Gay Taichung City Guide

 

Taichung  臺中

Taichung is located in west-central Taiwan. With a population of over 2.6 million, it is now the second-largest city on the island and a major manufacturing hub.

Taichung is a 3-hour drive from Taipei, although taking a bus is the cheapest option. Tong-Lien Bus (統聯客運) and Kuo-Kuang Bus (國光客運) operate the route several times an hour, every day.

Alternatively, take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) train that runs between Taipei and Kaohsiung. Taichung Airport is a domestic hub with a limited international service.

 

Gay scene

The gay scene in Taichung is very small when compared with Taipei, but there is a strong LGBT community. Several exclusively gay venues including karaoke Gay Bars & Clubs, Gay Saunas and Gay Massage Spas can be found within the Central District, near the Taichung Central Station.

These gay venues attract mostly local Taiwanese clients, although the scene in central Taiwan is growing. For several years, Taichung hosts an annual Taichung Pride Parade which has become more popular over the years.

 

Getting around Taichung

Taichung's downtown area is relatively small and easy to get around on foot. However, the city has a good bus network that makes it easy to explore the wider city.

A metro system is currently under construction and expected to be completed in 2018. Taxis are widely available and convenient (tips are not required).

 

Where to Stay in Taichung

It is possible to do a day trip from Taipei to Taichung. First-time visitors may have to spend a few days to explore all that Taichung has to offer.

For our list of Taichung hotel recommendations for gay travelers, visit our Gay Taichung Hotels page.

 

Things to See & Do

Popular visitor attractions include the world-class National Museum of Natural Science and hiking in the nearby hills. Taichung is famous for its downtown shopping experience, and in particular, the night markets where you can enjoy local food and snap up a few bargains.

The most popular are the ChungHwa night market (中華夜市), the Feng-Chia University night market (逢甲夜市) and the Chung-Shiao night market (忠孝夜市).

Don't forget to try the "bubble tea" - the most famous drink in the region.