Traveling with Kids Across Central Taiwan: 100 Must-Visit Attractions

After our “Summer Must-See: 55 Family-Friendly Spots in Taoyuan, Hsinchu & Miaoli for Kids & Sunshine,” we’ve heard the protests from our friends in Central Taiwan, so we quickly compiled a list of parent-child friendly spots in the Central Taiwan (Chung-Chang-Tou) area. But many of these attractions were visited years ago, so the photos and information haven’t been updated. If you spot any errors, please let us know right away Up!

Although our editors are based in Taipei and Yilan, the scenery in Central and Southern Taiwan as well as the East Coast is even more memorable. Especially taking the kids to run on the grass, explore ecology, and connect with nature—but some places are just too far. So besides seeking high value-for-money attractions, our editors also aim to recommend great homestays. Now, please feel free to share and recommend more attractions Up!

Riding a bike along the Houfeng Bicycle Path and Dongfeng Green Corridor in Taichung is a real treat. Honestly, you don’t really need to worry about the best time to go—today we chose to ride from 10:00 to 12:30 a.m. on the Dongfeng Green Corridor → the Dongfeng Green Corridor Bicycle Path, which is perfect for beginners.

Address: Section 3, Guofeng Road, Fengyuan City, Taichung County

The former Dongshi Old Train Station has now become the Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park. Here you can ride a bike or experience the “Tengyun Steam Train”—how cool is that! (Adults NT$100, children NT$50).

Address: No. 1, Zhongshan Road, Dongshi District, Taichung City

Today’s destination is the Dongfeng Bicycle Green Corridor, a dedicated bicycle path built on an abandoned railway, stretching about 12 kilometers in total, and together with the approximately 4.5-kilometer Houfeng Bicycle Path, it forms a beautiful green route.

Address: No. 1, Dongfeng Green Corridor, Puzi Li, Fenyuan District, Taichung City

The Pear Café at No. 1, Section 3, Chongde Road, Beitun District, Taichung City, is located at the intersection of Chongde Road and Songzhu Road, but actually situated on Songzhu Road. The dining space includes both open and private room options, all very spacious. The kids were super satisfied playing in the sand area, and after biking in the morning, you can catch up on sleep on the way here before continuing the fun at Pear Café.

Address: No. 1, Section 3, Chongde Road, Beitun District, Taichung City

Fengjia Night Market guarantees endless fun—there’s something delicious and entertaining for everyone.

Address: Exit at “Zhonggang Interchange,” drive toward the city along Zhonggang Road. Go along Zhonggang Road → pass the highway → turn left at Zhishan Road, head toward Fengchia University (about a 10-minute drive).

This time we found a great Japanese-style barbecue restaurant. Kōmachi Jūsan-ban-chi (Taiyuan Branch)—thanks to advance booking, the restaurant gave us a semi-private small room, keeping the little ones from running around.

Address: No. 725-3, Section 3, Taiyuan Road, Taichung City, Phone: (04)2437-1616

Please note! Old Tree Root is only open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays. (During summer and winter vacations, please check the official website for announcements.) The entrance fee is NT$150, which can be used as a NT$100 discount. All vouchers can be combined, for example we had NT$500 in discount coupons, which covered NT$680 worth of pinball games, with an additional NT$180 out of pocket.

Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (opening hours during summer/winter vacations announced separately)
Admission: NT$150 (NT$100 can be applied to on-site purchases, NT$50 is a maintenance fee; not applicable for group reservations)
To maintain the cleanliness of the park, pets and outside food are not allowed
Address: No. 63, Shuyi Road, South District, Taichung City, Phone: (04)2262-8621

Taichung has plenty of parent-child activities, such as the National Museum of Natural Science, Old Tree Root Visitor Factory, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung Children’s Art Museum—to soak in some artistic atmosphere... and the DIY Taichung Balloon Museum recommended by friends has long been on my list. I’m thinking if we can book a guided tour + DIY during the Spring Festival, I’ll definitely take Porsche there.

Address: No. 505, Section 5, Dafeng Road, Shengang District, Taichung City

On weekends, the first floor often hosts various events. Today’s event was writing Spring Festival couplets. On a lazy holiday with nowhere to go, come here for a stroll.

Address: No. 1, Shengli 2nd Road, Dali City, Taichung County, Phone: (04)2486-0069
Business Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, Saturday & Sunday 9:30 AM–6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

As soon as you step into the Taipei Lucky Store, a somewhat solemn atmosphere hits you—it’s not exactly the best place to just whip out your camera for photos. So we browsed around to see what we could buy. They probably noticed me looking a bit clueless about what to get (it’s advised to do a bit of homework before going shopping).

I asked: What are you looking for? I’m looking for coffee. What kind of coffee? We have many kinds of coffee.

Address: No. 8, Lane 291, Zhongzheng Road, West District, Taichung City

Located on Ducheng Road in North District, Taichung, Xiao Yuer Shaoji Chicken is a highly recommended local delicacy.

Address: No. 151, Duxing Road, West District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2201-4800

Who says you can only feel Takeshi Kaneshiro's presence at the Yilan Literature Museum? At the Xinxing Pavilion of Daohe Liuyi Cultural Museum, you can also faintly sense the handsome presence of Takeshi Kaneshiro. (Self-hypnosis in progress...)

Address: No. 33, Lin Sen Road, West District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2375-9366
Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00–22:00 (Closed on Mondays)

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, I headed to the Children’s Playroom at the Taichung Fine Arts Museum. This place is truly great—no fees, no crowds, and it even has an artistic vibe. Taichung is such a wonderful city.

Address: No. 2, Section 1, Wucheng West Road, West District, Taichung City. Tel:

Next to the forest. La Foret—I love the simple space design here. The first floor doesn’t have many seats, but it has a cozy vibe perfect for small chats over drinks with friends. The second floor has plenty of wooden tables and chairs, giving off a warm and comfortable feeling. The third floor is so tiny I regret not going up—but the second floor has a dedicated kids’ play area, which isn’t very large but can accommodate about 5–6 parent-child groups (2 adults + 1 child).

Address: No. 615, Yingcai Road, West District, Taichung City. Reservation Line: (04)2375-8123

This was a Taichung attraction I stumbled upon in a blog before and thought I’d check out someday. So after lunch during this trip back to Taichung, I figured, why not go for a stroll? There were tea drinks & ice cream for sale on-site, and I initially thought it was just a place to grab a drink and some ice cream.

