[Taichung 台中 ☼ DayTrip日游] Wufeng 霧峰－Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< 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.

I had taken an interest in Wufeng while researching Taichung outskirts for a slow-paced itinerary away from the city central. Turned out to be accessible by buses from where I was staying in Taichung, and boasting sufficient sights to occupy an entire day. This would be a manageable itinerary for young and old, though plenty of walking (mainly on flat grounds) in the outdoors is to be expected.

Date of travel: Wed, 10 Jul 2019

Mode of travel: Bus
There are multiple buses to take from where I was staying, though I ended up taking only 201 through the day as it ran on a high frequency (didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes per ride, subject to time of day) and covered the places I needed to go (bus stops marked in pink below). The buses were not crowded, and were utilised by mainly locals going about their daily business (rather than jam packed with tourists). My longest ride was 9.1km, within the *free 10km range using an EZcard.
[*Taichung's bus network is extremely extensive, a much appreciated transport mode in the absence of subway. If you are using a stored value card, the first 10km is free (not sure when this privilege will end).]

Attractions for the day (nearest bus stop):
◈ Wufeng Market 雾峰市场 (Zhongzheng-Caohu Intersection中正草湖路口)
◈ Guangfu Village 光复新村 (Keng Kou Li 坑口里)
◈ Wufeng Lin Family Garden 雾峰林家宫保第园区 (Wufeng Post Office 雾峰邮局; alternatively Wufeng 雾峰 as the attraction is in the middle)
◈ Shu Ren Shopping District 树仁商圈 (Wufeng 雾峰)

Duration of day trip: 9 hours, from 9am (arrival at first destination bus stop) to 6pm (departing the last attraction by bus)

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Boarding at Changhwa Bank (Ziyou Road) 彰化銀行 (自由路) at about 8.30am, bus 201 brought me to my first bus stop in less than 30 minutes (thank god for a smooth ride and good weather). From this point, Google Maps directed a 10-minutes stroll across and along the main road to my first destination for the day - Wufeng Market 雾峰市场.

Spotting the town's old name here - Ah Zhao Wu Old Street 阿罩雾旧街, where Wufeng Market 雾峰市场 is.

Once turned into the old street, I welcomed the vibrance of the traditional marketplace, best appreciated in the morning though some stalls should still be opened in the afternoon. Just like many Taiwanese traditional marketplaces, motorbikes weave in and out the lanes among the pedestrians, looking for good buys and food - best for pedestrians to keep to the sides.

⇩ My first pit stop for a drink - winter melon tea with lemon 冬瓜柠檬, a large cup for NT$40. Used my own cup sleeve and stainless steel straw with the thick sturdy paper cup, but couldn't avoid a plastic lid. (Reducing waste and single use plastic WIP!)

Diving back into the crowd and narrower lanes, to advance towards the sheltered traditional market.

Grass jelly by the block!

⇩ Missing such nostalgic sights as traditional (wet) markets have gradually become a thing of the past where I come from. This market place is pretty well maintained and ventilated, and fortunately not jam-packed at the time I was there.

⇩ After a leisurely 45 minutes or so strolling the market, I settled for the eatery back at where I had turned in at Ah Zhao Wu Old Street 阿罩雾旧街. An easy but steady stream of customers came, ate and left swiftly, or took out rice dumplings. The couple running the eatery went about their business briskly, while I enjoyed my meal slowly and undisturbed (and thankful for shelter from the heat).

⇩ I had some internal conflict over their seemingly popular meat dumpling 肉粽 and another Taichung local favourite - 米糕 (NT$35), loosely translated as rice cake. I went with the latter.

⇩ Another perennial favourite - 碗粿 (NT$30), literally (rice) cake in a bowl. The white base is finely steamed rice cake, topped with dark soy sauce, minced meat and mushroom.

⇩ 咸圆仔汤 (NT$50), a savoury meat version of the sweet glutinous rice ball Chinese dessert (汤圆) consumed during winter solstice festival (冬至). Hence, this dish is also referred to as savoury glutinous rice ball (咸汤圆).

