Independent tourism and recreation in the city of Taichung

Historical information about the city of Taichung

Taichung is one of the largest and most modern cities in Taiwan, which has evolved from small indigenous settlements to a powerful industrial, cultural and technological center of the country. The history of the city reflects several epochs at once: ancient Taiwanese cultures, Chinese colonization, Japanese rule and rapid economic development of the XX-XXI centuries.

Ancient history of the territory

Before the arrival of Chinese settlers, the central part of Taiwan was inhabited by indigenous Austronesian peoples.

Who lived on the territory of modern Taichung:

• papora

• baboise

• sinus

They were doing:

• hunting

• fishing

• farming

• village-trade

The first Chinese settlers

Active settlement of the region began in the XVII-XVIII centuries.

Reasons for resettlement:

• fertile lands of central Taiwan

• agriculture

• commerce

The main settlers were:

• Chinese from Fujian Province

• hack

Qing Dynasty Period

During the reign of the Chinese Qing dynasty, the territory of the future Taichung begins to develop actively.

What happened?

• Agricultural settlements were established

• Markets and roads were built

• The rice and tea trade developed

Taichung gradually became an important center of central Taiwan.

The Japanese Period (1895–1945)

One of the most important stages in the history of the city begins after the transfer of Taiwan to Japan following the results of the Treaty of Simonosek

The formation of a modern city

It was the Japanese who laid the foundation of modern Taichung.

What was built:

• railroad

• administrative buildings

• parka

• schools

• street

Architecture

Many of the historic buildings of the city today are a legacy of the Japanese period.

• station

• municipality

• cultural

Transport development

The Japanese government is actively developing infrastructure.

Major changes:

• Construction of a railway across Taiwan

• transmutation

• trade and industry

Economic growth of the twentieth century

After World War II, Taiwan came under the control of the Republic of China.

What's going on with Taichung:

• population growth

• industrialisation

• development of mechanical engineering and electronics

• construction

Taichung as an Industrial Center

In the second half of the XX century, the city became one of the key economic centers of Taiwan.

It's developing here.

• engineering

• metallurgy

• chemical industry

• high-tech

Education and culture

Taichung is gradually becoming not only an industrial but also a cultural center.

What's developing:

• university

• museum

• theatre

• spaces

Modern Taichung

Today Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan.

What he's known for:

• contemporary architecture

• night-market

• technology

• transportation

• urbanism
  

What is interesting about Taichung

Modern Asian metropolis without congestion

The main feature of Taichung is the balance between the metropolis and comfort.

What tourists like:

• street

• quieter

• fewer crowds than in the capital

• infrastructure

Night Markets: The Heart of Taiwanese Culture

Taichung is famous for its night markets.

What to try here:

• bubble

• seafood

• Taiwanese

• dessert

• exotic Asian snacks

The most famous markets are:

• Fengjia Night Market

• Yizhong Street Night Market

City of Art and Modern Culture

Taichung actively develops contemporary art.

What's interesting here:

• art quarters

• design spaces

• museums

• street installations

Especially popular:

• creative parks

• Former industrial zones turned into cultural centers

Parks and green spaces

Despite the size of the city, Taichung is very green.

What attracts tourists:

• parkland

• cycling

• walk-in

• greenland

Mixing cultures and eras

In Taichung, there are unusual combinations:

• Chinese temples

• Japanese architecture

• skyscrapers

• Taiwanese markets

This makes the city look like:

• modernly

• exotically

• It is very Asian, but without the chaos of the metropolis.

Youth and gastronomic atmosphere

There's a lot in town:

• coffeehouse

• japanese

• designer-store

• student district

Convenient location

Taichung is located almost in the center of the island.

Thanks to this:

• Comfortable travel throughout Taiwan

• easily reach mountains, lakes and coast

• high-speed transport

Nature near the city

Nearby are:

• mountainous

• tea-plant

• sun-lake

• trails and forests

Comfortable climate

The climate is here:

• It is warmer and softer than in northern Taiwan.

• less rain than in Taipei

• comfortable most of the year

You'll be met in Taichung. private guides And they'll offer you a copy. individual excursions.

Levels of residence in Taichung city

Premium hotels

Suitable for comfortable rest, SPA and panoramic views.

