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Taichung 台中
—  Provincial city  —
Taichung City · 臺中市 Central City (中市)
Clockwise from top: Taichung skyline, Wan He Temple, Taichung's historic city hall, Sanmin Road, & Taichung Railway Station
Flag Seal Seal
Nickname(s): Cultural City (文化城)
Satellite image of Taichung City
Coordinates: 24°9′N 120°40′E / 24.15°N 120.667°E / 24.15; 120.667
Country	Republic of China
Region	Central Taiwan
City seat	West District
Government
- Mayor	Jason Hu (胡志強)
Area (Ranked 18 of 25)
- Total	163.4256 km2 (63.1 sq mi)
Population (January 2010)[1]
- Total	1,074,277
- Density	6,573.5/km2 (17,025.3/sq mi)
	Population ranked 9 of 25
Districts	8
Bird	Little egret[2]
Flower	Christmas Kalanchoe[3]
Tree	Palimara Alstonia[4]
Website	English Chinese

Taichung (traditional Chinese: 臺中市/台中市; simplified Chinese: 台中市; Tongyong Pinyin: Táijhōng Shìh; Hanyu Pinyin: Táizhōng Shì; Wade-Giles: T'ai-chung-shih; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-tiong-chhī) is a city located in west-central Republic of China (Taiwan) with a population of just over one million people, making it the third largest city on the island after Taipei and Kaohsiung. The city presently constitutes a provincial city apart from the adjacent Taichung County. By the end of 2010 the city and county, both currently first-level divisions of Taiwan Province, will merge to form a single direct-controlled municipality.^[5] The name Taichung means "Central Taiwan."

Geography

Taichung City is located in the Taichung Basin^[6] along the main western coastal plain that stretches from northern Taiwan along the west coast nearly to the southern tip. The city is located just north of 24° north and about 120.5° east longitude.

It is surrounded completely by Taichung County. Taichung City borders Tanzi Township (潭子鄉) Fengyuan City (豐原市), Xinshe Township (新社鄉), Taiping City (太平市), Dali City (大里市), Wuri Township (烏日鄉), Dadu Township (大肚鄉), Longjing Township (龍井鄉), and Daya Township (大雅鄉).

The Central Mountain Range lies just to the east of the city. Lower, rolling hills run to the north leading to Miaoli County. Flat coastal plains dominate the landscape to the south leading to Changhua County and the Taiwan Strait to the west.

West←Panoramic photography of Taichung City.→East

Climate

Under Koppen's climate classification, Taichung has a warm humid subtropical climate. The average temperature of Taichung city is about 23 °C (73 °F), with an average annual rainfall of 1,708 millimeters (67.25 in).^[7] The city sees an average humidity of 80%. Taichung has a milder climate than other major cities in Taiwan. Due to the protection provided by the Central Mountain range to the east and the Miaoli hills to the north, Taichung is rarely severely affected by typhoons. However, occasional typhoons emerging from the South China Sea will pose a threat to the city as evidenced by Typhoon Wayne in 1986 which struck Taiwan from the west coast near Taichung.^[8]

Demographics

Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August, 2006. There are slightly more females in the city (50.97%) than males.

24.32% of the people are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly.^[10]

Fertility rate in Taichung City for women of childbearing age in 2007 was 1.165 for each woman according to Ministry of Interior statistics.

Educational Attainment

According to the Ministry of Interior, there are 846,863 residents over the age of 15. Of those, educational attainment is as follows: graduate degrees - 33,371 (3.9%); university or college degrees - 136,076 (16.1%); junior college degrees - 122,442 (14.5%); senior high school - 55,432 (6.5%); vocational high school - 168,349 (19.9%); junior high school - 78,729 (9.3%); junior vocational school - 1,949 (0.2%); primary school - 80,004 (9,4%). The official literacy rate for the city is 99.04%.

