Why Taichung & Penghu, Taiwan Should Be Your Summer Vacation Destination

When choosing summer vacation destinations, often the top priority is a beach and I’m all about jumping on that bandwagon. When it came time to find a new spot for our family trip last summer, I decided Taiwan was the spot. While almost everyone is writing about how much Taipei is a must see city, I came across a sentence in my reading on one site that said when it was time for the Taiwanese locals to travel, they went to Taichung. If you want a family friendly guide to Taichung, get ready!

For some reason that sentence really stuck with me and I decided if that’s what the locals do, that’s what we’d do. The only problem was that I wasn’t finding any beaches that looked amazing nearby but I used my savvy Internet sleuthing skills and found a tiny group of islands off the coast that was a short 30 minute flight out from Taichung and so it was that Taichung and Penghu became our destination and one of the best trips to date. If you want to experience both city and beaches in Taiwan, these are the spots for you and they’re easy to get to as well. On a side note, if you DO want to visit Taipei, there are also daily flights from there to the Penghu Islands as well so keep that in mind.

Get ready for a trip to Taichung, Taiwan:

• What To Prepare To Go To Taiwan
• Taichung
  • Where To Stay
  • What To See
  • Daytrips From Taichung
  • What To Eat
• Penghu
  • Where To Stay
  • What To See
  • Island Hopping

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

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What To Prepare To Go To Taiwan

Buy An Airplane Ticket: Get your airplane ticket and look for those deals. We’ve found some awesome deals on travel at Skyscanner.com.

Get a Visa: Many people can go in easily and get a tourist visa but be sure to check that you have what you need from your home country to go in to Taiwan and get a visa.

Book A Hotel: Make sure to book and write down the address which you’ll need for your immigration/customs forms upon entrance. We usually use Booking.com which has great deals on hotels around the world.

Get Travel Insurance: Though I’ve never needed to draw on my travel insurance, I’ve definitely always had some… well save when I was in my 20s and just not bright. Who travels through India for a month and doesn’t have travel insurance? This girl… but I won’t make that mistake again. After booking that flight and getting that hotel room, get that insurance. We always use World Nomads and love having their protection.

Take An AI Translator: I do not know how to read or speak Mandarin. My husband could read a bit having learned it in Korea, but we were lucky to have the Langogo Translator to use on our trip. It worked really well to help us especially when we got to the Penghu Islands. Get a translator.. it will help!

Plan Your Airport Transfer: There are numerous ways to transfer from Taoyuan Airport. To be honest, we almost always opt for the private transfer when we head to a new airport/city. It’s fast and easy and we don’t have to worry about dragging our bags this way and that and up and down escalators. Book your transfer in advance to make the trip smooth and easy.

Get Good Hard Case Luggage: Packing all of the essentials is good only if they get to the other side with you. Make sure to have good luggage to get you and your belongings all the way. Roam Luggage has awesome customizable bags that will go the distance and look super cool on the way.

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Taichung

Taichung is the second largest city in Taiwan, regarded as the Arts and Culture capital of the country, it is in the central region of the island nation. Home to numerous museums like the National Museum of Natural Science, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Taichung Theater and National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and more, the city boasts an arts scene that has to be seen to be believed.

There were plans at one point in the late 1800s for Taichung to be the capital of Taiwan, though that didn’t happen, the city was developed with big plans in mind. When Japan took over rule of Taiwan after the Treaty of Shimonoseki they sought to develop Taichung as the “first modern area of Taiwan” and again emphasis was put on building up this centrally located region. With so much history and arts, I couldn’t pass up a trip… and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out why this isn’t on the radar of more international travelers yet.

