[Taichung 台中] Taichung Literature Park 台中文学公园 + Fifth Market 第五市场 + Painted Animation Lane 动漫彩绘巷 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< 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...)

▼ A map overview indicating the 3 locations. Though good food at traditional markets often extends to the areas in and around them, in this case Lequn Street 乐群街. If you have sufficient time, these 3 places can be planned on the same day.

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Taichung Literature Park 台中文学公园 (/Taichung Literature Museum 台中文学馆) was a cluster of police quarters built in 1932. Declared a historical site by the city government in 2009, the premises were re-purposed, with the park around the cluster opened first in 2015, and subsequently the museum in 2016. The latter consists of 6 buildings, housing exhibitions, workshops, children's literature and recreation and F&B. Check out their official website for guided tour and exhibition schedules.

▼ A very tall (18.3m!) and expectedly old banyan tree (正榕树), under the protection of the city government. There is something very therapeutic about admiring old trees, and thinking about how they have witnessed the city's changes and developments.

▼ A couple of poetic signages on cats... which I guessed are purely ornamental as there was no feline spotting in the premises.

The one cafe onsite, named Nice To Meet You 幸卉文学咖啡 (FB) looked like a nice place to hang out at and have afternoon tea (other blogs suggest theirs is a mainly dessert and beverage menu). Possibly popular with the younger crowd too. Since this was an unplanned pit-stop, I bookmarked this for a next visit.

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Strolling on to Taichung Fifth Market 台中第五市场, though more accurately the food street around it, as there is a separate fresh produce and dry provisions cluster. I hadn't planned on pigging out here as this was after a hearty brunch. BUT there was 1 stall I was going to check out...

Past the peak lunch hour, the food street was not crowded though many stalls were still opened, making it quite a nice stroll if you just want to look around.

▼ Approaching my targeted stall...

A mouthful 第五市場阿義(古早味)紅茶冰, commonly referred to as 阿義紅茶 (literally Ah Yi Red/Black Tea). A must-have at this market, and just nice to hydrate me for the rest of my stroll.

Signature iced red tea 招牌紅茶冰 (NT$25) - a large cup (700cc?) for the price. I usually go for the most basic beverage (in its original flavour) when trying a new establishment, to best experience the standard and quality. In a beverage kingdom like Taiwan where there must be thousands of names (and most of the really good ones don't even step out of the country, though those that do all claim to be Taiwan's top or #1 brand), I keep an open mind and am most curious about such old-time standalone stalls. I can see why this is their signature beverage - other than being wallet-friendly - brewed traditionally and retaining a refreshing tea flavour, without being too sweet.

I actually spotted quite a few stalls that I would have loved to try, if I hadn't had a heavy brunch. Also as appealing are the dessert shops. I shall save these for a revisit, possibly brunch and dessert here followed by afternoon tea at Taichung Literature Park 台中文学公园.

▼ Le Qun Taro Ice 乐群冷冻芋 is a dessert shop that pops up alot in local blogs.

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At this point, Painted Animation Lane 动漫彩绘巷 is just round a corner.

Spotting other visitors here for the same purpose as me.

The street graffiti zone sits within a residential neighbourhood. Imaginably, the number of visitors must have caused some disturbance to the residents for such signs to be put up, cautioning against noise level and thrash left behind. (This reminds me of similar signages in old cultural zones in South Korea, with beautiful hanoks 韩屋, situated within residential estates.)

A lone pastry cafe in the neighbourhood - Originl'a Tart & Dessert 莳初甜点 (FB).

Had the company of other visitors at this section where most of the graffiti was (also the most colourful and interesting).

Painted Animation Lane 动漫彩绘巷 is not a big area, and probably makes a nice morning or afternoon stroll only when there are few visitors. Side note: off Google Maps, the vicinity seems to be dotted with eateries and cafes, so I should be dedicating more time for them when I revisit.