History

Early history

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.”^[11]

Lecheng Temple, 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.^[11]

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.^[12]

In 1786, another rebellion against the 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.^[13]

Qing Dynasty rule era

Taiwan became a province of Qing-dynasty China in 1885, and the city, named Dadun at the time, was designated capital of Taiwan Prefecture, one of three prefectures in the newly created Taiwan Province.^[14] 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.

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.^[15]

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.^[14]

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.^[14] 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.^[14]

Taichū Train Station was completed and began operation in 1917,^[14] and still operates today.

Taichung's historic city hall

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.^[14]

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.^[14]

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.

Chinese Nationalist-rule era (1945-1996)

Shrine to the martyrs of the Republic of China

The Japanese were forced to surrender to Republic of China (ROC) forces on behalf of Allied forces on 25 October 1945, 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.^[16]

Under the authorities of the Republic of China, Taichung had become the center for organized crime and associated businesses.^{[citation needed]} (http://english.tccg.gov.tw/index.php?print=print&page=government_report_01&id=1)

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 ROC government.

Politics

Local Politics

Unlike Taipei in the north, which is solidly in the Pan-Blue (pro-unification) political camp, and the southern cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan that are solidly Pan-Green (pro-independence) , Taichung is far more balanced with the city leaning Blue and the county leaning Green. In fact, each of the two major political parties has won a mayoral election among the last three with at least 49 percent of the vote (Democratic Progressive Party in 1997 and the Chinese Nationalist Party in 2001 and 2005.) Similarly, the Chinese Nationalist Party majority in the City Council is not as large as it is in other cities, and is only negligible when one excludes Beitun District, which is solidly pro-Chinese Nationalist Party. As a result of the relative moderate stand of the city residents, political upheaval and violence are far rarer in Taichung than in other large cities of the country.

Government

Taichung City Council building

Taichung City’s executive branch is headed by mayor Jason Hu of the Chinese Nationalist Party. Mayor Hu won re-election in December, 2005 with more than fifty-eight percent of the vote.^[17] This makes him the first candidate to achieve more than fifty percent of the vote in the Democratic Era of Taiwan, and represents an improvement of more than nine percent over his 2001 showing^[18] despite the fact that he was one of four candidates (as opposed to there being only three in 2001.) The 1997 election was won by Chang Wen-Ying of the Democratic Progressive Party^[19] Taichung’s legislative branch is a unicameral 46-member City Council. Each member is elected from one of six multiple member districts where each voter has only one vote. Thus, none of the elected council members has anywhere close to a majority of votes in their electoral district.

Council member breakdown by electoral district^[20]

Council member breakdown by political party ^[20]

Districts

Taichung has 8 districts (區 qu):	District		Population	Land area
			as of 2009	km²
	■ Beitun-qu	北屯區	242,620	62.7034
	■ Central-qu	中區	23,558	0.8803
	■ East-qu	東區	74,069	9.2855
	■ Nantun-qu	南屯區	149,081	31.2578
	■ North-qu	北區	147,932	6.9376
	■ Xitun-qu	西屯區	201,899	39.8467
	■ South-qu	南區	111,990	6.8101
	■ West-qu	西區	117,388	5.7042

Taichung is divided into 8 geographical subdivisions:^[7]

1. 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.
2. 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 Ziyou Road (自由路) and is where most of Taichung's major businesses used to be located.
3. 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.
4. Nantun District (南屯區): Occupies the southwestern-most portions of the city. There is still considerable farmland in this area, but since the High Speed Rail has opened 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

Recreation

Professional Sports

The Sinon Bulls is a professional baseball team playing in the four-team Chinese Professional Baseball League. While they are identified with Taichung City, many of their “home games” have been played outside of the city due to the inadequacies of the old Taichung Baseball Field. The team was expected to move into the newly completed Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in 2008, but it turns out that no CPBL games will be played in the newly built stadium, with the exception of the annual all-star game on July 20.