Taichung boasts many things to take note of, but for travelers probably the highest on the list is that THIS is where bubble tea was invented. In Taichung’s very own Chun Shui Tang tea house, bubble tea came to life. There is a lot more to see though. Below you’ll find the spots we loved, some spots we wish we had time to see that you need to know about and the eats and treats you need to find if you’re headed to Taichung…

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Where To Stay

1969 Blue Sky Hotel

I absolutely loved my stay in this cool hotel adorned with golden accents, retro patterns, a huge wall of suitcases under a chandelier that is just stunning to see after you come into the main lobby area. While it doesn’t seem to be frequented by too many English speaking foreigners, the staff were great. The hotel seems to be in the business district of the city so it was rather quiet come evening time, but was a great location to see some of the artistic spots we wanted to see.

Book a room here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Mini Hotels Feng Jia Branch

I wanted to check out this mini hotel because not only was it affordable but I often think about how little time we spend in our hotel room, so why spend more when we’re not even going to be there. This was a treat in a tiny room honestly. It was plenty of space for our little family of three and the Harry Potter inspired decor made the communal spaces rather fun to hang out in. Great location near a night market and plenty of places to eat too.

Book a room here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

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What To See

Taichung Creative Cultural Park

This was definitely a highlight of my own. The park is a complex of abandoned industrial buildings that have now been taken over by art galleries and museums. The outdoor spaces feature numerous plants, trees, and plenty of benches and places to enjoy the complex. Basically it’s perfect for both adults, children and adults with children. There’s something for everyone especially if you’re into seeing converted spaces and artistic exhibitions. From outdoors to indoors, no space was left untouched.

• Address: No. 362號, Section 3, Fuxing Road, South District, Taichung City, Taiwan 402

Taichung Train Station

“The Taichung Train Station was originally known as the “Taichung Parking Lot”” the sign told us when we walked over. As you walk down the city streets, the buildings tower like most cities and then you come to this train station. All of the tall buildings stop and a block of space is flat and open and that’s where you can see the train station. There isn’t much to do in or around the station other than to see it, but it’s a good point of reference when walking through the area. The renaissance-style, red brick building was built in 1917 and today it is a National Historic Site.

• Address: No. 1, Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400

National Museum of Natural Science

This six-venue complex is massive and you could easily spend an entire day walking through the gorgeous exhibits. There are various ticket options if you’re interested in seeing all or just parts of this massive museum. We opted for the parts our daughter would be most interested in and spent about three hours enjoying the cool spaces as it was pretty hot and humid outside the day we visited. Giant robotic dinosaurs that moved and rooms galore of animal and insect information were what struck her fancy. Definitely one of the highlights for our little traveler and a great option to have if you need a break from the heat or just love natural science.

• Address: No. 1號, Guanqian Road, North District, Taichung City, Taiwan 404
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm Tuesday through Sunday

CMP Block Museum of Arts

As mentioned, there are numerous artistic spaces to visit around the city of Taichung. The CMP Block Museum of Arts is easily located just a few blocks from the National Museum of Natural Science so it fit into our schedule easily to walk down the boulevard to see it. This outdoor art museum changes throughout the year and is FREE to enter.

It’s basically a city park that features some awesome art installations. Stop in, take photos, and then head back onto the main boulevard where street vendors and markets set up shop. This is definitely a spot to do as the locals do and enjoy the vibes.

• Address: No. 71, Guanqian Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 404

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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE DIDN’T GET TO SEE BUT SHOULD BE ADDED IF THERE’S TIME:

Rainbow Village

While we didn’t have time to visit this area of the city, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it for others. The neighborhood was formerly military housing for Chinese soldiers but has been transformed with the most colorful of paints and incredible designs. Much like areas of Seoul, Korea like the Ihwa Mural Village and Ant Village, this neighborhood in Taichung had been marked for demolition but was revived and revitalized after a local named Mr. Huang, now given the moniker ‘Rainbow Grandpa’, began to paint every surface he could find. Photos abound on Instagram of the colorful facades. Don’t miss this protected cultural area if it can fit into your schedule. Since the Rainbow Village is a bit out of the way, it’s best to hop on a half or full day tour that includes this stop.