A place to keep the kids occupied. But… I was wrong.

Address: No. 20, Zhongshan Road, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2227-1927

Every design and consideration at Qiuhonggu Valley Square is centered around human-centric values, green energy, and flood detention. Not only is the irrigation water for the planted greenery supplied by lake water, but even the soil used for backfilling was coordinated with the Water Resources Agency, utilizing silt dredged from the Dali River, making it a true model of “environmentally friendly urban planning.”

BRT Station Name: Qiuhonggu Station
Address: No. 127-16, Section 2, Taichung Port Road, Xitun District, Taichung City

The business operations of the Fourth Credit Cooperative are divided into three parts. Under the arcade outside, they sell Fengren Ice and various fruit shaved ices. Using a hand-cranked traditional shaved ice machine, they craft fruit ice bricks, then decorate them with jelly and seaweed sugar—both delicious and visually pleasing.

The first floor interior sells up to eighteen flavors of ice cream, each named after classic old songs. The ice cream counter features iron pipes simulating tree branches and sculpted copper leaves as plum blossoms, creating a unique look from afar. The dining area’s space design includes golden-hued lighting suspended under the raw ceiling, creating a dim yet intriguingly mismatched ambiance. The second floor sells various cold drinks, braised snacks, desserts, and more.

BRT Station Names: Taichung Railway Station, Ren’ai Hospital
Address: No. 72, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2227-1966

I must especially recommend “Pumpkin House New Orleans Italian Restaurant – Witch Lulu’s Kitchen.” As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by the lofty, spacious American-style decor, with small decorations mostly featuring Coca-Cola, pumpkins, and little witches. The first floor has foosball you can play, and the fireplace-decorated wall adds a wonderfully charming touch. The food here is really tasty and offers great value for money.

BRT Station Name: National Museum of Natural Science Station
Address: No. 225, Zhongxing Street, West District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2328-6791

Don’t be intimidated by the crowd—it moves super fast, don’t worry. When I got my number and joined the queue, there were about 20 groups ahead of me, and I only waited about 20 minutes. Can I say this place is really good? Totally worth it—Travel King’s recommendations aren’t random. I bought 4 cups of black tea, 4 meat & egg toasts, 2 egg pancakes, total around 220 NT$ (luckily I didn’t book breakfast at the Chao Sheng 52 Boutique Hotel—one person 250 NT$).

BRT Station Name: National Museum of Natural Science Station
Address: No. 1005, Jianxing Road, West District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2327-1066

The Qinmei Eslite Greenway refers to this mall, named for its building envelope covered in greenery.

Address: No. 68, Gongyang Road, West District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2328-1000

Cheese Light—a real cheese cake—is right next to Qinmei Eslite. Cheese cake is easy to come by, but good cheese cake is hard to find. Highly recommend the snowflake-like “Half-Ripe No. 2,” which even kids can’t stop eating (NT$198 for 4 pieces; NT$268 for 6 pieces).

Address: No. 57, Guanqian Road, West District, Taichung City. Tel: (04)2329-5797

Next to Qinmei Eslite is the location of the Qin Art Museum. The street in front is called Cao Wu Dao, and there are many events held around here. The Qin Art Museum is an open, free-entry art gallery. On this stretch of lush green lawn, overlooking this green promenade, the museum—positioned as a boundary-free art space—is dedicated to promoting accessible, everyday art. It’s a vibrant and relaxing venue.

Address: No. 257-2, Section 1, Zhonggang Road, Taichung City (directly behind Qinmei Eslite Greenway)

In the alleys near the Eslite Spectrum Green Park Boulevard, such as Lane 117 of Section 1, Meicun Road, and Zhongxing Lane 1, there is an abandoned old military dependents' village that has been revitalized by a group of dedicated cultural and creative workers, breathing new life and energy into the space. This place is called "Fantasy Innovation Culture."

Fantasy Innovation 117 Alleyway Village Address: No. 1, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, Lane 117, Section 1, Meicun Road, Taichung City
Fantasy Innovation Store 7 (Dessert Forest) Address: No. 136, Xiangshang North Road, Taichung City
Fantasy Innovation Store 9 (Beginner's Bookstore) Address: No. 129, Xiangshang North Road, Taichung City
Fantasy Innovation Green Light Project Address: No. 2-26, Zhongxing Lane 1, No. 11, Zhongxing Lane 1, Taichung City

The romantic and leisurely area of Jingguo Green Park Boulevard is naturally home to many specialty restaurants. One of them is ROBOT STATION Tin Roof & Robot Restaurant, a robot-themed eatery where you can see various types of robots just from the exterior.

With a dazzling array of robots, big and small—ranging from the nostalgic Tetsujin 28-go to the modern Transformers, and even the heartwarming robots from Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky—it’s undoubtedly a dream world for boys of all ages. Just look at the kids’ excited expressions, their unwavering focus on the robots, and their desire to take one home.

Address: No. 106, Xiangshang North Road, West District, Taichung City
Phone: (04)2301-9859

Shark Bites Toast on Taishun Road in Taichung is said to be the original branch. Actually, because I have such a great impression of this place, whenever I travel and come across Shark Bites Toast, I choose to dine here. This is my third visit to the Taishun Road location. They have everything: high chairs for kids, diaper changing stations, and children’s utensils. Dining in such a Western-style setting also means you don’t have to worry about kids disturbing others.

Address: No. 71, Taishun Road, North District, Taichung City Phone: (04)2201-5288

The journey to Lavender Forest is almost entirely along country roads... As you approach Lavender Forest, you’ll see purple-painted utility poles serving as road signs, even with messages like “You’re almost there, don’t give up,” which is quite amusing. This time, it wasn’t the lavender blooming season, so there weren’t vast fields of lavender in full bloom. Only this single pot of lavender at the entrance faithfully fulfilled its role as a greeter.

Address: No. 20, Zhongxing Street, Xinxing District, Taichung City Phone: (04)2593-1066

We navigated to "Lane 56, Chun’an Road," and after arriving on Chun’an Road, we simply followed the flow of cars and people and quickly found our destination.

