The reasons to visit Taichung one time in your lifetime

For many years, Taichung was considered a hub of industry and, as a result, not a place that many considered the ideal holiday or weekend break destination. However, in recent years the city has undergone a huge wave of redevelopment and is now a great place for a short break. Here are some of the main reasons why travelers should have the west coast city of Taichung on their Taiwan bucket list.

Arts and culture

Taichung is Taiwan's cultural center. The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is one of the biggest in Asia, showcasing paintings, sculptures and installations from Taiwanese artists. The city has an outdoor jazz festival every October, attracting international acts.

Another stunning attraction is Rainbow Village, an old settlement for ex-soldiers, preserved by a 93-year-old man who's now the village's last resident. He hand-painted the buildings with colorful murals featuring children and animals, thereby saving it from demolition.

Super-friendly people

Taiwan has a reputation for being an incredibly welcoming place, and Taichung is one of its most welcoming cities. People here are very friendly towards tourists, and it is not uncommon to go out for dinner and make a few new friends along the way.

Amazing food

Many tourists would surmise that the food is amazing no matter where you go in Taiwan but in Taichung, you have a genuine melting pot of cuisines from all over the world. From French haute cuisine to local hole-in-the-wall noodle shops, Taichung has it all and then some. But more, it is the local treats that make the city one of a kind. Taichung is the home of a variety of snacks and foods such as Sun Cakes and Pearl Milk Tea. In fact, no self-respecting local will visit the city without sampling at least one.

Awesome night markets

Open-air night markets are the heart of nightlife here. Food stands offer noodles, stinky tofu, desserts and barbecued everything. There is no better place than Taichung to try bubble tea, where the popular drink was invented.

Nature

The countryside surrounding Taichung is home to some of the best trails for short hikes, and at any time during your stay in the city, you are never more than a half-hour away from lush green countryside. The nearby coast is also a great spot to visit the Gaomei Wetlands, one of the most popular places for an evening stroll. The wetlands are home to an incredible array of local wildlife, and the pathways that wind through the area provide easy access.

The cutest coffee shops

In a land overflowing with oddly themed cafés, saying that Taichung has the quirkiest is something else. But in Taichung, the cafés are not so much odd as they are cute and colorful. And what is more, there are so many of them. Every street seems to have at least two or three coffee shops, and with so much competition, each strives to stand out from the crowd. Having a coffee in Taichung is certainly an interesting experience.

Read more: Take a trip to Taichung

Source Internet