Taichung Park, also called Zhongshan Park, is the oldest park in Taichung, laid out during the Japanese colonial era on about ten acres. The Taichung tourism board notes that it began as a garden called Ruixuan, donated by the Lin family of Wufeng, and that its European-style buildings and Houxing Pavilion were built in 1908 to celebrate the opening of the north-south railway. The park has an artificial lake, an arched bridge, an outdoor stadium, a playground and tennis courts. Its best-known landmark is the Twin Pavilions on the lake, a symbol of the city, and the park also has old trees and historic bridges and the Wangyue Pavilion. Entry is free, and boats can be rented on the lake. It is about a ten-minute walk from Taichung Railway Station, so it fits naturally into an arrival or departure day.
What to see
Walk around the lake to see the Twin Pavilions from different angles, cross the old bridges and look for the historic buildings and Houxing Pavilion. Morning is when the park is most local, with groups exercising and older residents chatting under the trees, and it is a good place to observe daily life. The tourism board lists the pavilions as open Tuesday to Sunday from about 07:00 to 19:00 and closed Mondays for cleaning and maintenance, so plan accordingly if you want to go inside.
Planning the visit
The park is free, but boat rental on the lake is charged by the hour. Guided tours are available by reservation on set Sundays each month, according to the tourism board, so check its page if you want a guide. A visit of 45 to 90 minutes is enough for most travellers. It is flat and easy to walk, with plenty of shade, though summer afternoons are hot and humid, and rain showers can come quickly, so bring a small umbrella.
Getting there and combining it
The park is a short walk from Taichung Station, so it pairs easily with the old station area and Miyahara, where you can follow a gentle stroll with ice cream. It is also a good break between train journeys or after a morning visit to a nearby museum. Families will enjoy the boats and playground, couples will find it relaxed and photographers will like the pavilions, while travellers wanting big sights will find it a quiet counterpoint to the museums and night markets.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided stroll around a historic lake park with pavilions, bridges, old trees and optional boat rental.
Best time
Mornings are the most local and the coolest, and the light on the pavilions is good for photographs.
How long
Allow 45 to 90 minutes.
Tips
Remember the pavilions are closed Mondays, bring an umbrella for sudden showers and combine it with a walk to Miyahara.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want a short, free, central stop near the station.
- Families
- Easy and flat, with boats and a playground for children.
- Couples
- A relaxed lakeside stroll with historic bridges.
- Pair with
- Miyahara and the old station area, a short walk away.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
Is Taichung Park free?+
Yes, entry to the park is free. Boat rental on the lake is charged by the hour.
What is the Twin Pavilions?+
A landmark on the lake that is a symbol of Taichung, open Tuesday to Sunday and closed Mondays for maintenance.
How far is it from Taichung Station?+
About a ten-minute walk.
How old is the park?+
It is the city's oldest park, laid out in the Japanese colonial era, with buildings dating from 1908.
How long do I need?+
About 45 to 90 minutes is enough for most visitors.
