Children’s Activities
Taichung is a great destination for a family holiday with attractions available to keep all ages entertained. Young visitors will love the theme parks on offer, and the city’s great weather during the high season provides excellent conditions for enjoying the park’s attractions. Taichung’s art and science museums are packed with fascinating displays and exhibits that are guaranteed to grab the attention of young ones.
 Dongshan Paradise Dongshan Paradise is a modestly-equipped amusement park offering fun for all the family. Attractions include fairground rides for children of all ages, live shows, picnic areas, hot springs and walking areas. Phone: +886 4 22391435.
 Horseback Riding Take the kids to Howli Ranch, where they can enjoy supervised fun in the saddle with no previous experience necessary. After fun with the horses, the same destination offers go-karting and picnic areas. Phone: +886 4 23226940.
 Museums The National Museum of Natural Science is a favourite with younger visitors and an ideal place for families to spend time when it’s too hot or wet to be outside. The facility has a wealth of fascinating exhibits; in particular, the kids will love the life-size, animated dinosaurs. The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts has an excellent children’s play area located upstairs and a comprehensive library downstairs with displays depicting Egyptian pyramids, rainforests, and igloos.
 Parks There are some excellent parks in Taichung where kids can enjoy greenery and open spaces, explore or play sports and games. Taichung Metropolitan Park is one of the best destinations of this nature, covering a whopping 88 hectares while the smaller Taichung Park is also notable with its boating lake and selection of walkways. The National Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Art are both set within extensive parklands which are ideal for exploring after you’ve enjoyed the museum facilities.
 Yamay Resort Situated in Houli township, Yamay Resort is built on land that was previously owned by the Taiwan Sugar Corporation. The resort’s main attractions are the theme parks of Discovery World and Mala Bay Water Park. Between the two parks visitors can expect to find a variety of amusements including Wave, a giant open-air wave pool; Chu Slide with its 1,800-litre waterfall; River, a manmade water feature with five slides; and the Beach Theatre presenting music and dance performances. There are also themed sections at Discovery World entitled Enchanted Forest, Magical Castle, Future World and Fairytale Village. Website: www.yamayresort.com.tw.
Cultural Activities
A holiday in Taichung is unlikely to disappoint visitors with an interest in history, local culture, art, architecture and religious sites. The city offers a rich mix of all of these interests and more. The National Museum of Natural Science and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts are highlights, while the Taichung Cultural Centre is also not to be missed.
 Confucius Temple At around half a century old, the Confucius Temple in Taichung is still relatively new. Encompassing a large complex as opposed to a single building, the temple is typically minimal, reflecting the simplicity that Confucius valued so greatly. Make the effort to visit on 28 September, the birthday of this much revered Chinese thinker and social philosopher, and you will get to experience vibrant displays of devotion from local Confucianists.
Galleries Visitors can view exhibitions of modern art at Stock 20, an exhibition space that is housed within a converted railroad warehouse. Alternatively, Wenying Hall is also a good place to see displays of local, regional and national artworks. Phone: +886 4 2298 8287.
Martyr's Shrine This shrine in Taichung is a smaller example of a structure located in Taipei, the island’s capital city. Illustrating architectural influences from the Ming dynasty, the shrine is aesthetically pleasing. Attracting only a small number of visitors, the shrine is dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives defending the Republic of China.
National Museum of Natural Science Comprising a series of buildings, the National Museum of Natural Science is a world-class museum facility presenting a myriad of displays and exhibits dedicated to presenting all aspects of science and the natural world. Among the most significant sections of the museum are the Chinese Science Hall, Life Science Hall, Global Environment Hall, Botanical Garden and the Science Centre. Phone: +886 4 2322 6940; website: www.nmns.edu.tw.
 National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts A prominent feature of the city’s cultural scene since opening in 1988, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is an extensive facility covering a spacious area of 10 hectares and offering more than 5,000 square meters of gallery space. The building itself won an architectural prize after it underwent reconstruction following damage sustained in the 1999 earthquake. Galleries inside the facility display artworks by local, regional, national and international artists. Phone: +886 4 2372 3552; website: www.tmoa.gov.tw/english/home.php.
 Pao Hueh Temple ThisBuddhist temple is notable for its giant gold Buddha icon which is dedicated to Maitreya Bodhisattva and stands a lofty seven storeys high. Also of interest within the temple grounds is a Japanese Shinto shrine.
 Taichung Cultural Centre Situated adjacent to the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Taichung Cultural Centre is a significant venue dedicated to bringing arts and culture to both residents and visitors alike. The facility is owned and operated by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and is home to a number of art galleries at which visiting exhibitions are staged, invariably displaying the work of Taiwanese artists.
 Taichung Municipal Government Building The Japanese were responsible for the construction of this structure which displays European architectural influences and was used as a government building until fairly recently. The building is now home to a museum which has rotating exhibitions. Display titles are in Chinese only.
Taichung Winery The Taichung Winery was constructed during the Japanese era and has remained operational until today. A museum housed inside the facility gives visitors background on the history of wine and some of the processes involved in its production.