Address: Lane 56, Chun’an Road, Taichung City

Hidden within a five-star hotel, the amusement park 'Bong Bong Kids Restaurant' has a refined vibe throughout its entire sixth floor, featuring Toys"R"Us, Hsin Yi Little Sun Parent-Child Bookstore, Bong Bong Kids Restaurant, parent-child DIY activities, children’s clothing, kids’ bedding, and an exhibition hall. The floor’s color scheme is very soft, making it hard to leave. Bong Bong Kids Restaurant is an American-style eatery, with a menu that’s almost entirely American food!

Address: 6F, No. 1049, Jianxing Road, West District, Taichung City (6F, Golden Park Boulevard)

One day, my aunt took us to Taichu Daichu’s Taichu Noodle House in Taichung. Wow—we were blown away by their bold yet elegant decor. The interior design really adds to the dining experience at Taichu Daichu Noodle House!

Address: No. 686, Dacheng Road, Nantun District, Taichung City Phone: (04)2319-5101
Business Hours: 11:00 AM–12:00 AM

I really love this kind of laid-back atmosphere—you naturally slow down your pace. It gives me the same vibe as “Lane 236” on a certain street in Taipei that I’ve recently fallen in love with. Add to that seeing my little one running around on the grass, and the overwhelming happiness is indescribable. The surrounding area is lined with restaurants offering international flavors. The fusion of art, culture, and the carefully designed storefronts of the shops creates a playful and fun artistic park boulevard.

Address: No. 108, Wucyue West 4th Street, West District, Taichung City

A characteristic of Taichung restaurants is their bold investment in decor and grand ambiance. Wucyue West 4th Street in Taichung has been planned as a “smoke-free street,” filled with unique restaurants that compete to catch the eye of passersby. This time, we visited the popular family-friendly restaurant in Taichung, 'Andersen Fairy Tale Kitchen.'

Address: No. 112, Wucyue West 4th Street, Taichung City Phone: (04)2372-3372
Business Hours: 11:30 AM–10:00 PM

I asked a local friend from Shalu if they had any recommended eateries. They strongly recommended Mei Zi Restaurant, saying the seafood is fresh and the prices are reasonable. I also looked up the cost-performance online, and the reviews were pretty good!

Address: No. 473-2, Zhongshan Road, Shalu District, Taichung City Reservation Hotline: (04)2662-5365
Business Hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00

For lunch, we chose to dine nearby at Carton King Up!. Unfortunately, this particular Carton King location seemed a bit outdated, with somewhat old facilities. The food was just average, but there’s a current promotion: show a special voucher from the homestay (you have to get it from them in advance, not available on-site) when dining here, and spend over NT$300 to receive a free ticket to Swiss Garden. So, it’s still worth it!

Address: No. 2, Lane 2, Section 2, Dongshan Road, Beitun District, Taichung City

In recent years, Wuling Farm has kept pace with the times and collaborated with the government to promote the development of the tourism industry. In 2007 (the 96th year of the Republic of China), the farm began transforming itself toward the goal of balancing ecotourism, nature conservation, and agricultural leisure. It actively created recreational attractions to serve visitors and has since evolved into a beautifully scenic ecotourism park.

Having undergone multiple phases of transformation planning and blessed with unique natural landscapes, the farm showcases distinct seasonal charm—“spring blossoms,” “summer fruits,” “autumn foliage,” and “winter snow.” As someone who loves mountains and water, I make sure to plan a trip to Wuling at least once every year to experience its different facets across the seasons.

Address: No. 3-1, Wuling Road, Pingdingshi, Heping District, Taichung City 424 Phone: (04)2590-1259

The “Changhua Fan-Shaped Roundhouse,” which children have grown up seeing, has been visited by us a record four times so far, each visit more exciting than the last. We also stopped by the Changhua Fan-Shaped Roundhouse, the Happy Life Sightseeing Sock Factory, and Lukang in Changhua. But the kids are always thrilled and can’t contain their excitement—they stare intently at the train turntable each time, watching how trains use it to reverse direction, and they never tire of it.

PS. Please be sure to follow the rules. When the train is performing its reversing maneuver, adults and children alike should not stand in front of the train for photos. Aside from disrupting the staff’s work, it’s also important to keep yourself safe.

Address: No. 1, Section 1, Changmei Road, Changhua City (north side of Changhua Railway Station) Phone: (04)762-4438
Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday (8:00–12:00, 13:00–17:00)
Admission: Free. Just get your pass at the management office on the left side of the main gate to enter.

On the way to the fan-shaped roundhouse, you’ll see “Xinyitai Cloth Shop.” It was my first time visiting a cloth shop, so I lingered there for a while and bought a few pieces of fabric—I was really satisfied. I’ve made it a point to come here every time I visit Changhua since then.

Address: No. 137, Heping Road, Changhua City, Changhua County

On the way from Changhua Railway Station to the Changhua Fan-Shaped Roundhouse, there’s a famous “Beimenkou Rice Ball” that’s really delicious—the skin is crispy. For those who eat vegetarian (avoiding meat but okay with animal by-products), I highly recommend the golden needle mushroom and pork rib soup; it’s light and tasty.

Address: No. 494, Section 1, Zhongzheng Road, Changhua County (04)722-9980
Address: No. 34, Sanmin Road, Changhua County (0932-570 583)

The Happy Life Sock Factory isn’t large, but it combines a retail store, DIY activities, and a small factory. This time, we mainly came to try the DIY sock doll experience. Our second goal was to buy Made-in-Taiwan socks—the selection here is vast, and the prices are “great”! DIY options include NT$80 (about 30 minutes), NT$150 (with needles and thread, about one hour), and more complex ones (about 3–4 hours)... We all chose the NT$150 Angry Birds option. With staff guidance, it took about 40 minutes to complete, but in the end, all five kids had their parents doing the DIY for them.

Address: No. 465, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Changhua County

Route: Walk straight about 200 meters from the front of Shetou Railway Station → turn right onto Zhongshan Road for about 150 meters → you’ll arrive at the destination. The walk takes about 10 minutes.

The Lukang Longshan Temple follows a three-courtyard, two-hall architectural layout, consisting sequentially from front to back of the mountain gate, the five-bay hall (including the stage), the main hall (including the worship hall), and the rear hall. The temple’s architecture retains the style from its 1831 (the 11th year of the Daoguang reign) renovation. Despite subsequent restorations, it still maintains its traditional layout.

