[TW; 2023] Weekend in Taichung City 臺中

Welcome back to my Taiwan series!

It was ages since I last went Taiwan~ As I was working at Taichung for a couple of days - so this post will just consolidate the food & places I went throughout the whole working period (weekend). I did extended my Taiwan stay (of course!), so the later few posts will be more itinerary based.

Accommodation

Stayed somewhere that was quite an office district vs tourist district

THE LIN, https://maps.app.goo.gl/UrdD9aFB4asGVE45A

We arrived 3-4 hours before the official check-in timing - but the receptionist couldn't check us in early without paying additional fee, so we ended up paying for early check-in.

The room was really spacious - you can probably sleep more than 2 person in a room!

The washroom was a little old-school design.

The breakfast buffet was amazing - so much food everywhere:

This was the first time I saw the dessert bar was actually in those pastry fridge!

Alcohol for breakfast!

Hershey's!

A photo of my comfort morning breakfast spread:

Other than the check-in receptionist that could do better (he was really scared of speaking English - which was quite surprising for a 5 star hotel; I had to dig out my inner Taiwanese accent to speak to him where we saw a sigh of relief on his face) The rest of the hotel was good and comfortable. Recommend if you want to stay somewhere off the touristy crowded place!

Sightseeing

1. National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts 國立臺灣美術館

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts 國立臺灣美術館

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fxwa3kefwKCjp49c6

Quite a serene place with lots of things to see!

There were special exhibitions which were free to enter - we managed to view the ox painting!

A lot of cute gifts you can get from the museum:

2. Shenji New Village 審計新村

Just 5 minutes walk from the Art Museum is a new village!

Shenji New Village 審計新村

https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4wT4gnWyC53KdmA7

We went during the weekday and it was pretty good - not much crowd but still a lot of things to see and play! Tried these yummy puffs - recommended!

The main street was quite modern retro - it will be prettier at night with the fairy lights! Many stalls were selling their own handmade crafts.

And an uncle selling coffee, it smelt really amazing!

If you are a gashapon fan, there were many machines around the village:

3. National Taichung Theater 臺中國家歌劇院

National Taichung Theater 臺中國家歌劇院

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HeY9Bvwr4te57gvP6

It was built in 2015 - and I cannot believe it was never on my list to visit in Taichung! The building looks very pretty at night, like stars in the sky pasted on the building wall.

I really love white big spaces!

Lots of stalls selling gifts that you can bring back:

Eat & Drink

1. Chun Shui Tang Siwei Original Store 春水堂 四維創始店

The bubble tea OG!!

Chun Shui Tang Siwei Original Store 春水堂 四維創始店

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4V6789SwU7y7XkvYA

We went during lunch time and it wasn't too crowded, just a 15-20 minute wait to get a table.

Ordered some food and they were very yummy!

Of course - how can you not order bubble tea from it's birth shop!!! I actually liked the bubble tea taste of it (craving for it while typing this).

They have plenty outlets around Taiwan - unless this original stall is somewhere close to where you are staying, otherwise just pop in any outlet and they should taste rather similar.

2. Quan Duck House 全鴨坊

Quan Duck House 全鴨坊

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dHnZAirZGh8oskes5

As the restaurant name suggested - it is a place to have duck meat! It was quite yummy and all the other dishes was pretty awesome too!

3. 阿秋大肥鵝海鮮樓

阿秋大肥鵝海鮮樓

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UyL2Sr2RpVzYgNt8

A seafood restaurant recommended by the Taichung locals:

And it was not very pricey! So if you want to get some good quality seafood (or roasted goose), highly recommend this place.

3. Feng Chia Night Market 逢甲夜市

How can you go Taichung without night market?!

Feng Chia Night Market 逢甲夜市

https://maps.app.goo.gl/JTkmvvaQapa6Sv9r5

Although Feng Chia is not my top night market place, but it was a good starter for first timer to Taiwan or Taichung! I went with a group of colleague who are new to Taiwan, so I was acting as a local to bring them around and introducing all the food to them! There some food we had:

Mala Fishball 麻辣魚蛋

Moon shrimp cake 月亮蝦餅

Crispy Spare Ribs 甜筒排骨酥

Pepper Buns 碳烤胡椒餅

Banana Roti 泰式香蕉煎餅

Mochi 白糖粿

Sweet Potato Balls 地瓜球

The whole list of food marks the end of my Taichung trip - more Taiwan blog post to come and I'm excited to share!