ChanghuaPlay Recommendations

Qing-Shui-Yan Recreation Area in Xu-Zhu-Liao, She-Tou Township, Changhua County, is a summer-cool destination that fuses an ancient temple with rich ecology. The signature Qing-Shui-Yan Temple was built in 1728 (the sixth year of Qing Emperor Yong-Zheng) and houses the Three Jewels Buddha and Guanyin; beside it, the Gan-Lu Spring runs clear and sweet, ranked alongside the Bei-Tou Longevity Spring and Tai-Dong Beauty Spring. The surroundings include a shaded forest recreation area, a fully equipped campground and the winding Evergreen cycling path, suited to trail hiking and cycling. The site also hosts insect ecology and butterfly-watching zones, with butterflies and beetle festivals each spring. With its old-elegant architecture and the murmur of springs, the area combines culture, nature and leisure and is one of central Taiwan's beloved 'Eight Scenes of Changhua' — a fine spot to escape the heat, take a walk and find stillness.

Tian-Zhong Forest Park Trail, on the southern foothills of Ba-Gua Mountain in Changhua County, is a roughly 3.5-km loop suitable for casual walking and light hiking. The full circuit takes about two hours; the distance is short but the terrain varies, threading through shaded forest, maples, acacia trees and deep-valley vistas with views toward the Zhuo-Shui River and Taiwan Strait. The route is equipped with rest benches, a children's play area and nearby attractions such as Chi-Shui-Qu-Yuan Park, Gu-Shan Temple and Tian-Zhong Old Street, ideal for a family outing.

Qi-Lin Mountain Forest Trail in Tian-Zhong Township, Changhua County, is about 1.2 km long, sitting at 144-222 m elevation with only 78 m of vertical gain — an easy, low-difficulty loop. Dense shade and gentle grades make it ideal for families with children or elders, completable in 30 minutes to an hour. Built with natural-engineering methods that preserve large trees, the route offers viewing platforms, pavilions, picnic spots and fitness stations, with views over Tian-Zhong town and the Changhua plain and glimpses of acacia forest and deep valleys. Down the mountain you can detour to Zan-Tian Temple, Gu-Shan Temple or continue to Tian-Zhong Forest Park and the Evergreen cycling path for more outdoor activity.

A+ Natural Ai-Yu is a dessert shop on the Teng-Shan Trail in Yuan-Lin City, Changhua County, specialising in hand-washed ai-yu jelly made from wild Alishan ai-yu seeds. The menu is ai-yu only, available in takeaway or dine-in cups, with free top-up of half a cup for dine-in, around NT$35 per cup. You can also pick two flavours at once (lemon-pineapple, winter-melon-plum and more). The simple storefront sits right beside the trail, ideal for cooling off after a walk, and pets are welcome — a popular thirst-quenching stop for trail walkers.

Fermata Stay Coffee at 38 Fu-Xing Road in Bei-Dou Township, Changhua County, is a pet-friendly café in warm wood tones. The shop serves house-roasted coffee, molten Basque cheesecake, handmade madeleines and other desserts, alongside fruit Americano and orange drinks. The space is roomy with good natural light upstairs and offers sockets and Wi-Fi, perfect for travellers who want to slow down and savour a lazy afternoon. The resident black dog 'Mo-Mo' welcomes guests; pets must be leashed and kept clean. Hours run 10 AM to 6 PM and reservations are not taken.

Tonight Stars Leisure Farm in Shi-Pai Village in Changhua's Ba-Gua Mountain area is a family farm that blends cute-animal interactions, romantic photo spots and outdoor experiences. Across about two hectares it houses alpacas, capybaras, rabbits, guinea pigs, peacocks and parrots, offering close-up feeding and photo opportunities. The site also features a small train, pumpkin carriage, bell of love and other romantic check-in spots, friendly to families, couples and pet owners. Tickets run around NT$200; opening hours and detailed schedule should be confirmed ahead of time.