Address: No. 81, Kinmen Street, Changhua County

Old Long’s (Lao Long Shi Fu), a local delicacy: “Lukang Meat Buns.” You can buy Lukang Old Long’s Meat Buns individually or by the box (“10 buns per box; @NT$18”). Other options include scallion rolls (NT$60 for 5), savory cake (NT$6.5 for 2), mushroom and pork buns (NT$180 for 10), goji carrot steamed buns (NT$60 for 4), fresh milk steamed buns (NT$80 for 10), plus peanut, brown sugar, sesame, and red bean cream rolls—all very tasty.

Address: No. 136, Sanmin Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County

From Xing’an Temple, turn right and you’ll find Lukang’s famous “Nine Turns Alley” (describing its winding path—not literally nine turns). Traditional alleys in Lukang mostly adopt this curved and circuitous design. The winding layout serves to block wind and has a defensive function, making it hard for thieves to charge through. There’s also a superstition that ghosts only walk in straight lines, so the winding alleyways are believed to ward off evil spirits.

The Nine Turns Alley blends old and new elements, and these visual contrasts can only truly be appreciated in person. Among the alleys, “Jinsheng Lane” is the most famous—it’s the best-preserved and most dramatically winding section. Within Jinsheng Lane, there are two renowned historic houses: “Yilou” and “Shiyilou.”

Address: No. 44, Xinghua Lane, Lukang Town, Changhua County
Address: No. 163, Minzu Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County
Address: No. 147, Zhongshan Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County (all approximate locations)
Address: No. 147, Zhongshan Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County (all approximate locations)

Next, we arrived at the “Ding Family Mansion.” The Ding Family Mansion is located on the old street of Zhongshan Road in Lukang. Early on, the Ding ancestors crossed the sea to Taiwan and operated cross-strait trading firms in Lukang. During the Guangxu era, Ding Shoutan, a descendant of the Ding family, passed the imperial examination to become a jinshi (advanced scholar) and served as the head of Baisha Academy.

The Ding Family Mansion was built during the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu era. It is a long rectangular residence with a single courtyard and single unit structure, featuring areas such as the storefront, deep well, zhàotīng (main reception area), middle well, and main hall. Its architectural layout is quite rare, and all building materials, including granite slabs and fir wood transported from the mainland to Taiwan, have been used. It has a history of over 100 years. The Ding Family Mansion was restored and completed in 2005 (the 94th year of the Republic of China), designated as a county-level historical site, and is open to the public free of charge.

Address: No. 132, Zhongshan Road, Lukang Town

Walking to the end of Nine Turns Alley leads to the exit of the First Market. Alternatively, you can first locate the First Market (at the intersection of Zhongshan Road and Minzu Road in Lukang, between Minzu Road No. 163 and No. 165; turn left into “Nine Turns Alley”), which is an important marketplace in Lukang, bustling and lively, and also a hub for a wide variety of local foods.

Address: At the intersection of Zhongshan Road and Minzu Road, between No. 163 and No. 165 Minzu Road

No need for lengthy explanations—no need to surf the internet or ask others where the food is. Just head into the market by 3 PM, and follow the crowds queuing up; that’s how you do it. The super-popular Lujiang specialty “Haojiaxiang Meat Floss Shop” → their premium pure shredded meat, handmade stir-fried and baked meat slices. We immediately bought a few pieces on the spot for our little foodies, absolutely delicious beyond words.

Address: No. 196 A1, Minzu Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County

“Yuzhenzhai” can be considered the representative of Lukang, famous for making traditional, old-school pastries. With the changing times and evolving food culture trends, “Yuzhenzhai” has also started developing products that better suit modern consumers’ tastes. The most famous one is the “Xiao Tao Cake” endorsed by celebrity Tao Zi—this is my impression, but I later learned that the most well-known souvenirs are actually “mung bean cake” and “big cake” among other pastries.

Address: No. 168, Minzu Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County

Our friend from Changhua, "Nobita" (a Doraemon reference), saw our check-in in Changhua and immediately followed us, then promptly sent over a taste of Changhua delicacy — “Mingrentang Handmade Sesame Brittle.” The taste was rich and satisfying, and the packaging was beautiful too. There were also photos of grapes and flowers. Isn’t that just adorable?

Address: No. 363, Section 1, Yuannlu Road, Xihu Township, Changhua County

The Klems Manor also has play areas suitable for children.

Top left image: It’s the “Beehive Climbing” structure, located next to the animal area. It’s a huge beehive-shaped climbing frame standing 5.5 meters tall.
Bottom left image: It’s the “Sand Play Area,” but the sand here is quite coarse—coarser than the artificial beach at Taipei City Hall. It’s more like small pebbles.
Top right image: It’s the “Graffiti Wall,” a huge blackboard. Unfortunately, no chalk is provided, so many people just go ahead and use markers to draw on it.
Bottom right image: It’s the “Water Play Area.” We visited at an off-peak time, but in the summer, this place is bound to be popular. The management has thoughtfully installed sunshades overhead.

Address: No. 15–30, Chushui Lane, Yuanlin Town, Changhua County Phone: (04)838-1118, 0977-096239

Near Klems Manor, there’s an ultra-long slide that drives both kids and adults crazy — the Baiguo Mountain Happiness Ultra-Long Slide. Come the weekends, it’s packed with people. The design of the slide is also pretty unique, featuring imagery of Yuanlin’s famous grapes.

Address: No. 12, Chushui Lane, Chushui Li, Yuanlin Town, Changhua County

Yonglin Ranch raises over 200 cows, supplying milk to Guangquan for their premium brand “Dairy Fragrance Family.” The ranch’s fresh milk is non-homogenized.

What is non-homogenized milk? The purpose of homogenization is to break down the fat globules in milk. As for why that’s done—well, you can Google it. According to the ranch owner, non-homogenized milk retains more of the raw milk’s nutrients. Uncle Enxuan said: This milk tastes quite rich, smooth, and delicious.

Address: No. 33-3, Zhengxing Lane, 32, Huatan Street, Huatan Township, Changhua County 504
Phone: (04)768-9855 or 0988-214369

Must-order here is the lamb lean meat soup. The lamb is only blanched upon ordering, resulting in tender and smooth meat, paired with angelica soup that has a subtle herbal aroma mixed with wine fragrance. Absolutely perfect together. Also try the stir-fried lamb with greens—spinach and lamb served with satay sauce (Uncle Enxuan says this satay sauce is different from store-bought ones), served with lamb fat dry noodles, which are very flavorful. Or how about lamb fat dry noodles mixed with some angelica soup? So good the kids finished them in just a few bites.

