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Keep this travel guide for Taipei & Taichung by Taiwan High-Speed Rail. You can save costs while still enjoying the spectacular scenery of this island.
Apart from the capital Taipei, Taiwan has many other gems worth exploring. A prime example is Taichung City, located on the west coast of Taiwan and easily accessible by Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR). Compared to Taipei, Taichung showcases more of Taiwan's natural beauty - here, you'll find plenty of outdoor activities and cultural experiences not found in any other major city in Taiwan.
Klook will provide detailed information on how to travel to Taichung and the most attractive tourist destinations in Taichung, including food spots in Part III of the train travel guide in Taiwan!
Guide: Travel from Taipei to Taichung by Taiwan High-Speed Rail
Taichung City is just an hour away from Taipei by Taiwan High-Speed Rail, so you can start your dream adventure in Taichung anytime you want! Head to Taipei Station and look for the THSR sign before boarding the train to Taichung THSR Station and embark on your adventure in Taichung!
Travelers should check the Taiwan High-Speed Rail Schedule before the trip. Once the itinerary is decided, you can book Taiwan High-Speed Rail tickets here:
If you want to spend money more efficiently, refer to Klook's guide on how to optimize Taiwan Rail Pass and Taiwan High-Speed Rail Pass.
Where is Taiwan High-Speed Rail Station located in Taichung City?
Taichung THSR Station is located in Wuri District, a suburban district in South Taichung. Upon arrival, you can freely start exploring Taichung or the landmarks straight from Taichung Station. From Taichung Station, it's easy to get to two of Taiwan's most beautiful destinations, Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm, so make sure to visit these two places if you have time.
Where can you go from Taichung City with Taiwan High-Speed Rail?
Before your journey, check out more useful information about Taiwan High-Speed Rail in the article below!
Traveling to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung
Surrounding the largest body of water in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area is a world-famous natural paradise with many interesting features. Sun Moon Lake is so romantically named because its eastern side resembles the sun while its western side resembles the crescent moon. This is the only tourist destination in Taiwan that allows visitors to fully appreciate the beauty of nature with its air, land, and water. For cycling enthusiasts, experience the cycling path around the lake, voted one of the ten most beautiful cycling routes in the world by CNN in 2012.
Transportation: From Taichung THSR Station, take the Southbound Bus straight to Sun Moon Lake.
What makes Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan special? Here are some exciting travel suggestions at Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan.
1. Boat Tour on Sun Moon Lake
You can't miss the chance to cruise around Sun Moon Lake when visiting this fascinating natural wonderland. Hop on a boat and admire the stunning scenery surrounding the sparkling emerald waters. You can board the boat at Shueishe Pier, Syuanguang Pier, or Xiangshan Pier, all of which offer boat shuttle services.
Boats usually operate from 8:00 to 18:00, each trip takes about 1.5 hours and costs 300 NTD (approximately 230,000 VND)* for adults. However, if you don't want to go through the hassle of ticket booking, try booking the One Day Sun Moon Lake Tour, which includes a guided boat tour with a Mandarin-speaking guide and round-trip shuttle service! Additional fees may apply for an English-speaking guide.
You can also opt for the Sun Moon Lake Boat Pass with Multiple Stops, allowing unlimited boat rides around the lake. This option is perfect if you want to hop on and off at Shueishe Pier, Xiangshan Pier, and Syuanguang Pier to explore nearby attractions by road or bike.
2. Sun Moon Lake Ropeway
This seven-minute cable car ride from Aboriginal Cultural Village to Yidashao Community allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views from above and admire the unique shape of Sun Moon Lake.
The cable car operates from 10:30 to 16:00. Travelers can purchase tickets directly on Klook's Website.
Klook's Tip: If you've purchased tickets to the Aboriginal Cultural Village, you'll get a complimentary cable car ride!
3. Van Vo Temple
Van Vo Temple is one of the most visited landmarks at Sun Moon Lake. During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese demolished two temples to make way for hydroelectric power plants. Later, they rebuilt a new temple on the site of what is now Van Vo Temple. After World War II, when the government decided to develop tourism at Sun Moon Lake, this structure was expanded and redesigned in the style of a Chinese palace. Today, Van Vo Temple has three separate halls dedicated to various Chinese deities.
Interesting Fact: At the bottom of Van Vo Temple is the Van Vo Stairway
. There are 366 steps symbolizing each day of the year. Each step is inscribed with the names of historical figures, corresponding to their birth dates.
- Address: No. 63, Trung Son Street, Ngutrinh Town, Nandao District, Taiwan
- Opening Hours: 24 hours (entrance from the rear gate after 18:00)
4. Tuan An Temple
Tuan An Temple was built by President Tuong Gioi Thach in memory of his mother. This temple is located on Mount Sabalan, 954 meters above sea level. Stretching about 46 meters, this nine-story temple rises to 1,000 meters above sea level. Visitors are allowed to ascend to the highest floor to admire the spectacular views of Sun Moon Lake.
- Address: Surrounding Road of Sun Moon Lake
Food Suggestions at Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan - When visiting Taiwan, you must never let yourself go hungry.
1. Bakery of Mrs. Kim Boon Tea Eggs
Bakery of Mrs. Kim Boon Tea Eggs is located at the first stop on the boat tour, Huyen Quang Pagoda. Tea eggs are a popular snack in Taiwan, and Mrs. Kim Boon's tea eggs are considered a signature dish of Sun Moon Lake! You can smell the eggs as soon as the boat docks.
- Address: No. 338, Trung Chinh Street, Ngutrinh Town, Nandao District, Taiwan 555.
- Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00
2. Sun Moon Lake Restaurant (日月潭餐坊)
This restaurant is conveniently located right across from the Trung Hung parking lot next to Thuy Xa Boat Dock. Recommended by many locals, this family-owned restaurant serves authentic Y Dat Thieu (Thao tribe) dishes at reasonable prices. They offer an English menu and English-speaking staff.
Klook Tip: For more information, look up the Chinese name of this restaurant. As it's quite popular, you may need to make reservations in advance to secure a table.
- Address: No. 32-3, Trung Hung Street, Ngutrinh Town, Nandao District, Taiwan 555.
- Opening Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00
- Phone: +886 4 9285 6806
Explore Thanh Cang from Taichung
If you're looking to get a bit of greenery, head to Thanh Cang. At Thanh Cang Farm (Cingjing Farm), you can stretch out on the vast grasslands and soak up the sunshine of Taiwan. Being situated at an altitude of 1,750 meters above sea level, the weather here is generally mild all year round, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C on average. Sheep roam around the farm, and you can interact with them comfortably at close range.
Transportation: From Taichung THSR station, take the Nam Dao bus straight to Thanh Cang Farm.
Discover the exciting surprises awaiting you at Thanh Cang, Taiwan! Let's find out!
1. Green Green Grasslands Meadow
Green Green Grasslands Meadow is the most beautiful spot in Thanh Cang. With an elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level, this vast green meadow almost touches the sky. Visitors can stroll along the trails and feel the serenity amidst nature. The weekend sheep-shearing performances are also why Green Green Grasslands Meadow becomes an ideal destination for both domestic and international tourists.
- Address: No. 170, Nhan Hoa Street, Nhan Ai Town, Nandao District, Taiwan 546.
- Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 08:00-16:00; Sat - Sun 08:00-17:00
2. Entertainment Center at Thanh Cang Farm
Entertainment Center is the main shopping area in Thanh Cang, featuring restaurants, cafes, snack bars, and stalls. If you can spare some time, slow down and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the cafes here after wandering on the meadow - that's the lifestyle in Thanh Cang. Try some fresh and sweet peaches harvested locally at the market. It will brighten up your entire day.
- Address: 26-1 Dinh Vien New Village, Dai Dong Village, Nhan Ai Town, Nandao District, Taiwan 546
- Opening Hours: 08:30-21:00
Culinary compass at Thanh Cang, Taiwan - Don't miss it, #teamKlook!
1. Dining at Thanh Cang Farmstay
Although Thanh Cang Farmstay is primarily a lodging place, it also has some franchised stores, including Starbucks, MOS Burger, 7-Eleven, and small shops. There's also a restaurant serving hotpot lamb that will warm you up immediately! The small eateries also serve delicious Taiwanese dishes: beef noodles and braised pork rice.
Other attractions in Taichung City
Taiwan High Speed Rail makes it easy for you to get to Taichung City and explore the great attractions here. After visiting Sun Moon Lake and Thanh Cang, why not explore other places while still in this city!
Here are the top destinations and attractions in Taichung selected by Klook:
1. Art in Paradise Museum in Taichung
Be mesmerized by the stunning illusions at Art in Paradise Museum in Taichung City. Step into rooms filled with mirrors, rooms that defy gravity, and a room where everyone's size suddenly changes. You can come here with friends and family and snap some fantastic Instagram-worthy photos to let your followers discover the workings of illusions.
2. Taichung Day Tour & Cao My Marsh
In the Taichung Landmark Tour & Cao My Marsh, you'll visit five of the city's most famous landmarks: immerse yourself in the beautiful floral carpet at Zhongxing Village Flower Market, visit the Eslite Lane Park Complex Shopping Mall in Taichung, and trendy shops in the Newly Kinmen Village before watching the sunset at Cao My Marsh! On this trip, you'll also satisfy your sweet tooth and visit the Miyahara Ice Cream Store.
3. Eco-experience at Paper Dome Liji Street
Experience the full family immersion at Eco-Experience at Paper Dome Liji Street, where you can make handmade lotus leaf rice, stroll with bamboo sticks, and try hen eggs at Paper Dome. Kids can explore the wonders of nature by observing the eggs and larvae of the strawberry mite.
4. Tam Nghia & Giap Ma To Wood Sculpture Museum
Immerse yourself in the finest wood art masterpieces on the tour of Tam Nghia and Giap Ma To Wood Sculpture Museum! Enjoy your own art pieces at Duck Factory Tam Nghia, where you can hand-draw your wooden duck before walking through the Tam Nghia village, famous for wood carving art.
Now you know how to travel from Taipei to Taichung by Taiwan High-Speed Rail, it's time to book tickets and admire all the attractions and scenery here, whether it's nature, museums, Sun Moon Lake, etc.!
Refer to the travel guide from Taipei to Taichung by Taiwan High-Speed Rail.
(*) Exchange rates vary over time. Therefore, the NTD/VND exchange rate here is for reference only.
Taiwan also offers other railway routes that you can use to explore the country! Learn how to purchase the most suitable transportation card for your needs. A short day trip from Taipei to Taichung is enough to spice up your travel journey. Visit Klook Vietnam's Travel Blog to pocket more useful information about Taiwanese travel, Extremely Attractive Taichung Travel Destinations, Famous Taipei Travel Destinations, Famous Taiwanese Travel Destinations, 5 Days 4 Nights Taiwan Travel Itinerary, Independent Taipei Travel Experience, 72 Hours in Taiwan: Where to Go, What to Do, What to Eat?, Delicious Taiwanese Cuisine, 6 Days 5 Nights Taiwan Travel, Highly Recommended Cao Hung Tour...
Pack your bags and head to Taipei & Taichung for a trip using Taiwan's high-speed rail.