Other Sporting Activities

Taichung hosts two road races annually. The ING Marathon preparation 10K race is held every September in the Metropolitan Park. The Supau Cup Marathon is held on the city’s streets every autumn, either in October or November.

Museums and Cultural Centers

National Museum of Fine Arts

• National Museum of Fine Arts: The National Museum of Fine Arts is located on the corner of Wuquan West Road and Meicun Road. It houses the world’s largest collection of Taiwanese art. There is a stream and nice outdoor area outside of the museum that is very popular with families when there is good weather.
• National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS): Located on Xitun Road, this is a popular local attraction with children. NMNS together with National Palace Museum in Taipei and the National Science and Technology Museum in Kaohsiung are called "the Museums of Taiwan". Across 22 exquisite acres, the Museum is a six-venue complex housing the Space IMAX Theater, Science Center, Life Science Hall, Chinese Science Hall, Global Environment Hall and the Botanical Garden, excluding the Earthquake Museum in Wufong, which is dedicated to public education on seismology, located just 10 kilometers east of the main complex of NMNS. Over 30 permanent exhibit areas cover subjects on astronomy, space science, paleontology, ecology, gems and minerals, Taiwanese Aborigines, and tropical plants. Rotating special exhibits are a constant occurrence. It is also a place filled with hands-on exhibits that will delight children and adults of all ages.
• 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.

Performance Venues

• Zhongshan Hall: Zhongshan Hall is a popular venue for a variety of performances including musical, opera, ballet, dance, theatrical, and other performances. Seating capacity is 1,692.
• Fulfillment Amphitheater: This recently completed outdoor venue is located in the Wenxin Forest Park and is suitable for a wide range of outdoor performances.*Zhongxing Hall at National Taichung Library

Temples

Lin Family Shrine. Originally built in Dali, Taichung County during the Qing Dynasty and later moved to Taichung City.

Wen Chang Temple in the northern part of Taichung City. Built during the Qing Dynasty

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.

National and Municipal Historical Sites

National Category 3 Historical Sites

Chang-Liao Family Shrine, Wenchang Temples, Lin Family Shrine, Chang Family Ancestral Shrine, Wanhe Temple, Lecheng Temple

National Category 2 Historical Site

Taichung Train Station,

Wanhe Temple built during the Qing Dynasty

Municipal Historical Sites

Lake Pavilion in Taichung Park, Chishan Gate, Japanese-era Municipal Building

Unclassified

Taichung City Hall

Other Annual Activities

• The Taichung Jazz Festival takes place annually through the month of October. It features a variety of acts at numerous venues throughout the city.

Economy

Taichung has a vibrant, diverse economy that incorporates traditional businesses, small family-run shops and factories, large industrial areas, and a thriving commercial sector.

The heart of Taichung’s economy has long been the small business. The small business sector still thrives in the city and is in most evidence in the downtown area with small eateries, traditional markets, and other various family businesses. Taichung's Chun Shui Tang teahouse (春水堂) is where bubble tea was invented, by a teahouse owner, Liu Han Chie(劉漢介).^{[citation needed]} Taichung is most famous for its suncakes (taiyang bing).^{[citation needed]}

Taichung is an important center for a number of key industries. The city is a major manufacturer of bicycles and related parts, and sporting goods. Small metalworking and mold and die enterprises abound. During the heyday of the Taiwan Miracle, the city hosted the famous "Shoes Nest," hundreds of small firms involved in the shoe industry, which has since moved to China. Nike's Asian design center is located in Taichung.

Xitun District is the home of Taichung’s Industrial Zone. Taichung’s World Trade Center Building is the symbolic heart of the zone, where various trade shows and exhibitions are held throughout the year. Most of Taichung’s traditional manufacturing base is in this area, which is the area of Taichung City that is nearest the port. In the northeast part of Xitun District, along the border with neighboring Taichung County, a Science-based Industrial Park is located in this area.

