Taichung, Taiwan: travel guide
Design-led cafés, murals and gateways to lakes and mountains
Taiwan's third-largest city is its cultural powerhouse: the National Taichung Theater (Toyo Ito's crinkled cave of concrete), Rainbow Village's hand-painted murals, and the cafés of the Calligraphy Greenway have turne…
About Taichung
Taichung has built a reputation as Taiwan's most creative city, with a mild climate, wide streets and a thriving café culture. It is a good place to slow down after a few days in the northern capital.
Things to do in Taichung include the National Taichung Theater, the hand-painted Rainbow Village, the Calligraphy Greenway and busy night markets. Sun Moon Lake and the mountains of central Taiwan are within a day trip, and the city is also known for its sun cakes and bubble tea.
Taichung suits design lovers, food fans and travellers using it as a base in the west of the island. Autumn and spring are the most comfortable seasons.
- Country
- Taiwan
- Currency
- TWD
- Time zone
- Asia/Taipei
- Nearest airport
- RMQ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Taichung
Rainbow Village
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Military housing saved by veteran Huang Yung-Fu who hand-painted every surface with vivid folk-art murals. Free entry; extremely photogenic.
National Taichung Theater
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Toyo Ito's "living organism" performance hall — curving concrete caves house three theatres. Plaza free; performances ticketed.
Things to do
- Rainbow Village & Calligraphy Greenway Walk Sightseeing · 3 h · from TWD 90 per person
- Feng Chia Night Market Evening Food Tour Food Drink · 2.5 h · from TWD 450 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sun Moon Lake Full-Day Tour from Taichung 11 h · from TWD 1,200
Where to stay in Taichung
- Central / Calligraphy Greenway about TWD 2,000 per night
Taichung's cultural corridor with independent bookshops and the most café-dense street in Taiwan.
- Fengjia Night Market Area about TWD 1,000 per night
Student quarter around Taiwan's largest night market. Value hotels; ideal for foodies.
Hotels
- Hotel ONE Taichung 5-star · TWD 5,500 to TWD 18,000 per night
- Fenix Inn Taichung 3-star · TWD 2,200 to TWD 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Feng Chia Night Market taiwanese · about TWD 270 per person
- Miyahara Ice Cream taiwanese, japanese · about TWD 405 per person
Getting to Taichung
Airport: Taichung (RMQ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Scooter Rental
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Taiwan
Frequently asked questions about Taichung
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Taichung?
- The highest-rated places in our Taichung guide are National Taichung Theater, Rainbow Village.
- Where should I stay in Taichung?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Taichung: Central / Calligraphy Greenway, Fengjia Night Market Area.
- How do I get around Taichung?
- Ways to get around Taichung covered in our guide: City bus, Scooter rental, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Taichung?
- The nearest airport to Taichung has the code RMQ.