Leaving Wufeng Market 雾峰市场 with a satisfied tummy, I crossed the road and walked farther down to the next bus stop - Wufeng 雾峰 - where I would be back at in the evening for dinner.

⇩ This intersection is in close proximity to where I would be headed back for dinner.

⇩ From here, it's a mere 6 stops to the next destination for the day - Guangfu New Village 光復新村.

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Click ⇩ for separate post on
|| Guangfu Village 光復新村 ||

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|| Wufeng Lin Family Garden 林家宫保第园区 ||

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Departing Wufeng Lin Family Garden 雾峰林家宮保第园区 well before 5pm, Google Maps (which works very well in Taiwan) guided me in the direction of dinner, at Shu Ren Shopping District 树仁商圈. It will not be overstated to term this THE shopping and food zone in Wufeng, and conveniently located on my bus route for the day (and 10-15 minutes stroll from Wufeng Market 雾峰市场 and Wufeng Lin Family Garden 雾峰林家宫保第园区).

⇩ Someone was playing his saxophone outside a tui na shop, making this stretch of my walk melodious.

⇩ The 7-Eleven and Chunghwa Telcom which I had walked past in the morning...

Although Shu Ren Shopping District 树仁商圈 is essentially one main stretch of road, the entire shopping and food zone actually extends to its vicinity and spans a larger area. If you do not have specific eateries in mind nor in a hurry, it will be worth the time exploring both the main street and adjoining lanes, with many eateries dotted as photographed enroute.

⇩ In my case, I had an eatery bookmarked, located at Shu Ren Road, which cuts in on the left (as per blue arrow), to another long stretch of eateries and yes, milk tea shops.

⇩ Arriving at my bookmarked eatery - 龙之轩炸粿炸物 Long Zhi Xuan Fried Food - though I was very tempted by other foodstalls along the way.

⇩ The shop's DIY sauce corner, with a secret recipe white sauce (made from rice) and recommended for mixing with thick soy paste or chilli sauce.

⇩ Contrary to its name, this eatery actually sells alot more than fried food (admittedly the hard-to-miss side dish which I was here for), including noodles, rice, handmade dumplings, soup and appetisers.

My orders:
- 干阳春面 traditional dry noodle (NT$35)
- 油豆腐 tofu (NT$15)
- 甜米糕 sweet rice cake (NT$20)
- 韭菜条 chive stick (NT$20)
- 肉嗲 meat fritter (NT$35)
and their signature 红烧肉 braised pork (NT$35);
the last 4 being fried items I requested for takeout in my own container*, so I could save most of it for supper. (Amazingly still good at room temperature!)
[*Taiwan's really moving into environmentalism and waste/plastic reduction. Other than paying for plastic bags which started years ago in Taipei, and now a growing policy to not provide plastic straws, the locals have inspired me to cultivate a habit of bringing my own shopping bags and now, food containers. Most if not all stall owners I meet are happy to allow me use of my own containers. Such is the concerted effort in Taiwan.]

I have not exactly encountered horrible food in Taiwan, even at the most humble looking eatery (in fact, these are where good food exists, often passed from generation to generation). I also immensely enjoy local noodles and dishes. 龙之轩炸粿炸物 Long Zhi Xuan Fried Food has definitely lived up to its popularity on local blogs that brought me here.

From the endless beverage choices, I gave 一芳 Yi Fang my first try (though some locals may avoid this brand for some reason I won't discuss here). Went with a sugarcane green tea (NT$68) and a pineapple green tea (NT$55) (yes, 1 for supper to go with the sinful fried stuff). Being my first taste test, I usually go for full sweetness, which proved a little too much for me (also commonly perceived of this brand) - if I ever buy this brand again, will have to at least halve the sugar level.

There was plenty more to eat, drink and see along the same stretch, if not for my tummy overload which could only welcome a stroll and visual appreciation of what I had to miss.

There's always next time, given how accessible and near Wufeng is to Taichung city central. Turning back to the main road where Wufeng 雾峰 bus stop was (towards the direction of Wufeng Market 雾峰市场), I was back at my hotel way before 7pm.