itself already fill two to three days nicely.
One Last Tip from a Full-Time Traveler
If you try to see everything at once, it can get really tiring, and you might not enjoy it as much. One thing I always do is mark all the attractions on Google Maps or any map app, just to see which spots are close to each other. It helps plan your route, manage your time, and make sure you don’t spend half the day moving from one place to another.
Another tip I’ve learned over time is to check reviews before heading to a place. Sometimes a spot looks like a huge highlight, like that famous ice cream café, it can end up being very touristy and a bit pricey. When your time is limited, google reviews are a great way to decide if a place is really worth visiting or if you’d be better off exploring something else nearby.
Even with a plan, you’ll still walk a lot, and the day can disappear in a blink. That’s why pacing yourself and picking what really interests you makes the trip more enjoyable.
And if you want to explore Taiwan beyond Taichung, you can check out our full two-week Taiwan itinerary here for more ideas and inspiration.
