Dakeng Hot Springs %s Artistic Old Space – A Literary-Trendy Warm Spring Stroll in Taichung

Originally working in import business, Ms. Yao started Forty Café upon reaching her life’s “unquestionable year” (40 years old), with the name Forty symbolizing both her age and the beauty of “a woman at forty is like a blooming flower.” Feeling that most breakfast spots in Taiwan were either too fast-food simple or overly refined and expensive, Ms. Yao created Forty Café—a charming breakfast restaurant with a delightful ambiance.

 

Forty Café occupies just a small section within a long row of storefronts on the first floor of a residential building. Without an ostentatious sign, first-time visitors need to keep their eyes peeled to spot it. The high-ceilinged space features floor-to-ceiling windows accented with spaced-out golden lace-cut window films, creating layered greenery views—some crystal clear, others softly blurred—adding visual interest. The window-side bar counter is paired with rattan-backed high stools, echoing the natural simplicity outside. The first-floor space uses purple as the base tone, complemented by light and airy white and earthy hues, while the loft boldly features purple walls adorned with white painted floral patterns on the floor and black tassels, exuding a cozy lounge-bar vibe. Ms. Yao explains that purple is a composite color reflecting the beauty of red and blue harmony—just like her own journey of transformation and life stages when she opened the café at 40.

 

The brunch menu includes freshly made juices, high-fiber salads, seafood or meat mains, and bread from the renowned Taichung bakery Tongben. Pair your meal with a hand-brewed coffee or floral fruit tea to start the day with a satisfying and uplifting breakfast. The restaurant space is deliberately integrated with the surroundings of Green Park Boulevard, bringing a relaxed vibe indoors so customers can enjoy breakfast in a laid-back mood—making it easier for the body to absorb nutrients. Only at Forty Café will you realize that breakfast is meant to be savored slowly.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 88, Lane 155, Gongyi Rd., West District, Taichung City

Phone: 04-120.664224

Hours: Monday: 8:00–20:00; Wednesday–Sunday: 8:00–20:00

Website: www.facebook.com/Fortycafe

Located opposite the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Zhongxin Market was originally a closed traditional market made up of nearly a hundred small shops. To evade taxes, shop owners intentionally built their premises narrow and small, which later complicated land acquisition. As the area gradually fell into disuse, many artists and cultural workers from central Taiwan set up cafes, bookstores, photography studios, and art workshops in the dim, run-down alleys, creating a lively, avant-garde, and joyful atmosphere. It is one of the few places where grassroots life meets artistic aesthetics.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 67, Section 1, Wucyuan W. Rd., West District, Taichung City

The adaptive reuse of the old Railway Art Warehouse No. 20 marks a shift away from an industry-focused economy. With the presence of artists, the warehouse is no longer an abandoned structure but has become a key cultural and creative space in Taichung. Warehouse No. 20 consists of seven freight warehouses, combining indoor and outdoor areas totaling about 800 pyeong. Warehouse No. 20 serves as the main exhibition hall, café, creative goods shop, office, and lounge space; Warehouse No. 21 is an experimental theater; Warehouse No. 22 functions as a creative workshop. The site also hosts creative markets, film screenings, and discussion events.

 

Warehouses No. 23 to 26 are private studios for resident artists, which are occasionally open to visitors. The last space is an idea room converted from an old train carriage, typically used for small-scale performances. Most art exhibitions at Warehouse No. 20 feature avant-garde and experimental themes, and the outdoor plaza often hosts creative competitions and events.

 

If you get tired of exploring Warehouse No. 20, take a break at the café specially set up for visitors. It faces the train platforms and railway tracks of Taichung Railway Station, offering a uniquely relaxing experience as you sip coffee and admire the rail scenery.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 6-1, Lane 37, Section 4, Fuxing Rd., Taichung City (Taichung Railway Station Rear Station)

Phone: 04-2220-9972

Hours: 11:00–20:00, closed on Mondays.

Website: www.stock20.com.tw

The Third Market on Minyi Street is a traditional market area bustling with vendors, located near Zhongxiao Night Market and not far from Taichung Railway Station. Many artists and cultural workers who labor away at Warehouse No. 2 often come here during lunch breaks to satisfy their hunger with local delicacies. The market offers affordable street food, making it an ideal spot for young artists on a budget—it has essentially become a commoners' canteen for the creative crowd. On the other side of the market, there are numerous budget-friendly clothing stores, attracting many housewives during the day to browse and shop, creating a lively atmosphere.

 

[Info]

Address: From the rear of Taichung Railway Station, go straight along Lide Street, turn onto Xinyi Street, and you'll find the entrance to Minyi Street where the market is located.