From Wikitravel

Taichung (臺中 or 台中; Táizhōng) [1] is in the third largest city with pleasant climate in Taiwan, and is located the mid-western part of the island with a population of just over one million people. The city is home to many manufacturers and in recent years has undergone a rapid growth of various cultural venues.

Among the activities to catch when visiting Taichung: visit the world-class science museum, and hike the nearby hills. There are many famous night markets(ChungHwa night market (中華夜市), Feng-Chia university night market (逢甲夜市), Tung-Hai university night market (東海夜市), Chung-Shiao night market (忠孝夜市)) in Taichung, which can provide you different night life experience. You can enjoy delicious foods, drinks and buy cheap and interesting stuffs in these night markets.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Aboriginal era

Taiwanese aborigines populated the plains that make up modern Taichung City. They lived by cultivating millet and taro and were hunter gathers. Several local names in central Taiwan, including Shalu Township and Lukang Township in Changhua County contain the word for “deer.”

[edit] Early history of Taichung

Lecheng Temple, built during the Qing Dynasty Lecheng Temple, built during the Qing Dynasty Chishan Gate, built during the Qing Dynasty Chishan Gate, built during the Qing Dynasty

Taichung was founded in 1705 as a part of Changhua County with the name of Dadun (ch: 大墩; p: Dàdūn; w: Ta-tun; lit. large mound). At this point in history, the Qing Dynasty, formed by invading Manchus in the 1640s, was consolidating its hold on western Taiwan, which it had wrested from the Cheng family in 1682. As a part of strengthening its control, a garrison was founded in 1721 near the site of present-day Taichung Park by Lan Ting-chen.

All was not peaceful for Qing authorities in central Taiwan. North of the city, at the Dajia River, an aboriginal revolt broke out in 1731 after Chinese officials moved in and compelled them to provide labor. After being joined by other aboriginals, they drove as far south as the county seat of Changhua in May, 1732 before being chased into the mountains by Qing forces.

Another rebellion, this one in 1786, against Qing authorities had its roots in the nearby town of Dali, just south of Taichung City. Led by Lin Shuang-wen, it began as an attempt to overthrow the Manchu government and restore the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, as they moved northward, they turned to slaughter and looting. They were eventually defeated by a coalition of Hakka, Quanzhou Fujianese descendants, and Aboriginal volunteers who joined with the government to defeat the rebels.

[edit] Qing Dynasty rule era

Taiwan became a province of Qing-dynasty China in 1885, and the city, named Taiwan at the time, was named capital of Taiwan Prefecture, one of three prefectures in the newly created Taiwan Province. It was also initially designated as the provincial capital, and Qing official Liu Ming-chuan received the authority from the Guangxu Emperor to oversee development of the area. However, four years later, Liu was forced to “retire” by Empress Dowager Cixi, and the provincial capital was moved to what is now known as Taipei.

[edit] Japanese colonial era

China lost the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. As a consequence, the Qing Dynasty was forced to surrender Taiwan to the Japanese in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. The Japanese changed the name of the city from Dadun to Taichū (台中), and began to develop the city, setting themselves out to make it the first “modern” area of Taiwan.

However, Taichū bore the brunt of early Japanese repression. There were many rebels who stated that they had accepted amnesty from the earlier period of rebellion when the Republic of Taiwan was declared in 1895. However, many of those same people continued anti-Japanese activities. On May 25, 1902, some 360 rebels and their families accepted invitations to surrender and receive amnesty and rewards. Instead of receiving amnesty, once inside, the Japanese locked the doors and slaughtered the former rebels.

Taichū Park was completed in 1903. The old north gate, one of the few Liu-era structures to survive the Japanese reconstruction of the city was move to the new park.[citation needed] To this day, Taichung Park is one of the most popular places in the city for people to relax.

The first market in Taichū was built in 1908 along JiGuang Road between ZhongZheng and ChengGong Roads. It is still used today, and is a popular spot to purchase food and other items in downtown Taichung. Taichung Middle School (now known as Taichung First High School) was founded in 1913 by Lin Hsien-tang and his brother Lin Lie-tang, two wealthy Taiwanese intellectuals of the era. This was done in an effort to teach children the Culture of Taiwan and to foster a spirit of Taiwanese localization movement.

Taichū Train Station was completed and began operation in 1917, and still operates today. Taichung's historic city hall Taichung's historic city hall Shinto Shrine to Japan's WWII soldiers fighting overseas Shinto Shrine to Japan's WWII soldiers fighting overseas

Taichū was officially designated as a city by Japanese Imperial authorities in 1920, and Taichū City Hall was completed in 1924 after eleven years of construction.