According to locals, if you come too late, you might miss out on this delicious lamb soup.

Address: No. 32, Lane 288, Huatan Street, Huatan Township, Changhua County 503 (inside the Huatan Public Retail Market in Changhua)
Phone: (04)786-4262

Isn’t this place just amazing? In addition to the sandbox, there’s also a slide, a maze, and a water play area. The water is fairly shallow, but adults should still supervise when kids are playing to ensure safety.

Address: No. 167, Zhongshan Road, Fenyuan Township, Changhua County
Phone: (04)859-0909
Business hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Admission: NT$100 for ages 12 and above, NT$30 for ages 6 to 12, free for under 6. Tickets are not redeemable for purchases.
Note: Bring an extra set of clothes or water play gear for summer, as there is a water play area.
Official website: http://www.alicegarden.com.tw/index.aspx

There it is, the must-try dish — "rice cake." I originally thought it would be the same as tube rice cake, but it’s not. It’s more like white fried rice, drizzled with minced pork sauce. Paired with refreshing pickled cucumbers, it’s not greasy at all and super delicious!

Of course, there’s also their signature dish, "meat q?" But personally, I feel this version of meat q? here takes a health-conscious route. There’s no thick starch thickening, and the taste is still okay!

Also, a local recommendation — "chrysanthemum pork" (sold out). Just from the name, you can’t imagine what kind of meat it is, huh? The most special part is the preserved egg — it’s super big. Not like regular chicken eggs. There’s even green onion in the middle. It was the first time I tried such a preserved egg, quite unique.

Editor’s note: According to news reports, Xie Rice Cake will close starting June 1st. OMG!

Yuanlin Food (local recommendations)

Address: No. 265, Zhongzheng Rd., Yuanlin Town, Changhua County 510 | Tel: (04)831-8646
Business Hours: 11:00 – 22:00 (Closed on Tuesdays)

This Eight Treasures Round Rice Ball Ice is special because of the texture of the rice balls — chewy and bouncy. Later on, even my brother was picking out the rice balls to eat. Truly a kid who knows good food!

And another must-order is the burnt mochi (?)... I can’t type the characters here... But seriously, we couldn’t even finish our first bowl of Xie Rice Cake, and yet we could still stuff down a plate of peanut-flavored burnt mochi here.

Address: No. 216, Guangming St., Yuanlin Town, Changhua County 510 | Tel: (04)833-6245
Business Hours: 12:00 – 23:00

A local mom, Little Fish Mom, says: There are at least four places selling chicken foot jelly in Yuanlin. The most highly recommended is the one next to the Eight Treasures Round Rice Ball Ice in the Sweet Potato Market — the Sweet Potato Market Chicken Foot Jelly.

Dear Little Fish, the food tour you arranged is simply, absolutely, incredibly perfect for our family. Aside from loving sticky rice, we’re also huge fans of chicken foot jelly. Here, the chicken foot jelly — Dad even had an “oh la la” moment. Compared to the one at Donghai, there’s way more meat!

We really didn’t have any stomach space left for more chicken foot jelly, so we just took some back to the hotel to eat. Remember, if you’re not eating it right away, store it in the fridge first. Then take it out when you’re ready to eat. Cold and refreshing, paired with beer — that’s the life!

Address: No. 232, Guangming St., Yuanlin Town, Changhua County 510 | Tel: (04)835-5817
Business Hours: 10:00 – 23:00

The factory tour staff will arrange a video guide introducing the production process of chicken essence, followed by a visit to the factory. (Reminder: No photography inside the factory!) CNS-certified chickens enter the Branson factory, where they undergo high-temperature stewing, with fats and cholesterol removed, along with multiple layers of inspection, ensuring that the chicken essence delivered to customers is of the highest quality.

Address: No. 18, Lukong Rd., Lukang Town, Changhua County (Changbin Industrial Park)
Tel: (04)781-0077
Business Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Note: Free admission, reservation via official website recommended
Official Website: http://www.brands.com.tw/museum/index.html

Ribbon King offers DIY activities, with prices ranging between NT$50–150. How could two little adventurers come to the treasure mountain and leave empty-handed? Each of them picked a DIY activity. Sister Xuan chose a ribbon candy pen, while Brother En opted for a woven dancing bear (pair). These two DIYs are considered entry-level — Brother En only needed help with the hot glue gun, but managed everything else on his own.

Address: No. 15, Lukong Rd., Lukang Town, Changhua County
Tel: (04)781-3626
Business Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Note: Free admission, DIY workshops available
Official Website: http://www.ribbon888.com/index.asp

The first floor of the museum is a shopping area, while the second floor is the exhibition space of Taiwan Glass Museum. Inside, you’ll see all kinds of glass products — familiar items like water cups, perfume bottles, kitchenware, bathroom supplies, and decorations.

Top-right 1 and top-right 2 are a very special type of glass — it’s privacy glass. When someone gets close, the glass turns opaque white. Super cool.

Address: No. 30, Luguang South 4th Road, Lukang Township, Changhua County
Phone: (04)781-1299
Business Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Note: Free admission
Official Website: http://www.timingjump.com.tw/

Socks King Sightseeing Factory is highly recommended by locals. The storefront displays cotton threads used in sock knitting, various socks, and other sock-related merchandise. The first floor houses a shopping area and DIY classroom, while the second floor features exhibits on the company’s history and sock knowledge... allowing visitors to better understand the sock manufacturing process.

Address: No. 1, Lane 16, Alley 440, Section 3, Yuanci Road, Tianzhong Township, Changhua County
TEL: (04)874-9909 FAX: (04)876-3063
Official Website: http://www.soxlink.com.tw/soxking/

Changhua has such a hidden gem, located along the rural roads of Tianwei Garden Highway. Along the way, you might even wonder if you’ve taken a wrong turn. But once you step inside, you may start to question — are you really still in Taiwan? The rows of bald cypress trees at Jingfang Garden create an illusion of being abroad, especially when their colors shift from green to red in late autumn and early winter.

Address: No. 73, Zhangcuo Lane, Dalian Village, Tianwei Township, Changhua County 522
Phone: (04)822-3535
Official Website: http://www.green.com.tw/

Wanse Sightseeing Factory’s “Love to Play Color Creative Hall” — a brand-new sightseeing factory that opened in June 2015. Admission is required for entry, which includes a guided tour fee (NT$100 per person), while DIY activities (NT$100–250) are charged separately. DIY options vary based on children’s preferences for styles and types, and tickets can be purchased directly at the counter.

