The “Central Taiwan” includes: Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, and Yunlin County.
Miaoli County (苗栗縣)
Miaoli County sits between the rolling mountains and western plains of Taiwan, offering visitors a serene escape with a strong Hakka cultural presence. It’s known for its lush bamboo forests, terraced tea plantations, and rolling hills that provide scenic backdrops for hiking and agritourism. The landscape changes with the seasons—from blooming lilacs in spring to vibrant fireflies in summer—making this a naturally charming stop.
Cultural heritage is Miaoli’s heartbeat; the county is a hub for Hakka architecture, traditional festivals, and folk cuisine. The Miaoli Railway Arts Village and Sanyi’s Wood Sculpture Museum celebrate local crafts, while Hakka roundhouses and preserved villages offer glimpses into communal rural life. Visitors can also sample Hakka specialties like yong tofu, lei cha tea, and sticky rice dumplings.
Adventurers will love the region’s hiking trails and cultural parks. Where the mountains meet the valleys, you’ll find the Liyutan Reservoir, Nanzhuang’s historic streets, and the spectacular Shehuo Fireworks Festival—a vibrant display of tradition and community spirit. Miaoli blends nature, heritage, and seasonal experiences that appeal to slow travelers looking for authenticity.
Highlights:
Nanzhuang Old Street & Yingcai Tang Theatre – Hakka folk architecture & snacks
Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum – Showcases remarkable local craftsmanship
Liyutan/Longteng Bridges – Scenic views and abandoned railway charm
Dahu Strawberry Farm – Berry picking in season
Lion’s Head Mountain Scenic Area – Temples, trails & waterfalls
Taichung City (台中市)
As Taiwan’s second-largest metropolis, Taichung is a dynamic blend of urban innovation, arts, and cultural charm. Its sunny climate is perfect for exploring diverse districts—ranging from high-end shopping in Xitun to relaxed tea culture in Dali. Taichung has reinvented itself as a creative hub with colorful murals, café culture, and eclectic nightlife.
The city’s arts scene is anchored by the famous National Taichung Theater, CMP Folk Art Zone, and Painted Animation Lane, reflecting a commitment to creative expression. It’s also the birthplace of unique cultural experiences like the Zhongshe Flower Market, where endless blooming gardens create an Instagrammer’s dream. Combine that with vibrant markets, sprawling parks, and quirky design districts, and you’ve got a city of surprising depth.
Food in Taichung is legendary. From refining the art of bubble tea to developing sun cakes, minced pork rice, and fried chicken, eating in Taichung is a must. Don’t miss the culinary hotspots of Fengjia Night Market, Yizhong Street, and local breakfast stalls. Whether you’re exploring downtown or suburban gems, Taichung serves up a fresh side of Taiwan’s modern soul.
Highlights:
National Taichung Theater – Innovative architecture and cultural programming
Fengjia Night Market – Taiwan’s largest night market with endless snacks
Confucius Temple & Wenchang Street – Peaceful area with cultural charm
Zhongshe Flower Market – Blooming gardens and photo-perfect settings
Rainbow Village – Vibrant, community-led street art
Changhua County (彰化縣)
Changhua County blends Taiwan’s pastoral charm with its oldest religious traditions. Known as the island’s agricultural heart, its flatlands produce rice, produce, and flowers, while its towns feature longstanding temples and old streets that reflect hundreds of years of community life. It’s often overlooked, but offers authentic cultural immersion.
The majestic Lukang Township reveals much of Changhua’s history: cobbled lanes, well-preserved temples like Longshan Temple, and traditional crafts like woodblock printing. Meanwhile, the iconic Baguashan Buddha watches over the plains. Changhua balances easygoing rural scenery with cultural depth, giving travelers a quiet but rich experience.
For nature lovers, Bagualshan Scenic Area offers panoramic views and walking paths winding through bamboo groves. The county also hosts festivals like the Lukang Fireworks Festival and preserves folk arts through festivals and temple events. With fewer crowds but rich heritage, Changhua is a peaceful slice of authentic Taiwan.
Highlights:
Lukang Old Street & Longshan Temple – Colonial-era streets and spiritual architecture
Baguashan Great Buddha – Majestic hilltop statue and city views
Bagualshan Scenic Area – Bamboo groves and walking trails
Changhua Roundhouse – Rare 1920s locomotive turntable
Lukang Tianhou Temple – Ancestral temple of Mazu pilgrimage
Nantou County (南投縣)
Nantou County is Taiwan’s only landlocked region and its nature crown jewel. Dominated by the mountainous interiors of Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, and Hehuanshan, Nantou offers hikers, riders, and adventurers verdant trails and panoramic peaks. Its landscapes feel like pure Taiwan—towering forest, cool air, and winding roads.
Sun Moon Lake provides deep spiritual and scenic richness, with circles around the lake, cycling paths, boats, and aboriginal cultural villages. The county’s mountain regions—such as Cingjing Farm, Xitou, and Hehuanshan—combine high-altitude horticulture, forest walks, and seasonal attractions like cherry blossoms and high-altitude tea farms.
Nantou’s natural beauty is matched by its spiritual sites, including Xuanzang Temple, Ci En Pagoda, and lesser-visited mountain shrines. Whether you’re exploring high alpine trails or gentle cycling loops, Nantou’s serene landscapes offer escapes beyond Taiwan’s urban bustle.
Highlights:
Sun Moon Lake – Boating, cycling, indigenous culture
Cingjing Farm – Sheep pasture, flower gardens, mountain mist
Hehuanshan – Alpine summit views and mountain flora
Xitou Nature Education Area – Bamboo forests and canopy walk
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village – Indigenous performances & theme park
Yunlin County (雲林縣)
Yunlin County is Taiwan’s quiet agricultural base and a hidden cultural treasure. Its flat plains produce some of the island’s most important crops, and many of its small towns maintain age-old traditions untouched by tourism. Yunlin’s simple pace of life offers genuine encounters with countryside Taiwan.
Beigang, home to the impressive Chaotian Temple, is Yunlin’s spiritual cornerstone, attracting international pilgrims. Nearby towns like Gukeng, with its coffee farms and hotsprings, and Huwei, along the coastline, preserve local crafts like wood carving and sugar production. The county also celebrates local festivals deeply rooted in communal history.
Cycling routes along the Beigang River and rural backroads connect visitors to wetlands and local villages. With affordable local food, low visitor numbers, and temples full of warmth, Yunlin offers soul-nourishing calm and an authentic Taiwanese countryside lifestyle.
Highlights:
Beigang Chaotian Temple – Taiwan’s largest Mazu temple
Gukeng Coffee & Tea Road – Farm tours and fresh brews
Yunlin Huwei Sugar Factory Park – Historic industry repurposed
Beigang Old Street & Riverside Bike Trail – Cultural exploration by bike
Xiluo Bridge & Township – Rice transportation heritage