A Taiwanese cultural association founded in 1921 in Taipei by Lin Hsien-tang was moved to Taichū in 1927. Most of the members of this association were from Taichū and the surrounding area. The city became a center of Taiwanese culture and nationalism.

The newfound prosperity of Taichū was eventually squandered by the war effort. When World War II ended in 1945, Taiwan’s economy, like Japan’s, was in shambles.

[edit] Chinese Nationalist-rule era (1945-1996)

Shrine to the martyrs of the Republic of China Shrine to the martyrs of the Republic of China

The Japanese were forced to surrender to Republic of China forces on behalf of Allied forces on 1945-10-25, who came across the Strait on U.S. ships and accepted their surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers.

The early post-war era was one of transition and turmoil for Taiwan. Taiwanese nationalists had divided into three prominent groups, one of which was known as the Taichung Clique. These were men with relatively high social standing during the Japanese era, such as Lin Hsien-t’ang, Yang Chao-chia, Yeh Jung-chung, and others. These men attempted to take what they believed to be their rightful place as the political leaders of the island. However, the administrator of the island, Chen Yi, opposed this faction as it contained many people, especially merchants and landlords, who had opposed his policies.

Under the authorities of the Republic of China, Taichung had become the center for organized crime and associated businesses.

The Kuomintang (KMT), also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party, relocated the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan upon losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communists.

Taichung was declared a special municipality in 1949 by the R.O.C. government.

[edit] Districts

Taichung is divided into 8 geographical subdivisions:

• Beitun District, (北屯區): Geographically, this is the largest district in the city, spreading from the north to the northeastern-most reaches of the city. It includes the comparatively rural area of Dakeng. It also includes the Taichung Folk Park and Morrison Academy.

• Central District, (中區): This is the smallest and most densely populated district in the city. It is home to the Taichung Train Station, Taichung Park, and a large number of traditional businesses in the downtown area. This district is home to the original suncake shop on ZiyouRoad (自由路) and is where most of Taichung's major businesses used to be located.

• East District, (東區): Literally on the other side of the tracks from the main part of the downtown area. The Taichung Central Department Store is located here.

• Nantun District, (南屯區): Occupies the southwestern-most portions of the city. There is still considerable farmland in this area, but a High Speed Rail is expected to open in a few months in adjacent Wuri, and the Taichung city government plans to move the city hall into this district. Currently, Nantun is most well-known for high property values and expensive, luxurious cottages, which have in turn attracted many large department stores into adjacent areas of Xitun District.

• North District, (北區): Nestled between Central and Beitun Districts, it is home to the Taichung First Senior High school and Yizhong Street (一中街,) one of the best known night markets in the city. It is also home to the Natural Science Museum, Chungyou Department Store, and Zhongshan Hall.

• Xitun District, (西屯區): This district spreads out to the western edge of the city and is home to Feng Chia and Tunghai Universities. It is also the location of many of the new, fashionable shopping areas in the city and is the area of greatest growth. The Taichung Industrial Park, World Trade Center, and the Chaoma Bus Station, a major embarkation point from the city. Major department stores include Idee, Shinkong Mitsukoshi, and Tiger City.

• South District, (南區): Occupying the southernmost part of the city, it is home to National Chung Hsing University and the Taichung Industrial High School.

• West District, (西區): West District is home to the National Fine Arts Museum as well as the Municipal Cultural Center. A lot of cultural activities were held here. This area is also known for its restaurants, which have attracted many people come with their reputation for exotic cuisine. Taichung’s City Hall is here, as is National Taichung University. Sogo Department store is in the northern part of the district.

[edit] Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily highs (°C)	22	22	25	28	30	32	33	32	31	30	26	24
Nightly lows (°C)	12	13	16	19	22	24	25	24	24	21	17	14
Precipitation (cm)	4	9	9	13	23	34	22	32	9.8	1.6	1.8	2.5
Central Weather Bureau seven day forecast for Taichung: [2]

Taichung is blessed with pleasant climate and convenient transportation. The booming tourism in surrounding areas adds distinctive colors to the local tourism industry. The city offers something for everyone in all four seasons and remains one of the most desired destinations for foreign travelers. The subtropical monsoon climate gives Taichung south wind from June to August and north wind from October to May. The highest temperature appears in the summer months of July, August, and September, and the lowest temperature arrives in the winter months of January and February. The difference in temperature between summer and winter never exceeds 13c. The city enjoys mild weather throughout the year, with the average annual temperature being a comfortable 23c. The average annual rainfall is around 1600 mm. The rain falls generously in the wet season (May – August) and scarcely in the dry season (October – February). The unique landform of basin means that the summers and autumns remain blissfully unaffected by typhoons.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

Bus is the most convenient and least expensive option. From Taipei Train Station, go to bus terminal, take Tong-Lien Bus (統聯客運), Guo-Gung Bus (國光客運). Tickets cost from NT$100-300, depending on the number of passengers. Busses depart several times an hour from the early morning through evenings and the entire ride is about two hours long.

