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Taichung

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At a glance

Country
Taiwan
Region
Central Taiwan
Population
2.8 million
Best time to go
October to April
Main airport
Taichung International (RMQ)
Coordinates
24.15°N, 120.67°E

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Overview

Taichung is Taiwan's second city by population, though it rarely feels like a big one. It has a sunny climate, wide boulevards, a lively café culture and a reputation as the birthplace of bubble tea.

Many visitors use it as a base for Sun Moon Lake and the central mountains, but the city has enough striking architecture, parks and night-market food to fill a couple of unhurried days.

Things to see

  • National Taichung Theater
    Photo: Wpcpey, CC BY 4.0

    National Taichung Theater

    Designed by Toyo Ito, its curving, cave-like interior and rooftop garden are worth seeing even without a show.

  • Rainbow Village
    Photo: Steven R. Barringer, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Rainbow Village

    A small cluster of old military houses covered in cheerful paintings by a retired veteran.

  • National Museum of Natural Science
    Photo: Ralff Nestor Nacor, CC BY-SA 4.0

    National Museum of Natural Science

    A large, family-friendly museum with dinosaurs, a botanical greenhouse and a planetarium.

    Tickets and tours
  • Miyahara
    Photo: Ralff Nestor Nacor, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Miyahara

    A former eye clinic from the Japanese era, now a grand sweet shop famous for ice cream and pineapple cakes.

Things to do

  • Eat at Fengjia Night Market
    Photo: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Eat at Fengjia Night Market

    One of Taiwan's biggest night markets, near a university and full of inventive snacks.

  • Drink bubble tea
    Photo: Battlesnake1, CC0

    Drink bubble tea

    Order a pearl milk tea in the city that claims to have invented it, then compare a few rivals.

  • Day trip to Sun Moon Lake
    Photo: Original data: ESA Copernicus Sentinel-2 Processed by Tioura, Attribution

    Day trip to Sun Moon Lake

    A mountain lake ringed by forest and temples, with cycling paths, boats and a cable car.

  • Gaomei Wetlands
    Photo: 阿爾特斯, CC BY 3.0

    Gaomei Wetlands

    Walk the boardwalk over coastal mudflats at sunset, with wind turbines lined up along the shore.

Where to stay

Getting around

Buses are cheap and cover the city, and the metro Green Line links the high-speed rail station to the north-west. Taxis are easy to find.

High-speed trains from Taipei reach Taichung station in about an hour, then a local train or bus runs into the centre.

When to go

Taichung has one of Taiwan's driest, most pleasant climates, with sunny days from October to April. Summer is hot with afternoon storms and occasional typhoons.

Plan your trip to Taichung

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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