Located less than two hours away from Taipei, Taichung is a neighbouring city in Taiwan you have to visit as it is home to many different arts and cultural influences and some of the best night markets.

In recent years, Taichung has undergone a rapid redevelopment and is now a wonderful holiday destination for many; various adorable themed cafes have sprung up in Taichung that appeal to many Instagram-addicts and avid travellers. The next time you plan a trip to Taiwan, you have to include these cafes in your itinerary.

If you are intrigued by all things cute and adorable, read on to discover the 8 Cafes & Restaurants In Taichung that are so adorable, you wouldn’t want to leave.

Photo Credit: I_chen_chang

I’M TALATO

Designed with a swimming pool filled with giant replicas of ice cream cones, this place is perfect for Instagram addicts. Take countless photos of their cute pink floats and dummy swimming pool that will definitely make your friends jealous. What you have to get there is their creamy and delicious gelato.

No. 451, Yingcai Rd, West District
Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Tel: +886 4 2305 8908
Daily: 11.30am – 7.30pm

Photo Credit: Sowing The Sweets

SOWING THE SWEETS

With yellow and white hues, Sowing The Sweets is a brightly-lit cafe that primarily makes use of cheerful colours in the likes of mellow yellow and turquoise. They serve up adorable-looking cakes that are made for the gram but what you must not skip is their salted caramel tart and chocolate cake.

No. 234, Huamei Street
West District
Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Tel: +886 986 750 680
Mon to Fri: 1pm – 7pm
Sat & sun: 12pm – 7pm

Photo Credit: Blue Box

BLUE BOX

Nestled in the North District of Taichung, this blue box container cafe exudes chill beach vacation vibes that will have you reminiscing about your beach holidays. Their seating area is set against a pretty backdrop filled with artificial blue and white roses. Perfect for your social media feeds, the cute over-the-top sweet treats are a must to try.

No. 173, Yizhong Street
North District
Taichung City, Taiwan 404
Tel: +886 955 132 267
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 1.30pm – 10pm

Photo Credit: Princess Annie’s Garden

PRINCESS ANNIE’S GARDEN

Designed around a fairy-tale theme, Princess Annie’s Garden is every Disney princess’s dream come true. With a perfect garden view that will enhance your overall dining experience at the restaurant, guests are able to enjoy the peace and serenity of nature while savouring western delights.

No. 223, Zhongxing Street
Xinshe District
Taichung City, Taiwan 426
Tel: +886 4 2593 1568
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 8pm

Photo Credit: Robot Station

ROBOT STATION

A robot haven, this place appeals to all fans of robots. With robots ornaments placed at different corners of the cafe, this quirky cafe is a hot spot among the youths and tourists. As for food, Robot Station serves up everything from pizzas and sandwiches to excellent desserts and juices.

No. 106, Xiangshang North Road
West District
Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Tel: +886 4 2301 9859
Mon, Wed & Sun: 11.30am – 9pm
Closed on Tuesdays

Photo Credit: Modern Toilet

MODERN TOILET

With a chain of Modern toilet joints across Taipei, this place definitely needs no introduction. The quirky toilet-centric interior with poop-shaped cushions, bathtubs and showerheads is truly an interesting experience! Dig into scrumptious food and amazing drinks served on plastic toilet bowls instead of regular plates.

Taiwan, Taichung City
North District
Yizhong Street
Tel: +886 4 2223 2870
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm

 Photo Credit: Mk5566

ATC CAFE

The gigantic pink cup outside ATC Cafe calls for your immediate attention and you can bet it is popular with the ladies who pose with the cup for their #OOTD pictures. Its sleek interior makes it a popular spot among the young and fashionable crowd who stops by for a cup of coffee or tea.