Popular options:

• Intercontinental Taichung

• Evergreen Laurel Hotel

It usually has:

• pool

• spa

• restaurant

• high-level service

Average price: 150-350 USD per night.

Mid-range hotels

The most popular option among tourists.

Examples:

• Holiday Inn Express Taichung Park

• Zhong Ke Hotel

• Inhouse Hotel Taichung

They usually offer:

• contemporary

• breakfast

• location

Price: 60-130 USD per night.

Boutique hotels and youth options

Stylish and modern options for young travelers.

Popular places:

• OKU Hotel

• The Way Inn

• OLAH Poshteltel

Features:

• interiors

• warmth

• popular

Price: 35-90 USD.

Apartments

Very popular for long stays and families.

Pros:

• kitchen

• more space

• family-friendly

Price: 30-120 USD.

Budget options and hostels

Suitable for backpackers and short trips.

Popular options:

• Kiwi Express Hotel

• Mr. Mantter.

• CHECK inn Taichung Zhongshan

Price: 15-50 USD per night.

Where to go and what to see in Taichung

1. Fengjia Night Market

The most famous night market in the city and one of the largest in Taiwan.

What is it?

• Taiwanese street food

• shop

• Asiatic nightlife

How to get there:

• bus

• taxi and Uber

• about 20-30 minutes from the station

2. Taichung National Theatre

One of the most famous modern buildings in Taiwan.

Features:

• futuristic architecture

• concerts

• viewing-zone

Availability:

• Located in the modern Xitun district

• easy access by bus and taxi

3. Maple Garden Park

What's interesting:

• lake

• nightlight

• playground

Transport:

• near the modern city centre

• Easy to get by bus or on foot from nearby hotels

4. Paochueh Temple

Features:

• traditional

• golden statue

• tranquility

How to get there:

• taxi

• About 10 to 15 minutes from the center

5. Calligraphy Greenway

What is it?

• longway

• cafes, shops, art spaces

• youthfulness

Availability:

• centre-town

• easy to walk or bike

6. National Museum of Natural Sciences

What to see:

• dinosaur

• exhibition

• botanical zones

Transport:

• bus

• comfortable

7. Rainbow Village

Features:

• colourful

• photolocation

• open-air

How to get there:

• bus

• about 20-30 minutes from the center
  

Events and entertainment in Taichung

Taichung is considered one of the most “living” and cultural cities in Taiwan. Festivals, concerts, gastronomic festivals and traditional Asian events are held here all year round. Due to the mild climate, the tourist season lasts almost the whole year.

Spring (March-May)

Spring is one of the best seasons to travel: comfortable temperatures, flowering parks and many cultural events.

Popular events:

• cherry-flowering

• spring-fair

• temple-feast

• street-concert

Lantern festival

One of the most famous holidays in Taiwan.

What's going on?

• giant light installations

• lantern

• evening-show

• street-food

Summer (June - August)

Summer is a time of active city life and musical events.

What happens:

• open-air

• contemporary music festivals

• youth

• anime and pop-culture events

Night Markets in Summer

On summer evenings, they are especially popular:

• Fengjia Night Market

• Yizhong Street

There goes:

• gastronomic festival

• street performance show

• music

Autumn (September-November)

Autumn is considered one of the most comfortable seasons.

Popular events:

• festival

• contemporary design

• gastronomic events

• weekly

Jazz Festival Taichung

One of the largest jazz festivals in Asia.

What's going on?

• concerts

• open-air scene

• night-show

• atmosphere of a large city festival

Winter (December to February)

Winter in Taichung is mild and warm compared to many Asian countries.

What happens:

• Christmas markets

• New Year show

• light festival

• concerts and food festivals

Chinese New Year is the main holiday of the year.

What can be seen:

• street-lined

• red-light

• holiday markets

• fireworks

• traditional dragon and lion dances
  

What weather is suitable for traveling to the city of Taichung

Spring (March-May)

One of the best times to travel.

Air temperature:

• March: +18...+24 °C

• April: +21...+27 °C

• May: +24... +30 °C

Water temperature:

• about +22... +26 °C

Features:

• flowering

• comfort

• sunny

• festival-time

Summer (June - August)

The hottest and wettest season.