The growing prosperity of Taichung residents has resulted in the explosive growth of the upscale retail sector, with the opening of massive up-market department stores, as well as the construction of more luxurious condo complexes in the rapidly growing areas near the new government complex, as well as the growth of up-market neighborhoods in Beitun District.

Night Markets

Taichung has several open-air night markets that feature local food and diversions:^[21]

• Feng Chia Night Market - located adjacent to Feng Chia University
• Zhong Hua Night Market - located in the heart of Central District, along ZhongHua (Jung Hua) Road.
• Zhong Xiao Night Market - located south of the Taichung Railroad Station around the intersections of ZhongXiao, Taichung and GuoGuang roads.

Education

National Taichung University

Taichung City offers a full range of educational opportunities for its residents. From Kindergartens to National Universities, Taichung has schools that fit nearly every need from bilingual kindergartens to world class public and private university education.

Below is an accounting of the schools that can be found in Taichung City:

• 3 public universities
• 6 private universities
• 3 junior colleges
• 7 public senior high schools
• 7 private senior high schools
• 4 vocational high schools
• 2 special education schools
• 25 public junior high schools
• 7 private junior high schools
• 58 public elementary schools
• 7 private elementary schools
• 3 international schools
• 3 Chinese language training centers (including Taichung County)
• undeterminable number of kindergartens and cram schools

Transportation

Taichung Railway Station

Train Service

Taichung Station is located on JianGuo Road (建國路). There is a small square in the front of the station, and numerous bus companies have stations within a three-minute walk of the station. They provide comprehensive local bus service along with long-distance bus services, many of which are to towns not served by trains.

Taichung Station lies on the mountain line, which splits from the coastal line from Changhua City to the south of Taichung, to Jhunan, near Hsinchu, to the north.

The first southbound train departs for Pingtung at 6:05 in the morning while the first northbound train departs for Taipei at 6:10 am. The last trains in the early morning depart at 2:37 am and 2:46 for Pingdong and Taipei respectively.

There are two other local train stations within the city limits of Taichung. They are Taiyuan Station located in Beitun District and Daqing Station in South District. Both are only serviced by local trains.

The new High Speed Rail Road is finally completed. You can go to Taipei and Kaohsiung in 40 minutes. The Taichung High Speed Rail Station is located in Wurih and is served both by local trains as well as free shuttle buses.

Sea Port

Taichung Harbor, located on the coast in Taichung County, is the second largest cargo facility on the island capable of handling container shipping.

Despite being the second largest port on the island of Taiwan, there are no passenger ferry services available and the port is closed to unauthorized personnel.

Inner City Traffic

Unlike other major cities, Taichung has no expressway crossing the city. The heaviest traffic congestion is on Taichung Harbor Road (台中港路), which can come to a stand still not only during rush hour, but also on weekends or late evenings as many of the most popular shopping centers and movie theaters are on that stretch of road. Other busy stretches of road include SanMin Road near Chungyou Department Store and Yizhong Street, especially around 9:00 PM, when local cram schools and baseball games typically let out.

The downtown area is vaguely a grid pattern with Ziyou Road (自由路) and SanMin （三民路） running basically southwest to northeast while Zhongzheng Road (中正路) and Linsen Road (林森路) run northwest from the center of the city, in addition to the more narrow one-way roads that follow the grid pattern as well.

A large number of multi-lane roads then lead out of the downtown area in all directions. Some of them are divided by a physical barrier or median to enhance safety. These roads include Taichung Harbor Road (台中港路), Wuquan West Road (五權西路), Beitun Road (北屯路), Taiyuan Road (太原路), Hanxi Road (旱溪路), Guoguang Road (國光路), Zhongqing Road (中清路,) Wuquan South Road (五權南路) and Wenxin South Road (文心南路).

