Day Trip to Taichung: How I Spent 24 Amazing Hours in Taichung City

Taichung City was actually one of my first stops in Taiwan. I went there right after Taipei, and I really enjoyed it.

Taichung is pretty close to Taipei, which makes it a super popular day trip. But to me, it has a totally different vibe. It’s a big student city (thanks to the university), so you’ll see way more young people out and about. The night markets are packed with students, and the whole place just feels more outgoing and lively. Not in a party or drinking way (most students actually don’t party that much), but more that people are always out, hanging around, and enjoying the city.

I loved the different feel, it felt more local and way less touristy than Taipei. I had a great time just wandering, eating, and enjoying the different atmosphere.

In this guide to a day trip to Taichung, I’ll share my own experience, plus tips, tricks, and everything you need to know to plan your visit.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Taichung Taiwan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Le Meridien Taichung – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Phoenix Hotel Taichung – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Bluesky Hotel- Click here for rates & availability

Day Trip to Taichung: How I Spent 24 Amazing Hours in Taichung City

Day Trip to Taichung – My Experience

If you’ve read my Taipei articles, you know I think the city is more about enjoying daily life than running around to see “top sights.” Taichung is even more like that.

There really isn’t a huge list of things to see here. I wasn’t blown away by the sights, but I still had a great time. The real highlight for me was the food, especially the night markets. I spent most of my time just eating, walking around, and checking out a few shops.

We also went to the original spot where boba tea was invented. Carae still says it’s the best bubble tea she’s ever had, so if you’re into boba, that might be a fun stop.

I wouldn’t come to Taichung just for the sights alone. Rainbow Village, for example, is cool for a quick look but not really a reason on its own to take the train down.

What makes Taichung worth it is the overall feel of the city. It’s more local, there’s a younger crowd thanks to the university, and it feels way less touristy than Taipei. The night markets alone make it worth visiting, and it’s also a good base if you’re planning to explore places like Sun Moon Lake after.

If you have time, I’d actually stay one night instead of rushing it as a day trip. That way you can enjoy the markets properly and not feel like you’re on a tight schedule.

How to Get to Taichung City from Taipei

Getting from Taipei to Taichung is super easy, but since we made a little mistake, I figured this deserves its own section.

The obvious way is to take the train from Taipei Main Station straight to Taichung. But here’s the thing: you definitely want to take the Express Train, not the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).

I found out the hard way that the High Speed Rail is, in many cases, kind of pointless. It’s about five times more expensive than the regular express train, and yes, it’s technically faster, but the HSR station in Taichung is actually about 30 minutes outside the city center. So after paying extra, you still have to take another 30-minute bus to get into the city. Meanwhile, the regular train drops you right in the center.

So just head to Taipei Main Station and grab a ticket for the express train. They’re nicer than the local slow trains, not as fast as the HSR, but honestly, they’re what we used for all our trips and they worked perfectly.

Activities in Taichung for a Daytrip

  • Grab the original boba tea at Chun Shui Tang Original Store
    We also had breakfast there, which I’d say you can skip, but the boba tea was fantastic and totally worth it.
  • Check out Miyahara
    A famous ice cream shop with amazing ice cream and a super unique design inside. It almost feels like an old-school apothecary, definitely a fun stop.
  • Visit Rainbow Village (if you really want the photo)
    It’s basically just a few houses painted in rainbow colors. Cool for a quick picture, but honestly pretty far out and not that exciting in person.
  • National Museum of Natural Science
    Really cool museum with life-size dinosaurs, polar bears, and other animals. Worth it if you’re into museums or traveling with kids.
  • Fengchia Night Market
    Huge night market that feels like a mix of market and shopping street. Tons of food options, and super lively on weekends.
  • Yizhong Street Night Market
    My personal favorite. They had the juiciest, best Taiwanese fried chicken I’ve tried so far.

How to get Around in Taichung

Taichung doesn’t have an MRT, but the bus system is actually pretty decent. We used the buses for everything.

Google Maps was a lifesaver, we had a SIM card (which I think is 100% necessary in Taiwan for maps and translation), and the public transport times on Google Maps were super accurate. We basically just followed the directions on there, hopped on the buses, and it all worked out perfectly.

I recommend staying somewhere central. We stayed close to Yizhong Street Night Market, and from there we could walk to a bunch of places, including the train station.

Best Food in Taichung

  • Chun Shui Tang
    Have to mention it again for the original boba tea. If you’re into boba, definitely try it, it’s the OG spot.
  • 天使雞排
    Hands down the best Taiwanese fried chicken I had in Taiwan. We had to wait in line for a bit, but totally worth it.
  • Soori Eggs
    My go-to for breakfast. They serve classic Taiwanese breakfast but in a more modern style. I tried two of their Taiwanese sandwiches and they were so good, hearty, and savory. Perfect way to start the day.
  • Hot pot
    Taichung is actually where I tried hot pot for the first time. I’m not the biggest fan personally, but it’s fun and definitely worth trying at least once.
  • 小舍河粉 台中
    Awesome dinner spot. We had their laksa, and it was super flavorful and comforting. Highly recommend.

