Things to do in Western Taiwan
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Taiwan Museum of Art
The museum is one of the best in Taiwan, and surprisingly for both kids and parents. The open modern design is visually sophisticated (though not pretentious), and there are high-quality exhibits of both Taiwanese and foreign artists. Exhibits change often, though unfortunately there is almost no English signage.
For children there is a wonderful hands-on play area and fantasyland library that includes an igloo, castle and rainforest area (and of course loads of children's books). One expat father we know described it as the best children's library he has ever seen.
To get to the museum take UBus 75.
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National Museum of Natural Science
This was Taiwan's first museum of science and though lacking English explanations (except for display titles) it's still worth visiting for the visually interesting dioramas, models and exhibitions. Children usually thoroughly enjoy themselves here, especially when they see the life-size dinosaur skeletons and the moving (and roaring) dinosaur automatons.
The museum is divided into various buildings, or centres, most of which have their own entrance charges. The Byzantine fee structure is explained in English at the ticket window.
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Art Street
Here's another road chock-a-block full of cafés, restaurants and shops - this one with the atmosphere of an alternative city-centre neighbourhood. Art St is northwest of the centre.
To get there, take Taichung Bus 88 or 103 and get off at Tunghai University. Spend a little time walking around the nicely landscaped campus and then walk up the hill a few blocks until you come to a big intersection with an overpass. Turn right and walk a few more blocks until you see a 7-Eleven. Turn left and you are on Art St.
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Taichung Folk Park
The park is divided into several sections but most of the interesting material is to the far right as you enter (to the left are cheap souvenir stalls). Don't miss the collections of folk artefacts (everything from ceramic pillows to farming implements). It's one of the best we have seen in Taiwan. The park is north of the city centre. To get there, take Taichung Bus 14 or 131 from the stops up on Luchuan St.
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Paochueh Temple
This Buddhist temple features one of the largest and fattest Milefo (laughing) Buddhas in Taiwan. The 30m-high statue sits against a backdrop of old apartments, which unfortunately mar photos. There was a lot of work going on around the statue at the time of writing and it looks like some modern structures will soon block out the old ugly ones. It's best to take a taxi to get to the temple.
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Roman
Canadian-born Roman McNamara has found his niche on Art St with this funky little shop selling one-of-a-kind, handmade leather goods. The shop is on the 2nd level at the back of the small square about half way up the street. Since the last edition of this book, Roman has gone from part-time to full-time work, a testimony to the quality of his products.
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Fengle Sculpture Park & Lakeside Tea & Shopping Street
Fengle Sculpture Park & Lakeside Tea & Shopping Street has a nicely landscaped environment and some decent statues but it's also best experienced at night. Around the park is an area of teashops, restaurants, and craft shops that open around noon and close about 22:00 (most are closed on Mondays). To get to the park take UBus 73.
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Wu Wei Tsao Tang Teahouse
Wu Wei Tsao Tang Teahouse is a classical wood teahouse that invites guests to relax and drink tea the old-fashioned way. Soft Chinese music, thick willow trees and the swish of water from the carp pool keep the outside traffic noise to a minimum. A package of tea leaves costs around NT$400 and the 'water fee' is NT$120 per person.
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Swallow Cliff
The cliff (yànzǐyái) is a large rock overhang pitted with the work of countless swallows building nests in the soft stone. The hike is for the Stairmaster crowd (there are 1600 stone steps) and takes one hour return. Along the way you pass the 1000-year-old Bat Cave (Biǎnfú Dòng).
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ChingMing (Jingming) 1st Street
ChingMing (Jingming) 1st Street has a range of modern and traditional-style (or a mix of the two) cafés and restaurants. The area looks best when visited at night. To get there by bus take Taichung Bus 88 or 103, both of which run along Taizhonggang Rd. Get off around Jingcheng Rd and walk down.
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Dakeng
To the east of the city is a hilly area known as Dakeng (Dàkēng). If you are going to spend any time in the city Dakeng is worth exploring, as there are pleasant hiking trails and even a few hot springs. You can pick up a detailed brochure (with map) of the area at the visitor centre.
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Cloud Pool Waterfall
Rueili's most impressive fall is the Cloud Pool Waterfall, which can be reached by a series of steep stairs. The return walk from the car park, which is just past the 22km mark on County Rd 122, takes about 45 minutes.
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Smooth Bar & Grill
One long-running place to try. The bar is well stocked and has a big-screen TV for watching sports. There's also an international menu offering curries, steaks, pastas, goulash and more.
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Twin River Waterfall
Twin River Waterfall can be visited as part of a trip to Swallow Cliff. The steps to Swallow Cliff begin across from the Meihua Hotel. The trailhead is well marked.
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Grocery Store
There's a small grocery store in town selling instant noodles, canned goods, eggs, fruit and veggies, and drinks.
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Ceramic Art
Near the Lakeside Sculpture Park, this small studio is run by well-known ceramicist artist Hong Chi-shuen.
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Londoner
Another veteran of sorts is this sports bar with a lively vibe and a great menu.
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Chunghsiao Night Market
Behind the train station; well known for its good, traditional, cheap food.
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Shantung Dumplings & Beef Noodles
For tasty traditional home cooking with a Shantung province flavour.
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