A Two-Day, One-Night Family Trip in Taichung: Explore Popular Attractions and Make Pizza Together

Text and photos byLucas’ Grandma Loves Travel

Taichung has a pleasant climate and is centrally located with short travel times, making it perfect for family trips. Grandma took her grandson Lucas on an original two-day, one-night parent-child itinerary.

Day 1 Itinerary: Taichung Park (half-day) – Gao’s Handmade Noodles – Biography Zheng Lao Pai Mushroom Meatball Soup – Hotel Check-in – Dinner: Zhonghua Road Night Market – Overnight Stay
Day 2 Itinerary: Taichung’s Yide Western-style Building (half-day) – Lunch: Play ONE Pizza DIY Oven-Baked Pizza – Return Home
Taichung Park: Stroll the park – Boat ride - Lake Heart Pavilion – Children’s Play Area

The Lake Heart Pavilion in Taichung Park’s Sun-Moon Lake is a landmark of Taichung. Opened in 1903, Taichung Park is the city’s oldest park. When I was in first grade, my school outing was to Taichung Park—we had a picnic and then returned to school. Rowing a boat under the red arch bridge in front of the pavilion, daring visitors often aim for the lowest arch, thrillingly passing through amid gasps.

We happened to catch the water dance fountain at the Lake Heart Pavilion, though its height changes are limited. For a park that’s already a century old, it’s a fitting touch. Sun-Moon Lake is a living-water lake fed by the Hanxi Stream and has been dredged, so it’s quite clean.

What child doesn’t love feeding fish? Lucas dropped fish food pellet by pellet—it’s a test of whether adults still have a childlike heart, so don’t rush the itinerary. The only downside is the lack of seating inside the pavilion. There are too many pigeons perching on the Lake Heart Pavilion roof, so the park management has set up timed water sprays for cleaning.

Boating at Lake Heart Pavilion
This is a popular activity. Families of four or couples can master the technique and enjoy a relaxing, memorable lap around the lake.
Boating Hours: Weekdays 10:00–20:00
Weekends 08:00–20:00
Boating Fee: NT$200 (unlimited time, subject to on-site pricing)

Taichung Park: Free and Safe Children’s Play Area

The play equipment is all safe—swings, slides, and a skating rink. There’s a restroom right next to the play area, making cleanup convenient. Friendly reminder: bring a spare set of clothes, drinking water, and snacks.

Lucas played with a very friendly little boy in the park. Actually, I don’t usually stop him from interacting with others in public—I just observe nearby to ensure safety. Interpersonal skills are often learned through daily interactions.

Running around to burn off energy is exactly what a child’s holiday should be about. After being cooped up in the city, a free play area is more than enough. No need to spend money—maybe bring some snacks for a relaxing picnic here.

Parent-child travel can actually thrive at free attractions where kids are happy and there’s no time pressure. Choosing local parks is a great option.

Grandma noticed that for kids over elementary school age, there are plenty of creative ways to use the swings. Safety is a must, of course. Go out safely and come home happily.

Taichung Park
No. 65, Section 1, Shuangshi Road, North District, Taichung City
Open 24 hours (great night view, good for a post-dinner stroll, though occasional homeless people may be present)
Official Website

Affordable Snacks Near Taichung Park: Gao’s Handmade Noodles & Biography Zheng Lao Pai Mushroom Meatball Soup
Lunch expenses can be a big part of family travel. About a 10-minute walk from the main entrance of Taichung Park are two bustling, budget-friendly noodle shops.
Gao’s Handmade Noodlesis a 70-year-old Taichung noodle shop staple. Its specialty is small dishes like steamed dumplings and even the old-school chicken noodle, which most shops don’t offer. A family of four can eat their fill for under NT$300.
No. 171, Sec. 1, Luchuan West St., Taichung City
Hours: 09:00–20:00 (Closed Thursdays)
Biography Zheng Lao Pai Mushroom Meatball Soupis famous for its classic meatball noodles, meatball rice, and meatball dishes—the meatballs are the star. The broth is slightly sweet, balanced perfectly with pickled cucumbers and vinegar. It’s common to order fried tofu, shredded bamboo shoots, preserved eggs, and pickled radish alongside, all for around NT$300.
No. 167, Sec. 1, Luchuan West St., Taichung City
Hours: 08:30–19:30 (Closed Tuesdays)

Key Considerations for Family Hotels: Fun and Convenience
Star Galaxy Hotel Taichung is within a 5-minute walk of Taichung Park. Designed with a galaxy theme throughout the lobby, its standout feature is the singing and dancing robot P. It often offers early check-in promotions, which are very convenient for families traveling with young children.

Star Galaxy Hotel Taichung: Early check-in and convenient parking
Official Website
Facebook Page
Phone: 04 2225 8800
Address: No. 66, Section 2, Free Road, Central District, Taichung City
Parking: Very convenient. In addition to its own three-level underground parking, it also partners with Yoyogi Parking, offering free parking (a 1-minute drive away)
Click here to see Star Galaxy Hotel Taichung and nearby attractions
Dining: Within a 3–15 minute walk, you’ll find Yanji Wonton Soup and Pork Buns, Ruisui Stinky Tofu, Xingfa Ting Honeydew Ice, 23 Sun Cakes (historic shop), Gao’s Handmade Noodles, Taichung Meatball Soup, Chunshuitang (founding store, Sihwei Branch)
Attractions: Within a 3–15 minute walk, you can reach Taichung Railway Station (with buses to Qianmei Greenway, Qiuhong Valley, National Theater, and Fengjia Night Market), Taichung Park, Yoyogi Department Store, Zhonghua Road Night Market and Zhongyi Commercial District, Miyahara Eye Clinic, Taichung City Hall, Taichung Prefectural Office, and Daohe Six Arts Cultural Center

