Taichung historic sites | 台中古蹟之旅

Taichung has always been an interesting mix as it is right in the middle of Taiwan. Since I hadn't visited the city in years, I decided to make a weekend trip to check out some of the more prominent historic sites across the city: 

Old Taichung Train Station 舊臺中火車站

First, I made my way to the old Taichung train station. It's more than a hundred years old and was built during the Japanese era. Up until October 2016, it was still in use, after which the train station was retired and preserved as a railway museum to make way for the new an modern Taichung train station. The old train station was built in Renaissance architecture style, with striking red bricks, which stands out till this day. 

Once you enter, you can see the entire platform with old pillars, and even old trains that no longer run are on display. If you're interested in old Japanese-style train stations, I also highly recommend visiting Hsinchu Train Station which is still runs till this day, even though it is more than a hundred years old. Click here to learn more.

Taiwan Suncake Museum 全安堂台灣台中太陽餅博物館

The museum is housed inside a building that is more than a hundred years old! It used to be a pharmacy before being transformed into a museum in 2015, to promote suncakes, a popular Taiwanese dessert that originates from Taichung! There are DIY sessions that teach you how to make suncakes. Or you can just purchase some directly from the museum. 

There's also a "suncake street" right across the museum. There are a ton of suncake stores boasting of how old their stores are and the history of their founders. To keep up with the times, these shops have also come up with new, innovative flavors such as boba tea suncake, cheese suncake, a lemon pie, and more! I preferred the more traditional suncake flavors such as condensed milk and honey.  

Taichung Park 臺中公園

Built in 1903 by the Japanese, Taichung park is filled with old pavilions and gates that are relics of the past. It was announced as a historical site in 1999 and is the oldest park in the city. This two-story gate, called the Taichung Wu's Residence gatehouse, stood out to me.

Taichung Martyrs' Shrine 臺中市忠烈祠

This used to be a Japanese Shinto shrine that was used to honor Japanese heroes. After the KMT came over to Taiwan, it was converted into a Martyrs' shrine for the ROC. Initially, it only housed plaques of names of ROC soldiers that had given their lives for the country. 

However, the Executive Yuan later voted to allow police officers, firefighters, and government officials who had provided extraordinary service (such as sacrificing their lives to save other peoples' lives) to be memorialized at the Martyrs' shrine as well. 

Taiwan has a ton of Martyrs' shrines across the country. Click here to read up on my visit to Kaohsiung Martyrs' shrine.

Taichung Confucius Temple 臺中市孔廟

Taichung's Confucius temple is right beside the Martyrs Shrine. This too was made on the ground that used to be a former Shinto temple. The garden where Confucius temple is at is lined with stone lanterns that are a relic from that time period. The Confucius temple's architecture itself is based on the style from the Soong Dynasty. It consists of several gates, a waterway, and event a fire pavilion and sacrificial basin. These are used for the burning of the silk and burning of the hair and blood ceremony during Confucius' birthday. Interestingly,  This is the only Confucius temple in Taiwan to have these features.

Click here to read up on my visit to Taipei's Confucius Temple. 

Taichung Mayor's House 台中市長公館

This is a Japanese-style mansion that was built in the last 1920s. During the Japanese era, Japanese optometrist Miyahara Takeo used to live at this mansion. After the KMT came over to Taiwan, the place was converted into property of the government and was used as a place for the Taichung city mayor to stay in. It was declared a heritage site in 2002.This place has now been converted into an arts and cultural center. 

Old Taichung Broadcasting Bureau 臺中放送局

The old Taichung broadcasting bureau was established in the 1930s, during the Japanese era as the Japanese in Taiwan at the time were eager to hear news about the Japanese emperor via the radio. Once the KMT came to Taiwan, they took over and used the place as a broadcasting station as well. Now, the place is basically a museum and  part of the place has been converted into a Mexican restaurant

Yide Mansion 林懋陽故居

The Yide Mansion is a historic private residence that was only became open to the public in 2015. It's a beautiful mix of Japanese style and Chinese style architecture. Part of the residence has been converted into a cafe.

Jishan Gate 積善樓

What's stands out to me about Jishan gate is the green color. It immediately catches your attention. The 2nd floor isn't open for visitors. It is part of a park and was previous built by a Lai family who were immigrants from China. Apparently,  their fengshui master recommended building the gate as part of their house. It was declared a heritage site in 1999.

Former Miyahara Eye Museum 宮原眼科

This building used to be a Japanese eye clinic that was made in the 1920s by a doctor named Takekuma Miyahara. During that time, it was the largest eye clinic in the city! 

A few years ago, the place was converted into a confectionery store where mooncakes, ice creams, chocolates and more, are sold. The interior is a gorgeous European style interior with wooden walls and furniture. I would recommend everyone to visit when in Taichung.