[edit] By train

All Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) trains between Taipei and Kaohsiung stop at Taichung. The High Speed Rail station is located on the outskirts of Taichung. You can take a regular train between the two stations in about six minutes, in addition, a free bus is available to take HSR passengers downtown, to the universities, etc.

In addition, Taichung is a major stop along the Western Line with all north and south bound trains a making a stop here. Midrange ticket prices (Jukuang class) typically run around NT$300 from Taipei or NT$350 from Kaohsiung. The entire trip takes about three hours from both Taipei and Kaohsiung. The Western Line station is located in central Taichung.

[edit] By car

You can rent small car for about US$100 per day. Due to traffic and parking issues, driving yourself is NOT recommended for typical travel within Taichung.

[edit] By plane

Taichung airport operates mostly as domestic hub, though it does also offer a limited international service to neighboring counties. A flight to Taipei takes 40 minutes, although air service to Taipei has been cut back lately as the High Speed Rail is generally a faster and more convenient way to get there.

A international terminal is being built currently in Taichung and is going to be the largest airport in Taiwan and the terminal's floor area is more than 800,000 square meters. This airport is normally compared to the Beijing Capital International Airport T3, The Changyi International Airport T3 in Singapore, and other big airports around the world. This new airport will offer at least 80 airlines and more than 70 restraunts. This airport would be finished by the end of 2009.

[edit] Get around

Taichung has a convenient and efficient bus service. For those with a Taiwanese driver's license, renting a used 125cc scooter is also an option worth considering. Otherwise, you will need to take taxis. Taxis are convenient, and fares start at NT$85 at flagfall. The downtown area is sufficiently compact to make it easy to get around on foot, although many shop owners will utilize the sidewalk in front of their business. This can make walking something of an ordeal, dodging traffic as you are forced to walk on the street.

Another convenient transportation for getting around is the MRT or subway. The city government is currently constructing MRT lines in the city. The future Taichung MRT have stations at the Science Park, New Taichung City Hall, Taichung Convention Center, Shui-Nan Financial District, High Speed Rail Staion, Taichung International Airport, and more.

[edit][add listing] See

• National Museum of Natural Science,[3] This is a very large and elaborate science themed museum, actually composed of seven museums in one. Its Science Center features a huge assortment of "hands-on" exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles. The separate Life Sciences section is also very large. There's also a botanical garden, an earthquake museum, greenhouse, global cultures and global environment museums, as well as theaters. Can easily spend more than a day here, especially with kids. 1 Guanchien Road. Tel:+886 4 2322-6940 - Open:9AM-5PM (closed Mondays)

• National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, 2 Wu Quan West Road, Sec.1 Tel:+886 4 2372-3552 - Open:9AM~5PM. Closed on Mondays. The Fine Arts museum is a very large and elaborate modern arts museum, featuring rotating visual exhibits. The museum also has a very elaborate children's section, featuring hands-on art exhibits and creative playthings. There's also a children's reading room in the basement with Chinese and English books. Bring your children. Admission is free.

• Municipal Cultural Center, The Municipal Cultural Center is located on Yingcai Road on property adjacent to the National Art Museum.

• Taichung Folklore Park, This park is dedicated to presenting a more traditional Taiwanese way of life. It includes a combination of authentic and recreated buildings and streets in an attempt to recreate a more rustic Taiwan.

• Taichung Winery, Dating back to the Japanese-era, this still- operational winery also includes a Wine Museum, which has displays on wine-making and the history of the winery.

• Stock 20, This converted railroad warehouse provides exhibition space for regular displays of modern art. Adjacent warehouses have been converted to provide studio space for local and foreign artists, and are frequently open to the public.

• Wenying Hall, A frequent venue for local art exhibitions and events. It includes an art display area along with a folk art museum and Zhongzheng Hall.

• The Guggenheim Museum Taichung(Underconstruction)

• Taichung Metropolitan Opera House, A world classed opera house designed by famous architect, Toyo Ito. This opera house would be finished in the summer of 2009.