No. 480, Shizheng Road
Xitun District
Taichung City, Taiwan 407
Mon to Thu & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12pm

Photo Credit: Ashare Cafe

ASHARE CAFE

Ashare Cafe is a space for all those who love travelling to come together and enjoy typical cafe grub while unwinding from the pressures of life. The wall is decorated with antique car plates, old paper maps, flags and posters that make great backdrops for taking your #OOTDs.

No. 20, Minsheng North Road
West District
Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Tel:  +886 4 2301 7380
Tue: 9am – 5pm
Wed to Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 7pm

Read: 8 best day trips from Taichung you will regret not visiting

Although it is the third largest city in Taiwan, Taichung is more often than not overshadowed by bustling Taipei and many travellers tend to have this misconception that there is nothing much to do in Taichung.

Taichung is a gateway to many hidden gems and nature attractions which are perfect for day trips. And yes, you will find out that there is more to Taiwan than night markets and cheap shopping.

Here are 8 Best Day Trips From Taichung You Must Visit.

Photo Credit: Elin Chow

#1 ZHONGSHE TOURSIGHT FLOWER MARKET

It takes less than an hour’s drive from Taichung city to reach Zhongshe Toursight Flower Market which is set in Houli town. Known for its bright and colourful flowers that change according to the season, this market spans across 6 hectares of land in total.

Wander around the beautiful garden and watch the flowers sway as if they are dancing in the wind. Look out for the Dutch-style windmill and a white wooden piano sitting in a field of purple lavender flowers—they make great backdrops for your pictures!

No. 469-13, Sanfeng Rd
Houli District, Taichung City
Taiwan
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9pm

Photo Credit: JSCY

#2 LAVENDER COTTAGE

Nestled on the top of a mountain, the air is cool and crisp at Lavender Cottage. As you may have inferred from its name, this place is where you can find anything and everything lavender. From lavender flowers to lavender tea, lavender handmade products and even lavender ice cream!

When you arrive at the entrance, walk up and push a button to take a “lavender shower” which is essentially lavender mist for guests to spray on themselves. Take photographs with a magnificent carousel, hang your written wishes on wooden branches and mail postcards out.

No. 20, Zhongxing Street
Xinshe Dist, Taichung City
Taiwan
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 6.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6.30pm

Photo Credit: taiwanaut

#3 XIN SHE CASTLE

One of the most popular tourist attractions, Xin She Castle is a replica of old European style castles set among the high mountains of Taichung. Complete with a lake, manmade waterfall and large garden, it is not difficult to imagine why locals and tourists make Xin She Castle their choice destination for photo shoots.

Those who are visiting Lavender Cottage can drop by Xin She Castle afterward as the two places are only 30 minutes away from each other by car.

No. 65, Xiezhong Street
Xinshe Township, Taichung City
Taiwan
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 6pm

Photo Credit: nonsenserambling

#4 921 EARTHQUAKE MUSEUM OF TAIWAN

Paying tribute to the victims of one of the worst earthquake incidents that occurred in Taiwan and for educational purposes, the Taiwanese government decided to preserve a school building that has been wrecked during the natural disaster.

921 Earthquake Museum is truly worth a visit as it serves as a reminder that it is always important to keep vigilant and be prepared for future disasters. This national museum will be an eye opener for those who are curious about the aftereffects of an earthquake. Do not skip past the earthquake simulation room!

No.192, Xinsheng Road, Kengkou Vil,
Wufeng District, Taichung City
Taiwan
Tue to Sun: 9am – 5pm

Photo Credit: Vincent Ting

#5 SUN MOON LAKE

The most affordable way to Sun Moon Lake is to take a coach from Taichung Train Station. Although the journey takes more than an hour, you will be blown away by how picturesque the place is. Nature lovers will delight in the clean air and turquoise coloured lake water.

It has been said that Sun Moon Lake derived its name from its geographical shape where the east side of the lake appears to be round like the sun while the western part of the lake is long and narrow like the moon. Take a boat tour to Shuishe, Ita Thao, and Syuanguang Piers and have fun exploring or trying out local snacks before making your way back.

