TaichungPlay Recommendations
Featured
Illustrative The Shalu Leisure Landscape Trail is in Shalu District, Taichung, just next to Zhengying Road off Taiwan Boulevard. The trail runs roughly 1.9 kilometres and takes about an hour to complete, sitting underneath Highway 3. Lined with trees on both sides, it features viewing decks, pavilions and interpretive signs along with toilets and parking, ideal for family strolls, dog-walking and jogging. Because of its under-highway setting it has been nicknamed 'Taiwan's Mini Great Wall' or 'Shalu Underground City', a popular Instagram spot that needs no ticket and can be used year-round.
Illustrative Guguan Hot Spring Park sits in the Guguan hot spring area of Taichung's Heping District, covering about 1.3 hectares and themed around mountain greenery and hot spring culture. The park offers a free beauty foot bath with comfortably warm water that suits all ages, plus viewing platforms, a suspension bridge and a small cultural hall so visitors can enjoy the surrounding peaks while learning local hot spring history. Parking is plentiful and the surrounding area has convenience stores and restaurants, so it's easy to rest and recharge. Whether families, strollers or a quick foot soak, the park is an unmissable blend of nature and culture within easy reach of central Taichung.
Play
Illustrative Quanyuan Park near Taichung Train Station is the city's first pet park designed specifically for dogs, with about 450 ping of open lawn divided into large- and small-dog zones so dogs of different sizes can play safely. The park has water stations, foot-wash areas, pavilions, stone benches and free waste bags, along with barrier-free access and children's play equipment, making it ideal for families to spend time with their pets. The park is open 24 hours a day with free admission; visitors should follow size zoning and clean up themselves, making it a favourite local dog-walking spot in East District.
Illustrative Macaron Park in Taichung's Taiping District was once a landfill and reopened in October 2022 after a complete makeover, covering about 3.15 hectares. The headline feature is Taiwan's tallest 11-metre twin-tube slide, alongside a play tower, balance-bike track, climbing nets, sand pit, swings, trampolines and fitness equipment. The park is pet-friendly, with a dedicated dog run plus sunlit public restrooms and parking. Open 24 hours with the play tower operating 08:00-20:00, it's a new landmark where families and pets can relax together.
Illustrative Luya Forest at No. 302, Lane 346, Sec. 7, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung, is a distinctive venue that combines a scenic restaurant with a pet-friendly space. The menu offers a wide range of light meals—hot-pressed toast, pasta, hot pot, curry rice, fried snacks and waffles—plus a dedicated menu for pets. Opening hours are 4pm to midnight (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays); on-site parking and a wide lawn allow owners to get up close with the gentle large dogs on the premises, including Samoyeds. The biggest draw is the 180-degree panoramic night view and the glass-house design, perfect for admiring city lights and taking night-scene photos. It's an excellent choice for dates and gatherings and an ideal place for pets and owners to share a relaxing time together.