Stop lights and lane indicators are generally observed on major streets, but are often viewed more as suggestions rather than legally enforced traffic rules unless traffic police officers are present. Speed limits are often not enforced, except where specifically designated speed detection cameras are present and marked with signs, making traffic conditions some of the most dangerous on the island. Most major intersections have traffic signs with Romanized names. However, despite the fact that Taichung City has recently declared Hanyu Pinyin the official Romanization (citiation needed) system for the city, there are numerous signs leftover from previous Romanization regimes while the a large number of minor intersections have no Romanization of any kind. Navigation in Taichung city is extremely difficult for those who are unable to read Chinese characters.

Mass Transportation

The Taichung Downtown Bus Plaza, one block from the Taichung Train Station

The city currently does not have a subway, lightrail or any type of (MRT) system, though construction on the first line of the municipal MRT system is scheduled to begin in October 2009 with completion of the Wurih-Beitun line schedule for completion in 2014 or 2015.^{[citation needed]}

While a bus system exists covering parts of the city, it is not reliable in all places. Among the bus companies providing local service are Taichung Bus Company（台中客運,） Fengyuan Bus Company (豐原客運,) Changhua Bus Company (彰化客運,) and Presidential Bus Company. While heavily congested areas have buses, other areas have intermittent to no service. While there is theoretically a schedule when buses are to arrive, they are often not reliable. Signs at bus stops are not bilingual, not complete and often, not current.

Freeways and Expressways

National Highway No. 1 (國道一號), also known as the Sun Yat-Sen Freeway, passes through the western part of the city and has three interchanges in Taichung City. One is at Zhongqing Road (中清路), another at Taichung Harbor Road (中港路) and the southernmost at Wuquan West Road (五權西路).

Taichung-Changhua Expressway (中彰快速道路,) is the main stretch of Provincial Highway No. 74 that runs from northwestern Taichung City through part of Taichung County into the northern part of Changhua City just to the south of Taichung. At some points, it is just a few dozen meters east of the Sun Yat-Sen Freeway. While it does not connect directly to that highway, it does have an interchange with National Highway No. 3 (國道三號) in Taichung County, where one can then access it in a couple of minutes.

Taichung-Nantou Highway (中投公路,) also known as Provincial Highway No. 63, runs from Dali City (just south of the border from Taichung City) to Nantou County. It can be accessed by driving out of Taichung City on Wuquan South Road, where it becomes the Taichung-Nantou Highway within a kilometer of the city line. While there is no direct interchange with National Highway No. 3, one can get off in Wufeng and, after about two minutes on surface roads, easily access the highway.

Taichung International Airport

The Taichung International Airport is the third, and newest, international airport in Taiwan.

The Taichung International Airport civilian terminal is located on the western corner of CCK Air Force Base, about 20 kilometers (12 mi) from Taichung City. The main road linking Taichung and the airport is Zhongqing Road (Provincial Route 10.) The airport is located within a kilometer (1,100 yd) of the Shalu (沙鹿) Exit on National Highway Number 3.

In 2002 Ministry of Transportation and Communications began working on a plan to move air traffic from Taichung's ShuiNan Airport to the Qingquangang (CCK) Air Force base as a first step to converting CCK into a new international airport to facilitate larger aircraft.

The airport opened in early 2004, and the expanded facility at Qingquangang (CCK) Air Force Base has a much longer runway capable of handling larger aircraft. International charter flight service from the city began the same day.

The opening of The Taichung International Airport did spark a spat of partisan controversy about being incomplete and safety concerns were raised.^[22] The fact that Taiwan has more airports per capita than any other country in the region and prohibits private airplanes fell on deaf ears because the anticipated and protracted opening of direct links with the Chinese mainland are expected to require an increase in air traffic.

Taichung's airport currently handles daily scheduled flights between Taichung and the cities of Taipei and Hualian, as well as the offshore islands of Penghu (Pescadores) and Kinmen. Airlines operating out of Taichung include Mandarin and UNI. International air services are expected to continue growing to include charter flights between Taichung and South Korea, plus special charter flights to other destinations and possibly the Chinese mainland.

