Lukang (鹿港, also written Lugang) is an old port town in Changhua County, southwest of Taichung, that was one of the great trading ports across the Taiwan Strait in the Qing dynasty. Today it is all temples and old lanes: two of Taiwan's finest historic temples, red-brick alleys, and an old street of snack shops and craft stores. It is an easy half day, or a full one if you pair it with Changhua City on the way.
- Bus 6936 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Lukang Line from HSR Taichung Station, via Changhua Station; or the express 6936A
- Ride About 65 minutes on the 6936 and about 35 minutes on the 6936A from HSR Taichung Station, on the timetable
- Best for Temples, old streets, snacks
- Time A half day to a full day
How to get to Lukang from Taichung
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6936 (the Lukang Line)
Changhua Bus (彰化客運) runs the Lukang Line (鹿港祈福線) from HSR Taichung Station through Changhua Station and past the Bagua Mountain Great Buddha to the Lukang bus station by the old street, then on to the Taiwan Glass Museum. On the weekday timetable, buses leave the HSR station at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00, with extra runs at 11:00 and 15:00 on weekends and holidays. The 08:00 bus reaches Changhua Station at 08:27 and Lukang at 09:05.
The express 6936A
The Lukang express (鹿港祈福快線) skips Changhua City and takes the freeway: on weekdays it leaves the HSR station at 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00 (plus 08:20 on weekends and holidays) and reaches Lukang about 35 minutes later. Return buses leave the Taiwan Glass Museum at 11:00, 15:00 and 19:00 and pass Lukang about 16 minutes later. Because it runs on the freeway, no one may stand, and Changhua Bus recommends reserving a seat online.
From Taichung Station
Take a Taiwan Railway train south to Changhua, then pick up the 6936 at Changhua Station. → Getting around
On both buses, pay cash, tap an EasyCard or iPASS, or buy a ticket at the Changhua Bus counters in Changhua and Lukang. Fares are by distance.
What to see
Lukang Longshan Temple (鹿港龍山寺)
A Guanyin temple moved to this site in 1786 and named a first-class historic site in 1983. Look up in the Wumen Hall: the carved wooden ceiling above the stage dates from 1831, and Changhua County calls it the oldest preserved work of its kind in Taiwan. The 1999 earthquake badly damaged the temple, and it was carefully repaired.
- Where: No. 81, Jinmen Lane, Lukang.
- Hours: 05:00 to 21:00.
Lukang Tianhou Temple (鹿港天后宮)
Lukang's Mazu temple, moved to its present site in 1725, with its present look from a 1936 rebuild and fine stone and wood carving.
- Where: No. 430, Zhongshan Road, Lukang.
- Hours: 06:00 to 22:00.
Lukang Old Street (鹿港老街) and the lanes
The old street is Putou Street and Yaolin Street, rows of restored townhouses selling traditional pastries, snacks and crafts; Changhua County lists shop hours of about 10:00 to 18:00. It was the first area in Taiwan designated for historic preservation. Nearby, Nine Turns Lane (九曲巷, Jiuqu Lane) twists between red-brick walls, and Moru Lane (摸乳巷) is a passage so narrow that two people can barely pass.
Good to know: the temples, the old street and the lanes are all in the old town, so plan to walk between them, and check the last bus back before you set off. Weekends are much busier than weekdays.
Taiwan's temple traditions are worth reading up on before you go: Inside Tainan has a clear guide to temple culture. → Changhua City · Taichung temples · All day trips
Sources
Bus routes, stops, payment and timetables from the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle pages for the Lukang Line (6936) and its timetable, and the Lukang express (6936A) and its timetable. Temple history, addresses and hours, and the old street, from Changhua County's tourism site: Longshan Temple, Tianhou Temple, Lukang Old Street, Jiuqu Lane and Moru Lane. Checked October 2026.