Taichung Day Trips | 5 Fabulous Places to Visit Outside Taichung City

Attractions in Taichung City alone can keep sightseers happy for days, but travelers shouldn’t miss some golden travel opportunities outside the city, either. These five Taichung day trips can be planned on the fly and accomplished in one day’s time. So, if you get up one day and decide you’d like to join a morning tour of Taiwan countryside attractions, any of these day trips from Taichung are possible without pre-booking – and highly recommended!

Taichung Day Trips | 1. Sun Moon Lake

One of the most beautiful sights and best cultural experiences in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is located about an hour and a half south of Taichung City in what is almost the dead-center of Taiwan. The stunning lake is surrounded by lush mountains, hiking trails and residential areas of the Thao people, who have occupied the lake area for more than 100 years. Guests can learn more about this group of Taiwanese aborigines at Ita Thao Visitor Center and Ita Thao Shopping District on the east side of the lake near Yidashao Wharf. While the Ita Thao district is one of the most popular tourist attractions at Sun Moon Lake, it certainly is not the only one. Many visitors find that one day is not enough time in the region, so hotels and accommodations are readily available.

Things to do at Sun Moon Lake

• Xiangshan Bikeway – this bike path takes sightseers and adventurists around Sun Moon Lake and allows for plenty of photo stops along the way.

• Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village – catch a true glimpse of the Thao culture at this amusement park that features live performances by native villagers. The park is open from 9:30 am. to 5 p.m. to Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Wenwu Temple – complete with a stunning view of Sun Moon Lake and a “Year of Steps” guests must climb to earn that view, Wenwu Temple is a can’t-miss attraction for photographers and hikers. The temple and temple grounds are open any time.

• Ci’en Pagoda – another stair-climbing challenge, Ci’en Pagoda is a Chinese-style tower that offers views of Sun Moon Lake and the surrounding region. Visitors can climb 280 steps to reach the observation deck, and a hiking path leaders tourists through the nearby countryside. Ci’en Pagoda is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

• Hanbi Trail – on the northwest side of the lake, hikers can spend a blissful afternoon on Hanbi Trail. The trail starts at scenic Meihe Park and continues along the banks – and at times even directly over Sun Moon Lake – for two kilometers. The path is a relatively easy walk, so it’s great for travelers who just want to stretch their legs and enjoy nature. That’s what President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife used to do, anyway, every time they visited the area!

• Tours – tours of the Sun Moon Lake area are abundant. Visitors can see the lake via boat tour, bus, ropeway or shuttle. Ticket prices vary and can be booked easily once you arrive at Sun Moon Lake. Some tours, like the ropeway tour, include tickets to other area attractions like the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.

How to get from Taichung City to Sun Moon Lake

Catch a bus at Taichung Station in Taichung City. The ride takes about an hour and a half, and passengers will get off at Shuishe Pier (near Meihe Park and Hanbi Trail), where ferries to the other side of the lake are available.

Check In to Sun Moon Lake Hotel, Step Out to Sun Moon Lake

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Taichung Day Trips | 2. Xinshe Castle

A day at Xinshe Castle can include hiking, photography and fine dining, depending on how much time guests want to spend at this gorgeous European-styled castle just northeast of Taichung City. Visitors to Xinshe Castle enjoy tours of the mansion on the premises, as well as all-day views of an on-site pond, waterfall and garden. Photographers and couples can be found here almost every day of the week shooting pre-wedding shots, and other travelers are drawn to Xinshe Castle for its epic scenery, tasty restaurants, boutiques, souvenir shops and local winery. The grounds are too gorgeous for a short visit, and visitors who want to hike through nearby Dakeng Hiking Trails can turn this day trip into an overnight stay.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Admission: 250 TWD (8.30 USD)

Getting to Xinshe Castle

Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get to Xinshe Castle. The ride is about 30 to 45 minutes. Budget travelers can catch the bus at First Square bus stop (near Taichung Station) and arrive at Xinshe Castle in about one hour. The bus route requires a couple changes.

Check In to Adagio Reindeer Taichung Herb House, Step Out to Xinshe Castle

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Taichung Day Trips | 3. Wuqi Fisherman’s Wharf

This day trip won’t require you to leave Taichung City really, but it’s enough on the outskirts that you’ll feel like you’re on a proper getaway. The coastal area near Wuqi Fisherman’s Wharf is perfect for foodies, nature lovers and even shoppers, as there are districts dedicated to each. Visitors can buy fresh seafood right off the boat, have it prepared and lounge around on the wharf while eating. Two other favorite Taichung attractions – Gaomei Wetlands and Taichung City Seaport Art Center – are located in this area as well.

How to get to Wuqi Fishing Port (Fisherman’s Wharf)

Take a train to Qingshui Train Station and taxi the remaining 15 minutes to the wharf.

Check In to Taichung Harbor Hotel, Step Out to Wuqi Fisherman’s Wharf

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Taichung Day Trips | 4. Dakeng Hiking Trails

This fun and well laid-out hiking course features 10 trails with incredible lookout points and things to do along the way. The difficulty of the trails ranges from beginner to advanced, and one of the coolest things about the paths is that they are all man-made, right down to the wooden steps, so you don’t have to have any special equipment to visit Dakeng Hiking Trails. Photographers tend to favor Trail 6 and Trail 10, so these pathways get busier on weekends and holidays. The trails are free to enter and open 24 hours a day. They also are right next door to Xinshe Castle.

How to get to Dakeng Hiking Trails

At First Square bus stop (near Taichung Station), jump on either Bus 21 or Bus 31 and jump off at Dakeng Bus Stop. Taxi rides also are available, and of course, you can drive. It only takes about 30 minutes, and parking is plentiful.

Check In to Charming City Hotel Taichung, Step Out to Dakeng Hiking Trails

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Taichung Day Trips | 5. Zhongshe Flower Market

Always in bloom and always open, Zhongshe Flower Market is a spectacular place to spend a colorful day outside Taichung City. This huge flower garden spans 6 hectares and is a popular spot for photo shoots and couples. Zhongshe Flower Market hosts so many species of flora and fauna that there is never a time during the year that something on the grounds isn’t in bloom. The tulip field, however, is perhaps the most popular attraction. The tulips at Zhongshe Flower Market bloom from January to March, and the garden is the only place in all of Taiwan where tulips grow successfully! The garden is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

How to get to Zhongshe Flower Market

From Taichung Station, take a train to Tai’an Station. From there you can walk the remaining 1.8 kilometers or hail a taxi on Zhonghua East Road.

Check In to Lihpao Resort, Step Out to Zhongshe Flower Market

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