Taichung is a sprawling city in the Taichung Basin of central Taiwan, with the Central Mountain Range to its east and the coastal plain running west toward the Taiwan Strait. It is a city of museums, theaters and parks, including the National Museum of Natural Science, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, the National Taichung Theater, the historic Taichung Park and the Lin Family Gardens.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the city is divided into Inner Taichung, which was the smaller city until 2010, Datun to the southeast, the inland Mountain Line and the coastal Coast Line. Almost all visitor accommodation is downtown, and the outlying areas are a long way from the center. This guide covers which downtown area to base yourself in, what each suits, and how to match an area to your budget.
Best areas to stay in Taichung
1. Downtown Taichung
Downtown is where you will sleep on almost any visit. It puts you within reach of the city's main cultural sights, including the National Museum of Natural Science, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, the National Taichung Theater, the National Library of Public Information and the National Taiwan Museum of Comics, as well as the historic Taichung Park and the Lin Family Gardens.
This suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the sights, transport and evening options close at hand. You find both traditional-style hotels and the themed "love motels" Taichung is known for, which offer resort-style rooms with large baths and large-screen televisions, individually priced and themed. Staying downtown is the sensible default because the mountain and coastal areas are too far out to use as a base for seeing the city.
2. The Mountain Line
The Mountain Line is the inland mountainous part of Taichung, southeast of the urban core. It is not a practical base for the city's downtown sights, but it makes sense if your trip is focused on the mountains themselves.
Choose it only if you intend to travel in the mountain area rather than commute into downtown. Expect to be far from the center, and plan your days around the mountains rather than around the city.
3. The Coast Line
The Coast Line is the coastal part of Taichung, out toward the Taiwan Strait. Like the Mountain Line, it is too far from downtown to serve as a base for the city's museums, parks and theaters.
It suits travellers whose plans center on the coast. If you stay here, treat it as a separate trip rather than a downtown base.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Traditional-style hotels downtown are the straightforward choice, and the individually priced, themed love motels offer an unusual alternative at the lower end of the market.
- Mid-range: Downtown has the widest choice of conventional hotels, which keeps you close to the museums, parks and theaters without a long commute.
- Splurge: The larger themed love motels provide resort-style rooms with big baths and large-screen televisions, and are priced per room rather than per person.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown Taichung is the best base for a first visit. It is where the accommodation is, and it keeps you within reach of the National Museum of Natural Science, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, the National Taichung Theater, Taichung Park and the Lin Family Gardens. The mountain and coastal areas are too far from downtown to use as a base for a first trip.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay downtown or in the mountain or coastal areas?
Stay downtown unless your trip is specifically about travelling in the mountain or coastal area. Those areas are too far from downtown for sightseeing in the city, and Datun has no accommodation at all.
What kinds of places can I stay in in Taichung?
Alongside traditional-style hotels, Taichung is known for its "love motels", which are individually priced and themed, with resort-style rooms, large baths and large-screen televisions.
Is Datun an option for accommodation?
No. Datun, southeast of Inner Taichung, has no accommodation.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.