Taiwan Family Trip: Taichung & Nantou

Our family trip to Taiwan was a fast-paced adventure that took us across Taichung, Nantou, Hualien, Yilan, and Taipei. But to kick things off, we dove straight into Taichung and Nantou for Part 1 of our journey.

With a packed itinerary and only 11 days to squeeze everything in, we decided to hire a van with a driver for a large part of the trip. Best decision ever! It allowed us to zip across cities easily, saving both time and energy—especially with my dad, sister and brother-in-law’s knack for fitting as many sights as possible into each day.

Where we went in Taichung

Taichung Cultural Heritage Park

We kicked off our adventure in Taichung, and the first stop was the Taichung Cultural Heritage Park. The park used to be Taiwan’s largest brewery, but today, it’s home to art galleries and outdoor exhibits.

And within the free gallery, there was an exhibition showcasing the local traditional roof architecture. We could get up close and personal with the intricate ceramic sculptures that adorn the roofs of many of the temples in Taiwan!

Taichung Old Train Station Market

Rows of food stalls, unique local products, and a buzz of activity greeted us at the Taichung Old Train Station Market – some even in vintage train cabins!
We wandered through the stalls, sampling everything from handmade jewellery to local snacks.

There were also performances, and we sat on one of the seats in between the old train platforms to watch some of them.

Rainbow Village

One of Taichung’s most iconic spots, Rainbow Village was painted by a retired soldier to save his home from demolition. And today, it’s a colourful oasis in the heart of the city.

While there’s not much else to do here, it makes for a fun pit stop, and the photos are totally worth it!

Guangfu New Village

A military dependents village that has been transformed into a cultural and creative arts hub, Guangfu New Village has a quirky charm, with many small stores and quaint cafes where you can spend a relaxing afternoon.

921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan

Being born and raised in Singapore, a country that is geologically blessed and untouched by earthquakes, we were struck by the exhibits at the 921 Earthquake Museum.

The museum tells the story of the devastating 1999 earthquake, and it’s a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can turn destructive. Seeing the wreckage and reading the stories of survival gave us a deep appreciation for the resilience of the people of Taiwan and how lucky we are.

Fengjia Night Market

What’s a trip to Taiwan without experiencing its night markets?

Fengjia Night Market did not disappoint – we ate, ate and ate!

Where we went in Nantou

Wangyou Forest

We visited the peaceful Wangyou Forest, also known as the Selflessness Forest. A short hike took us to a serene spot where only dead tree trunks remain, standing tall and fallen across the landscape.

Unfortunately, it was dry when we visited. Depending on the season, the area turns into a reflective pool!

Sun-Link-Sea Forest

Tucked away in the mountains, the lush, tranquil Sun-Link-Sea Forest felt like a perfect escape from the usual hustle of Singapore.

We were enveloped by towering trees, waterfalls, and the beautiful Songlong Rock. And to make things more magical, there was an ever-present fog giving dreamy vibes.

The M Village

Also known as the Monster Village, M Village is filled with monster-themed restaurants, shops, and sculptures. It has a playful vibe, but we visited at night when many stores were already closed, so it felt a little deserted. It’s also pretty touristy!

Goang Xing Paper Mill

After a short tour of the paper mill where we learnt how paper is made from scratch, we got our hands a little dirty and tried our hand at the ancient paper printing technique. We had to wet, then pound the paper over a metal mould before patting it with ink for the image to appear. I like how mine turned out!

Cingjing Farm

If you love animals, especially sheep, Cingjing Farm would be an amazing place for you. My family went on a frenzy feeding and petting the sheep, while I held back and was ready to run if any sheep came too close. Some of the sheep were pushy! And also because I’m scared of most animals.

There was also an equestrian riding and acrobat show which gave me mixed feelings – the acrobatic performance was pretty impressive at times. But I wasn’t sure how I felt about watching the horses running on the tiny stage, especially when the riders whipped the floor so loudly. It sounded like the crack of thunder that reverberated through my body!