< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Originally a plan to check out Taichung Fifth Market 台中第五市场 and Painted Animation Lane 动漫彩绘巷 for their proximity to each other, Taichung Literature Park 台中文学公园 was a by-the-way as I walked past this interesting cluster even before reaching the market. (The merit of exploring cities on foot...)
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Taichung Third Market 台中第三市场 was one of the marketplaces in my Jul 2019 itinerary, made all the more enticing as it was a mere 15-minute walk from my accommodation Petrichor Hotel 朗舍行馆 (though I usually cater more time for getting distracted enroute). Cultural Heritage Park 文化创意产业园区, on the other hand, was an inclusion by chance passing by it at the end of my marketplace stroll - though highly recommended if you have time for both.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Traditional markets are a disappearing act in modern cities. Many get an overhaul and lose their original charm, becoming nothing more than homogenous, functional places. On this note, Taiwan makes an effort to inject creativity and character into some of their modern markets - making tradition accessible and attractive to the younger generation. I love visiting marketplaces on my travels, especially traditional ones which are almost non-existent where I come from; and find revamped ones in Taiwan quite an attraction on their own. Both types are worth exploring, for the local cuisine, infectious peak hour energy and modest neighbourhood charm.
Taichung Second Market 台中第二市场 was opened way back in 1917, and regarded as a upscale market for the Japanese. Came across two interesting YouTube videos sharing insights on the century-old Taichung landmark, which you can find online:
❐ 市场寻百味: 台中第二市场额 Century-old market in Taichung, Taiwan
❐ 我在市场待了一天: Ep6 台中第二市场
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
In many progressively urbanized countries, forests, green spaces and nature have made way for concrete dwellings, which takes priority in land scarce and increasingly populated places. Those that pay attention to (restoring some) greenery, make an effort to include pockets of nature (albeit man-made) or cater for neighbourhood parks in urban planning. I feel blessed that Taiwan maintains a good mix of city-scape and breathtaking nature - allowing me varied travel experiences - and feel aghast when seeing reports of people (both locals and tourists) misbehaving at attractions.
Taiwan does a great job providing public spaces, such as parks. And it is not incidental, considering how much effort must have been put in, for so many of them to withstand the test of time. Taichung Park 台中公园 is one example, being the oldest park in the city, completed way back in 1903.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
The Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR 高铁) came into service in January 2007, and provided a fast and comfortable alternative to the older Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA 台铁) system for inter-city travel. If there is any downside to HSR, it is that it only covers the "left side" of Taiwan, versus TRA's much more extensive and intricate railway lines through the whole of Taiwan. If you ask me, both are equally functional for me, although I have another favoured mode of public transport - bus/coach (公车/客运).
It was via an inter-city long-distance bus from Taoyuan International Airport, that got me to Taichung for this trip. As a result of my travel research, I realised how vibrant and convenient the Taichung (TRA) station 台中火车站 zone is.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
If you have had enough of Taichung sights such as Rainbow Village, Miyahara and Fengjia Night Market, and are looking for more to do, venturing out of the city proper is an alternative. Qingshui 清水 district was one of my two day trips in July - the other being Wufeng 雾峰.
Qingshui 清水 in western Taichung and approximately 35km from the city central, got its name during Japanese rule. If the Lin clan is synonymous with Wufeng (雾峰林家), Qingshui's most famous personality must be the legendary Liao Tianding 廖添丁 - Taiwan's Robin Hood during oppressive Japanese rule.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Taiwan has a comprehensive programme to preserve and revamp old military villages (眷村) into heritage zones - as opposed to eradicating all of these abandoned communities - inviting local artists, workshops, non-profit organizations and even brands to move in and utilize the space. Qingshui Art Village 清水眷村文化园区 is one of these country-wide projects, among the many such as Guangfu Village 光復新村 in Taichung Wufeng, and Military Families Community Park 四四南村 in Taipei. Built in 1949 to house airforce personnel and named Xinyi New Village 信義新村, the area was officially marked a heritage zone in 2012.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
In 1935, the Japanese-run, then-named Qingshui First Public School 清水第一公学校 moved to its current relocation (circled below). To create staff accommodation, a cluster of dormitories was constructed at 1 side of the school, styled in a fusion of Japanese-western architecture (和洋折衷式建筑). The Qingshui Elementary School Dormitory Cluster 清水公学校日式宿舍群 (boxed below) we get to admire now, is one of the remaining buildings of this style in Taiwan.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