Sun Moon Lake
Yuchi Township, Nantou County
Taiwan

Photo Credit: Taichung Travel Net

#6 GAOMEI WETLANDS

If you don’t mind a little mud, why not head to Gaomei Wetlands? Many people like to catch sunsets there as there are no tall structures obstructing your view.

During low tide, you are likely to catch sightings of mud skippers, fiddler crabs and also different bird species. Otherwise, kick off your shoes and play in the mud with your travel companions!

Gaomei Wetlands
Taiwan

Photo Credit: Taichung Travel Net

#7 WUQI FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Less than an hour’s ride away from Taichung central, Wuqi Fishing Harbour is a seafood lover’s paradise. What used to be a small fishing village has transformed into a bustling fishing port where you can get affordable seafood.

Fill your stomach with the freshest seafood catch of the day or watch the fishermen unload the day’s haul directly from the fishing boats.

No. 30, Beiti Road
Qingshui District, Taichung City
Taiwan

Photo Credit: An ABC In Taiwan

#8 DAKENG HIKING TRAILS

Ask any local to recommend you a hiking trail and they will tell you to go to Dakeng. As this is a popular location, rest assured that there will be manmade walking paths such as wooden stairs to guide you along the way.

There are 10 trails with various difficulty levels catering to beginners and experts. Be mindful that trails six to 10 are the most popular ones, so you have to arrive earlier to beat the crowd during weekends and holidays.

Dakeng Hiking Trail No. 10
Lane 383, Section 1, Dongshan Rd
Beitun District, Taichung City
Taiwan

Julee is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She is an advocate of travel and hopes to visit Iceland someday. She enjoys having a good conversation over tea and a slice of cake. There are two things in the world she cannot live without—food and humour.

Minsu, also known as homestay, is a popular type of accommodation in Taiwan. It is a localised lodging, and often come in different themes. Rollin Farm (Ruo Yin Nong Chang) is a place that you can consider when visiting Taichung. It is a peaceful and serene spot to get away from the city for a quiet retreat.

The Minsu is not only well-furnished — our room feels like a five-star hotel — but they also come with a stunning view overlooking the mountains. If you have no plans for an overnight stay, a day trip to this scenic part of Taichung is almost as wondrous.

Just to make it clear, though – Rollin Farm is not a place for everyone. There are plenty of insects crawling around, it is relatively more expensive than your typical hotels, the location is very inaccessible, and there is nothing to do there. However, if you are able to get beyond that, you will discover that it is a beautiful paradise. I absolutely love it there, it is my sanctuary away from the world, a place where I can disconnect, read a book, take a nap, watch the world go by, and reflect on life.

If you are visiting Taichung, I would definitely recommend to make the journey to Rollin Farm and stay there for a night or two. Rollin Farm is not a posh mountain resort, it is a homestay which aims to give something different and encourage people to appreciate nature. Getting to the Rollin Farm from Taichung city takes slightly under two hours by car, but when you arrive, you will discover that it is worth the journey.

Rollin Farm Ruo Yin Nuo Chang
No 1 XueShan Road
Heping District, Taichung City
Tel: 04 2597 1218
Note: This was an invited media stay.

For more recommendations, read our guide to Things to do in Taichung

Taiwan is a fantastic country with rich history, friendly locals, amazing street food and beautiful landscape. Most visitors usually only go to Taipei, and it is a shame because there are many other cities that are worth visiting.

Taichung, for instance, is a wonderful holiday destination. For a start, it is only an hour away from Taoyuen International Airport. From there, you can easily make day trips to other places like Kaohsiung, Tainan and Changhua. The main draw for tourists is Feng Chia Night Market – one of the biggest, if not the biggest, night markets in Taiwan. There are many things to see, do and eat in Taichung. The next time you plan a trip to Taiwan, you have to include Taichung in your itinerary.

Here is a travel guide on the things to do in Taichung.

