July 12, 2025
Introduction to Changhua
Changhua is located in central Taiwan, just south of Taichung City. It’s accessible via Taiwan Railways (TRA) and by car, and it also connects to the High-Speed Rail through a nearby station in Taichung. Despite its central location and easy access, Changhua remains a quiet, largely rural county with a strong sense of tradition and community.
Nestled in the heart of central Taiwan, Changhua County is a destination that blends rich history, religious landmarks, and idyllic countryside life into an authentic and unforgettable travel experience. Though often overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbors like Taichung or Tainan, Changhua holds its own with centuries-old temples, quaint towns, and a rhythm of life that speaks to Taiwan’s cultural roots.
Whether you’re strolling through traditional markets, gazing up at Taiwan’s largest Buddha statue, cycling through rice paddies, or tasting local delicacies in the historic Lukang Old Street, Changhua offers a slice of Taiwan where heritage and simplicity take center stage.
Changhua is Taiwan without the gloss—a destination where history, spirituality, and everyday life coexist in a beautifully unfiltered way. It’s a place where temples still guide the rhythms of local life, where food is made by hand, and where the past isn’t preserved in museums but lived daily in the streets and homes of its people. If you’re craving an authentic Taiwanese experience away from the usual tourist path, Changhua is the perfect choice. It may be quiet, but it speaks volumes to the heart.
What to Eat in Changhua
Just a short ride from central Changhua, Lukang is a historical town packed with old streets, traditional buildings, and most importantly, incredible food. Explore narrow alleyways, red-brick houses, and artisan workshops that date back centuries.
Food You Must Try in Changhua
Changhua has its own distinct culinary scene, deeply rooted in Taiwanese and Hakka traditions.
Ba-wan – A glutinous meat dumpling unique to Changhua, filled with pork and bamboo shoots, then steamed and fried.
Try ox tongue cakes, shrimp rolls, mochi, and rice cakes unique to this region.
Traditional Taiwanese pastries – Handmade by generations-old bakeries in Lukang and Changhua City.
Rice cakes – Soft, steamed rice pudding topped with savory pork or mushrooms.
Pro tip: Visit the Jingcheng Night Market in Changhua City or Lukang for a deep dive into local flavors.
Things to Do in Changhua
Tucked away in central Taiwan, Changhua is a city that often flies under the radar—but it shouldn’t. Known for its rich history, Buddhist landmarks, and traditional foods, Changhua offers a more laid-back and authentic side of Taiwan.
Whether you’re a history buff, food lover, or just looking to explore somewhere beyond the usual tourist trail, Changhua is well worth a visit.
Baguashan Great Buddha Scenic Area
Perched atop Baguashan (八卦山) (Bagua Mountain), the Great Buddha statue is a serene landmark that symbolizes peace and protection over Changhua County. The grand bronze Buddha, sitting serenely, greets visitors with vast panoramic views of Changhua town and its surrounding farmlands.
A winding path lined with lotus ponds, pagodas, and peaceful gardens leads to the statue, making it a calm place for reflection.
Families and couples often visit at dusk to enjoy the sunset glow, captured against the majestic silhouette of the statue. The site is also a spiritual gathering point during Buddhist festivals, when incense-scented chants fill the air. Whether you’re after local culture, scenic views, or quiet contemplation, Baguashan offers all three in harmony.
Key Points:
Massive bronze Buddha statue with sweeping valley views
Scenic pagoda paths adorned with lotus ponds
Spiritual ambiance and festival-time vitality
Baguashan Skywalk
The Baguashan Skywalk (八卦山天空步道) is an elevated pedestrian bridge that extends amidst the treetops, offering unique vantage points toward the Great Buddha and the Changhua plains. Its wooden planks and railings are designed to blend into the natural forest, providing a gentle, immersive experience above the foliage.
Perfect for birdwatching or a quiet stroll, the skywalk also connects hikers to various temples and rest areas on the mountain. It’s ideal for capturing early-morning mists or the warm glow of late afternoon light, making it a peaceful nature retreat just steps from the city.
Key Points:
Elevated wood-and-steel walkway through treetops
Dramatic perspectives of Baguashan and plain views
Tranquil route linking temples and observation points
Changhua Roundhouse
One of only a few remaining operational roundhouses in Taiwan, Changhua Roundhouse (彰化扇形車庫) is a historic locomotive depot built in the 1920s. Featuring a circular turntable surrounded by engine bays, it remains functional and houses several vintage steam and diesel locomotives. The site also hosts regular train-themed gatherings and model railway displays.
Visitors can watch engineers in action, rotating engines to align with bays and servicing active locomotives. The depot’s nostalgic steel-and-brick architecture transports you back to Taiwan’s golden rail era, and railway enthusiasts will appreciate the heritage and atmospherics in this living museum.