• Address: 408, Taiwan, Taichung City, Nantun District, 春安路56巷25號

Gaomei Wetlands

This is THE spot to watch the sunset. The mudflats and sandy beaches are home to more than 12o species of birds and is just as much a popular spot for tourists as it is for ecologists and bird-watchers. This is the perfect place to end a busy day walking around the city seeing the sites. Set just outside of the city, the wetlands require a bit of a trip to get to and I’d recommend taking a tour so it’s as easy as possible. Klook has a tour that includes the Gaomei Wetlands and other must-see Taichung hot spots which just seems perfect.

Address: Gaomei Wetland, Qingshui Dist., Taichung City

Zhongshe Flower Market

Outside of the city of Taichung in the town of Houli is a huge flower garden that covers six hectares. The best way to get out to the town is to hire a taxi or driver for a trip that will take about half of a day to enjoy. Looking at pictures, it reminded me of the popular Nari Gardens just outside of Seoul, Korea. If you’re looking for blooms and fields of flowers in Taiwan, this is the spot for you.

Address: 333 Sanfeng Road Section 5, Houli Taichung, Taiwan

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Daytrips from Taichung

There are numerous day trip options from the city of Taichung which is great if you want to see the city but also want to get out a bit to see some of the natural landscape that is just gorgeous in Taiwan.

Sun Moon Lake

This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Taiwan and once you arrive, it’s easy to see why. This man-made lake is surrounded by villages that you can get to by taking a hop on/hop off ferry from dock to dock or rent a bike and ride around. Get there early so you can see all of the spots there are to see because there are beautiful walks to be had, observatory views to be found, gondolas to be ridden, and a gorgeous temple too.

Wen Wu temple is stunning and pretty huge. Don’t miss the views from this spot when you’re at the lake. Originally, there were two temples that sat near Sun Moon Lake but in 1919, the Japanese colonial government decided to build a dam which subsequently caused the lake’s water levels to rise and the two temples that were there had to be torn down.

Instead of rebuilding, the temples were consolidated into one that was built in 1938 and in 1969, after the Japanese handed Taiwan over to the Republic of China, the government decided to build up the area for tourism and invested in increasing the size of the temple and constructing it in the style of a Chinese palace.

I have to say, it is rather stunning. It’s not quiet as substantial as the Forbidden Palace in Beijing or anything, but it is pretty awesome. In fact, when I came to the back wall and looked up, it made me think I was standing in front of a Game of Thrones set. The towering columns and intricate detail are very impressive.

For us, I wanted to do whatever we wanted at the lake on our own. Traveling with a kid can be amazing, but it also means we travel at our own speed and I didn’t want to hold others back or feel rushed. So, we opted to hire a private car to take us to and from Sun Moon Lake which worked out great. There are also shared transfer options from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake as well.

Once at the lake we used a ticket that was a Sun Moon Lake Ropeway Combo ticket to get back and forth and all around. This included a day pass for the ferries on the lake and a pass for the gondola rope way which offers just spectacular views of the region.

This worked out really well for us so that we could go as slow or as fast as we liked. Highlights included a stop at Wenwu Temple, views from the gondola ride and walks along the water on the boardwalks spotting butterflies.

The area around the lake is home to the Thao tribe, an aboriginal tribe in Taiwan. After you ride the rope way, you can actually visit the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village which is a cross between an amusement park and a spot to learn about aboriginal groups including the Atayal (泰雅族), Saisiyat (賽夏族), Tsou (鄒族), Bunun (布農族), Puyuma (卑南族), Rukai (魯凱族), Yami/Tao (達悟族), Amis (阿美族), Paiwan (排灣族), and the local Thao/Ngan (邵族). By the time we got up to this spot, we didn’t have time to go in the park, so we took the gondola back down, but if you’re a bit more strict with your time, you’d probably have time to go in.

Consider staying for a night in the area. Sun Moon Lake is gigantic and you could spend a couple days there if you really wanted to get to know the area and see all that there is to see. Stay in the Fleur de Chine Hotel that is really close to Wenwu Temple on the north side of the lake. Or, check out the immaculate Lalu Sun Moon Lake Hotel. Inspired by a Chinese poem, the elegant suites have modern interiors and large bay windows. All units have a separate living area and a private balcony.