Miyaharu (Gong Yuan Yan Ke)

Housed in a former eye hospital, Miyaharu is opened by Dawncake – an established store in Taichung that sells pineapple tarts and other pastries packaged in nice boxes – and it has become so popular that it is listed on most travel guides to Taichung. Miyaharu is worth visiting – even if it was just to see the shop’s interior – and to buy some gifts for friends and relatives.

No 20 Zhongshan Road
Zhong District, Taichung
Tel: 04 2227 1927

The original bubble tea from Chun Shui Tang

Chun Shui Tang Teahouse, believed to be the inventor of bubble tea, is also a must-try in Taichung. Besides having a wide range of tea-based beverages, they also serve affordable and tasty traditional Taiwanese snacks such as pig’s blood, beef noodles, and braised pork rice.

30 Siwei St, Taichung
+886 4 22297991

Calligraphy Greenway

Taichung Calligraphy Greenway is a parkway in the heart of the city which connects National Museum of Natural Science, Civil Square, Wuquan Parkway, and the LiChuan Canal. It is very liberating to take a stroll along the pavements and to simply just enjoy the greenery.

Feng Chia Night Market

Taichung’s Feng Chia Night Market is one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan. To put it simply: No one visits Taichung without going to Feng Chia. You can find the most innovative snacks here, and in fact, Feng Chia is the testing ground for most modern street food. After they are proven to be popular, they are then spread to the other night markets in Taiwan.

Coffee Appreciation Class

If you have time, drop by ‘Coffee Area’ for a coffee appreciation class. The owner is very friendly and knowledgable about coffee. A typical class (450NT/pax, minimum 4 guests) takes around 2 hours  and you can learn about the basics of roasting and coffee tasting.

165 Cunzhong Street
Tel: 04 2376 1273

Fantasy Story

Fantasy Story is an area made up of several blocks of old shophouses converted into cute cafes, slick boutiques, stylish furniture shops and cool lifestyle stores. Every shop has its own character and you can easily spend a day there. Fantasy Shop No. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 are located on 13 Meicun Road Section 1 Lane 117.

Sweet Woods – Fantasy Shop No. 7 dedicated to dining – is about five minutes walk away on 136 Xiangshang North Road. Over there, you can have tea at Wilsons English Afternoon Tea Cafe, ice cream at Bianca, and desserts from Pause Bonheur.

Visit themed restaurants

There are plenty of themed restaurants in Taichung, but if you like a romantic princessy place, you must go to Princess Annie’s Garden Restaurant at Xinshe town.

No.223 Zhongxing Street
Xinshe District, Taichung City
Tel: 04-2593 1567
Daily: 9am – 8pm

Rollin Farm (Ruo Yin Nong Chang)

Rollin Farm is a peaceful and serene spot to get away from the city for a quiet retreat. Getting there from Taichung takes slightly under two hours by car, but when you arrive, you will discover that it is worth the journey.

The rooms at the min su (homestay) are not only well-furnished, but they also come with a stunning view overlooking the mountains. If you have no plans for an overnight stay, a day trip to this scenic part of Taichung is almost as wondrous.

No 1 XueShan Road, Heping District, Taichung City
Tel: 04 2597 1218

Second Market

Head to Second Market – one of the more popular traditional markets in Taichung – for breakfast. There, you can find famous local snacks such as meatballs, fried radish cake, and wanton soup.

Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City

Getting to Taipei from Singapore: TransAsia Airways has daily flights – an early morning departure from Changi Airport and an evening return from Taoyuan Airport.

Tips for exploring Taichung: Qiito.com is an online travel organiser and accommodation hosting website which recommends places of interest in Taiwan.

Full Disclosure & Fine Print: I travelled to Taichung as a guest of Taiwan Tourism Board, Qiito.com and TransAsia Airways. No monetary benefits were received, only air tickets, hotel accommodation and transport were sponsored.