Taichung Instagram Day Tour from Taipei: Chung-she Flower Garden, Painted Animation Lane, Miyahara and Gaomei Wetland

08:00 Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07), Exit 2


10:00-11:30 Chung-she Flower Garden
The first stop of your one-day tour to Taichung is Chung-she Flower Garden, also known as Chungshe Flower Market.
The vast and colorful garden covers 6 hectares, featuring hundreds of thousands flowering plants, such as tulips, sunflowers, calla lilies, roses and many more. From January to December, there are always beautiful flowers blooming in the garden.
In addition to the fascinating flower beds, there are gorgeous installations like swing chairs, floral arches, the replicas of piano and windmills, etc, which are perfect for photo shooting.

12:00-12:30 Painted Animation Lane
Hidden in the West District of Taichung City, the Painted Animation Lane has become one of the most photogenic places to snap an Instagram moment thanks to the popularity of Japanese animations. Walking through this colorful alleyway, the scenes of the classic Japanese animations and manga such as “My Neighbor Totoro”, “Your Name”, “Gundam”, “Dragon Ball” and many more, can be spotted on every corner. Whether you are an anime fan or not, strolling through this alley is just like taking a trip back to childhood.
Speaking of the origin of the Painted Animation Lane, it was simply because one of the residents found the walls too boring and monotonous as he repainted the walls, so he painted his favorite anime characters. Soon after, his painting became famous among the neighborhood, and people followed suit one after another, making this originally simple and unadorned alley went viral and become an Instagrammable spot.
In addition to the anime characters painted on the walls, the houses are also worth seeing when you ramble through the alley. The metal roofing, steel doors and window frames, and the brick walls offer a glimpse into the early lifestyle of Taiwanese people.

13:00-14:00 Miyahara
Next, the unique “ophthalmology clinic” Miyahara will amaze you with its Hogwarts lookalike interior design.
Miyahara was originally an ophthalmology clinic, founded by the Japanese ophthalmologist—Miyahara during Japanese colonization. After the retrocession of Taiwan, the building was taken over by the government, then acquired and renovated by a local pastry company, which transformed this former eye clinic into a retro-style pastry and ice cream parlor.
Today, Miyahara is widely known for its vintage decorations and various flavors of ice cream. If you are a Harry Potter fan or have a sweet tooth, this place is unmissable.

14:30-15:00 National Taichung Theater (photo stop)
Your tour continues with a stop at National Taichung Theater, an opera house designed by the famous Japanese architect—Toyo Ito.
The opera house is referred as one of the most difficult architectures to build in the world, because of its curved surfaces. Here you can enjoy a close-up view of this architectural masterpiece, appreciating every detail created with innovative construction methodologies by the master.
Even if you are not here for an opera or a musical, the building itself will provide you with an extraordinary experience as you walk through it.

15:30-16:30 Gaomei Wetland
Before the end of the tour, you will visit Gaomei Wetland, a well-preserved wetland located in the south side of Dajia River’s estuary. The wetland is endowed with natural resources; the diverse geographical features result in the abundance of ecological species, making it one of the best spots for bird watching in Taiwan.
Gaomei Wetland is well-known for the sunsets. Walking along the boardwalk at sunset, with the silhouette of the windmills on the background, creates an endless view in the far horizon. Whether you are traveling solo or with family and friends, Gaomei Wetland is undoubtedly a perfect location to snap a selfie or group photo.

18:40 Drop off at Ximending Commercial District
After the amazing day tour in Taichung, you will head back Taipei, where you can choose to disembark at Ximending Commercial District or MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.

19:00 Drop off at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07)