Taichung

Taichung, Taiwan


Taichung, which actually means central Taiwan, is a city located near the eastern central part of Taiwan. It was founded in 1705 and was known as Dadun. It was around this time that the Manchu-controlled Qing Dynasty was strengthening its hold on the western part of Taiwan. Qing authorities met with resistance from the aboriginals of Taiwan as well as rebels from mainland China determined to restore the Ming government.

Downtown Taichung


Dadun was the capital of Taiwan Prefecture until the Empress Dowager Cixi moved the capital to Taipei. In 1895 the Qing government was forced to surrender Taiwan to Japan upon losing the Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese changed the name of Dadun to Taichung.

The Japanese granted city status to Taichung in 1920. Upon the defeat of Japan during the Second World War, it was forced to give up Taiwan. It was a turbulent time for Taiwanese politics, which was split into three camps.

Temple in Changhua


On 1 October, 1949, mainland China came under Communist rule led by Mao Zedong, with its capital based in Beiping, called Peking in English, and then renamed Beijing. Chiang Kai-shek with 2 million Nationalist Chinese fled to Taiwan, and in December, 1949, proclaimed Taipei the temporary capital of the Republic of China.

Taichung enjoys a climate comparable to that of California. Its warmest months are June to August, when the termometer hits 32°C. The coldest months are December to February, when the temperature goes down to 24°C or lower. Highest rainfall is in June and August, at over 30 cm in each of these months.

Lungshan Temple, Lukang, one of the oldest temples in Taiwan

Going to Taichung

You can easily reach Taichung by bus from Taipei. Alternatively, you can also take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) train that runs between Taipei and Kaohsiung. There is a free shuttle bus for HSR passengers to reach downtown Taichung.

Getting Around in Taichung

The public transportation in Taichung is limited to public buses and taxi. The flag fall rate for taxi is NT$85. Tipping is not required. If you intend to explore extensively, consider renting a car.

Changhua Railway Station

Places of Interest in Taichung

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