Things to do in Taichung: DIY Day Trip from Taipei
Less than an hour from Taipei by bullet train, Taichung is slower, artier, and full of great food. Here's the full DIY day trip guide with honest tips.
Nakapunta ka na ba ng Taichung? If Taipei is your only Taiwan stop, you're missing one of the most charming cities in the country. Just under an hour from Taipei by high speed rail, Taichung moves at a completely different pace — quieter, more artsy, and genuinely refreshing after the intensity of the capital.
Here's a full DIY guide to Taichung based on a first visit — what to eat, where to go, how to get around, and whether it's worth the trip. Spoiler: oo naman. 😄
Getting to Taichung from Taipei 🚅
The fastest and most comfortable way is the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Taipei Main Station to Taichung HSR Station. The journey takes less than an hour — and the ride itself is smooth, air-conditioned, and stress-free.
Book your tickets in advance on Klook using promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off. → Book THSR Tickets on Klook
💡 Pro Tip: Klook occasionally runs Buy 1 Take 1 promos on THSR tickets for specific routes — worth checking before you book. Even without the promo, the Klook price plus discount code is consistently competitive.
Pagbaba pa lang ng Taichung HSR Station, ang ganda na agad. The station itself is architecturally striking, and the pace immediately feels different from Taipei — calmer, more spacious, and noticeably quieter.
Getting Around Taichung 🚌
Once in Taichung, your main modes of transport are local buses and trains. Make sure your Taiwan EasyCard has enough load before you arrive — you'll be tapping it throughout the day for every bus and train ride.
One honest note: bus and train intervals in Taichung can be longer than in Taipei, so there's some waiting involved if you're DIYing. For attractions that are further from the city center — like Rainbow Village — Uber is a practical and affordable supplement. If you'd rather not deal with the logistics at all, a Taichung day tour from Ximending on Klook covers all the major spots with transport handled — worth considering especially if you're traveling with kids.
Stop 1: Fu Kei Ting (Smoked Goose) 🍽️
First stop of the day: Fu Kei Ting, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded eatery known for their signature smoked goose. This is a serious endorsement — the Bib Gourmand recognition is given to restaurants offering exceptionally good food at moderate prices.
⚠️ Important: Fu Kei Ting is cash only — no card payments. Have NTD ready before you go.
Stop 2: Chun Shui Tang — The Birthplace of Bubble Tea 🧋
Just a short walk away is the Chun Shui Tang Store — widely credited as the place where bubble milk tea was invented. This isn't just another boba shop. Ordering here is a small piece of food history.
The large classic bubble tea is the move. Add some snacks to go with it and take your time — the cafe has a comfortable sit-down setup. Chun Shui Tang also has decent food if you want something more substantial alongside your drink.
Stop 3: Painted Animation Lane 🎌
A few minutes' walk from Chun Shui Tang is Painted Animation Lane — a narrow alley where the walls are covered in hand-painted murals of iconic anime and cartoon characters. Very nostalgic energy, very photogenic, and completely free to visit. Great for a quick walk-through and photos before moving on.
Stop 4: National Museum of Natural Science 🦕
For the family leg of the day, especially if you're traveling with young kids, the National Museum of Natural Science is an excellent stop. The museum is large, well-maintained, and covers natural history, space science, and life science across multiple halls and a botanical garden.
Entrance fee is approximately NT$120 per adult — very affordable for how much ground it covers. The museum features moving dinosaurs among its exhibits, which makes it a genuinely engaging stop for kids.
💡 Pro Tip: Given the size of the museum, Uber between stops is a good call if you have a young child or want to save time — the museum is a fair distance from Chun Shui Tang on foot.
Stop 5: Miyahara Ice Cream 🍦
No Taichung itinerary is complete without a stop at Miyahara — a former Japanese-era eye clinic turned dessert destination. The building alone is worth seeing: ornate wooden shelving, dramatic ceiling-height displays of pineapple cakes and gift boxes, and a vaguely Harry Potter-esque aesthetic that catches most visitors off guard.