Romanization

Taichung City is in the process of implementing Hanyu Pinyin on road signs throughout the city. However, there are still signs displaying spellings from previously used Romanization systems as well as Tongyong pinyin and systems that do not conform to any standard system.^[23] Unlike Taipei City which uses a capital letter at the beginning of every syllable, Taichung City uses the standard form of Hanyu pinyin on street signs erected in recent years. However, the municipal website uses the Taipei system. Most major intersections have at least one sign containing some form of Romanization. Nearly every intersection in the downtown area has signs in Hanyu pinyin. However, outside of the downtown area, while coverage by Hanyu pinyin signs is improving, many intersections have sign in other Romanization systems (especially Wade-Giles and MPS2) or no Romanized signs at all.

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Taichung has signed sister city agreements with nineteen cities in nine countries since 1965. They are listed below along with the dates that the agreements were signed.^[24]

• New Haven, Connecticut, USA (March 29, 1965)
• Chungju, Republic of Korea (November 27, 1969)
• Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (November 21, 1978)
• Tucson, Arizona, USA (August 31, 1979)
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA (April 18, 1980)
• Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA (October 8, 1981)
• Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (April 2, 1982)
• Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, Republic of South Africa (December 9, 1983)
• San Diego, California, USA(November 19, 1983)
• Reno, Nevada, USA (October 8, 1985)
• Austin, Texas, USA (September 22, 1986)
• Manchester, New Hampshire, USA (May 8, 1989)
• North Shore City, New Zealand (December 17, 1996)
• Tacoma, Washington, USA (July 19, 2000)
• Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands (July 19, 2002)
• San Pedro Sula, Honduras (October 28, 2003)
• City of Makati, Republic of the Philippines (July 27, 2004)
• General Santos City, Republic of the Philippines (September 5, 2006)
• Columbus, Georgia, USA (November 11, 2007)

References

External links

• Taichung City Government Website (Chinese) (English)
• Taichung Harbor Website
• National Taichung Library

Administrative divisions of the Republic of China (Otherwise known as Taiwan). Central municipalities Taipei City · Kaohsiung City Taiwan Province Counties Changhua · Chiayi · Hsinchu · Hualien · Kaohsiung · Miaoli · Nantou · Penghu (Pescadores) · Pingtung · Taichung · Tainan · Taipei · Taitung · Taoyuan · Yilan · Yunlin Cities Chiayi · Hsinchu · Keelung · Taichung · Tainan Fujian Province Counties Kinmen · Lienchiang (Matsu Islands) Note: On December 25, 2010 the pink highlighted administrative divisions are scheduled in restructuring or merger into Central municipalities status. See Direct-controlled municipality.

From Wikitravel

Night view of Taichung, Taiwan

Taichung Park, Taiwan

Taichung (臺中 or 台中; Táizhōng) [1] is the third largest city in Taiwan, located in the west-central part of the island. It has a pleasant climate, and a population of just over one million people. The city is home to many manufacturers and in recent years has experienced rapid growth in the diversity of its cultural offerings.

Among the activities to catch when visiting Taichung: the world-class science museum and hiking in the nearby hills. There are also many famous night markets that provide night-time excitement. Here you can enjoy delicious food and drink, and find cheap and interesting items for sale. These include the ChungHwa night market (中華夜市), the Feng-Chia university night market (逢甲夜市), the Tung-Hai university night market (東海夜市), and the Chung-Shiao night market (忠孝夜市)).

Understand

Aboriginal era

Taiwanese aborigines originally populated the plain where modern Taichung City is located. They lived by cultivating millet and taro and hunted deer. Several local names in central Taiwan contain the word for "deer," including Shalu Township and Lukang Township in Changhua County.

Lecheng Temple, built during the Qing Dynasty

Lecheng Temple, built during the Qing Dynasty

Chishan Gate, built during the Qing Dynasty

Taichung's historic city hall

Shinto Shrine to Japan's WWII soldiers fighting overseas

Lecheng Temple, 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.

