Tunghai and Gaomei: Luce Chapel, Rainbow Village and a Sunset on the Coast — A Two-Day Stamp Route in Taichung
Taichung · 7 places Tunghai's Luce Chapel and the painted Rainbow Village, then wade out at Gaomei to watch the turbines and the sunset.
West of Taichung, there's a mountain and there's the sea.
The mountain is Dadu Mountain. Tunghai University's Luce Chapel stands on its slopes, and after dark the viewpoints up there look out over all of Taichung's lights. The sea is the Taiwan Strait. At Gaomei Wetlands, where the Dajia River meets the sea, the sun sets every evening behind a row of wind turbines.
This route goes from the mountain to the sea. Seven places and seven stamps give you Taichung's two most beautiful sunsets in two days.
The route at a glance
| Place | Category | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Tunghai University | Campus | Xitun |
| Taichung Metropolitan Park | Park & garden | Xitun |
| Rainbow Village | Historic district | Nantun |
| Wanggaoliao Night View Park | Landmark | Nantun |
| Wuqi Fishing Harbor | Landmark | Qingshui |
| Gaomei Wetlands | Nature | Qingshui |
| Dajia Jenn Lann Temple | Place of worship | Dajia |
Spend the first day on Dadu Mountain, working south from Tunghai University to Wanggaoliao. On the second day, head for the coast, going south from Dajia to Wuqi and Gaomei Wetlands.
Tunghai University: Luce Chapel at the end of the trees
Tunghai University's campus sits on Dadu Mountain. Walk down the long tree-lined avenue and Luce Chapel comes into view. I. M. Pei was part of its design, and its four curved roof surfaces rise and meet, looking from the side like a pair of hands pressed together.
Look up at those curves from the lawn in front of the chapel. Your first stamp starts here.
Taichung Metropolitan Park: a forest on Dadu Mountain
Taichung Metropolitan Park sits on the Dadu Mountain plateau, a forest park of about 88 hectares with paths winding between the trees.
In the late afternoon, find a spot with an open view, look out over the city and watch the sun go down.
Rainbow Village: a village painted stroke by stroke
The walls, ground and doors of Rainbow Village are covered with colorful people and animals. Grandpa Huang Yung-fu painted them one stroke at a time, and it was these paintings that saved the village.
Follow the colors all the way around. Every corner is a postcard.
Wanggaoliao Night View Park: Taichung's sea of lights
After dark, climb to Wanggaoliao Night View Park on Dadu Mountain. From the viewing platform, the lights of Taichung spread out below you, stretching all the way to Taichung Port in the distance.
Pick a clear night and collect the last stamp of day one in front of the city lights.
Dajia Jenn Lann Temple: where the pilgrimage begins
On day two, head north to Dajia. Dajia Jenn Lann Temple is home to the Dajia Mazu. Every spring, Mazu sets out from here on a nine-day, eight-night pilgrimage through four counties and cities in central Taiwan, one of Taiwan's liveliest religious events.
On ordinary days there are no pilgrimage crowds, and you can pay your respects in peace before buying a box of butter pastries on the street beside the temple.
Wuqi Fishing Harbor: buy your seafood and have it cooked
At lunchtime, head south to Wuqi Fishing Harbor. Pick the day's catch at the direct-sales fish market, then hand it over to the cooked-food area next door to be prepared for you.
A table of freshly cooked seafood is the biggest meal of the day.
Gaomei Wetlands: the sun sets behind the turbines
The last stop is Gaomei Wetlands. Follow the boardwalk out onto the tidal flats where the Dajia River meets the sea, with the tide and fiddler crabs at your feet and a long row of wind turbines in the distance.
At dusk, the sun sets right behind the turbines. Watch it go down beside your seventh stamp, and the route is complete.
Two-day plan
Day 1: Dadu Mountain
- See Luce Chapel at Tunghai University in the morning
- Visit Rainbow Village around midday
- Walk in Taichung Metropolitan Park in the afternoon and watch the sunset
- See the night view from Wanggaoliao Night View Park in the evening
Day 2: the coast
- Visit Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in the morning
- Eat seafood at Wuqi Fishing Harbor for lunch
- Watch the sunset at Gaomei Wetlands
Before you go
- Opening hours, closing days and ticket prices can change, so check each place's official website before you set off.
- Tunghai University is a working university. Follow the campus visitor rules and don't disturb classes.
- The places are far apart, both on Dadu Mountain and along the coast, so driving or riding a scooter is recommended. It gets windy at Gaomei in the evening, so bring a jacket, and check the sunset time and tides before you go.
Collecting this route with ExploreStamp
Open ExploreStamp, find "Luce Chapel to Sunset at Gaomei" 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 seven, and a chapel, a sea of city lights and a sunset behind the turbines will all live in your stamp book.
See the other routes under Explore.
Cover photo: Kevin Xing / Unsplash