Words by 陳芷柔 Vivi Chen, Jasmin Nguyen 阮武慶芸, 陳德倫 Daniel Matero
It can often feel like there aren’t that many activities or places to visit during the lunar new year in Taichung, as many businesses close and the downtown streets empty for a few days. However, with a bit a thought and planning, you will discover that Greater Taichung actually offers a wide variety of interesting destinations. Below are 10 very diverse suggestions to consider for the upcoming holiday or any time of the year. (Reminder: It’s best to call or check online about opening times before visiting during the holiday.)
Temples: Visiting temples during the lunar new year is a widespread tradition for many Asians, as they pray for the blessings of good health and fortune in the upcoming year. There are plenty of temples in Taichung, but some of the top choices—both centering on the worship of the diety Mazu—include Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (158, ShunTian Rd, Dajia Dist) out near Taichung’s coastline, or Nantun District’s historic Wanhe Temple (51, WanHe Rd, Sec 1, Nantun Dist台中市南屯區萬和路一段51號), which dates back to the early 1700s.
Open Mics: Joining an “open mic” event is a uniquely interesting way to meet and connect with people from around the city. Some good places that regularly host open mic events include the Frog Mexican Restaurant (30, YuDe Rd, North Dist; tel. 04-2203-0182), PJ’s Café (25, DaYe Rd, West Dist; tel. 04-2325-2457) and iBrew-Beer Bistro (303, WenXin Rd, Sec 3, Xitun Dist; tel. 04-2293-8076). Check Compass Nightlife events listings or the Facebook pages of these businesses for specific times.
Sun Moon Lake: Central Taiwan is a well-known tourist destination and the top pick among its many must-visit places is Sun Moon Lake, which attracts the most visitors with its beautiful scenery. Even in early spring, you’ll find many families camping in surrounding areas, including Nantou County’s Puli. A visit to the neighboring Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village and amusement park (45, JinTian Lane, Dalin Village, Yuci Township, Nantou County; tel. 049-289-5361) is another great option while you’re out there.
Lihpao Resort: If your family is pondering how to spend a pleasant time together while discovering new attractions and dining out, Lihpao Resort (8, FuRong Rd, Houli Dist; tel. 04-2558-2459 臺中市 后里區 福容路8號) has it all covered. This huge 200-hectare complex encompasses Lihpao Discovery Land theme park, Lihpao Outlet Mall, Taiwan’s biggest Ferris wheel (384m high), two hotels and the Lihpao Racing Park racetrack that includes a go-karting area. Between rides and fun for all ages at the theme park (plus Mala Bay water park open in warmer months) and the outlet mall’s dozens of brand-name stores, restaurants, food court and movie theater, there should be enough to keep everyone happy.
Guangfu Village & 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan: If you are interested in history, don’t pass up these two destinations. Decades ago, Guangfu Village was a housing community for Taiwan Provincial Government officials and their families. More recently, it has been renovated and transformed into a cultural and creative industry hub with cafes, shops and restaurants. Many Taiwanese will never forget the 921 Earthquake, which took place on Sept. 21, 1999 and visiting the very educational and interesting 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan (192, XinSheng Rd, Kengkou Village, Wufeng Dist; tel. 04-2339-0906) next door to the village makes quite an impression.
Eight Trigam Mountains (Bagua Mt.) Buddha Landscape: Another major central Taiwan attraction located in Changhua County, the highlight of this historically and spiritually significant destination is the 23-meter-high Great Buddha that overlooks Changhua City. You can walk around this complex day or night to enjoy the wonderful vistas that include the twinkling lights of the city. Location: 31, WenQuan Rd, Changhua City, Changhua County; tel. 04-722-2290 彰化縣彰化市溫泉路31號.
Visiting the ‘Old Gems’ of Central Taiwan: You can discover traditional practices and learn about the history and cultural heritage that are foundations to modern-day Taichung and Taiwan by visiting these old streets, where dreams and ambitions were planted and blossomed into the existence that today’s generations enjoy.
– Jiguang Street: Located in Taichung’s old Central District and one of its oldest streets, this is a traditional destination every lunar new year. Here you can find local specialties and mouth-watering street foods, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
– Lukang Old Street: Among the top central Taiwan places to explore outside Taichung City, Changhua County’s Lukang Township is one of Taiwan’s most famous historic towns and filled with the essence of the past, allowing you to discover traditional architecture from centuries ago. Developed and preserved to protect an ancestral heritage, Lukang Old Street (9, YaoLin St, Lukang Township, Changhua County 彰化縣鹿港鎮瑤林街9號) is lined with traditional stores that generate an abundance of nostalgia.
Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area: Among Taichung’s full range of options, one of the best pastimes is exploring nature up in the mountains, as you walk by streams and through the trees, enjoying a break from the city as you breathe in the crisp mountain air. This national forest recreational area (200-8, DongGuan Rd, Sec 1, Heping Dist; tel. 04-2595-1214台中市和平區東關路一段200之8號), located at an elevation of 750 to 2,366 meters, offers something far beyond the settings of any downtown park, allowing you to reconnect with the natural world and renew your senses.
Qingjing Farm: Approximately 80 kilometers from Taichung, this alpine setting in Nantou County includes a farm with grazing sheep that allows you to admire and feed them. You can also savor the feeling of high mountain breezes as you walk on the green pastures here, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding hills and mountains, or lie on the grass under clear skies and sunshine. Location: 170, RenHe Rd, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County南投縣仁愛鄉仁和路170號.
