Looking for what to do in Taichung? You’ve come to the right place. Taichung was part of our 3-week Taiwan itinerary right after Chiayi – and what a pleasant surprise it was. We knew little about the city but left feeling it’s one of those places where life moves slowly yet is full of color, creativity, and flavor.
As one of Taiwan’s largest cities, as you might imagine, there’s plenty to see, do, and taste in Taichung. From local markets to ultra-modern cultural spaces, peaceful parks, alleys with urban art, and shops that are true treasures for those who enjoy discovering the more alternative side of every place. If you’re planning your Taiwan trip and wondering what to do in Taichung, stay right here – we have suggestions for all tastes.
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How many days to stay in Taichung?
We stayed 3 nights and found it was the perfect amount of time to explore the city without rushing. Of course, if you have more time, there’s always more to do in Taichung – especially if you enjoy local culture and street food.
Where to stay in Taichung?
Choosing the right area to stay makes all the difference, especially in a city with so much to offer. We’ve compiled our suggestions in a complete guide to the best neighborhoods and accommodations in Taichung – take a look to find what suits you best.
What to do in Taichung
Taichung is one of those cities that surprises – modern, creative, and full of life. As one of Taiwan’s largest cities, there’s so much to explore and discover. If you’re looking for suggestions on what to do in Taichung, here’s our list of places we visited that we think are truly worth knowing, along with the neighborhoods where they’re located.
Museums & Culture
Central Bookstore
One of Taichung’s most traditional bookstores, perfect for those who enjoy losing time among books and stationery items. The building has several floors, with a café on one level where you can take a peaceful break. Beyond books, you’ll also find writing supplies and even a mailbox where you can send postcards directly from the store. Learn more about Central Bookstore Taichung here.
National Taiwan Museum of Comics
If you’re a fan of comics and animation, there’s no better thing to do in Taichung than visit this museum. Beyond its comprehensive collection that offers great insight into Taiwanese pop culture, the buildings housing it are stunning. Surrounding gardens, cafés and restaurants make the exterior worth exploring too.
Painted Animation Lane
We read mixed reviews before going, but we really enjoyed it. It’s a street with vibrant murals of animation characters – Totoro included, of course. When we visited, it was completely empty, which made the experience even more special. For animation lovers, it’s a curious and very photogenic corner.
Shopping & Entertainment
Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport
A massive shopping mall with everything you could imagine: stores, restaurants, entertainment. We went there because we needed to refresh our wardrobe (traveling with small luggage has its challenges), and ended up spending quite some time there.
Top City Taichung
If you enjoy modern shopping malls, your Taichung itinerary must include a visit to Top City. This mall is enormous, packed with international stores, diverse dining options, and a sophisticated atmosphere. We ended up going to our usual favorite – Din Tai Fung – and as always, it didn’t disappoint. An experience that combines the best of Taiwanese food with that touch of elegance.
Eslite Spectrum Taichung 480
This isn’t just a bookstore. It’s a true concept store, with reading spaces, art, fashion, and even food. The curation is so tasteful that you’ll want to take half the store home with you. We spent more time here than we planned – there’s always another section to explore. One of those places where you go in to “just take a quick look” and come out with bags and new ideas. Learn more about Eslite Spectrum Taichung 480 here.
DON DON DONKI – Taichung Tiger City Branch
You know that Japanese classic where everything seems useful, colorful, or simply irresistible? Well, your Taichung experience should include a visit to DON DON DONKI, which is exactly that and more. In Taichung, you’ll find a huge store right next to Tiger City Mall. Whenever we find one of these stores, we know we’ll come out with snacks, gadgets, or things we didn’t know we needed.
Art and Creativity
Shenji New Village (審計新村)
A former industrial site turned creative hub. Packed with little shops, cafés, and artist studios. When we visited, there was a local creative market happening — the kind where you feel like buying everything!
Green Ray Lab
A creative space where local brands, cafés, and artists share a laid-back, stylish environment. We had some of the best fried dumplings we’ve had in a long time there.
PARK2 Caowu Square
An open-air art center with exhibitions, performances, and a cactus-decorated garden that won us over. There are cafés, shops, and restaurants. We hung out there for a bit but resisted the ice cream — we had plans to try a more famous one later. Check out the Park2 schedule here.
Park Lane by CMP
Things to do in Taichung include visiting this modern mall where fashion, food, and art come together. We stopped by just to look for a café, but since nothing caught our eye, we headed to another one we had already planned to visit (and that was recommended!).
UpToy 潮玩旗艦店
If you’re into pop culture, you’ll love this place. It has a huge collection of toys and action figures. Upstairs there’s a café and a space where you can leave love note-style messages — we loved the idea!
Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park
What to do in Taichung includes visiting this former railway area, now transformed into a cultural park full of history and nostalgia. You’ll find old train cars, wooden structures, information panels, and even modern art installations scattered throughout the space. It’s one of those places that blends the past with the present, perfect for a leisurely stroll and some vintage-style photos.
National Taichung Theater
One of the most surprising places in Taichung was the National Taichung Theater, not just for its impressive architecture but for everything around it. The surrounding area (Xitun) is modern, full of new buildings, with wide and organized avenues – a huge contrast to the more chaotic and traditional city center. Here, it was easy to walk around without motorcycles weaving between pedestrians, with space to breathe and appreciate the city. The neighborhood around the theater feels almost like a different Taichung, with sophisticated cafes, design stores, and a cosmopolitan vibe we didn’t expect to find. It’s worth taking time to explore the area slowly and absorb this more contemporary side of the city. Check here for more about the National Taichung Theater’s program.
Parks and Outdoor Areas
Taichung Park
One of the best things to do in Taichung is visiting one of the city’s most iconic parks. We went there at night, and the reflection of the bridges and the central building on the lake created a magical atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that invites you to stop and soak in the moment.