Address: No. 296, Sanhao Road, Beidou Township, Changhua County
Phone: (04)888-6016
Parking: Available (Free)
Business Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 – 17:00

A very popular affordable Japanese restaurant in the area, also highly recommended by the staff at Love to Play Color Creative Hall. Driving here, you’ll be surprised — it faces a field, surrounded by residences, so it’s no exaggeration to say it’s tucked away in an alley. Though not in a bustling area, this Japanese eatery is always packed with people.

There are many menu choices, including set meals, rice bowls, hot pots, noodle soups, and Ishikari nabe. There’s no minimum spend or service charge. Since food is made to order, you’ll need to wait patiently to enjoy your meal. Also, there are plenty of great Japanese goods like snacks and small items near the counter — good food and shopping all in one place, how nice.

Address: No. 263, Zhongxing Street, Beidou Township, Changhua County | Phone: (04)-8781373
Parking: None
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11:30 – 13:45 / 17:00 – 19:50
Reservations accepted on weekdays; walk-ins only on holidays

The Zhongxing Valley Castle Rice Museum has established this “Rice Aroma Academy,” providing an interactive space for parents and children to engage in DIY activities, aiming to offer a deeper meaning beyond just enjoying delicious rice in the future.

It is recommended to participate through videos or guided tours to better understand the preciousness of each grain of rice, and to more deeply appreciate both the intellectual and emotional aspects of rice culture. After watching the video, you’ll see how a single grain of rice can ripple out into a beautiful life — the simplest phrase “eat well” actually comes from the beauty brought by a single grain of rice.

This time, there happen to be two “rice” DIY activities — you can experience popcorn rice and rice-wrapping DIY, while other seasons also feature activities like making your own scarecrow, rice hulling fun, and handmade onigiri, offering a rich variety of DIY courses.

Address: No. 526, Section 2, Zhangshui Road, Pitou Township, Changhua County
Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Facilities: Timed guided tours available
Contact number: (04)892-6088

Beidou meatballs are famous all over Taiwan. Visitors to Beidou all specifically ask to try them, and with local recommendations, the first stop is “Meatball Chan.” Even at 3 PM, there’s still a long line of people waiting to get in.

Everyone was surprised by the NT$15 meatball—it’s literally a bargain. The wrapper is soft, chewy, and doesn’t stick to your teeth. The plain flavor is delicious even without any sauce. Chan’s meatballs have a thick, soft, and Q-textured skin, and the filling is generous. If you’re worried about oiliness, you can ask the boss to drain some of it—eating it plain is just right because the sauce is a bit on the salty side. But adding the broth makes it perfect.

Address: No. 75, Zhongzheng Road, Beidou Town, Changhua County
Phone: (04)878-3966
Business hours: 09:00 – 18:00

Filming location of the idol drama “My Dear, I’ve Fallen for Someone Else.” Attending such a beautiful elementary school—thinking back when you grow up, you’d probably feel happy.

Address: No. 51, Xingchan Road, Neihu Village, Lugu Township, Nantou County Phone: (04)927-52437

Yokai Village is an absolutely must-visit spot. Yokai Village has changed so much!! There are many new buildings, goods, food, stalls, and more. Especially the yokai performance from 7:30–8:00 PM is a must-watch—you’ll regret it if you miss it. Also, don’t miss the butterfly chicken, roast chicken, handmade cakes, and nip-cat bread—they’re all must-try foods.

Address: No. 2-3, Xingchan Road, Neihu Village, Lugu Township, Nantou County Phone: (049)261-2121
Parking:
■ For guests staying overnight: Parking is provided
■ For general visitors: Xitou Parking Lots 1 & 2 (NT$100 per entry)

Sun Moon Old Tea Factory—here you can enjoy good tea, watch farm documentary films, take guided tours of the tea-making process, and gaze at the sky and land... Their premium Red Jade black tea—Taiwan Tea No. 18—is a must-buy.

Address: No. 38, Youshui Lane, Zhongming Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County 55544 Phone: (049)289-5508
Farm human activity schedule: Morning 08:00 – Dusk 05:00

Xitou Forest Recreation Area—buying tickets through homestay operators can be cheaper. Xitou is truly a living natural classroom, with around 300 species of woody plants and 1,300 species of herbaceous plants. There are also about 70 species of birds in Xitou. It’s recommended to bring a bird guidebook for Taiwan and binoculars with about 8x magnification to observe the most representative medium-altitude birds in Taiwan.

University Pond got its name because Xitou is affiliated with National Taiwan University. There’s a five- or six-zhang-long uniquely shaped arched bamboo bridge over the pond. Walking across it, it sways left and right, and when a light mist floats by occasionally, it feels like a dream.

Address: No. 9, Senlin Lane, Lugu Township, Nantou County (Xitou Silviculture Area, NTU Experimental Forest)
Phone: (049)261-2111

If there were a kindergarten here, we’d move in. Wow, channeling Mencius’s mother, are we? Stepping into the campus, it’s like a paradise. Watching the children run around feels like seeing sprites fallen from heaven, happily running carefree.

Address: No. 39, Qiongwen Lane, Yuchi Township, Nantou County 555 Phone: (049)289-7047

Carrying on his father’s dream of the woodworking industry, 40 years ago, the factory started with just Christmas ornaments, nutcracker dolls, German windmills, glass water balls, jewelry boxes, and music boxes. Unwilling to let his father give up this hard-earned business, having grown up listening to the musical chimes and watching the old factory grow quiet, he felt a sense of mission to revive it. So the curator decided to return home and breathe new life into the old factory.

Address: No. 37, Datong Street, Puli Town, Nantou County Phone: (049)291-7803
Business hours: Saturday & Sunday: 9:30 – 16:30; Weekdays: By appointment only; Tuesday: Closed

When it comes to Qingjing cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is Paiyi meals. But besides Paiyi meals, the urn-roasted chicken at Yina Valley View Cafe is also a famous delicacy.

Address: No. 36-1-1, Xinyi Lane, Renhe Road, Datong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County
Phone: (049)280-3710

Having visited Guangxing Paper Mill three times, each time participating in different DIY activities. As the kids grow older, the amount of knowledge they absorb increases.