• Taichung Tower, located in the Shui Nan Financial District is the tallest building in Taichung with a unique shape of a bamboo.

• Taichung City Hall, located in the most devloped district of the city is build by world classed architect, Weber+Hofer AG Architects. This is not only a city hall but offers a big plaza with water, trees, birds, and flowers.

[edit][add listing] Do

• The Parkway. This narrow corridor of greenery forms a pleasant parkway which runs south/north between the Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Natural Science, intersected by the main Taizhonggang Rd. You can spend minutes or hours walking along it, or just chill in one of the parks.

The southern end is home to the Art Museum with Modern and Traditional exhibits, a cafe on the third floor and a garden area which is particularly popular with families at the weekend. Linked to the Art Museum is the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, with a large reading room among other facilities.

At the north end of the Parkway behind the Science Museum is a botanical garden home to interesting plants and trees (with a few dinosaurs hiding in them). You can climb to the top of the little hill and listen to the birds singing. Some Taichung residents do Tai Chi and other exercises outside the Museum, early in the morning.

Beyond the botanical garden, is a cycle track and path where the greenery continues through a more residential area. The gardens here are carefully tended by locals. The roses create beautiful perfumes in the evening. Shops on either side include cafe's, restaurants and a 24 hour optician. If you continue walking along this path, it takes you West, past the university hospital to another nice place - Zhongsheng Park. Here there is an open-air swimming pool, old style benches and a foot massage path.

From Zhongzheng Park, North and across the river is the Baojiue Temple. South of the park is the Yizhong Street area, Confucius Temple, Martyrs Shrine, Chungyo department store, Taichung Gym and Taichung Park. edit

• Taichung Tubbies Football Team, [4]. Expat soccer team based in Taichung. Play friendly games of football in Taichung, and compete in tournaments island-wide.

• Fong Jia Night Market (逢甲夜市), A large night market in Taichung. It's popular with teenagers and there's lots to buy, including restaurants and vendors selling many popular Taiwanese dishes. Beware on Fridays and weekends however--it can be very crowded.

• KaoMay Marsh (高美溼地), At the west side of Taichung, nice sunset, and you can catch wild little crab there.

• Taichung Metropolitan Park (台中都會公園), It's on the west side of the mountain. Great place for the weekend. Good Night View.

• Jin Ming First Street (精明一街), Great place for tea break.

• Taiwan Banana New Paradise (香蕉新樂園), It's a restaurant. With the atmosphere of 1940's of Taichung City.

• The Moon God of Love (月下老人), A good place for asking dating fate. Close to Taichung Metropolitan Park.

• Lavender Forest (薰衣草森林), A nice place for weekend. At north side of Taichung.

• Dah-Ken Forest Park (大坑森林公園), A great place for hiking. At north side of Taichung.

• Gu-Guan Hot Spring (谷關溫泉), A nice Hot Spring at north side of Taichung.

[edit] Temples

Temples can be found all over the city of Taichung. While many of them are of recent construction, others are considered historic and are indicative of the changing currents through Taichung’s history.

• Confucius Temple
• Martyr’s Shrine, Adjacent to the temple is the Martyr’s Shrine, dedicated to the hero’s of the Republic of China.
• Pao Hueh Temple, This is a Buddhist temple which features the “Big Budda.” The gold, seven-floor Buddha is dedicated to Maitreya. The temple grounds also include a Japanese Shinto shrine.
• Cheng Huang Temple, This temple was established during the Qing Dynasty, and has since been renovated numerous times. Its main festival is the 15th day of the sixth lunar month.
• Wan Chun Temple, Established during the height of the Qing Dynasty more than two hundred years ago, it is home to a couplet written by Emperor Kuangshu. It is also noted for its life-like carvings.
• Li Ancestral Shrine
• Wen Chang Temple, Built around 1825, this temple is dedicated to the “Scholar God.” Students frequently come to pray prior to exams to get good scores.
• Le Cheng Temple Over two hundred years old, the Le Cheng temple is dedicated to the goddess Mazu, and is known locally as the “Hanxi Mazu.” It includes an ancient cauldron and other artifacts.
• Wan He Temple, This temple was built during the Qing Dynasty in thanks to the goddess Mazu. It is noted for exquisitely-designed carvings.

[edit] Learn

• Feng-Jia University (逢甲大學)
• Dong-Hai University (東海大學)
• National Chung-Xin University (中興大學)
• Ling-Tung University (嶺東科技大學)
• National Taichung Institute of Technology (台中技術學院)
• The Overseas Chinese Institute of Technology (僑光技術學院)
• Harvard University Taichung branch (哈佛大學台中分校)

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Buy

Taichung has many department stores which can be accessed by bus.