Key Points:
Functional 1920s locomotive roundhouse with steam trains
Operational turntable for rotating engines
Rich heritage for train enthusiasts and photographers
Chengmei Cultural Park
Chengmei Cultural Park (成美文化園區) is a grand riverside estate featuring historical manor houses, decorative gardens, and wide tree-lined promenades. Restored with Qing-era design and tailored landscape architecture, the park offers flower-themed pavilions, reflecting ponds, and a seasonal café housed in a vintage structure.
The park frequently hosts cultural exhibitions, tea ceremonies, and community fairs, making it a local hub for art and leisure. Visitors enjoy walking through aesthetically curated zones, attending live performances, or resting under lush greenery—the perfect blend of history and modern comfort.
Key Points:
Restored Qing-style estate with gardens and waterways
Riverside promenade with pavilion tea houses
Cultural event venue with serene visual ambiance
Lukang Old Street
Lukang Old Street (鹿港老街) offers a charming maze of stone- and brick-paved lanes lined with colonial-era storefronts, incense shops, and food stalls. As one of Taiwan’s most historically rich towns, Lukang exudes a nostalgic charm, where old-fashioned Han-style doors stand next to workshops crafting lanterns and traditional snacks.
Walking the alleyways, you’ll experience social rituals passed down for centuries—from tea drinking and paper lantern making to religious homage. The palpable sense of living history and cultural continuity makes Lukang a place for slow exploration and multi-layered discovery.
Key Points:
Colonial-era alleys with preserved architecture
Local crafts: lanterns, incense, snacks
Rich living history and cultural immersion
Lukang Tianhou Temple
The Lukang Tianhou Temple (鹿港天后宮) is one of the oldest Mazu temples in Taiwan, dating back to the early Qing era. Its ornately carved wooden structures, colorful ceramics, and elaborate roof dragons testify to centuries of devotion and artisanal craftsmanship. The temple remains active in ceremonial worship, especially during important pilgrimage seasons.
Inside, the devotion to sea goddess Mazu is matched by intricate artworks, ancestral tablets, and perfumed incense. The atmosphere is alive with chanting, ritual music, and soft sunlight filtering through stained-glass windows. For travelers, the temple offers both spiritual insight and a snapshot of local religious culture.
Key Points:
Historic Mazu temple with vivid decorations
Rich acceptance of rituals and temple artistry
Central gathering place for festivals and pilgrimages
Lukang Folk Arts Museum
Set within a restored Qing-era mansion, the Lukang Folk Arts Museum (鹿港民俗文物館) houses a wide array of artifacts—textiles, religious icons, ceremonial items, and folk puppetry figures—tracing the town’s cultural past. The museum’s architecture itself is a candlelit wonder, with wooden beams, latticed windows, and courtyards painted by sunlight.
Guided tours and interactive displays give insight into Lukang’s role in maritime trade, folk religion, and traditional medicine. This small but well-curated museum is ideal for travelers seeking understanding echoing across centuries-old walls and antique relics.
Key Points:
Qing-era mansion with traditional architecture
Exhibits on folk art, puppetry, and local history
Insightful for cultural anthropology and interactive tours
Tianwei Flower Garden Zone
Tianwei, known as Taiwan’s “Flower Town,” (田尾公路花園) offers kilometers of flower farms, nurseries, and roadside gardens. Stretching like a bulb-petaled corridor, the zone brims with orchids, chrysanthemums, and hybrid florals—especially in spring and autumn bloom seasons.
Shoppers can stroll through fields, visit greenhouse boutiques, and pick up fresh floral arrangements or decorative plants. Many vendors provide guided planting experiences or educational demonstrations. The banquet of colors and scents makes it a blooming delight for eco-friendly travel.
Key Points:
Extensive flower nurseries and display farms
Seasonal orchid and chrysanthemum bloom festivals
Garden centers with DIY planting and shopping
Taiwan Glass Gallery
Situated along the Beigang River near Changhua, Taiwan Glass Gallery (台灣玻璃館) is a stunning modern museum dedicated to glass arts and craftsmanship. The polished glass facade reflects the rest of the riverscape, hinting at the sparkles within. Inside, you’ll find installations ranging from traditional glasswork to avant-garde sculptures.
Visitors can participate in glassblowing workshops, customizing glass pendants or paperweights. The scenic waterfront location adds to the meditative ambiance—perfect for exploring contemporary art and craftsmanship in a creative riverside setting.
Key Points:
Contemporary glass art museum with scenic riverside setting
Interactive glassblowing and bead-making sessions
Fusion of traditional artistry and modern installation
The Eighteen Levels of Hell at Nantiangong Temple
At the edge of Lukang lies the eerie sculpture park beside Nantiangong Temple depicting scenes of hell according to folk Buddhism and Taoist belief.