Wuling Farm: Another natural escape in the high mountains of Taichung, Wuling Farm allows you to explore and hike to the scent of greenery and blooming spring flowers. These highlights and a variety of scenery, from surrounding peaks to alpine rivers, makes this a top destination in the winter or spring for exploring by yourself or with groups of family members and friends. Location: 3-1, WuLing Rd, Heping Dist; tel. 04-2590-1259台中市和平區武陵路3-1號.
Words by 陳芷柔 Vivi Chen, Jasmin Nguyen 阮武慶芸, 陳德倫 Daniel Matero
在農曆新年期間假期，常會覺的台中沒有太多的活動或可參觀的地方，因為許多企業休息，市中心的街道人煙稀少。然而只要一番思考和計劃，您會發現大台中實際上提供了許多好玩又有趣的地方。 以下有10種各式各樣的多元建議，供給大家在年假時期或平常日前往。（提醒：最好在假日參觀之前查詢開放時間。）
特色廟宇：在農曆新年期間，參觀廟宇是許多亞洲人普遍的傳統習俗，主要為來年的健康和幸福祈禱。 台中有很多寺廟，但其中最主要的選項皆以媽祖為中心；包括在台中海岸線附近的大甲鎮瀾宮（大甲區順天路158號）或南屯區歷史悠久的萬和宮 （南屯區萬和路一段51號），其歷史可追溯到1700年初。
開放式KTV： 公開演唱是一種獨特有趣的活動方式，可以結識來自城市各地的朋友。 定期舉辦歡唱活動的一些好地方包括青蛙墨西哥餐廳（北區育德路 30號；電話：04-2203-0182），PJ’s Café（西區大業路 25號；電話：04-2325-2457） ）和愛釀酒館（西屯區三段文心路303號；電話：04-2293-8076）。 在特定日期內，請參考康百視雜誌夜生活專欄或這些店家Facebook網頁。
日月潭：為台灣中部著名的旅遊勝地，日月潭是民眾必遊景點的首選，以其美麗的風景吸引著很多遊客。 即使在初春也能發現許多家庭在周邊地區露營，包括南投縣的埔里。 同時也可參觀附近的九族文化村和遊樂區（南投縣魚池鄉大林村金天巷45號，電話 049-289-5361）也是一個不錯的選擇。
麗寶樂園渡假區：如果你的家人正考慮如何度過愉快的時光，同時發掘一些新景點與餐廳，麗寶樂園渡假區（后里區福容路8號；電話：04-2558-2459）應有盡有。 這個佔地200公頃的建築包括麗寶探索樂園主題公園、麗寶oulet購物城、台灣最大的摩天輪（高384公尺）、兩家酒店，以及卡丁車場的麗寶賽車場。 在主題樂園（較溫暖時開放馬拉灣水上樂園）和購物中心的數十家名牌商店、餐廳、美食廣場和電影院，皆適合各年齡層，足夠的樂趣能讓每個人都開心。
台灣光復新村和921地震博物館：如果你對歷史感興趣，請不要錯過這兩個地方。 幾十年前，光復新村是台灣省政府官員及家屬的宿舍。 最近已被翻新成一座文化創意產業中心，這裡有咖啡廳、商店和餐館。另外， 許多台灣人永遠不會忘記1999年9月21日發生的921地震，參觀非常有教育意義，和有趣的台灣921地震博物館（霧峰區坑口村新生路192號。電話：04-2339-0906） ，這裡位於光復新村隔壁，令人留下深刻的印象。
八卦山大佛景觀：這是台灣中部位於彰化縣的另一個主要景點，具有歷史和精神意義的亮點，是俯瞰著彰化市23米高的大佛。 你可以在白天或黑夜中漫步於這個廣場，欣賞美妙的景色或城市閃爍的燈光。 地點: 彰化縣彰化市溫泉路31號。電話04-722-2290。
老街風情：參觀老街，種下夢想和抱負，並在其中繁衍生息，發現傳統習俗，並了解現代台中和台灣的基礎歷史和文化遺產。
– 繼光街：位於台中舊城區，是台中老街之一，每年農曆新年前，這條傳統老街總是充滿人潮。具東南亞特色料理和令人垂涎的街頭美食，因此也成為當地人和遊客的熱門之選。
– 鹿港老街：是台灣中部地區遊覽台中市之外最重要的地方，這裡是台灣最著名的歷史古鎮之一，充滿了過去留下的古蹟，讓你可以發現數百年前的傳統建築。 鹿港老街（彰化縣鹿港鎮瑤林街9號）創新留舊，同時保護祖傳寶物。
八仙山國家森林遊樂區：所有選擇中，最好的消遣之一是在山中探索大自然，當你在溪流中漫步並穿過樹林時，你能在清新的山間呼吸新鮮空氣，遠離塵囂 。 這個國家級森林休閒區（台中市和平區東關路一段200之8號；電話：04-2595-1214），海拔高達750至2366尺，讓你可以在大自然重新建立感官。
清境農場：位於南投縣山區，距離台中約80公里，其中包括一個放牧綿羊的農場，你可以欣賞和餵養牠們。 當你在這綠色青草牧場上漫步時，還可以感受高山微風的感覺，同時也能欣賞周圍群山的全景，或躺在晴朗天空與陽光下的草地。地點:南投縣仁愛鄉仁和路170號.
武陵農場：武陵農場是台中另一個美麗的大自然去處，你可以在綠色植物和盛開的春天的花朵中探索旅遊。 這些亮點包含四周綿延山峰到河川的風景，也因此成為冬季與春季的絕佳去處，適合全家和朋友一起共同探索這美好的地方。 地點:和平區武陵路3-1號.