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 Mung-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.

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 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 moved 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 traditional culture of Taiwan and to foster a sense of local pride.

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.

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.

Taichung Districts, Taiwan

Taichung-Changhua Freeway, Taiwan

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.

Taichung is blessed with pleasant climate. It is often compared to California because of the frequency of sunny dry days. 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 city is suffers less from typhoons than other areas in Taiwan. However, typhoons still effect the city and often bring very heavy rainfall and flooding. However, by being in a valley and not having much rain, Taichung also has air quality problems throughout the year.

City view of Taichung, Taiwan

By bus

Bus is the most convenient and least expensive option. From Taipei Train Station, go to the bus terminal and take the 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. Buses depart several times an hour from the early morning through evenings and the entire ride is about two hours long.

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.

By car

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

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 Changi 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 restaurants. This airport would be finished by the end of 2009.

Get around

Compared to Taibei and Gaoxiong, Taichung's public transit system is much more limited. There is no MRT system and bus service is frequent only on Taizhonggang road from the train station to the west side of town. As of May 2009, a more improved bus system has been implemented but only runs until 10pm and requires a bus card to use. Traveling by scooter is the most convenient option. For those with a Taiwanese driver's license, renting a scooter can be done. Otherwise, you will need to take taxis. Taxis are convenient, and fares start at NT$85 at flagfall. Tips are not required. 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.

The city government has been discussing an MRT system in the city for more than a decade, but serious construction of this has not begun. If it ever gets built, the future Taichung MRT will 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.

Taichung Da Ken Forest Park, Taiwan

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 relax in one of the parks.
  

  

  Taichung Feng-Jia Night Market, Taiwan
  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.

Taichung KaoMay Marsh, Taiwan

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

Taichung KaoMay Marsh, Taiwan

• 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.

Taichung Metropolitan Park, Taiwan

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

Taichung JinMing First Street, Taiwan

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

Taiwan Banana New Paradise, Taiwan

• 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.

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.

• Feng-Chia University (逢甲大學)
• Dong-Hai University (東海大學)
• Asia University (亞洲大學)
• 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)

• Taichung Science Park
• Howli Science Park
• Dali Industrial Park
• Changpin Industrial Park
• Fongyuan Industrial Park
• Chengliao Industrial Park, [5]

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(太陽堂餅店), 23 Freedom Road sect. 2. Tel: +886-4-22222662/22237888. Famous for being the first bakery to sell sun cakes, a favourite among locals.

Taichung Lavender Forest, Taiwan

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. Walking through streets of taichung one can locate exotic cuisines like Indian, Japanese, Indonesia, continental et al., . Fortunately, the Taiwanese are quite accustomed to non-Chinese speakers, so using gestures will get you what you want (with perhaps a little surprise!)

• Gulu Gulu, No. 2 Lane 13 Wuquan W. 4th St. West District (Near the Art Museum), ☎ 04-23783128. This is a great place to experience Taiwan's Aboriginal food in the City. Unique upscale set meals with live music at night.  edit

• Salut Pizza, De Ye Road (Soho Street).
• Match Cafe, 60-3 2nd Section Zhonggong Rd. (中港路二段60-3號), ☎ 04-23134597, [6]. Match provides a pleasant atmosphere where one can have a cup of coffee, a bagel or a sandwich and work on one's computer.  edit
• The Naked Cafe, 575 1st Section Meicun Rd. West District (About two blocks from the Art Museum.), ☎ 04-23783161. The Naked Cafe serves up not only coffee and tea, but great sandwiches and fries in a somewhat Euro-inspired atmosphere.  edit
• Oldies Franks Hot Dogs, 384 Hua Mei Jie West District (華美街384號), ☎ 04-23287072. Best dogs in town if not Taiwan. Casual diner atmosphere with interesting hot dog combinations.  edit
• Pizza Buena, 206 Sec. 1 Meichun Rd. (美村一段206號), ☎ 2302-8083, [7]. 11am-10pm. Thin crust pizza by the slice, so good you may forget where you are. Seating upstairs.  edit
• Little India Muslim Resaurant (Halal), No. 60 Boguan 3rd St. West District (Behind the Splendor Hotel), ☎ 04-23261425, [8]. This little hole in the wall is more about good honest food and less about decorations.  edit
• Mei Nung Hakka Restaurant, No. 137 Dadun 12th St. Nantun District (大墩12街137號) (A couple blocks East of Carrefour and Dadun Rd.), ☎ 04-23105131. lunch and dinner. Excellent quality Hakka food in atmospheric little restaurant.  edit