The “Eighteen Levels of Hell” (南天宮十八層地獄) exhibits row-by-row dioramas of sinful souls being judged and punished—a graphic moral lesson used traditionally to encourage virtuous behavior.
Despite its ominous subject matter, it serves as a compelling cultural landmark. Visitors say it’s a striking blend of folk religion, morality tales, and dramatic artistry—a place that stays with you long after you leave, turning cultural observation into introspective experience.
Key Points:
Dramatic outdoor sculpture park of hellish judgments
Folk religious storytelling in vivid, immersive forms
One of Taiwan’s few morality-themed temple attractions
How to Get to Changhua from Taipei
Changhua, located in central Taiwan, is a destination filled with heritage, temples, Hakka culture, and some of the island’s best-known agricultural towns. It’s home to the famous Great Buddha Statue at Baguashan, the nostalgic Lukang Old Street, and the colorful Tianwei Highway Garden. Whether you’re planning a quick visit or a cultural deep dive, getting to Changhua from Taipei is both easy and rewarding.
This guide explains all the ways you can travel from Taipei to Changhua, covering high-speed rail, conventional trains, buses, and driving. Your arrival point will likely be Changhua City, the county capital, or Lukang, a historic coastal town.
Option 1: Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) – Fastest Way via Taichung
Although Changhua has an HSR station, it is located far from the city center in Tianzhong Township. Most travelers take the HSR to Taichung, then switch to a local train.
Route: Taipei HSR Station → Taichung HSR Station → Changhua TRA Station
Travel Time:
Taipei to Taichung HSR: ~1 hour
Taichung HSR to Changhua TRA (via Xinwuri Station): ~20 minutes
Total Cost: ~NT$500–600
Taipei–Taichung HSR: ~NT$700 (standard), often discounted to ~NT$540 online
TRA (Xinwuri–Changhua): ~NT$25
Pros:
Fast and reliable
Easy to book online
Comfortable seats
Cons:
Requires a transfer
Changhua HSR Station is not near the main city or tourist areas
Transfer Tip: Exit Taichung HSR, walk to Xinwuri Station (connected), and take a local TRA train to Changhua.
Option 2: Taiwan Railways (TRA) – Direct and Convenient
The TRA train is the most direct and affordable way to get from Taipei to Changhua.
Route: Taipei Main Station → Changhua TRA Station
Travel Time:
Tze-Chiang Express: ~2 hours
Chu-Kuang: ~2.5 hours
Local Train: ~3 hours
Cost:
Tze-Chiang: ~NT$375
Local Train: ~NT$241
Pros:
Direct to Changhua City center
Budget-friendly
No transfers needed
Cons:
Slower than HSR
Limited luggage space during peak hours
Tip: Book a reserved seat in advance via the TRA website or at any 7-Eleven kiosk.
Option 3: Intercity Bus – Cheapest Option, Slower
There are intercity buses connecting Taipei and Changhua, although fewer than trains.
Departure: Taipei Bus Station (adjacent to Taipei Main Station)
Arrival: Changhua Bus Station or Lukang Bus Terminal
Travel Time: ~3.5–4.5 hours (depending on traffic)
Cost: ~NT$250–300
Pros:
Low-cost
Air-conditioned and comfortable
Direct to downtown or Lukang
Cons:
Traffic-dependent
Fewer departure times
Tip: Avoid traveling during national holidays or Friday evenings when highway traffic peaks.
Option 4: Driving – For Scenic Road Trips or Group Travel
Driving is great if you’re planning a flexible itinerary or visiting places like Lukang, Tianwei, or Baguashan Scenic Area.
Route: Take National Freeway No. 1 or 3 southbound from Taipei to Changhua
Drive Time: ~2–2.5 hours
Costs: Toll: ~NT$200
Fuel: ~NT$300–400
Pros:
Flexible and private
Great for families or groups
Easy access to rural attractions
Cons:
Parking in Lukang and Changhua City may be limited
Must navigate local traffic and tolls
Tip: Consider renting a car from Taichung HSR Station and driving from there if you want to explore central Taiwan.
Final Travel Tips
Book TRA or HSR tickets in advance for weekends and holidays.
Use apps like Taiwan Railways, THSR T Express, or Bus+ for live timetables and mobile ticketing.
Plan for at least half a day in Changhua to visit attractions like Baguashan Great Buddha, Lukang Old Street, and Tianwei Flower Garden.
Suggested 2-Day Itinerary in Changhua
Day 1
Morning: Visit the Baguashan Buddha and Skywalk
Afternoon: Explore Lukang Old Street and its temples
Evening: Try local street food at a nearby night market
Day 2
Morning: Rent a bike in Tianwei Flower Garden Zone
Afternoon: Visit local farms or tea houses
Evening: Enjoy sunset from Baguashan or take in a temple event