• Address: Yuchi, Nantou County, Taiwan

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Find the day trip that is right for you. We only had time for one day trip, but here are some other options that look interesting.

Lukang Town

This one of the oldest towns in Taiwan and if you’re interested in seeing more of the historic structures of the country, this is the trip for you. See the traditional Taiwanese houses with beautiful doorways, arches, and window lattice. Klook offers a great tour that visits the main Lukang Street with all of the old vibes and gets you to Osmanthus Lane Art Village, Longshan Temple and the Lukang Folk Museum.

Cingjing Farm & Puli

This tour seemed like a great option with something for both parents and children. Visit the Puli Brewery to learn about Shaoxing Wine and then visit the world’s tallest Buddhist temple, the Chung Tai Chan Monastery. Head to the Cingjing Farm, make chocolate and eat ice cream. Really seems like a great way to get out of the city a bit.

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Where To Eat

There are loads of places to eat and this is just a few that we tested out but walk around, take it all in and stop where you’re getting the good vibes.

Wu Wei Tsao Tang

This traditional tea cafe and restaurant is a gorgeous collection of wooden buildings that surrounds a koi pond. Almost every seat in the house looks out over the pond. The food here was delicious and the waitress provided a short but sweet lesson in how to make and enjoy our tea. This restaurant has two stars in the Michelin Guide and was one of the best experiences on our trip. The koi provided our little toddler with something to quietly watch and if you ask nicely, the staff may give you some food to feed to the fish as well!

• Address: No. 106號, Section 2, Gongyi Road, Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 408

Chun Shui Tang

Everywhere you turn in Taichung… and probably Taiwan for that matter, you’ll find bubble tea and though there has always been some speculation about the origins of the tea, there is “one shop and one woman who are generally accepted as being true”. If you want to try the original bubble tea, then you need to seek out Chun Shui Tang. There are branches all over now, but the original shop is in Taichung. Not only do they have that infamous bubble tea, but they have plenty of food to satisfy your Taiwanese food cravings.

• Address: No. 30號, Siwei Street, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403

Qin Yuan Chun

This restaurant has been open since 1949 in the exact same location and when we asked our hotel staff for a restaurant they would recommend to us for dinner, this was their go to. The restaurant serves Shanghai cuisine and was started by the Chiang family from Wuxi, a city 140km west of Shanghai, who fled China after the defeat of Kuomintang by the communists in 1949. The restaurant is crazy busy so expect a wait, but when you do get a seat, be sure to hire the xiao long bao, little meat ball dumplings in a hot broth and bean paste buns. They are used to tourists and have menus in various languages.

• Address: No. 129號, Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400

Miyahara

Sitting near Taichung Train Station is one of the MOST popular spots in all of Taichung, Miyahara. The original location is in a red-brick building that was originally a Japanese ophthalmologists shop in 1927. Books stacked high on shelves up to the ceiling and wooden rafters and staircases make you feel like you’ve walked onto the set of Harry Potter… and that was done on purpose. If you’ve ever wanted to walk through Hogwarts, this is the place to go. The shop sells Dawn Cake’s signature ice cream, bubble tea and pastries. Now, this spot is mad busy and we walked in, decided it was too much craziness and walked back out to go to another spot I’d spotted closer to our hotel.

Here’s where it gets funny… I had NO idea Miyahara had branches and the only thing I could read on this other industrial looking cement building were the numbers 1966. Apparently, Miyahara has a second branch in Taichung that has been opened in a previous Fourth Credit Union building and I didn’t even know until later when I was reading up on this hot spot. The second location wasn’t as busy but had all of the aesthetics if you like industrial spaces and of course the ice cream was legit. The staff come around to help you figure out what ice cream you’d like, what pastries, etc., while you wait so when you get up to choose, it’s fast and smooth. Do NOT miss this ice cream if you visit Taichung.