• 89K Pub, 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.

Taichung Gu Guan Hot Spring, Taiwan

• Fu Chun Hotel - just across the street from the Taichung train station - NT$530 per night, TV, air, hot water.
• Corner Backpacker - Taichung Hostel; Sun. to Thr. per person500NT/pn; Fri and Sat. per person550NT/pn TEL:886-973331020 Address:No.85,Rixin St.,West Dist, 403 Taichung City, Taiwan Features: Wifi in Lobby, TV in Lobby, Security Lockers, Air Conditioning, Bike for rent

• Kao Yuan Hotel (高苑商務旅館), 392 Zhongzheng Road, Beiqu, (北區 中正路 ３９２號), ☎ 886 (04) 2226-2566, [9]. 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 [10] 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.

• Evergreen Laurel Hotel 6 Taichung Gang Rd. Sec. 2 Tel: +886 4-2313-9988. [11]

• Howard Prince Hotel Taichung 129 Anhe Road. Tel: +886-4-2463-2323. [12]

• Hotel One Taichung 532 Yingcai Rd. Tel: +886-4-2303-1234. [13] This is the newest high-end hotel in Taichung and it is also the tallest building in the city.

• Plaza International Hotel 431 Daya Road. Tel: +886-4-2295-6789. [14]

• Splendor Hotel 1049 Jien-xing Road. Tel: +886-4-2328-8000. [15]

• The Windsor Hotel Taichung 78 Taichung Gang Rd. Sec. 3 Tel: +886-4-2465-6555. [16] Along with Hotel One, this the other newer high-end hotel in Taichung.

• The Landis Hotel Taichung 9 Taichung Gang Rd. Sec. 2 Tel: +886-4-2326-8008. [17]

Exotic

In addition to traditional-style hotels, you might want to consider the exotic "love motels" for which Taichung is famous. These provide the feel of a resort with a large bath (often complete with television), large-screen television in the main room, and large beds, but without the need to travel hundreds of miles away. Rooms are individually priced and themed: everything from tropical paradise, complete with waterfall or reflecting pool, to dramatic uptown chic, to kitschy reds and pinks. Visit with your special someone for a night you won't soon forget! Here are a couple to get you started:

• The Love Boutique Motel 悅豪 TEL：04-2258-3366 No.83, Sec.3, Hui-Chung Rd., 408 Taichung, Taiwan [18] [19]

• Enjoy Motel 悅萊 TEL：04-22597799 No.19, Shihjheng N. 7th Rd., 408 Taichung, Taiwan [20]

[21]

Contact

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

Stay safe

Taichung is generally safe as long as you are vigilant at all times. Look both ways before crossing roads, then look again while you cross. Most injuries and fatalities to travellers in Taichung occur from vehicular accidents.

Get out

As Taichung is located in the middle of Taiwan, it is conveniently located 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, or as little as 1.5 hours given 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 little 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 drive to the east. The coast is a mere half-hour to the west.

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Wikipedia has an article on:

Taichung

Wikipedia

Noun

Taichung

1. Taichung or Taizhong is the third largest city in Taiwan.

Synonyms

• Taizhong (based on pinyin)

Translations