Top 9 Things to do in Taichung

Quick question – name one city in Taiwan. Taipei will probably be the first to come to mind, and maybe even the only place you’ll think about. Known around the world for its sprawling night markets, buzzing club scene, and iconic monuments like Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world, it’s no surprise 7.5 million tourists visited the capital city last year.

Taichung is another Taiwanese city with a slightly different flavour. An hour south of Taipei via the High Speed Rail, Taichung doesn’t have the manic energy of Taipei. It doesn’t even have a subway network. So, why is it a still a big attraction for many tourists? Here are 9 things you can do there that might just convince you:

Fine dining in Taichung is something that every visitor needs to experience. Taichung is home to Le Mout, which is one of the two restaurants in Taiwan that made it onto the 2016 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. The contemporary French establishment snagged 30th place on the list, and offers one of the best wine lists on the island of Taiwan. However, if you’re not looking to burn a hole in your pocket, there are plenty of cheap eateries in Taichung that could still keep your belly happy.

From street stalls selling Taiwan’s much loved fried chicken, to outdoor markets selling barbecued octopus, to noodle stands selling Taiwan’s signature beef noodles; there is food everywhere you turn. Japanese ramen stalls and curry houses are also scattered across the city.

While Taipei is home to clubs that never sleep, Taichung is home to night markets that stay open till dawn. Countless food stands perfume the air with the aroma of noodles, desserts and everything barbecued. Taichung is also a perfect place to sample some refreshing bubble tea, since it was the place the popular drink was invented. And if you’re looking for something truly unique, how does a giant ball of cotton candy shaped like a duck sound?

There are also game booths, where the kids can throw darts, shoot basketballs, or even play a game of mah-jong to win stuffed toys. Vendors spread across the market sell a wide range of wares, including clothes, accessories and toys, all of which you can bargain for.

One of Taichung’s most famous markets is the Feng Chia Night Market, which is open every night, and is visited by locals and tourists alike.

Taiwan may be famous for hot springs, but the Guguan hot springs in Taichung tell a special story. There is a widely believed tale that a soak in the waters helped Japan’s Emperor Meiji and his wife bear a son.

Guguan is about two hours away from Taichung, so you can even choose to spend a night at one of the resort hotels, which have their own hot spring pools.

An hour from Taichung’s city centre lie the Gaomei wetlands, which are south of the mouth of the Dajia river. A perfect spot for bird-watching or enjoying the sunset, visitors can also head to the boardwalk to look at the birds, crabs and other wildlife. At the end of the boardwalk, you can also kick off your shoes, and wade into the shallow water.

The location is also a brilliant backdrop for photographs, with giant wind-power generators lining the other side of the wetlands. Should you want to do some shopping, there are street hawkers near the boardwalk entrance who sell hot squid balls, locally grown mushrooms and other produce.