The Two-Story Slide at Red Dot Hotel RED DOT HOTEL & CULTURE
Family room guests at Red Dot Hotel often come specifically for the two-story COWABUNGA metal slide that runs through the lobby. I’ve listed the schedule for hotel guests (subject to on-site updates). Zhonghua Road Night Market is right next door, offering a variety of classic delicious snacks—a relaxing stroll through the market is a great way to unwind.
Red Dot Hotel Slide Operating Hours
Early Bird Session: 11:00–12:00
Afternoon Tea Session: 15:00–18:00

Red Dot Hotel Official Website
British Daily Express: World’s Most Fun Hotel
Taiwan’s 100 Best: Top Architecture and Spatial Design
TID Taiwan Interior Design Award – Commercial Space Category
No. 206, Minzu Road, Central District, Taichung City
+886.4.2229.9333

Visit Zhonghua Road Night Market and Try Popular Queues
When visiting the night market, stinky tofu is a must-try. At Zhonghua Road, the must-visit stinky tofu stall—check the signboard. Free self-serve soup and drinks, but let’s not get too sappy. I recommend eating in the shop for that crisp texture. This NT$50 street snack is actually pricier than a NT$40 version elsewhere.
Tanzih Stinky Tofu
No. 81, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Taichung City
Hours: 14:00–01:00

Chungchia Chen’s Original Papaya Milk King
I drank from this stall as a child—it’s now run by the second or third generation. The key is the consistently rich flavor. They used to use Bright Dairy milk, now it’s I-Mei milk, both high quality. But the milk flavor is strong, so those who don’t drink milk might want to skip it. It’s not cheap, but it’s better value than the hundred-plus-dollar papaya milk at the shop—just take it back to your hotel.
No. 121, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Taichung City
Hours: 19:00–02:00

Taichung Yide Western-style Building: Historic Charm, Literary Vibes, Afternoon Tea
Step through Xiyuan’s doors into Yide Western-style Building. The structure is a classic brick Western-style building from its era, blending red-brick Minnan courtyard architecture, British colonial style, and Japanese design. Over time, it’s become a popular spot for Taichung’s revitalized historic buildings.

Many visitors entering the garden or coming for afternoon tea head straight to this British-style building. The first floor now houses a 1925cafe specialty coffee bar and a brownie French dessert shop.

The first floor of this two-story building is the Violet Room. The coffee and beige-and-white tiled floor exude retro elegance, with a leisurely British afternoon tea vibe. The sunlit Violet Room is perfect for cozy chats among friends.

Brownies is Taichung’s most diverse dessert and cake shop, with a branch at Yide Western-style Building. I love the strawberry flavor—I tried the strawberry mousse, which melts in your mouth with a playful tangy sweetness.

Robson Bookstore is an independent bookstore, unlike large chain stores. Even as paper reading declines, it has survived for ten years. The red-brick arch wall inside Yide Western-style Building’s Robson Bookstore reveals the scars of history resurfacing.

Yide Western-style BuildingOfficial Website(Former Lin Mao-yang Residence, a Taichung Historic Building)
Address: No. 1, Lane 14, Wenchang East 11th St., Beitun District, Taichung City
Hours: Monday–Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday–Sunday 09:00–21:00
Transportation Info
1. By Car
Take Freeway No. 1, exit at Dajia Interchange (174.2K), then via Zhongqing Road > Hankou Road > Wenchang East 11th St. to arrive
2. By Bus
Fengyuan Bus: Route 55 – Changping Road & Beiping Road Intersection (3-minute walk)
Taichung Bus: Route 14 – Changping Road & Beiping Road Intersection (5-minute walk)
Taichung Bus: Route 59 – Beitun Intersection (5-minute walk)
Rongfeng Bus: Route 127 – Wenchang Elementary School (3-minute walk)
Map of Yide Western-style Building Location

Play ONE Pizza: DIY Pizza, All-You-Can-Eat Budget Option, Play Area, Reservations Required
Play ONE Pizza isn’t your average wood-fired pizza joint. It’s a place where families make their own pizzas—choose your toppings, sweet or savory, seafood or vegetarian, and unleash your inner chef. Adult price on weekends: NT$328, children (90–140 cm): NT$158 (prices subject to on-site updates). Play ONE Pizza is one of the most fun and affordable pizza spots I’ve tried.

Pizza, salad bar, pasta, soups, fried foods, drinks, and ice cream—all included in the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Make your own pizza with fresh ingredients, share your creations with the family. Grandma saw lots of kids having a blast and even learning how to make pizza. With a bit more practice at home, they could be cooking for the whole family.
The shop says some customers have created Pokémon Pearl Ice Cream Pizza and Sukiyaki Pizza. DIY pizza lets creativity shine.

Play ONE Pizza
Dadun Branch: No. 166, Dadun 4th St., Nantun District, Taichung City (near Wucyuan West Road)
04-2472 1679
Branch Map
Monday–Friday
11:30–14:30, 17:30–21:00
Saturday–Sunday
1100-2100
Credit Cards: Accepted
Parking: Street parking and parking lots available
Dali Branch: No. 1, Lane 307, Daming Road, Dali District, Taichung City (near Gome Buyer’s Plaza)
04-2482 1373
Credit Cards: Accepted
Travel with Grandma’s Ready-Made Itineraries
Grandma is a native Taichunger who’s lived in the Central District near Taichung Park for years. This original two-day, one-night parent-child travel guide covers all the hot spots, food, and accommodations in Taichung. Follow this ready-made itinerary and travel worry-free.

I’m a grandma who loves to travel. I often take Lucas on parent-child trips; I enjoy cultural and leisure travel. If you love traveling too, I’d make a great personal or family trip planner.