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.

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. 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.

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 joint. 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.

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.

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, also 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.