Old Taichung: A Red-Brick Station, Lüchuan and Miyahara — A One-Day Stamp Route in Taichung
Taichung · 8 places Two stations standing side by side, a walk along Lüchuan to Miyahara, then Japanese-era government halls and a century-old market.
For many people, their first picture of Taichung is the red-brick building they see as they leave the train station.
When the new elevated station opened in 2016, the 1917 station wasn't torn down. It stayed right next door, and the two stations now stand side by side across the plaza. From here, the Lüchuan River, an old eye clinic, an old bank and the Japanese-era government halls are all within walking distance.
This route starts at the station. Eight places and eight stamps take you around old Taichung in a single day.
The route at a glance
| Place | Category | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Taichung Station | Railway station | Central |
| Former Taichung Station | Heritage site | Central |
| Luchuan River | Landmark | Central |
| Miyahara | Food | Central |
| Fourth Credit Cooperative | Food | Central |
| Former Taichung City Hall | Heritage site | West |
| Taichung Prefectural Hall | Heritage site | West |
| Taichung Second Market | Market | Central |
All eight places are around Taichung Station and easy to link up on foot, which makes this a comfortable one-day route.
Taichung Station: the new station and the old
Taichung Station's elevated building opened in 2016, with high platforms full of daylight. Step outside and look back, and the century-old brick station is right beside it. Old and new in one frame is one of Taichung's best-known views.
Your first stamp starts here at the station.
Former Taichung Station: a clock tower and gables
Finished in 1917, the former Taichung Station is a national monument. Its red brick is trimmed with white bands, and the clock tower and gables on the roof are beautifully preserved.
Stand back to fit the whole building in the frame, then move in close for the details on the walls.
Luchuan River: one old bridge after another
The Lüchuan River runs right beside the station. Since it was restored, both banks have walking paths and planting, and in the early evening people come out to stroll along the water.
Following Lüchuan, you'll cross several old bridges. Walk toward Miyahara and it makes for a very pleasant stroll.
Miyahara: an ice cream shop like a library
Miyahara was an eye clinic in the Japanese era. Today it sells ice cream and pastries. In the tall red-brick hall, wooden shelves reach all the way to the ceiling, and walking in feels like entering an old library.
There's often a queue at the door. When it's your turn, pick a scoop and a few toppings.
Fourth Credit Cooperative: ice cream in an old bank
A few steps further on is the Fourth Credit Cooperative of 1966, also turned into an ice cream shop. The old counters and vault are still there, and once you've picked a flavor you eat it among them.
Two ice cream shops in a row, Miyahara and the Fourth Credit Cooperative, is a classic old Taichung walk.
Former Taichung City Hall: a dome on the corner
Completed in 1911, the former Taichung City Hall is a Baroque-style government building. Its dome and stone columns stand on a corner of Minquan Road, diagonally across from the Prefectural Hall.
From the intersection, you can take in both Japanese-era buildings at once.
Taichung Prefectural Hall: open again after six years of restoration
Designed by Moriyama Matsunosuke, the Taichung Prefectural Hall is a century-old government building. After six years of restoration, it reopened in October 2026.
You can walk inside the restored hall, look at the long corridors, arched windows and courtyard, and collect another stamp.
Taichung Second Market: noodles under the hexagonal tower
The last stop is the Taichung Second Market, opened in 1917. The hexagonal tower at its center is its trademark, surrounded by noodle stalls, braised pork rice stalls and all sorts of old shops.
Find a seat at a stall, order noodles or braised pork rice, and finish the day next to your eighth stamp.
One-day plan
- Start in the morning at Taichung Station and see the red-brick former station
- Walk along Lüchuan to Miyahara and the Fourth Credit Cooperative for ice cream
- Have lunch at the Taichung Second Market: noodles or braised pork rice
- In the afternoon, walk to the former City Hall and the Prefectural Hall
If you'd rather have ice cream before a proper meal, save the Second Market for the late afternoon as the end of your day.
Before you go
- Opening hours, closing days and ticket prices can change, so check each place's official website before you set off.
- The whole route is walkable. Arriving at Taichung Station by train or metro is easiest.
- Miyahara gets crowded on weekends, so go early if you want a shorter queue. Many of the Second Market's old stalls open in the morning and close in the afternoon, so it's safer to go before evening.
Collecting this route with ExploreStamp
Open ExploreStamp, find "Old Taichung: Lüchuan and Miyahara" among the themed routes and tap "Check in" at each place you reach. The app confirms you're within range, adds the place's stamp to your stamp book and records the date of your first visit. Collect all eight, and two stations, two ice cream shops and a century-old market will all live in your stamp book.
See the other routes under Explore.