 Wanchun Temple With a name meaning ‘temple of 10,000 springs’, Wanchun Temple is among the oldest religious structures in the city, having been originally built around 1730. The temple is dedicated to Ma-tsu, the Daoist goddess of the sea. Outside of the temple is a small incinerator in which locals burn fake monetary bills in the belief that they will be of use to their deceased relatives. Statues of Ma-tsu and other Daoist deities are housed inside the temple.
921 Earthquake Museum Located in Wufeng, the 921 Earthquake Museum is an impressive facility dedicated to telling the story of the major earthquake that struck on 21 September 1999. The earthquake was one of the worst in the island’s recent history, and the museum offers genuine video footage of the disaster as well as interactive exhibits illustrating the causes of quakes and the geological features involved in them. Phone: +886 4 2330 7450; website: www.921emt.edu.tw.
Dining & Shopping
Taiwanese cuisine is particularly interesting, having been influenced by both the Chinese and Japanese. Dishes here typically take advantage of the raw ingredients that the natural environment provides. Since Taiwan is an island, seafood is a dominant aspect of the cuisine. Aside from the sea, the sub-tropical climate supports the growth of a large array of fresh produce that goes into making some of the most popular dishes.
Rice is a staple for the average Taiwanese citizen, while basic ingredients such as soy sauce, fermented fish sauce, garlic, sesame oil, rice wine and chilli provide the foundation for many creations. With Taichung being close to the coast, the local cuisine is focused heavily on seafood dishes, although meats such as pork and chicken are also commonly eaten.
Popular dishes include obiko (rice with congealed pig’s blood); san bei ji (chicken with rice wine and sesame oil) and koe a bah (a pork patty cooked by steam and served with cucumber pickle). Among the city’s sweet delicacies is the popular pastry known in English as a sun cake. This baked creation is often sweetened with honey.
Taichung has an excellent selection of restaurants including not only typical Taiwanese establishments, but those offering Vietnamese, Thai and Indian food as well as various European cuisines. For a traditional Taichung experience, visitors should head for the evening food markets such as Zhong Hua and Zhong Xiao, where it’s possible to try all manner of creations.
For upmarket dining, head for the city’s four and five-star hotels such as the Evergreen Laurel, Howard Prince, Taichung Plaza International and the Landis Taichung, each of which have classy restaurants. Prices at these eateries are in line with the exceptionally high standard of service.
For shopping, the city has three main retail areas, the best of which is Chung-Kang road. Around this location are a number of department stores, the Tiger City Shopping Mall and a multi-screen cinema complex. Visitors can purchase branded goods such as clothing and electronics as well as home décor items.
The city’s other two shopping zones are at Chung-You road and Taichung Railway Station. Notable outlets here include Chung You department store and Elsite bookstore.
The city also has a variety of markets where shoppers can find traditional locally-made goods such as textiles, artwork and jewellery, as well as food products. For visitors, the night markets are the best places to head to find souvenirs and gifts to take home for family and friends.
Outdoor Activities
Outdoor sport and leisure enthusiasts are sure to enjoy a holiday in Taichung with the excellent selection of pastimes and pursuits on offer. Some scenic rural areas beyond the city limits lend themselves well to independent activities such as fishing, bird watching, biking and hiking as well as organised sports such as horseback riding and go-karting.
 Biking Biking can be enjoyed both on and off road in Taichung. In the countryside surrounding the city there are some excellent traffic-free roads and off-road trails providing good cycling conditions for casual and dedicated riders alike. There are a few enthusiastic cycling groups you can join and several places at which to rent bicycles and other equipment.
 Bird Watching Ornithological enthusiasts can indulge their passion at a variety of locations in and around Taichung with the nearby mouth of the Dadu River one of the best sites. At this location, visitors can spot indigenous bird species, of which some 24 are listed as protected. The main bird watching season runs from October to May; however, for wading birds, December to April is the best time.
 Fishing November to March is the main fishing season in Taichung and sees no shortage of enthusiastic locals getting in on the action. Plenty of folk gather to catch themselves a tasty dinner and enjoy each other’s company. Visitors with their own gear can take advantage of some good angling areas and catch species such as bream, drummer and white-spotted rabbit-fish.
 Golf Golf has a fair share of fans in Taichung and visitors can enjoy a number of facilities dedicated to the popular game. As well as full-size courses, there’s a driving range and a six-hole course. The Taichung International Country Club and the Taichung Golf & Country Club offer the best in terms of facilities. Phone: +886 4 2239 2306 (Taichung International Country Club); +886 4 2567 2747 (Taichung Golf & Country Club).
 Go-karting Go-karting can be enjoyed on a mini-track at the Howli Horse Ranch or at a large facility located at the top of Dadu Mountain at Rosso Karting Sport. Set amid stunning scenery, both tracks offer thrilling go-karting experiences.
Horseback Riding This facility dates back to the days of Japanese occupation, having been established in 1937 as a ranch for raising thoroughbreds for Japanese officials. These days anyone can enjoy the pursuit of horseback riding here as well as variety of other activities such as archery, mini go-karting, camping and picnicking. Horseback riding can also be enjoyed at Han Wang Horse Riding or Chuan Chei Memorial Equestrian Centre. Phone: +886 4 2631 6714 (Han Wang Horse Riding); +886 4 24361350 (Chuan Chei Memorial Equestrian Centre).
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