Taichung spreads out, so the trick is to group things. The old town around Taichung Station has Miyahara; the new city around City Hall has the opera house; the West District has the art museum, the greenway and Shenji New Village; Fengjia is a night out on its own; and Gaomei Wetlands is a trip out to the coast for the sunset. Here is where to start.
Only a few days? Start with Only in Taichung: the things to do while you're here, from a wetland sunset to a sun cake.
The five places we send everyone first
Ask the locals we know what a first-timer should see, and these five come up every time. Between them you get the coast, the old town, a night market, a landmark building and the city's creative side.
- SunsetGaomei WetlandsTidal flats, a long boardwalk and wind turbines on the coast. The boardwalk follows the tide.
- SweetsMiyaharaA 1927 eye clinic by Taichung Station, now ice cream, chocolates and pastries.
- Night marketFengjia Night MarketA whole district of food stalls and shops by Feng Chia University.
- ArchitectureNational Taichung TheaterToyo Ito's curving building, with design shops and a garden on the roof.
- NeighborhoodShenji New VillageOld government dormitories turned into small shops, cafes and weekend markets.
Museums, parks and the painted village
Two national museums, the city's oldest park and a painted village: the next things to add once you have done the five.
- MuseumNational Museum of Natural ScienceTaiwan's first science museum, with a botanical garden and its glasshouse.
- MuseumNational Taiwan Museum of Fine ArtsThe national art museum, open since 1988, with a garden outside.
- ParkTaichung ParkThe city's oldest park, with a lake and its pavilion from 1908.
- Street artRainbow VillageThe houses Huang Yung-fu, Rainbow Grandpa, began painting in 2008.
Food, temples and the rest
Night markets every evening, temples open from early morning, ballgames, shows and shopping: the guides that cover the whole city.
- Start hereOnly in TaichungThe things to do while you're here, Jason's five first.
- FoodNight marketsFengjia, Yizhong Street and the other markets, and which night to go.
- TemplesTemplesTaichung's temples and how to visit them.
- MuseumsMuseumsThe national museums and the smaller ones worth a visit.
- Green spaceParks and greenwaysTaichung Park, the Calligraphy Greenway and more open space.
- After darkShows and concertsWhat is on, where, and how to get tickets.
- CalendarFestivals and eventsThe year in Taichung, month by month.
- ShoppingShoppingDepartment stores, design shops and souvenirs.
- Game nightBaseballCatching a professional game in Taichung.
Good to know: the National Taichung Theater and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts both close on Mondays. Miyahara, Fengjia Night Market and Gaomei Wetlands are open, so they make a good Monday.
→ Ready-made itineraries · A rainy day in Taichung · Getting around · Neighborhoods · Day trips
Sources
Hours, closed days and history on this page come from the guides linked above, each of which names its official sources: for the museums, park and village cards, Taichung Tourism (National Museum of Natural Science), Taichung Tourism (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts), Taichung Tourism (Taichung Park) and Taichung Tourism (Rainbow Village). Checked October 2026.