As Taiwan’s second-largest city, Taichung thrums with vibrant culture. Its biggest claims to fame include the kaleidoscopic Rainbow Village, a social media favorite; the bustling Fengjia Night Market, where you can find local delicacies such as stinky tofu; and the National Museum of Natural Science, where exhibits cover everything from astronomy to Taiwanese Indigenous groups. But things to do in Taichung don’t stop at culture; natural highlights include the Gaomei Wetlands, one of the country’s best bird-watching spots, and Guguan Hot Spring with its mineral-enriched water.
Taichung’s subtropical climate means it can experience high humidity and heavy downpours, so time your visit for spring (March–May) or fall (October–December), when temperatures are cooler and there’s a lower chance of rain. For the ultimate dose of flower power, visit Taichung in November or December for the Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival to see thousands of flowers bloom in the Xinshe District.
Taichung has a mass rapid service called the MRT, with one line (the Green Line) that runs between Beitun Main Station and HSR Taichung Station. You can access it using single-journey tickets or a rechargeable card, both available at station machines. Eating, drinking, and chewing gum are prohibited on the subway. Another way to explore the city is via the YouBike 2.0 public bikesharing system.
Thanks to its location in central Taiwan, Taichung is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring Sun Moon Lake, one of the few natural lakes on the island. Here, vivid turquoise lagoons are fringed by gently sloping green hills studded with temples. You can follow forested paths, cycle around the perimeter, ride the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, or cruise on a boat.