Address: No. 310, Tieshan Road, Puli Town, Nantou County Phone: (049)291-3037
Business hours: 09:00–17:00 (Closed on New Year’s Eve)

“Linbandao” is located in the Linbandao Commercial District of Shuili, Nantou, not far from Sun Moon Lake. It’s situated near the old Checheng Railway Station. Checheng is the terminal station of the Jiji Line, nestled in a valley, and is quite serene. As it had rained the night before, mountain mist lingered in the hills for a long time, and the fresh air was so invigorating that one couldn’t help but take deep breaths.

The children were even happier running and playing on the large open space of the railway track. There’s also a small lake here with pleasant scenery. The maple leaves had turned red to welcome us, but what made the kids happiest was seriously feeding the fish—I’m sure the fish must have had their fill that day. After lunch, Guangma arranged a woodworking DIY session for everyone.

Address: No. 101-5, Minquan Lane, Shuili Township, Nantou County Phone: (049)277-7462
Weekdays: 10:00–18:00 (Monday to Friday) Holidays: 09:00–19:00 (Saturday and Sunday)
July 1 to August 31: Open 7 days a week during the summer vacation period

Overlooking the entire Sun Moon Lake... it’s really beautiful! Seeing a bunch of brightly colored cable cars zipping around the mountaintops is truly adorable! (The Sun Moon Lake Cable Car comes in three colors, and an expert nicknamed Y-Gui said they have meanings: red represents the sun, yellow the moon, and blue the lake—so red, yellow, and blue stand for Sun Moon Lake.) Although the ride isn’t long, it crosses two mountains, and compared to the Maokong Gondola, the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car is higher and steeper, making it super thrilling!

Address: No. 102, Zhongzheng Road, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County Phone: (049)-285-0666#9

The “Paper Dragon Handicraft Museum” is entirely decorated with “paper” as the main material, making extensive use of the museum’s own handmade paper products in its design, applying paper to every corner of life. The interior is divided into the Paper Culture Hall, Paper Doll Restaurant, Bee Kingdom, and DIY Workshop.

Address: No. 118-2, Longsheng Road, Puli Town, Nantou County Phone: (049)290-2989
Full price: NT$50
Visiting hours: AM 09:00 – PM 05:00

Named the 18°C Chocolate Workshop, the reason is that chocolate tastes best when stored at 18 degrees! We came here drawn by the aroma and the reputation. When I saw it on TV before, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone would come all the way out here. As expected, even during a typhoon, the place was packed with visitors!

Address: No. 20, Cien Street, Puli Town, Nantou County Phone: (049)298-4863
Business hours: 10:00 – 22:00, open year-round without holidays

Visiting Qingjing Farm is also a great idea to enjoy Qingjing’s fresh air. The vast mountain views are truly refreshing!

Address: No. 170, Renhe Road, Datong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546
Phone: For room bookings, dining reservations, and travel information (049)2802748 (main line)

During this mini-trip with two families, next to the exotic-style “Qingjing Florence Resort Villa,” we stumbled upon the whimsical and heartwarming Nina Chocolate Workshop. This spot is truly hidden and off the beaten path—if you’re visiting Qingjing, I highly recommend checking out NINA (Nina) Chocolate. It’s a sweet, must-visit spot for families with kids or couples. Over our two-day trip, we visited this shop a total of three times and even brought down three boxes of chocolates as gifts for friends.

Address: No. 3-8, Rongguang Lane, Datong Village, Ren’ai Township Phone: (049)280-2988

We had Puli sausages here. Compared to those from Yilan Distillery, I actually prefer the texture of Yilan Distillery’s sausages. We bought a stick of maltose candy, which made five kids giggle with delight over the nostalgic taste. I’d especially like to introduce the handmade egg rolls—not only are they made fresh, but the owner keeps bringing them to our table as soon as they’re out of the oven. It was rare to see Xiao Kai so eager—he really enjoyed munching on the egg rolls.

Address: No. 219, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Puli Town, Nantou County Phone: (049)298-4006 ext. 9

There’s a saying: “In front of my house there’s a stream, behind there’s a hill.” Now I want to sing: “In front of my house there’s a Transformer”—now that’s cool! This is the most common phrase you’ll hear upon entering the Transformer Base. Honestly… it’s super cool here! As soon as you walk in, you’ll see Bumblebee waving hello.

Address: No. 200, Section 4, Zhongshan Road, Puli Town, Nantou County Phone: 0920-589 025

“Hu Guoxiong Traditional Noodles.” Speaking of Hu Guoxiong, he’s no small name—the shop has been around for nearly a hundred years, dating back to the Japanese colonial era. When I saw experts praise it like this, I had to come. And true enough—it’s cheap and delicious!

Address: No. 3, Ren’ai Road, Puli Town, Nantou County

In Puli’s Taomi Community, there’s a quaint and delicate ecological water park with a play pool. Many people visiting Nantou with kids in the summer come to Taomi Water Park. It’s free—a perfect place for little ones to splash around. Awesome!

Address: No. 52-12, Taomi Lane, Taomi, Puli Town, Nantou County
Phone: (049)-291-4922

Address: No. 52-12, Taomi Lane, Taomi, Puli Town, Nantou County
Phone: (049)-291-4922
Admission: Entrance fee — Regular: NT$100, Discounted: NT$80, both fully redeemable as in-store credit

For lunch, I booked a table at Tujiacuo Waterfront Restaurant near the Paper Dome. The entrance road is really tiny, but fortunately, the navigation didn’t fail us. Though it looked narrow from the outside, it actually opens up to a cozy spot surrounded by greenery and right by the river.

Address: No. 2, Shuihang Lane, Nantou County 545   Phone: (049)291-2201

Thankfully, entry to Swiss Garden was free. The regular ticket price is NT$120, and the discounted rate is NT$90 — not cheap. But there really wasn’t much to see, so we decided to head to our homestay for the day, Up!. Yup, part of my plan was to stay at a different place each night.

Address: No. 28, Dingyuan New Village, Daxiong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County

Of course, this place isn’t just about great photo ops. A fun highlight is the chalkboard flooring along the walkway outside the museum — kids (and adults!) can draw on it freely with the colorful chalks provided. There’s also a sandbox that totally captivated little Sister Xuan.

