Taichung City: Old Town, Railway Architecture and Markets

Historic infrastructure, old commercial streets and local cuisine give a trip to Taichung City several different points of focus. The city’s transformation is especially evident where a railway station lost its former transport function or a building was preserved as a testament to the city’s history.

Railway History and Preserved Buildings

Taichung’s old railway station was built in 1917 during the Japanese colonial period in a style inspired by the Renaissance of Western Europe. Red brick, a clock tower and intricate carvings define the building. After the new station took over its transport function, the old station was repurposed as the Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park. It is one of Taiwan’s best-preserved railway stations; there, you can see the old and new stations side by side.

Another trace of the city’s transformation is Sakura Bridge. It was built in 1915 to cross the Lüchuan along what was then Sakuramachi-dori and is now Taiwan Boulevard. The bridge was rediscovered during river renovation work. The city government preserved it in its entirety as a testament to the city’s transformation and development in the Central District.

Miyahara also has a historic connection to the city: the Japanese ophthalmologist Miyahara Takeo had the brick building constructed in 1927. During the Japanese colonial period, it was Taichung’s largest eye clinic.

Old Town, Streets and Market Food

Taichung’s Old Town is near the old railway station. Once the city’s center of prosperity, it is known as “Little Kyoto” for its street grid and commercial streets. Exploring historic buildings and trying local dishes are fitting ways to discover this part of the city.

Jiguang Street is one of the commercial areas. During the Japanese colonial period, it was considered Taichung’s wealthiest district. Today, together with nearby Luchuan West Street, the shopping district on Ziyou Street and the electronics street, it forms a pedestrian area with a wide variety of goods. Historic significance and diverse shopping areas come together here.

At the center of Taichung Second Market is a historic hexagonal structure. The market also offers traditional local foods, including braised pork belly with rice, jute leaves with mushroom and meat soup, black tea and noodles. The specific selection may vary from vendor to vendor. When planning your meals, it is therefore best to treat these dishes as examples rather than a set selection available at every stall.

Riverside Scenery and Religious Architecture

The Liuchuan is known as a clear-water river where visitors can observe koi up close. In addition to its scenic role, the river serves for water storage and irrigation. It brings together the experience of nature and an urban function.

Wan Chun Temple is a more than 100-year-old Mazu temple with palace-like architecture and local significance as a center of faith. The old railway station and the temple also show how differently historic buildings can be shaped: one is a transport structure, the other a religious site.

Bookstore, Bank and Weekend Market

Central Bookstore was founded in 1927 and reopened in 2020 after many years out of operation. It was once Taiwan’s largest bookstore for Chinese-language books and a cultural and arts center. Many older Taichung residents remember this role.

Banking operations continue at the headquarters of Chang Hwa Bank. On the second floor, a bank museum preserves records and historical accounts; the headquarters is considered a well-known Taichung landmark and has been designated a municipal monument. The market, bookstore and bank building thus represent different chapters in the city’s life.

Lu Market is described as a weekend market on the platform at Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park, with stalls selling food, drinks and handicrafts, as well as entertainment. Check before your trip to see whether the market is currently taking place. This lets you consider it as a possible addition to your plans without assuming that it will be held on a particular weekend.

Discover more destinations: Jinhu, Jian, Jinsha, Xiyu Township, Jinning, Dongshan

Return to the main travel overview: Taiwan.