• Address: No.20, Zhongshan Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City (Original Shop); No. 72號, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City, Republik China di Taiwan 400 (Fourth Credit Union Branch)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 10:00pm

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Penghu

Penghu, or the Pescadores Islands, are an archipelago of ninety islands in the Taiwan Strait. Magong is the largest of the islands and is where the airport is located for those flying in from the mainland. The islands have some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen honestly and the area still seems rather unknown to foreign tourists. Again and again we were asked by the Taiwanese locals and Taiwanese tourists how we’d even found information about the area.

Penghu is definitely a spot that the Taiwanese know about but they might just be trying to keep this beauty all to themselves and I wouldn’t knock them for it. It seems foreign tourists are not the norm yet… but guys, this place is starting to see the likes of some major hotel chains moving in which just confirms that this WILL BE a hot spot in the coming years for foreigners looking to visit Taiwan. Get this on your itinerary ASAP!

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Where To Stay

If you want to stay down in the old downtown area closer to the restaurants, check out Rainbow Hotel (on Booking or on Agoda) or 22 Alleys (on Booking or on Agoda) for a more unique experience.

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What To See

There are numerous sites around the main island of Magong and it’s the easiest and most convenient island to get a hotel on. If you want to be able to get around the island easily on your own, be prepared with your international drivers license so you can rent a scooter if you’re traveling solo or a couple, or rent a car if there are more people. It’s not expensive and is how most people get around on the islands.

Zhongyang Old Street

This street features the earliest commercial residences on the islands and is lined with wooden doors and red lanterns. Built in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the alleys around this area are narrow but feature restaurants and cafes. While we stayed in a hotel near the docks so we could island hop easily, we spent the evenings in and around Zhongyang street eating and meeting locals.

• Address: Zhongyang Street, Magong City, Penghu County, Taiwan 880

Tongliang Great Banyan

At first sight this tunnel seems to be hundreds of banyan trees that have woven together to form an intricate roof of trees and twines but this is actually ONE giant tree system. The tree has grown for the past three hundred years and while it doesn’t take a ton of time to see it, it is pretty spectacular. There is a legend that says after a shipwreck nothing save a banyan sapling survived. It floated to the seashore of Tongliang and was picked up by a villager who grew it in front of Baoan Temple. The tree is considered sacred and provides a shaded path to a the very temple I just mentioned. Be sure to take advantage of the vendors here and get some cactus ice cream to cool off. It’s a local specialty and it is delightful.

This is a stop on the Magong Shuttle Bus North Ring Line, a public tour bus that was just launched so it’s easy to see quickly and easily if you’re along for the tour. We were able to get tickets for the bus from our hotel staff so ask upon arrival as you need to be booked at least 24 hours in advance if you want to take the trip.

• Address:884, Taiwan, Penghu County, Baisha Township, 通梁村

Lighthouse

Walking along the buildings that surround the lighthouse might make you think you’re visiting a Greek isle. The all white facades are in gorgeous contrast to the surrounding blue seas. This is the earliest constructed western style lighthouse in Taiwan built in 1788 and this is also a stop on the Magong North Ring Line Shuttle Bus. The stop here on the North Ring Line wasn’t terribly long but plenty of time to look around and take in the ocean views.

Do be aware that there isn’t much shade and the day we went it was HOT, so it was getting pretty fierce out there. Be sure to take water with you because you can only purchase it a few places along the way. Also look out at the fields around the lighthouse and structures here. There was a huge field of beautiful reeds blowing in the wind that everyone else walked right by. Take it all in.

• Address: 881, Taiwan, Penghu County, Xiyu Township, 外垵村195號

Daguoye Columnar Basalt

You can’t visit these islands and not see the basalt columns. Active lava flow in the Taiwan Straight formed the islands of Penghu some 10 to 12 million years ago and these basalt columns are a unique geologic feature of the area that is pretty stunning to see in person. During the Japanese occupation of the islands a wharf was planned to be built at this location and when the workers were digging out the earth they found these columns that had been buried for thousands of years. This is the most accessible columnar basalt on the island and is also a stop on the North Ring Line Shuttle Bus.