Air temperature:

• +28...+35 °C

• sometimes above +36°C

Water temperature:

• +27... +30 °C

Features:

• humidity

• heat

• typhoon

• stuffy

Autumn (September-November)

Very comfortable season for tourists.

Air temperature:

• September: +27...+32 °C

• October: +24... +29 °C

• November: +20...+26 °C

Water temperature:

• +24...+28 °C

Features:

• less rain

• temperature

• festivals and cultural events

• pleasant evenings

Winter (December to February)

Winter is mild and short.

Air temperature:

• +15. +23 °C

• sometimes cooler at night

Water temperature:

• +20...+23 °C

Features:

• practically no frost

• dry and pleasant weather

• walkable

• New Year festivals and decorations
  

What traditions and customs should be observed in Taichung

Language of communication

Main language

• official language - Chinese (Mandarin dialect)

• Traditional Chinese writing is used

English

• meet in tourist places, hotels and subway

• Young people usually know basic English.

• In small cafes and shops, English may be limited.

Features of communication

Taiwanese style of communication

Taichung residents usually:

• polite

• calm

• friendly

• touristy

Important:

• not to argue loudly

• Aggressive behavior is considered impolite

• A smile and a calm tone are appreciated.

Traditions and customs

Politeness and respect

In Taiwan, it is important to:

• respect

• culturalism

• gratitude and accuracy

Etiquette at the table

What is desirable to observe:

• Do not stick stick sticks vertically into rice

• quietly

• first let the elders start eating

Vertically placed sticks are associated with funeral rituals.

Behavior in temples

There are many Buddhist and Taoist temples in Taichung.

Important:

• quietly

• avoid touching religious objects

• respectfully

• headgear

Conduct in transport

Taiwan values order very much.

Not accepted:

• talk loudly

• litter

• placement

People are usually very quiet on public transport.

Basic laws and regulations

Smoking

• banned in many public places

• fines for violation

Alcohol

• allowed from age 18

• You cannot disturb public order in a drunken manner.

Cleanliness

Taiwan is very clean.

What can be fined:

• rubbish

• spit

• violation of waste sorting rules

Road rules

• Pedestrians must follow traffic lights

• Lots of scooters and motorcycles – you need to be careful.

Photography and respect for people

• People are better off taking pictures with permission.

• In some temples, photos are limited.

• No need to photograph military installations

Everyday characteristics

Payment

• Electronic payments are popular

• Cash is still used in the markets.

Lines.

• Taiwanese people respect the queue.

• The attempt to “climb forward” is perceived as extremely negative.
  

Popular phrases and dialogues with translation for a trip to Taichung

Greetings and polite phrases
Hello.

No hoo
Ni hao
- Hello.

Good morning.

Z o ān
Zao An
Good morning.

Good evening.

Won shàng hoo
Wan Shan Hao
- Good evening.

Goodbye.

Zài jiàn
Cai Jin
- Goodbye.

Thank you.

Xièxie
Se-se
Thank you.

Please.

Bú kèqi
Bu ke chi
You're welcome.

Excuse me.

Duìbuqq
Duei bu chi
- Excuse me.

Useful phrases for tourists
I don't speak Chinese.

W bú huì shuō Zhōngwén
Wo Hui Sho Jungwen

Do you speak English?

??
N huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?
No fucking sho ing yu ma?

Help me, please.

Qngng bāng wng
Qing Ban Wo

Where is the subway?

? ?
Dìtiě zhàn zài n l ?
Do you know what?

How much does it cost?

??
Duōsh?o qián?
Do Shao Chien?

Phrases in cafes and restaurants
I want it.

W yào zhège
Yao Jae Gae

Very tasty.

Hěn hnochī
Hen hao choo

No spicy.

Bú yào là
Boo yao la

Water.

Shu S
Shuey

Check, please.

Q ng gěi w zhàngdān
Qing Gei Wo Zhang Dan

Phrases for transport
Take me here.

Q ng dài w qù zhèl
Qing Dai in Qu Li

How long to go?

??
Yào duōji?
Yao do Zhou?

Where's the bus stop?

? ?
Gōngjiāochē zhàn zài n l ?
Gung Jiao Che Zhan Zai, is it?