Liuchuan Riverside Walk
A riverside path right in the heart of the city. It’s one of those spots perfect for a slow stroll, with lovely views and a peaceful vibe. We used part of the walk to get to the West District.
Markets and Food: Where to Eat in Taichung
If there’s one thing Taichung doesn’t lack, it’s good food. The city has a vibrant food scene, where traditional Taiwanese flavors meet Japanese influences, creative dishes, and a youthful energy that you feel on every corner. From markets to specialty cafés, street stalls to historic restaurants, you can taste a bit of everything — always with a special touch that makes the experience unique.
Besides that, Taichung has an amazing café culture. It’s a city that takes its coffee seriously: from locally roasted artisan beans to beautifully designed cafés where you’ll want to sit and write postcards or just watch the world go by. If you love exploring through food (like we do), here are some of our favorite places to eat, markets, and spots to grab coffee in Taichung:
Taichung Second Market
A traditional market where you’ll find everything: fresh food, local products, and even a few craft stalls. If we had passed by around lunchtime, we would have eaten there without thinking twice. If you’re into markets, make sure to add this one to your list of things to do in Taichung.
Feng Jia Night Market
This is one of the largest night markets in Taiwan and it stretches across several streets, packed with food stalls, clothes, and pretty much anything you can imagine. We arrived in the late afternoon, and things were still warming up — which actually felt great: less crowded, more space to explore. But you could already feel that buzzing night market energy building up. If you want to experience the true vibe of Taiwanese night markets, this is one of the best places to do it.
Yizhong Street Night Market
One of the top things to do in Taichung is to visit this vibrant night market. There’s everything here — street food, clothes, accessories, shops, and restaurants. We ended up having dinner at one of them, and we didn’t regret it at all!
Coffee Again Roastery (咖啡再來烘焙館)
This was the first place we had coffee in Taichung, and it set the bar high. It’s a cozy spot, focused on artisanal roasting and brewing methods that really bring out each bean’s flavor. The service was super friendly, and it was such a great way to start the day.
Chun Shui Tang Original Store (春水堂創始店)
This is the place to try the famous bubble tea. It’s said that pearl tea was born here, and honestly, it’s worth the visit. The space is traditional and welcoming, and besides tea, they also serve delicious Taiwanese meals. We had dinner here and loved it.
MATA Tofu Pudding (甜點 山海豆花 台中審計新村)
We’d been wanting to try tofu pudding for ages, and this was the perfect place — definitely one to add to your list of what to do in Taichung. It’s not too sweet, but super light, fresh, and delicate — ideal for a snack after exploring the creative area around it.
Dumpling Lab｜Green Ray Project 2F (製餃研所｜綠光計畫 2F)
We stumbled across this place while wandering through Green Ray Lab. It had a small terrace and the irresistible smell of pan-fried dumplings. We stopped — and what a lucky find! They were some of the best dumplings we’ve had recently, with creative, well-seasoned fillings.
Charm Coffee Roastery (魅力咖啡烘焙館)
Another amazing spot for coffee lovers looking to try something different. You won’t find espresso here — they only serve alternative methods like V60 or syphon. It pushed us out of our comfort zone and led us to discover truly unique flavors, including sparkling coffee.
Miyahara / Fourth Credit Union (宮原眼科／第四信用合作社)
A must-see classic in Taichung. This place used to be an ophthalmology clinic and is now an impressive shop filled with sweets, chocolates, and ice cream. The interior looks straight out of a period movie, and the ice cream — we went for pistachio and salted caramel — was absolutely next level.
Takumiya Osaka Ramen (大阪拓海家拉麵)
We stumbled upon this restaurant after a walk through Yizhong Street Night Market. We were planning to try some street food, but this place was packed so we gave it a try — and it was such a great decision. Delicious Japanese curry, rich in flavor and super comforting.
Din Tai Fung Taichung Branch
Taiwan is synonymous with xiaolongbao, and whenever we talk about these delicate soup dumplings, we can’t skip Din Tai Fung. Although the original branch in Taipei — the Michelin-starred one — now only offers takeaway, we took the chance to try the Taichung branch and couldn’t have been happier. The service is still top-notch, with attentive and friendly staff, and the dumplings are as high-quality as those in the best restaurants in the world. If you want to taste authentic xiaolongbao, this is the place to go.
Rec Coffee
Imagine a Japanese-style café on the 26th floor of a skyscraper, with breathtaking views over Taichung. That’s what you’ll find at Rec Coffee — and it’s something you definitely need to add to your list of things to do in Taichung. The space is minimalist, filled with natural light and comfy chairs, perfect for relaxing or getting some work done while sipping a high-quality coffee. When you arrive at the building, someone from REC COFFEE is at the entrance to guide you to the elevator.
Tips for exploring Taichung
- Getting to Taichung by train: We used local trains, but you also have the option of high-speed trains. Just keep in mind there are two different stations depending on the train type.
- Getting around the city: To explore Taichung, you can use buses or Uber. The existing metro isn’t very helpful for reaching the main attractions.
- Best time to visit: The best time to explore Taichung is during spring and autumn, when the weather is milder and perfect for outdoor activities.
- Explore by bike: Taichung is a bike-friendly city with several cycling paths. Rent a bike and explore the parks and quieter neighborhoods at your own pace.
- Mobile data: Use Holafly mobile data to stay connected throughout your trip.
- Travel insurance: We recommend getting travel insurance from Heymondo for added peace of mind during your stay.
- Street food at markets: Don’t miss the chance to try delicious street food at night markets like Feng Jia Night Market, where you can sample everything from quick bites to local specialties.