• Address: 881, Taiwan, Penghu County, Xiyu Township, 池東村10號

Erkan Ancient Residences

This living museum is the first traditional village conservation area in the country and was the final stop on the North Ring Shuttle Bus tour. The village features traditional homes and businesses, schools and practically everything is open allowing visitors to walk in and see how people lived in the community. There are shops and vendors open serving food and snacks but take the time to really walk all around to see all of the charming old architecture.

• Address:881, Taiwan, Penghu County, Xiyu Township, 二崁村14號

If you’re taking the bus trip, there are two spots where you can grab food. One spot is the Erkan Village. There are a few places that are serving food when you get off, BUT we found we were hungry at the stop prior which was at the Xiaomenyu Whale Cave. We opted not to go down to the rocks to see the cave since we were hungry and there were far more restaurants and plenty of time to eat at that stop.

We had some really good squid soup that we all devoured. The restaurant was really hopping so we figured we could trust it. When you let off, walk in and the restaurant we found was just on the left when you’re walking down the alley to the Xiaomen Geology Gallery (if it’s hot the gallery has aircon!).

Lintou Park & Aimen Beach

Aimen Beach is a popular spot on the island for those interested in water activities that include jet skis, banana boats, and other fun. The sand is beautiful and the water a lovely blue. If you’re NOT as interested in the water sports or have younger children, continue on up the beach to the area that abuts Lintou Park. Lintou Beach, which is connected to Aimen Beach, is quieter and doesn’t have the jet ski and boat action so there’s no worry with the kids in tow. This beach also features a large cement bunker.

The beach is beautiful but because Lintou Park is nearby, there’s also plenty of shaded paths, a playground and boardwalks to walk along and enjoy if the sun and beach become too much. Also just off of the Lintou Beach and behind the trees of the forest is a lovely little cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. They have a great brunch set and coffee so if you are planning to spend the day in the area, this is the best choice for lunch.

• Address: 885, Taiwan, Penghu County, Huxi Township, 1之3號

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Island Hopping

Staying on Magong is the easiest and most convenient for travelers if you don’t speak the local language and want to be near the airport. But that doesn’t mean you can’t see the other islands in the archipelago. There are daily ferries and boats that take locals and travelers around so take some day trips or half day trips to really see the beauty of the region.

Here are a few ideas for you that are easily booked in advance so you can have everything planned when you arrive. We did stop into the ferry office to see about other information and couldn’t find anyone that spoke English or any information in English. Our hotel staff was the most helpful when booking things, but just do it online for an easier time or jump on whatever ship is next and see where you end up!

Chimei – Wang’an Island Hopping

A popular tour for most visitors is to go to Chimei (or Qimei) and the Wang’an Islands on a day trip option. From Magong Harbor, visitors head out to Chimei first where they will find the famous twin-hearts stone weir. These were originally traditional fish traps built with basalt and coral reefs but today most people see them as romantic hearts entwined.

After further touring the tiny island, visitors will head to Wang’an. This island houses some beautiful natural wonders as well as the Huazhai Ancient Residences which have remained intact for three hundred years. But we decided to just hang out on the beach the entire time we were there. It was perfect with only a few people coming and going throughout the few hours we decided to settle there.

We had the water to ourselves and couldn’t have had a better beach day. Do be aware, the tides can be strong so the locals told us to watch our little one carefully and not let her in by herself on the Wangankou Beach. She was happier building sandcastles anyway. I didn’t think the waters were too strong when we visited, but always listen to the locals because I’m sure they know what’s up.

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We couldn’t have been happier with our time in Taichung and Penghu. From city to beaches, we got to see it all and there was definitely something for each one of us. Don’t miss out on a trip of your own to these special spots soon.

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