The sand here is super easy to clean — just brush it off. There’s also a hand-washing station nearby to rinse off hands and feet after playtime. Right before the exit, there’s an automatic bubble machine that occasionally blows bubbles. And sure enough, wherever there are bubbles, you’ll find a bunch of little kids chasing them around — haha.

Address: No. 32-1, Puzhong Lane, Mingjian Township, Nantou County 551   Phone: (049)258-3126

When we visited the Skywalk, there happened to be an Uglydoll event going on. Along the path to the viewing platform, there were giant cutouts of Uglydolls with holes cut out for kids to take fun photos. The kids had a blast, especially Brother En and Brother Haoqin — their photos were absolutely “full-frame” worthy.

Address: Inside Monkey Well Street, off Xishi Cuoping Lane 399, Fushan Li, Nantou City   Phone: (049)229-2556

Caotun Wetlands — I always thought wetlands were supposed to be in low-lying areas, but getting to Caotun Wetlands involved a short hike up a mountain path. The ecology here is pretty rich. Every time we spotted a lizard, Dad would try to show off his skills (Eva’s aside: remember to put them back after taking photos. They belong in nature!).

Address: No. 44, Zhonggua Road, Taomi Li, Puli Town, Nantou County   Phone: (049)291-5455

Jiji is known as a railway tourism town and was also the epicenter of the 921 Earthquake. Trains from Jiji to Checheng only run about once every hour and a half, and by the time we arrived, the one we wanted had just left... D’oh. But that gave us a chance to explore the area nearby. There’s a small train-themed souvenir shop at the station, which is a nice way to learn about the local railway culture.

Address: No. 75, Minsheng Road, Jiji Town, Nantou County

Actually, Tea Visit is a tea brand developed by Jiazhen Tea Industry in 2002, while Tea Heart Hall is a cultural space created to promote tea and tea ceremony culture. So this time, we visited Tea Heart Hall, whose entrance is through a brown doorway next to two stone lions.

Address: No. 19, Yanping Road, Zhushan Industrial Park, Nantou County
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (AM9:00–PM18:00), open as usual during winter/summer vacations and national holidays.

I couldn’t help snapping a photo of the admission ticket — it’s beautifully designed. Yep, there’s an entrance fee of NT$50 per person, but it can be used as credit for DIY activities. Plus, you get a 10% discount on any purchases made that day.

This was the first stop on the guided tour, right where we entered — my son was poking his head around curiously — the “Traditional Lantern Culture Area.” There were so many beautiful lanterns hanging up, it was really stunning.

Address: No. 19, Yanping Road, Zhushan Industrial Park, Nantou County
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (AM9:00–PM18:00). Open as usual during winter/summer vacations and national holidays.

There are at least a hundred homestays in Qingjing, each more uniquely styled and flashy than the last. As a result, the indoor space and shared facilities tend to be more limited. For families with young children, it’s essential to choose a place where both parents and kids can relax comfortably. The other common amenity is a kids’ play area, though currently, there’s only one that stands out.

What I’d recommend about “Chun Jing” is its kids' play area and swimming pool — rare finds up here in the sparsely equipped Qingjing mountains. The dinner and breakfast were quite good too. The owner even came by each table to encourage everyone to eat more, and offered seconds if you were still hungry — that really surprised me.

Address: No. 221-2, Renhe Road, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County (1.5 km above Qingjing Farm’s Green Green Grassland)
Phone: (049)280-2058

After visiting Swiss Garden, we headed straight to our accommodation for the night to freshen up — ta-da: Jianqing Garden Resort Villa.

Address: No. 18-1, Dingyuan New Village, Daxiong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County
Booking phone: (049)280-3162
Official website: http://www.sunshine-villa.com.tw/

For my first night's accommodation, I chose the "Vienna Garden Wooden House" – the 6-person room on the middle floor of Yingxi Building. It’s a row of two-story small wooden houses, with all the 2nd-floor rooms being duplex-style, though there aren’t many in total, only about 10 or so.

Address: No. 29, Dingyuan New Village, Nantou County, 546. Phone: (049) 28-31922

My younger son’s birthday wish was surprisingly to visit Monster Village and see the monsters. Of course, as his mom, I immediately agreed. I quickly started searching online—first looking for the hotel closest to Monster Village, then comparing facilities, friendliness, and reviews. After some thorough research, Shante Hotel Shitou in Xitou stood out with the newest facilities and just a 5-minute drive from Monster Village.

No. 24-18, Xingchan Road, Neihu Village, Lugu Township, Nantou County
Phone: (049) 275-3333

By sheer chance, I arrived at this lovely place—the hometown of towels, Xinglong Towel Factory. The factory offers free tours, and if you have a group of 20 or more, you can also apply for a DIY towel-making experience. Unfortunately, our group wasn’t big enough, so the kids missed out on the hands-on experience.

When we arrived, there happened to be no guided tour, but I still wanted to learn more about the excellence of genuine MIT (Made in Taiwan) towels. The factory uses 100% pure natural plant cotton, insists on lead-free, mercury-free, and azo-free printing dyes, and guarantees no heavy metals to avoid any carcinogenic risks. Antibacterial properties, cleanliness, and water absorption are the factory’s three major assurances. After learning all this, I couldn’t help but support local products and bought some to take home.

Address: No. 84-1, Leinei Li, Huwei Town, Yunlin County
Open hours: Year-round, no holidays

After staying in Taipei for so long, walking in the bamboo forest trail now feels incredibly relaxing and soothing. To the kids’ eyes, this is like little fairy magic—pretty soon, pink bunnies will definitely come hopping out to say hello.

Address: Fanlu Township, Chiayi County (Taiwan Route 18, 53.5K, Er Yanping Mountain Trail)
Admission: Free

The first stop of our two-day Chiayi trip was Fenchihu Old Street to satisfy our hunger. Before arriving, I couldn’t recall ever having been here, but the moment I got there, a very familiar atmosphere hit me. Walking along the high-altitude old street gave me a strong sense of déjà vu.

The stone steps on the old street, nostalgic architecture, the classic flavors of traditional pastries, and, of course, the shop owners’ generous and enthusiastic free samples made it feel just like Jiufen Old Street. Even though it was raining and cold that day, visitors kept coming nonstop.

Address: Fenchihu, Zhonghe Village, Zhushan Township, Chiayi County
Coordinates: E 120°41'43" (120.6954), N 23°30'18" (23.5050)

Read more: