A Day trip to Taichung

Crowd gathered at the end of Kaomei Wetland promenade in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
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Taichung is situated in the middle of Taiwan, a denoted by its name in Chinese. Apart from the city center, there’s a lot of things to do in the Taichung area, such as Kaomei Wetland and hiking up the nearby Yuan Zui mountain. If you are around Taichung and has a car (or wouldn’t mind hiring a driver for one day), here’s my one-day itinerary recommendation. If you want to do a longer trip, here’s a longer itinerary.

Contents

Ho-Fon Bikeway

Map of Ho Fon Bikeway in Taichung, Taiwan - Laugh Travel Eat
Map of Ho Fon Bikeway (can be seen along the bike route)

Start the day off with some sport by cycling along the Ho Fon Bikeway. This stretch of 4.5km road dedicated for biking is converted from an abandoned railway, spanning 1.2km of tunnel and 380m of bridge. The tunnel, called Number 9 Tunnel, was built in 1908, hand dug by workers to transport timbers down from the mountain. It was abandoned when a new railway was constructed, and along the tunnel, there are photos depicting the history and construction of this tunnel.

Bike rental for Ho Fon Bikeway in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Bike rental place!

We rented our bikes from Mujiang Bike, which is at the start of the Ho Fon Bikeway. Single bikes are 150-200 NTB, and during weekdays you can also hire a family bike which can seat 4 (1200NTB). It is not available during weekends because of traffic on the bikeway. If you fancy a longer ride, you can head to the other direction of Ho Fon Bikeway and opt for Tong Fung Green Bikeway (東豐綠色走), which is 12km long.

Bike posing in the middle of Ho Fon Bikeway in Taichung | Laugh Travel Eat
Got my bike and ready to go!

We only did a short bike ride across the bridge and till the end of the tunnel and back, so we have time to complete the rest of our day.

Suspension bridge on part of the Ho Fon Bikeway in Taichung | Laugh Travel Eat
Suspension bridge on part of the Ho Fon Bikeway
Entrance to the Number 9 Tunnel on Ho Fon Bikeway, Taichung | Laugh Travel Eat
Ready to head into the No. 9 Tunnel!
Interior of Number 9 Tunnel with light on Ho Fon Bikeway, Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
The tunnel is well-lit and very airy

Bike Rental Address: 42142, Taiwan, Taichung City, Fengyuan District, Section 3, Guofeng Rd

Tai’an Old Railway Station

Outside Tia'an station in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Outside the station

Tai’an Old Railway Station is an abandoned station due to switching of the train line (note that there is a new Tia’an station and should not be confused with that one). The old line stopped running in 1998, and the station has been abandoned until a sight-seeing train was established in 2010.

Wooden Tia'an station sign hanging on the platform Taichung Taiwan - Laugh Travel Eat
Love the wooden station sign on the platform

It is a perfect location for a photo shoot as you don’t need to worry about a train coming in, and the rail looks very picturesque with trees lining along the edge. There were 3 couples doing wedding shoots when I arrived!

wing at empty railways at Tia'an station Taichung Taiwan - Laugh Travel Eat
Plenty of opportunity for photos!

Station Address: No. 52, Fuxing Rd, Houli District, Taichung City, Taiwan 421

Taichung Flower Market

For those who want some pretty photos with flowers, you have come to the right place. There is an admission fee of 120NTB per person, and you can then take photos to your heart’s content.

tacky entrance to flower market in Taichung Taiwan - Laugh Travel Eat
Unimpressed by the tacky entrance

Depending on the season, different flowers will be on display.

pink and purple flower field at Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Pink and purple flowers!
Pretending to play piano on the flower field in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Lavender field with a (fake) piano
sitting on a swing in the middle of red flower field in Taichung Taowam | Laugh Travel Eat
Swing in the middle of red flowers

Side note: Personally, I would give this a miss and spend more time cycling at the first stop

Address: No. 469-13, Sanfeng Rd, Houli District, Taichung City, Taiwan 421

Longteng Bridge (officially Yutengping Bridge)

The Longteng Bridge is considered to be the jewel of Taiwan railway construction. Built in 1907, the bridge was constructed in red brick and was considered the most architecturally sound bridge until the earthquake at 1935 destroyed it.

northern ruin of the Longteng bridge in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
The northern part of the ruin

The bridge was left in ruin after the earthquake, and a new bridge was built west of the bridge. The ruins are located either side of the river, and the northern ruin is kept in better condition, as well as closer to the main road.

Map on the side of the road showing where the ruin of Lonteng bridge are with English add in Taiching Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Map on the side of the road showing where the ruin of the bridge are

The southern ruin is just 5 minutes’ walk across the river, and tends to be less crowded than the northern one.

Climbing up half way up a tree on one of the Longteng Bridge ruin in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
For the brave soul out there, do climb higher than me (the tree is very stable with a lot of foothold)
Southern ruin of Longten bridge covered by vegetation Taichung taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
This side is covered by vegetation
Looking back from the southern ruin to the north side across the river of Longteng Bridge in Taichung Taiwan - Laugh Travel Eat
Looking back from the southern ruin to the north side across the river

Address: 367, Taiwan, Miaoli County, Sanyi Township, 龍騰村

Lunch at Gold List Noodle Place (金榜麵館)

First of all, the English name is a literal translation I did, and if you don’t know Chinese, it might be better to avoid this place as the order form for food is Chinese only. However, they do have excellent beef noodles, and if you do set your heart on sampling it, tick the one that says 牛肉麵.

Beef noodles at Gold List Noodle Place in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Steaming pot of beef noodles (NOM)

If you are craving a drink but want fresh tea instead of soft drinks, head down 2 stores to the boba/ bubble tea place!

Bubble tea place in Taichung Taiwan| Laugh Travel Eat
Bubble tea place just two stores down the road

Address: No. 170-7, Zhongzheng Rd, Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan 367

Taichung City Seaport Art Center

Entrance sign of Taichung City Seaport Art Center Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Entrance sign

This stop was put in so we don’t arrive at the next stop (Kaomei Wetland) too early. The buildings are quite pretty and it’s a good toilet break as well as a photo opportunity. There are a lot of exhibition spaces, and you can check their official website to see if they have anything on at the moment: https://www.tcsac.gov.tw/English/Exhibit/ExhibttList.aspx

Fountain- lake area in the Taichung City Seaport Art Center Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Inside the Seaport Art Center

Address: No. 21, Zhongzhen Rd, Qingshui District, Taichung City, Taiwan 436

Kaomei Wetland

This is one of my favourite sights (tie with the Ho Fon Bikeway). Funnily enough, it used to be a sea-bathing center back when Japanese occupied Taiwan. Nowadays, the wetland is famous for the variety of wildlife inhabiting the space, especially during the migration seasons, it is heaven for birdwatchers and photographer. I strongly recommend coming at sunset, as the reflection of colour on the water is amazing.

Walking out to the promenade of Kaomei Wetland in Taichung Taiwan - Laugh Travel Eat
The promenade extend out into the sea, stretching over the wetland area
Photo with mudskipper statue at Kaomei Wetland, Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Photo with the mudskipper that can be found in the wetland

The promenade is divided into zones whereby you can observe different species in each zone. The first zone consists of fiddler crab (note the 2 different species!). Male fiddler crab is characterized by their asymmetric claws: their main claw is oversize and often as large as their body.

Fiddler crab at Kaomei wetland in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
They are so adorable and cute

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any picture of the mudskipper at their zone, but I did spot some birds far out into the distance at the next zone for bird watching.

Birds at the Kaomei wetland in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
You can just about see the butt of the birds!

At the end of the promenade, you can get down into the water and wet your feet a little. You can place your shoes on the promenade and get down (but do keep your personal belongings with you). The water is shallow so if you are wearing long trousers, rolling it should suffice.

Crowd gathered at the end of Kaomei Wetland promenade in Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Group of people gathered around the point: shall I go in, or not?
Sunlight reflecting off the water at Kaomei Wetland, Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Too early for sunset, but the colour of the Sun is already beautiful!
Selfie at the Kaomei Wetland, Taichung Taiwan | Laugh Travel Eat
Selfie is good with this background too

Don’t worry about bringing a towel to dry your feet: the wind is so powerful that by the time you walk back from the promenade, your feet will be blown dry already. So bring a jacket or a jumper in case you get too cold walking along!

Note also that there’s a seaside bikeway that goes by Kaomei Wetland if you just want to visit Kaomei. Alternatively, you can book a tour if you don’t have a car.

 

Taichung is situated in the middle of Taiwan, and apart from the city center, there’s a lot of things to do in the Taichung area
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4 thoughts on “A Day trip to Taichung

  1. Jiamin says:

    Hi Nam,

    Would you be able to send me a more detailed (how to get from 1 place to the next or should I just hire a driver) 1-day or 2-days itinerary in Taichung from TaoYuan Airport?
    I am planning a trip this Nov 2017 with my family (4 pax – adults) and it is the FIRST FREE&EASY for us in Taiwan…
    I am stressed out.. hahah

    Thanks!
    Jia Min

    • Nam Cheah says:

      Hi Jia Min,

      Unfortunately, the post was guest written by my sister, and we don’t offer trip consultation or planning for free, though we do try to provide as much information as we can! The only advice I can offer you is that you DO need a car – so renting one (with or without a driver) is the best way to go.

      Hope this post have helped you!

      Nam

  2. Jv says:

    Hi! Great post! 🙂

    Can you bike around all of the places you’ve mentioned? 😀 Thanks!

    I’m a solo traveler and will spend a day in Taichung.

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