Taichung - Taiwan's "Middle City" is a pleasant but not too exciting place

 


Taichung literally means "central Taiwan," often interpreted as "middle city" (similar to how "Taipei" means "northern city" and "Tainan" means "southern city"). It is the second-largest city in Taiwan, though not the most exciting. It's a pleasant place, though, with plenty of green spaces, artsy quarters, street art, modern architecture, and even lively night markets, but it lacks the vibe and energy of Taipei. Nevertheless, it’s worth a short visit. Below are the main attractions and areas of interest.

Taichung Station and its surroundings. 












Miyahara, a popular ice cream parlor in an elegant historic building. 




Shin Sei Green Waterway. 





Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard. 


















View from my hostel, located at the intersection of Taiwan Boulevard (sections 1 & 2) and Wuquan Road. 




Rainbow Village, one of Taichung's main attractions, is a bit disappointing - it's not a village, only 4 buildings. Nothing like Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, South Korea. 

















The 7th Redevelopment Zone, one of Taichung’s most upscale districts, with landmarks such as Taichung City Council, Taichung City Hall, National Taichung Theater, and top department stores, luxury residential buildings and business towers. 




















Meichuanhe'an Park. 








National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. 








Shenji New Village, a trendy cultural and creative hub featuring shops, indie cafes, and artsy spaces in repurposed old dormitory buildings. Definitely more interesting than the Rainbow Village. 

















General Sun Li-jen Memorial Hall. 



Butter Hotel - it's actually not a hotel, but a creative space and shop for "but. We love butter", a brand known for its buttery cookies. 



Cathay Financial Building and its surroundings (Taichung’s Financial District or Taichung Xitun District CBD). 








Calligraphy Greenway, a scenic urban park and pedestrian walkway, stretching from the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts to the National Museum of Natural Science. 




































Section 2, Taiwan Boulevard, until the intersection with my hostel. 












Taichung Park. 









Central District (Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, Zhonghua Road, Sanmin Road) with night markets, street food stalls, and old-school eateries. 







Yizhong Shopping District with Yizhong Street Night Market and Sanmin Road, Section 3. 












Nantou Bus Gancheng Station, with buses to Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Farm (Cingjing Farm). 






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