Taichung: More Than Just Gongyuan Eye — A Tour of Five Exotic Historic Sites

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Taiwan’s central city of Taichung boasts not only scenic coastal views and bustling urban destinations, but also many hidden gems. Below, we’ve selected five heritage-style buildings in Taichung, spanning Japanese, Western-style mansions, to classic Chinese architecture. Each features a unique style and façade that truly stand out.

1. Zhaixing Villa

Located in Tanzi District, Zhaixing Villa is a century-old siheyuan (courtyard house) historic site built by Lin Qizhong, a Qing Dynasty military general. The architecture and carvings are exquisitely detailed. Outside the main hall lies a semicircular pond. With its luxurious style, it is regarded as a model of traditional central Taiwanese residences and ranks among Taiwan’s top ten historic homes.

2. Liuyuan Church
Built in 1916, Liuyuan Church features a simple rectangular floor plan, reflecting the basic "basilica" form of early Christian churches. It offers excellent natural lighting and sightlines, making it one of the finest examples of early minimalist Christian church design. Its brick-red exterior paired with dark blue roof tiles exudes European elegance and dignity, standing out prominently along Zhongxing Street.

3. Fourth Credit Cooperative
Other than the popular Gongyuan Eye, Taichung’s Fourth Credit Cooperative is also a renovated former office building, now transformed into a stunning ice cream shop. It retains the original reinforced concrete structure, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and the old bank vault door. Visiting the Fourth Credit Cooperative feels like stepping back in time, immersed in a strong sense of bygone eras.