Taichung Sustainable Slow Travel: Exploring the City’s Green Spots

Discover Taichung with a sustainable slow travel twist. A one-day Taichung travel itinerary by foot and MRT takes you through Taichung National Theater, Shen Ji New Village, Second Market and other attractions, uncovering eco-friendly shops and local green living spaces.

Morning – A Slow Start from Taichung Station 

In the soft morning light, the historic Taichung Train Station greets us with its century-old red brick facade and quiet charm. Instead of rushing off like daily commuters, we linger and let the city slowly wake up around us. For this Taichung one day itinerary, we choose to move at a gentle pace. Our first stop, just a short walk from the station, is the Taichung Second Market. Opened in 1917 during the Japanese era, this public market has over a hundred years of history.

The moment we step inside, we’re immersed in a living museum of local life: narrow walkways extend radially from a central two-story hexagonal pavilion that once served as the tallest lookout tower with a fire-alarm bell in Taichung.

Dozens of vendors are already busy preparing traditional breakfast foods. We join locals at a modest stall for a bowl of braised pork rice and a savory radish rice cake – signature flavors that have stood the test of time. It’s said that many famous foods originated here (Lihai braised pork rice, Wang’s radish cakes, even the renowned Lao-Lai black tea). Savoring these treats amid the market’s buzz, we feel the warm heartbeat of Taichung’s everyday culture. This slow and mindful start sets the tone: traveling is not just about ticking off Taichung attractions, but about soaking in the atmosphere at each stop.

Leaving Second Market with a satisfied appetite, we stroll through downtown streets as the city comes to life. The sun climbs higher, casting dappled shadows through trees that line the sidewalks. We decide to continue exploring on foot for as long as we can, embracing the slow travel ethos. Whenever needed, the modern Taichung MRT is at our service – it’s clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly, a great way to cut down on carbon footprint while traveling in Taichung. But for now, every alley beckons us to wander a bit further, perhaps into a tucked-away temple courtyard or past a mom-and-pop fruit shop. This unhurried wandering reveals a side of Taichung that tour buses often miss – the gentle rhythm of a city not in a rush.

Afternoon – Creative Green Spaces in the West District

By midday, we find ourselves in Taichung’s West District, home to several eco-friendly and culturally rich spots. Our path leads to Shen Ji New Village, a creative cluster that beautifully embodies urban renewal. Half a century ago, these low-rise yellow buildings were dormitories for provincial government employees (built in 1969). After the dorms were abandoned in the late 1990s, the area was reborn around 2015 as a startup hub and cultural-creative park. Now, the old dorms house indie boutiques, craft studios and hip cafes.

Wandering into Shen Ji New Village feels like receiving a postcard from Taichung’s past, yet repurposed for the future. Under the shade of old trees, we browse little shops selling handmade stationery and local designer goods. A specialty coffee scent drifts from a cafe tucked in one of the refurbished houses, inviting us to take a break. We sit by a vintage window frame with an iced latte, observing young artisans setting up their stalls in the weekend pop-up market. This space, once silent and forgotten, now buzzes softly with creativity and entrepreneurship – a testament to Taichung’s knack for blending heritage with innovation.

A short walk north brings us to another hidden gem: the Green Ray Project (Fantasy Story Green Ray), located around a quaint lane called Zhongxing First Alley. This cultural enclave consists of twelve red-brick dormitories originally built for the Taiwan Water Company, now transformed into a warren of stylish cafes, eateries and select shops. Vines creep up the nostalgic exteriors; it’s hard to believe these buildings are nearly half a century old. The vibe here is often compared to Shen Ji New Village – in fact, some call it a “mini Shen Ji” for its similar atmosphere.

We meander through the alley as if walking into the pages of an old storybook. A retro dessert shop catches our eye, its display filled with handmade pastries. Next door, a tiny boutique showcases eco-friendly items and crafts by local artists. Everywhere we turn, there’s a new delight: an antique green bicycle parked by a rustic bench, a mural on a brick wall, a group of friends chatting on a patio shaded by leafy trees. Unlike crowded tourist hotspots, Green Ray Project exudes a laid-back charm – it’s a place to slow down, poke around little nooks, and appreciate how old spaces can be given new life with a bit of imagination.

The West District is also known for the Calligraphy Greenway area – a stretch of parks and cultural venues. One standout is PARK2 Caowu Square, a contemporary urban oasis that redefines the concept of a park. Opened at the end of 2021, PARK2 is an innovative “park 2.0” project by the CMP Group. Spread over a spacious 2,000-ping (nearly 6,600 m²) area, it blends lush greenery with lifestyle shops and eateries, creating a “desert oasis” in the heart of the city. As we approach, we notice a long, curving structure – an aluminum mesh wall stretching along the park, reminiscent of a giant greenhouse frame. Within its bounds are pockets of gardens and plazas populated by an eclectic mix of stores and restaurants. We wander under the shade of two towering baobab trees and a cluster of bottle palms that have been thoughtfully planted here, marveling that such exotic flora can thrive in the middle of Taichung.