• Sogo Department Store
• Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store
• Chungyo Department Store

Taichung is also well known for its Chinese bakeries. Pastries that are worth a try include sun cakes(太陽餅) and pineapple tarts(鳯梨酥)

• Sun Patisserie(太陽堂老店), famous for being the first bakery to sell sun cakes, a favourite among locals. Located at 25 Freedom Road sect. 2. Tel: +886-4-22200012

[edit][add listing] Eat

With a proliferation of noodle shops and street vendors peddling anything from the exotic to common household dishes, there is no lack of choice for enjoying local delicacies. Fortunately, the Taiwanese are quite accustomed to non-Chinese speakers, so using gestures will get you what you want (with a perhaps a little surprise!)

[edit] Budget

• Salut Pizza, De Ye Road (Soho Street).

[edit] Mid range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

• 89K Pub, located at 89 Chung Ming S. Road. Tel:+886 4 2320-701. Great live music on the weekends. Fantastic Blues band, Boogie Chillin plays there the 2nd Friday of every month. Large screen projector for the big games and music videos. Old school bar with a great atmosphere. Great mix of people. If you want to see some great live bands as well as get your party on... this is the pub. An excellent place to spend an evening. Big bikers welcome! Hot chicks here!

• FuBar, 25-9 Da Ye Road (Soho Street - a small pedestrian street near down town). Tel:886 4 2310-9401. A sports pub catering mostly to foreigners. All kinds of sports, including hockey, rugby, basketball, american football, and more. TV feeds from Japanese and North American Satellite, and Taiwan cable to watch local games. With simple pub fare and cold beer, as well as outdoor seating, it's a great place to watch the game on the big screen, or just hang out and meet new people.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Fu Chun Hotel - just across the street from the Taichung train station - NT$530 per night, TV, air, hot water.

[edit] Mid-range

• Kao Yuan Hotel (高苑商務旅館), 392 Zhongzheng Road, Beiqu, (北區 中正路 ３９２號), ☎ 886 (04) 2226-2566, [5]. Nice, very clean rooms with jacuzzi and free Western and Chinese breakfast. LAN internet in every room, CNN, HBO etc and free TW English newspaper every day. NT$1,600 per night.  edit

• Twinstar Hotel [6] Good mid range hotel located close to rear entrance of Taichung train station. Hotel and rooms are old but service is decent and Chinese breakfast served. Book on web site for lowest rates, starting at NT$1600.

[edit] Splurge

• Evergreen Laurel Hotel, 6 Taichung Gang Road sec. 2

• Howard Prince Hotel Taichung 129 An-he Road. Tel:+886 4 2463-2323. [7]

• Plaza International Hotel, 431 Da-ya Road.

• Splendor Hotel, 1049 Jien-xing Road.

• The Windsor Hotel Taichung

• The Landis Hotel Taichung

• The Grand Hyatt Hotel Taichung

• The Regent Taichung

• Le Meridien Taichung

• Sheraton Taichung Hotel

• Shangri-la Hotel Taichung

• Four Seasons Hotel Taichung

• The Peninsula Hotel Taichung

• The Grand Formosa Regent Taichung (Underconstruction)

• Shangri-la Hotel Taichung (Planning)

• Mandarin Oriental Hotel Taichung (Planning)

• The Ritz Carlton Hotel Taichung (Planning)

• The St. Regis Hotel Taichung(Planning)

• The Banyan Tree Resort (Planning)

[edit] Contact

The area dialling code for Taichung is 04. From overseas, dial: +886 4 XXXX XXXX

[edit] Stay safe

Taichung is generally safe as long as you be vigilant at all times.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

As Taichung is located in the middle of Taiwan, it is convenient for making trips to both Taipei and Kaohsiung. There are frequent, comfortable and inexpensive freeway-bus services plying the routes. The journey to either city by bus or train takes around 3 hours, sometimes as low as 1.5 hours under optimal traffic conditions.

The Taiwanese High Speed Rail (HSR) is now in operation, and as it will run at up to 300 kph, travel time to both Taipei and Kaohsiung is now as low as 45 minutes.

Taichung is located near several recreational areas. A short distance to the north is a large waterpark - especially enticing during the hot summer months, while the mountains and lush plains of Puli and Nantou County are within an hour's journey to the east. The coast is a half-hour drive to the west.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!