Plan a CruiseTaichung is Taiwan's third-largest city, serving as a significant economic, communication, and cultural hub. Established in 1886 during the Qing Dynasty, it once held the title of provincial capital. Situated in the Taichung Basin on the western side of Taiwan Island, the city is known for its clean, quiet, and well-laid-out streets. Its geography, with mountains blocking the western sea, makes it less prone to typhoon attacks. Taichung is also a prominent center for Buddhist culture and higher education, second only to Taipei in its number of colleges and universities. Cruise ships dock in an industrial area, necessitating transport to reach the city center.
Getting Around from the Port
As your ship docks in an industrial area, you will need to take either a taxi or ship-provided transportation to reach Taichung's city center. Once downtown, many attractions are within a compact area. However, walking can be challenging as businesses often extend onto sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into the street and requiring caution around traffic.
When taking a taxi, be aware that drivers typically only speak Chinese. It is highly recommended to carry a map that displays both English and Chinese characters, allowing you to easily point out your desired destination.
For those interested in exploring beyond Taichung, frequent, comfortable, and inexpensive freeway bus services connect to major cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung. The journey to either city by bus or train typically takes around 3 hours, though under optimal traffic conditions, this can be reduced to about 1.5 hours. Given the 8-10 hour port stay, a day trip to these cities would require careful time management.
Attractions and Activities
Taichung offers a variety of attractions suitable for an independent visit, focusing on culture, nature, and local life.
- The Parkway: This pleasant green corridor stretches between the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Natural Science. It's ideal for a leisurely walk or relaxation in one of its parks.
- National Museum of Fine Arts: Located at the southern end of The Parkway, it features modern and traditional exhibits, a cafe on the third floor, and a garden popular with families. It's connected to the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, which includes a large reading room.
- National Museum of Natural Science & Botanical Garden: At the northern end of The Parkway, behind the Science Museum, is a botanical garden filled with interesting plants, trees, and even a few "dinosaurs." You can climb a small hill for views and enjoy bird song. Early mornings often see locals practicing Tai Chi outside the museum. Beyond the botanical garden, a cycle track and path continue through a residential area with carefully tended gardens, known for beautiful rose perfumes in the evening.
- Surrounding Amenities: Shops, cafes, restaurants, and even a 24-hour optician can be found along either side of The Parkway.
- Zhongsheng Park: Continuing west from The Parkway, past the university hospital, you'll find Zhongsheng Park. This park features an open-air swimming pool, traditional benches, and a unique foot massage path.
- Baojue Temple: North of Zhongsheng Park and across the river, this temple is a significant cultural site.
- Yizhong Street Area: Located south of Zhongsheng Park, this vibrant district is home to several key attractions:
- Confucian Temple
- Martyrs Shrine
- Chungyo Department Store
- Taichung Gym
- Taichung Park
- Night Markets: A quintessential Taiwanese experience, night markets are open-air markets, typically held on streets or alleys. They are a staple for entertainment, shopping, and sampling a wide variety of local foods from numerous vendors.
- Day Trips to Taipei or Kaohsiung: While Taichung is centrally located, reaching Taipei or Kaohsiung by bus or train takes approximately 1.5 to 3 hours each way. Given an 8-10 hour port call, these trips would consume a significant portion of your time, making them a rushed option for a single day.
Dining & Shopping
Taichung offers diverse dining and shopping experiences, particularly in its vibrant night markets and along The Parkway. Night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, offering an array of local foods and various wares from numerous vendors. Along The Parkway, you'll find cafes and restaurants.
Regarding shopping, stores in Taichung generally do not have fixed opening hours and often remain open as long as customers are present. Night markets are excellent places to find unique local items and souvenirs.
Safety
While navigating Taichung, be aware that sidewalks in the downtown area are frequently utilized by shop owners, often forcing pedestrians to walk in the street and dodge traffic. Exercise caution when walking.
If your visit coincides with Chinese New Year (a six-day holiday), be prepared for extremely hectic transportation as many Taiwanese travel during this period.
Currency and Language
The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD), also referred to as TWD. A simple conversion rule is that NT$100 is roughly equivalent to US$3. ATMs are readily available throughout the city.
Credit cards are widely accepted at most hotels and major department stores. However, be prepared that most smaller restaurants and local shops typically do not accept credit cards, so it's advisable to carry sufficient cash for these purchases.
English is sporadically spoken in Taichung. Many cafes offer free WiFi for customers, often identified as "gaming cafes."