Where to stay

The enormous Fengjia Night Market is in Xitun district, on the northwest edge of Central Taichung. With so many stalls it's impossible to explore them all, and it's well worth returning to eat something different night after night. This is perhaps why so many travelers reserve a hotel close by as their base, and happily there are plenty of boutique-style spots to choose from. West District, nearby in the west of the city, also has some great dining. Stay here to be close to smart international restaurants and to explore some of the best places to sip Taichung's most famous drink, bubble tea.

Taichung's top museums are spread out around the city. For art lovers, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in West District deserves at least a half a day's exploration. Alternatively, book a hotel in North District, or the sub-neighborhood known as University District around the National Taichung University of Science, for more scientific pursuits. The National Museum of Natural Science is well worth visiting for its hands-on exhibits covering everything from astronomy to tropical plants, while the adjoining NMNS Space Theatre boasts the largest IMAX screen in Taiwan. Innovation is also evident in the neighborhood's accommodations, and it's worth reserving early to secure a bed at the coolest design hotels.

The Gaomei Wetlands are at the mouth of the Dajia River in Qingshui District to the west of the airport. There aren't a huge number of places to stay here, so visitors are better off booking a hotel in Central Taichung then taking a train and bus or taxi for an afternoon of bird-spotting or a sunset photography session. Hotels in the further-out Taiping District southeast of the city put travelers close to the golf courses at Taichung's International Country Club and the Hongxi Taiping Golf Course. In between the two, East District's budget accommodations are a good compromise and mostly well connected.