Best Night Markets in Taichung

Fengjia Night Market (Fengjia University area)

The biggest and most famous night market in Taichung and honestly one of the biggest in all of Taiwan. It feels like a mix between a classic night market and a shopping street, with endless food stalls, clothes, game booths, and random stuff to buy. It’s especially fun on weekends when it gets really busy and the vibe is super lively. If you only have time for one, make it this one.

Yizhong Street Night Market

My personal favorite. It feels a bit more local and student-focused since it’s right by the university. The food here is next level and the Taiwanese fried chicken at 天使雞排 is a must (yes, the one I already mentioned). You’ll also find tons of cheap snacks and little shops selling clothes and accessories. Great if you want to experience a more local, young vibe.

Zhongxiao Night Market

A bit smaller and less touristy compared to Fengjia. It’s more old-school and has a slightly more local, authentic feel. There’s still plenty of good food, but it’s definitely not as overwhelming or as crowded.

Hanxi Night Market

This one is a bit further out and feels even more local. It’s a good choice if you want to avoid huge crowds and still try all the typical night market classics like fried squid, stinky tofu, oyster omelets, you name it. Open on Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends.

Where to Stay in Taichung City

As I mentioned earlier, if I were to stay in Taichung again (and just for a night or so), I’d definitely pick somewhere in the city center. Anywhere around Taichung Park and the City Centre is a decent choice. From there, you can walk to a lot of places, which I usually prefer over having to jump on buses all the time.

It’s also super close to Taichung Train Station, that’s where you’ll arrive from Taipei, and it’s also where the shuttle buses to Sun Moon Lake leave. So to keep things easy, I really recommend staying near Taichung Train Station.

Here are a couple of hotels I’d recommend in that area:

  • Book Here: Blue Sky Hotel – A great little boutique hotel with spacious, clean, and modern rooms. Amazing value for money and a place I’d totally recommend.
  • Book Here: Le Meridien Taichung – If you want something more upscale, Le Meridien is a top-notch luxury option right near the train station.

FAQs About 1 Day in Taichung

Is Taichung worth visiting?

I think so! Taichung has a totally different vibe compared to Taipei, more local, more laid-back, and full of good food. While there aren’t tons of big tourist sights, it’s a fun city to explore, especially if you enjoy night markets and trying local food.

What to do in Taichung at night?

Definitely check out the night markets. Fengjia Night Market is the biggest and most famous, but I personally liked Yizhong Street Night Market more.

What are the best day trips from Taipei?

Besides Taichung, some other great day trips from Taipei are Jiufen (probably the most popular one) or Shifen (for the waterfalls and sky lanterns).

What are the best things to do in Taichung?

Try the original boba tea at Chun Shui Tang, eat your way through the night markets, check out Miyahara for ice cream, and visit Rainbow Village if you want a quick photo spot. You can also stop by the National Museum of Natural Science or just spend your time exploring the city’s cafés and small shops.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Taichung for 1 Day

I think Taichung is a great stop if you’re looking for a change of scenery from Taipei. It might not have a long list of big “must-see” attractions, but that’s actually what makes it nice. It feels more local, a bit more laid-back, and it has a fun student vibe which I really enjoyed to be honest.

For me, the highlight was definitely the food in Taichung from the original boba tea to the night market snacks. The night markets alone make it worth visiting, and it’s also a good base if you want to explore places like Sun Moon Lake afterward.

Overall, I think Taichung is worth a visit, especially if you have an extra day or two in your Taiwan itinerary. It’s an easy and comfortable day trip from Taipei, and you’ll get to see a different side of the country.

Check Out My Other Taipei Guides

What to eat in Taipei: My favorite Street Food & Restaurants in Taipei

Best Cafes in Taipei: My top Coffee Spots in Taipei

1 Day in Taipei Itinerary: How I spent 24 Hours in Taipei

Is Taipei worth visiting?: My Honest Review in 2025

Taipei Travel Itinerary: My Perfect Taipei Itineraries

Solo Travel Taipei: What to know before Solo Travel to Taipei

Night Markets Taipei: My Favorite Night Markets in Taipei

3 Days in Taipei Itinerary: How I Spent 3 Days in Taipei

Things to Do in Taipei: My Top Things to Do in Taipei

Where to Stay in Taipei: My Top Areas & Hotels in Taipei

Taipei to Jiufen: How to get to Jiufen from Taipei

Is Jiufen Worth Visiting? My Honest Jiufen Review

Jiufen Taiwan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Jiufen

Where to Stay in Jiufen Taiwan: My Favorite Hotels in Jiufen

Teapot Mountain Trail: My Guide on Hiking Teapot Mountain

Day Trip to Taichung: How to Spend 1 Day in Taichung

Where to Stay in Taichung: The Best Areas & Hotels in Taichung

Similar Posts