TaichungPlay Recommendations
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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.
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Illustrative North District Pet Rabbit Play Park in Taichung is near Meide Street and Yongxing Street, close to the North District National Sports Centre. Designed exclusively for pet rabbits, the park has two zones—Zone A (neutered male/female rabbits and unspayed females) and Zone B (unneutered males)—with wide lawns and pipe tunnels for the rabbits to run through, rest pavilions and washing areas for owners, plus underground paid parking and public toilets, with staff regularly patrolling to keep things in order. Only pet rabbits are allowed; other pets should visit dedicated pet parks.
Illustrative Xieren Park in Xitun District, Taichung, sits beside Xixi Library and the Fazi River and is a newly opened pet-friendly park. The roughly 1,010-square-metre site features separate large- and small-dog zones with natural lawns for running, tunnels, hand-wash and water stations, safe-height fencing and double-gated entries to prevent startled pets from bolting. Wide tree-shaded walkways are paved with bird-illustration tiles, ideal for dog walks and family visits. You can also take in the nearby Fazi River scenery and library surroundings; parking is convenient and public bike rental is available.
Illustrative Miyahara (Gongyuan Eye Clinic) beside Taichung Station on Zhongshan Road began life in the 1930s as a Japanese-era eye clinic, later served as a public health centre, and after careful restoration has become a tourist attraction blending historic architecture with creative desserts. The red-brick Japanese-era exterior is preserved, while inside visitors find an ice cream parlour, handmade chocolate, bubble tea and a souvenir area that draw crowds of photo-taking visitors. Beyond desserts, the building's nostalgic ambience and the meticulous design of the Sunrise Group make it a must-visit dual experience of culture and food in Taichung.
Illustrative Xinping Park in Beitun District, Taichung, is the area's first park to feature a dedicated pet zone. Covering about 2,025 square metres, it's split into large- and small-dog areas with natural turf, tunnels, seesaws and S-shaped weave poles, plus safety fencing, washing and water stations and dog-waste bag recycling facilities. The park is close to Central Park, Dunhua Park and Old Tree Park, with convenient transport, making it ideal for taking dogs out for walks, exercise and downtime.
Illustrative Mingxianhang in a lane beside Yizhong Shopping District in Taichung's North District is a renovated old warehouse turned nostalgic heritage house, decorated in teal tones with abundant greenery to create a comfortable indie-literary ambience. The menu offers a range of affordable Taiwanese dishes and brunch, focused on noodles, rice meals and drinks, with the option to add beverages or desserts. Most notably, the shop is pet-friendly—pets are welcome and provided with food and water bowls, much loved by pet owners. The second-floor space is more spacious and there's also a B&B upstairs, an excellent choice for travellers who love nostalgia, greenery and dining with their pets.
Illustrative Leye Pet Park (also called Quanyuan Park) stands at the corner of Leye 1st Road and Jinde Road in East District, Taichung, covering about 400 ping and the city's only pet-only park. The wide lawn is split into large- and small-dog zones, with rest areas, water stations and pavilions so dogs can run freely while owners easily keep watch. Parking nearby is convenient and the park sits close to Jianguo Market, Showtime Plaza and the Imperial Sugar Refinery, making it ideal for a half-day family outing. Visitors must follow zone rules, leash at the gate and clean up promptly to keep things safe and tidy.