Search Hotels by Independent in Central District

Central Taichung is a tiny area in the middle of this Taiwanese city which is within walking range of a good proportion of the main tourist sites. It is also the oldest area of Taichung and its buildings are a mix of old shophouses and modern buildings with colourful billboards hanging off their roofs. Taichung Central Railway Station is in the district and has services from the High-Speed station on the edge of town and is a stop for Taichung-Mountain Line trains.

The National Museum of Fine Arts, Lifu Museum of Chinese Medicine, Shih Jie Art Museum and the Natural Science Museum are all near Central District. The collection at the National follows Taiwan’s modern art history with countless documents, calligraphy, paintings and sculptures. The science facility is heaven for young and old alike. It has exhibits themed on topics like geology, space and plants plus a huge botanical garden and the IMAX Space Theatre.

Taichung Confucius Temple and the City Martyr's Shrine are slightly to the north of Central. The temple is not old yet has been designed to look like a traditional complex complete with pavilions, a pond and paths lined with trees. The shrine is next door and a memorial to Taiwan’s war dead.

Both Taichung and Taiwan are noted for the liveliness of their night markets. Chung-Shiao Market is held behind the train station every evening from about 17:00 onwards. Chunghwa is larger and not that much farther away. From Taichung Station, Beitun District is an easy journey. Da Keng is on the edge of Beitun and boasts scenic viewpoints, hill-trails and hot-spring baths.

Night markets offer the chance of sampling snacks such as deep-fried mushrooms, squid balls, pizzas, stinky tofu and rice and pork sausages. There are lots of stalls serving special teas and fruit juices to help the snacks go down. Venues including Salute Gastropub, the Britannia Bistro and the Ouzo Bar & Grill provide more upmarket spots to enjoy meals and drinks in relaxing surroundings.

The markets are also great places to buy bargain-priced shoes, clothing, sunglasses and souvenir items which include T-shirts and dolls. Vendors at Gan Cheng Flea Market sell second-hand items ranging from musical instruments to antique clocks. ModeMall has a Carrefour shop, smaller sales outlets, a cinema and a rink for ice-skating.