To say that Yorimichi Patisserie 顺道菓子店 is an unexpected find in this little town, is hardly an exaggeration. The Japanese sweets cafe is a gem among the many local eateries and street food scattered through my Qingshui day trip 清水一日游, and already an easy find on blogs when I was planning my route.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Mention Wufeng 雾峰 and what likely comes to mind is the illustrious Lin clan (雾峰林家), one of the five renowned families in Taiwan (and unrelated to Taipei Banchiao's Lin Family 板桥林家, also one of the five). A suburban district in southern Taichung, about 30 minutes drive from the city central, what used to be a primarily agricultural town now makes a good day trip destination, easily navigated by bus and on foot. Originally known as Ah Zhao Wu (阿罩雾, Ataabu) for the aboriginal tribe inhabiting the district, the later-adopted name Wufeng 雾峰 appeared as early as the Qing dynasty, and formalizing in 1920. Reference to its old name can still be spotted on some street signs and drain covers.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Synonymous with Taichung's Wufeng District is undisputedly the prestigious Lin Family - 雾峰林家 (not to be confused with Taipei's Banchiao Lin Family 板桥林家). Hence, no visit to Wufeng will be complete without setting foot in their former residence - Wufeng Lin Family Garden 雾峰林家宮保第园区. (Note: the official website does not convey an English name, and there are several versions online.) As the clan grew, the now-historical landmark expanded into two sections, the Upper Mansions 上厝 and Lower Mansions 下厝. Unfortunately, most of the carefully preserved grounds were destroyed in 2009 September 21's earthquake (commonly referred to as the 921 Earthquake, believed to be the second most severe quake in Taiwan's history). What has been painstakingly reconstructed for public appreciation is still very much a must-do on your Wufeng itinerary.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
Guangfu Village 光复新村, a highly anticipated destination in my Wufeng day trip for my love of old "military towns", is accessible by bus to Keng Kou Li 坑口里 (a mere 6 stops from Wufeng Market 雾峰市场, where I had a hearty breakfast). In the heat of 1950s' political tension with the mainland, the KMT government relocated some provincial offices to central Taiwan. Guangfu Village 光復新村 became one such housing site for public servants and their families. As recent as 2009, there were still some households residing here, until its officially becoming a cultural site in 2012. The Guangfu Village 光復新村we see now is a base for young entrepreneurs, home to cultural workshops, retail and F&B.
< Visited in Jul 2019 | Nov 2018 | Dec 2016 | Sep 2015 >
The original estate which sat here was the Miyahara eye hospital, constructed in the 1900s near Taichung Railway Station and right beside the scenic "green stream" (绿川) and Zhongshan Green Bridge (中山绿桥). The founding father of the eye hospital, Master Miyahara Takekuma made meaningful contributions to Taichung, such as uniting the natives with Japanese, bringing about radio and police reforms, and encouraging Taiwanese self-government. The defunct icon in Taichung was later left to deteriorate over the years and was severely damaged by natural catastrophes.
In this modern age, like-minded people including architectural experts and artisans came together to breathe new life into the old building, now operating as a retail shop for lavishly packaged local products, a specialty ice cream and milk tea parlour, and Taiwanese restaurant. Miyahara 宮原眼科 is highly recommended for first time visitors to Taichung and for spending a good couple of hours for dining, shopping (mid-range pricing, but definitely presentable as gifts for important people) and checking out their signature ice cream or pearl milk tea.
< Visited in Jul 2019 & Aug 2018 >
I have introduced Taipei's Lang Lang Don't Cry Pet Halfway House & Cafe 浪浪别哭 previously. When they opened their second outlet in Taichung (to expand the geographic potential of their cats and dogs getting adopted), it was a matter of time I made my way there. Nestled in an old (and according to one taxi driver who brought me there, quite known) neighbourhood, this outlet occupies a two-storey corner house, not far from a lovely open field.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
If you haven't guessed, Shiba Kori 此木二水's Chinese name - 此木二水 - combines to mean 柴冰 (literally Shiba ice). And what's a Shiba Kori cafe without a Shiba Inu? Other than the owner's (a Hong Konger who has since settled down in Taiwan) black Shiba who appears in various forms in the shop, patrons are welcomed to bring their dogs, especially Shiba Inu. Opened only in April this year, the Shiba Inu-themed cafe serves shaved ice, Hong Kong desserts and beverages.
< Visited in Jul 2019 >
In my opinion, one of the national hobbies in Taiwan is probably going to bazaars. Weekend editions, seasonal ones (e.g during school holidays), thematic types (e.g pet related, for handicraft lovers, showcasing Taiwanese brands), indoors, outdoors... the variety is pretty impressive. I find them at cultural parks (e.g Taipei's Huashan 华山 and Songyan 松烟 on weekends) or dedicated locations (e.g Taichung's Caowudao 草悟道 and Eslite Living malls 诚品生活馆). Over this Jul 2019 vacay, I visited at least five for treasure hunting.
Shenji (Audit) 368 New Village 審计368新创聚落 in Taichung is one highly-recommended bazaar destination. Positioned as a daily bazaar (vs common weekend ones), in reality it is much more than that.
< Visited in Nov 2018 | Mar 2017 | Nov 2014 >
Fantasy Story 范特喜 is one of my earliest haunts in Taichung, before I got more adventurous. Way before I first visited Shenji (Audit) 368 New Village 審计368新创聚落, I had already been here thrice.
< Visited in Sep 2016 >
Constructed in 1937, the 台中刑務所演武场 was originally used as martial arts training grounds (演武场) and dormitories for Taichung Prison (台中刑務所, later renamed 台中监狱) officers and police. Following the prison's relocation, the premises turned dorms for families of military personnel. In 2004, the city government declared it a historical site, only to experience a fire in 2006 which caused severe damage. Restored based on original design, the venue finally reopened in 2010 and in 2011, renamed Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Centre 道禾六艺文化馆 - inspired by six arts 六艺, the ancient concept of education adopted by Confucius.
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