Taichung was great fun. We saw the bright murals of Rainbow Village, painted by Huang Yung-fu, the man known as “Rainbow Grandpa”. Then there was the Miyahara shop, which looks more like a grand old castle inside than a shop. The building started out in 1927 as a Japanese doctor’s eye clinic near Taichung railway station, and it’s now run by the cake company Dawn Cake.
We spent the afternoons strolling along the Calligraphy Greenway and round the botanical gardens, and finished our stay among the stalls of Yizhong Street Night Market. The market is in the North District, beside Taichung First Senior High School, and it’s at its busiest in the evening.
Good to know
- Rainbow Village: the murals were painted by Huang Yung-fu, known as “Rainbow Grandpa”, who died in January 2024. Some were painted over in 2022 and the village reopened after repairs. Entry is free, Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Taichung Tourism
- Miyahara: the building was a Japanese doctor’s eye clinic, built in 1927. It’s now run by the cake company Dawn Cake and is known for its ice cream. Open 10am to 9pm, near Taichung railway station. Taichung Tourism
- Yizhong Street Night Market: it’s in the North District, by Taichung First Senior High School. Stalls keep their own hours, but it’s busiest in the evening. Taichung Tourism
We checked these times and prices in October 2026. They do change, so it's worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.