Shop phrases
Can I see it?

??
W? kěy? kànkan ma?
Wo ke and kan kan ma?

Precious.

Tài guì le
Tai gu le

Is it cheaper?

??
Y?u piányí yīdi?n de ma?
Yo Pien and Dien De Ma?

Hotel phrases
I have a reservation.

Wu yuu yùdìng
Wo yo din

Where's my number?

? ?
W de fángjiān zài n l ?
Wo de Fan Dzyen Zai?

We need Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi
W- xūyào Wi-Fi
Wo Xu Yao Wai Fai

Emergency phrases
I need help.

W W xūyào bāngzhù
Wu Yao Bang Joo

Call the police.

Q ng jiào j ngchá
Qing Jiao Jing Cha

I need a doctor.

Wng xūyào yīshēng
Woo yao

What to try and what souvenirs and gifts to bring from Taichung

What to try with food

Bubble Tea is the symbol of Taiwan

It is believed that the popularity of bubble tea began in Taichung.

What to try:

• tapioca

• fruit

• milk-tea

• tea

Street food

Fengjia Night Market is one of the best places to experience food in Taiwan.

Popular dishes:

• fried chicken XXL

• oyster omelette

• Taiwanese

• grilled squid

• rice-snack

Taiwanese sweets

What's popular:

• pineapple cake

• mochi

• mango

• oolong

Tea and tea culture

Taiwan is famous for its tea.

What's worth buying:

• oolong

• alpine

• jasmine tea

• tea-set

Why this is a good souvenir:

• quality

• decoration

• portable

Useful and “medical” products

Taiwanese cosmetics

Very popular:

• fabric-mask

• herbalism

• green-tea

• Korean-Japanese style grooming

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Taichung, you can find:

• herbal

• natural

• balm

• heater

Popular Asian products

What tourists often carry:

• cooler

• medicinal oils

• Japanese-Taiwanese vitamins

• herbal

Taichung Souvenirs

Traditional souvenirs

• lantern

• calligraphy

• dragon-cat figurines

• temple-amulets

Modern souvenirs

Taichung is a very young and design city.

Popular:

• artwork

• postcard

• Asian stationery goods

• kawaii-style accessories
  

Rest safety and availability of documents for travel to Taichung

Safety of rest

Taichung is considered a very safe city by Asian standards.

General level of safety:

• Low street crime rates

• Walking safely in the middle of the evening

• advanced camera and control system

• tourist-friendly

Possible risks:

• pickpocketing in the crowd (rarely)

• summertime

• Typhoons and heavy rains in the season

• Scooters on the roads (you need to be careful)

Travel documents

Mandatory:

• passport

• valid visa or visa-free entry (depending on nationality)

• Return ticket (often required upon entry)

• accommodation

It is recommended:

• Copy of passport (paper or phone)

• touristic

• Insurance (very desirable)

Health insurance

Although not always mandatory, it is highly recommended.

What should cover:

• emergency

• hospitalization

• injuries and accidents

• treatment of infections and food poisoning

• Transportation home (if possible)

Emergency services

Main numbers:

• 110 - police

• 119 Ambulances and Firefighters

• 112 - General emergency number (from mobile)

Mobile and Internet

Main operators:

• Chunghwa Telecom (most stable)

• Taiwan Mobile Mobile

• FarEasTone

Features:

• townside

• Fast mobile internet (5G in most areas)

• SIM card can be purchased at the airport or shops

Term of stay

For foreign tourists:

• Visa-free regime (for many countries) usually up to 14-90 days

• tourist visa – usually up to 30-90 days

• Extension through immigration services (in some cases)

Security of residence

• Hotels have a high level of service

• Almost everywhere there are cameras and electronic locks.

• Hostels are usually safe too.

• Values are best stored in a safe.

Natural safety features

Taichung is in a region with a subtropical climate.

It is important to consider:

• typhoon season (summer-autumn)

• rainfall

• heat and humidity in summer

Conduct and safety on the streets

• follow traffic rules

• Cross the road carefully (many scooters)

• leave things unattended

• respect queues and public order

Financial security

• Cards and mobile payments are widely used

• Cash is needed in markets and small shops

• ATMs are available everywhere