Among the 16 branded outlets inside are a hip standing BBQ joint where patrons gather around oil barrel tables, an artisanal pasta restaurant offering colorful fresh-made pasta, and even Asia’s first “Draft Land” bar serving cocktails on tap. Each unit is cleverly integrated into the fluid design of the park – some nestled behind the mesh wall, others opening onto the central green plaza. It’s a weekday afternoon, so the vibe is relaxed. Office workers on lunch break lounge on the grass with takeout coffee, and a few families explore an interactive art installation (earlier we passed a whimsical public art piece – a giant Formosan leopard cat statue playfully “embracing happiness”). Spending time at PARK2 feels both inspiring and soothing: the lines between indoors and outdoors blur as nature and modern life intermingle. We take our time strolling, perhaps grabbing a fresh juice from a stylish café, and feel the city’s pulse slow down in this innovative green space

Just across the street stands the iconic Park Lane by CMP – Eslite Spectrum building, its facade famously draped with living plants. We pop in briefly to cool down and browse. Inside, the multi-level complex is anchored by an Eslite bookstore that radiates a bookish charm. Surrounding it are curated lifestyle stores offering everything from designer homeware to local organic foods. It’s a delight to wander here – part mall, part cultural space – reflecting Taichung’s appreciation for aesthetics and quality of life. On the shelves, we even spot some sustainable products: reusable straws, beeswax food wraps, and locally-made natural soaps, echoing the eco-conscious theme of our journey.

Tucked in a quieter lane nearby, we discover a special little shop that perfectly embodies Taichung’s sustainable spirit. HomeWork (Jiawushir) Sustainable Grocery might be unassuming from the outside, but inside it’s a treasure trove of eco-friendly goodness. As we step through the door, we’re greeted by the gentle aroma of handmade soaps and dried herbs. Rows of wooden shelves display a myriad of plastic-free products: unpackaged shampoo bars, kitchen cleaning powders in bulk, cloth-wrapped soaps, grains and spices in large glass jars – all inviting you to scoop or pour just the amount you need. A friendly staff member explains that this is Taiwan’s first sustainable lifestyle concept store, promoting a refill and reuse culture.

We are encouraged to take empty containers from a communal basket (or use our own) and participate in the act of refilling everyday essentials. It’s a simple yet profound experience to fill a bottle with liquid detergent from a tap, or measure out a bag of brown rice from a gravity bin – a reminder of how shopping can be more intentional and waste-free. The selection here has been carefully curated by the HomeWork team: from kitchenware and cleaning agents to personal care items, every product meets strict eco-friendly criteria and often has a story. Some goods are upcycled from old materials (we spot drinking glasses cleverly cut from reclaimed wine bottles a community hub where people can learn about low-waste living. We depart feeling inspired, small clinking jars in hand, and a note of hope added to our journey: even in a bustling city, there are oases of change where new habits take root and flourish.

Evening – Dusk at the National Taichung Theater 

As the day winds down, we head toward the finale of our Taichung slow travel adventure. With the sun setting, we make our way to the National Taichung Theater, a landmark that is both an architectural marvel and a cultural hub. Approaching the theater in the golden hour is magical. Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the building’s exterior is a flowing sculpture of white curves and glass. There are no conventional walls – just huge, organic shapes punctuated by sweeping openings. It resembles a gigantic sponge or an abstract art piece at city scale. Once inside, we are awestruck by the cavernous interior. The design famously eliminates visible columns; instead, the entire space is formed by continuous curved surfaces that blur the distinction between floors, walls, and ceilings. Walking through the lobby and corridors feels like exploring a “sound cave,” as Toyo Ito affectionately calls it. The architecture plays with acoustics and perspective – every whisper and footstep seems to softly reverberate, accompanying us as we wander. We tilt our heads up to see the layers of sinuous curves overhead, their edges glowing with hidden light strips. The effect is surreal and soothing all at once.

Even if you’re not attending a performance, the Taichung National Theater is worth experiencing from the inside out. We take an elevator to the rooftop garden, where a shallow pool mirrors the darkening sky. From this perch, the city’s skyline begins to sparkle to life. Down below, through the glass facade, we catch glimpses of people finding their seats for the evening’s show. There’s a gentle buzz of anticipation in the air. Soon, the theater’s exterior is illuminated, its curved outlines glowing against the night – an architectural dreamscape come alive. We recall that this building was considered structurally impossible to build until advanced construction techniques made Ito’s bold vision a reality. Knowing that makes standing here even more poignant – Taichung dared to dream big, and the result is a space that inspires all who visit.

As we descend and exit into the plaza, the night in Taichung is calm and pleasant. We reflect on the day’s journey: starting from the humble market where tradition thrives, through lanes of creative revival and eco-conscious shopping, to this futuristic theater where art and innovation merge. Each stop was a chapter in Taichung’s story, revealing the city’s commitment to sustainability, culture, and quality of life. Instead of a typical whirlwind tour, we opted for depth over distance – and it made all the difference. This eco-friendly one-day Taichung travel experience showed us that slowing down doesn’t mean seeing less; it means seeing more of what truly matters. Taichung welcomed us to walk its streets, taste its flavors, and share in its green aspirations. As we head back, we carry with us not just souvenirs, but also a refreshed mind and a lighter spirit, reminded that travel can be gentle on the Earth while deeply enriching the soul.