Taichung, Taiwan

BFF Graduation Trip

April 16th - May 1st

Taichung, Taiwan

Time to pack our bags and onward with the trip! We were headed for Taichung as the next stop. As we travelled back northwards, the city ambience approached with the roads swarmed with commuters on their electric bikes. 

Thanks to the many friendly and approachable Taiwanese, our trip was made easier as we travelled the roads and routes of locals. I was prepared to buy another expensive HSR ticket toward Taichung but BlueHi Hostel owners suggested taking taxis and buses instead. 

Holy moly. 

We saved a lot of money just by travelling on four wheels. Shared a taxi with 2 other Chinese tourists, the atmosphere in the taxi was made comfortable with the help of the taxi uncle's guide-talk and information output. Furthermore, the ability to speak a common language - mandarin, definitely made conversations less awkward and difficult.

Cost per person for sharing a cab was probably about NT500/ S$20, taxi uncle even brought us to a stopover and bought fresh and sweet jumbu and pineapple fruits enroute to the bus station at Kaohsiung. 

Ubus is one of the many coach services in Taiwan that brings locals/tourists from city to city. A ticket from Kaohsiung to Taichung (almost 3/4 of the distance from south to north) cost NT$260/ S$10. 

Though it cost almost half of the price one would pay for a HSR ticket, the total time taken from Kenting to Taichung took about 5 hours. So, its a matter of cost versus time. Comfort is equally good for both form of transportation.

Transferred from coach to a public bus. Timings were slightly off, we had to bring up luggages up the crowded peak-hour public bus. Thank goodness it was only a few stops down to the second hostel for the trip.

Stayed at Urban Hostel No.74, a hostel hidden away along this street.

Reception/ Check-in was done at this coffee cafe located right in front of the hostel

After dropping off the luggages, we went on to explore FengJia Night Market 逢甲夜市, which was a walking distance away (probably a good short 10-15 minutes walk away)

 The must try list continues with the paw-printed burger, chicken-wing that has been jam-packed with rice (many flavours to choose from) and honey chicken steak. I can't find that picture which would make you guys drool.

We began our second day in Taichung with a visit to the nearby 太阳饼 (Tai yang bing) store called 一福堂 (Yi fu tang). You get to try the suncakes before purchase.

Happy buyers gonna drop off their boxes of suncakes before sightseeing and all~

 Plans for Sun Moon Lake visit was cancelled. Didn't realised that the lake was located way too far off. We adjusted our itinerary so that our time would be maximised. Thus, we went ahead with a visit to DongHai University and its neighbour market.

Ask the locals for directions into the university. Once inside, you will walk pass a park and be greeted by the Luce Chapel.

A university flea was going on too!

Hopped back onto the public bus and headed back to our hostel around 4-5pm. In that alley where our hostel was located, we chanced upon this cosy vintage cafe - WoDi House

 Yes waffles again!!! We loved the Matcha Au Lait ever since the trip. I've not managed to find any as good as that since our return. And so the search continues..

 The day ended with a (cheap!) seafood meal nearby the hostel and a short night walk to see bear statues

Taichung actually had plentiful of things to see and do! We allocated only 3d2n (the shortest among the other cities) but did not realised that the attractions were pretty far off from where we were based at.

Tip: Either base your hostel near the attractions or allocate more time in this city. Taichung is really big!
Well, if you just want to drop by Taichung for a few days, FengJia Night Market is a must. And if you spot a cafe, no harm going in to check out the cafe concept and menu. Taiwan cafes are chic!

2nd Tip: Travel by public buses around your area, don't increase your travel expenses on taxis!

Next stop, Taipei!