Miyahara Ice Cream is extremely popular — expect long lines. The ice cream is good, though personally it's the kind of thing you try at least once rather than something you'd specifically return for. The building and atmosphere are arguably the bigger attraction.
💡 Tipid Tip: The nearby Fourth Credit Union is Miyahara's partner store, is less busy, and carries the same ice cream. Worth knowing if the queue at Miyahara is too long.
Ian Calimbahin
Stop 6: Rainbow Village 🌈
The highlight of the Taichung visit — and deservedly so. Rainbow Village is a series of houses and streets painted in bright, whimsical colors and patterns, created by a former soldier named Huang Yung-Fu, also known as Rainbow Grandpa. The village has since become a cultural landmark and a symbol of creativity and resilience.
What to expect on the ground: the place is extremely colorful and the walls are really pretty. It is a fairly small complex and you can roam around in under an hour. Mostly good for photos — but as you explore, there are more and more photogenic corners to discover. Very iconic, very Taichung.
⚠️ Heads up: Rainbow Village is free to enter, but it is in the Nantun District — a fair distance from the city center. Uber or a taxi is the most practical way to get there, especially if you're short on time.
💡 Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday or early morning to avoid the largest crowds — weekends and holidays tend to be significantly busier.
What We Missed: Zhongshe Flower Market 🌸
Zhongshe Flower Market is one of Taichung's most photogenic spots — a sprawling outdoor flower market with thousands of blooms across open fields. Unfortunately it's quite far from the city center and the other stops on this route, so it didn't make the cut on this visit.
If Zhongshe is a priority for you, consider booking a Taichung day tour that specifically includes it — there are tours that include Zhongshe Flower Market alongside other Taichung highlights.
DIY vs. Day Tour: Which Should You Book? 🤔
Taichung is absolutely DIY-able — the HSR gets you here easily and the EasyCard handles most transport. But here's the honest trade-off:
The DIY route works well for the city center stops (Chun Shui Tang, Painted Animation Lane, Miyahara, the Museum) — these are all walkable or a short Uber ride from each other. Rainbow Village adds a longer Uber leg, but is still manageable.
The day tour option makes more sense if:
- You want to cover outlying spots like Zhongshe Flower Market and Gaomei Wetlands in the same day
- You're traveling with young kids and want zero transport logistics
- You want a fixed itinerary with guaranteed stops
→ Book a Taichung Day Tour from Ximending on Klook — use promo code HEYIANCKLOOK at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
How far is Taichung from Taipei? Less than 1 hour by Taiwan High Speed Rail. The most convenient and comfortable option from Taipei Main Station.
Do I need a separate transport card for Taichung? No — your Taiwan EasyCard works on local buses and trains in Taichung. Make sure it has enough balance before you leave Taipei.
Is Rainbow Village free? Yes — there is no admission fee for Rainbow Village.
Is Taichung good for families with kids? Yes. The National Museum of Natural Science is particularly family-friendly, and the pace of Taichung is generally calmer than Taipei. Using Uber between stops makes it more manageable with young children.
What is the best night market in Taichung? Feng Chia Night Market is Taichung's largest and one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan. If you're ending your day in Taichung before heading back to Taipei, this is the go-to final stop.
Verdict: Is Taichung Worth the Day Trip? ✅
Yes na yes! Taichung punches well above its reputation among first-time Taiwan visitors who default to staying in Taipei. The slower pace, the artsy aesthetic even just at the HSR station, the food discoveries, and Rainbow Village all make for a day that feels genuinely different from a Taipei itinerary.
Ian Calimbahin
The one honest caveat: transport intervals between far-flung spots can be long if you're DIYing everything by bus. Supplement with Uber for the longer legs, or just book a day tour and let someone else worry about the logistics. Either way — go.
Hope this helps! More travels soon!