Things To Do
in Changhua
Changhua County sits in central-west Taiwan and blends agricultural plains, historic towns and busy market streets with easy access to nearby Taichung. Its most iconic landmark is the Baguashan Great Buddha overlooking rice paddies, while Lukang (Lugang) Old Street preserves well‑kept temples, narrow lanes and traditional crafts. The area is known for floriculture (Tianwei), roadside snack culture and a relaxed, provincial pace compared with Taiwan’s big cities.
Changhua makes a good base for exploring rural Taiwan, photographing heritage architecture and sampling classic Taiwanese street food.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a visit to the Changhua Confucius Temple, where you can admire the intricate architecture and serene surroundings. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the nearby Changhua Old Street, sampling local breakfast delicacies such as scallion pancakes and soy milk. The vibrant street life will immerse you in the culture and charm of the city.
Head to the Changhua Roundhouse, a historical railway hub, and learn about the importance of rail transport in Taiwan's development. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery, trying out traditional dishes like beef noodle soup. In the afternoon, explore the nearby Changhua Arts Center, where you can appreciate local artworks and possibly catch a live performance.
As the sun sets, visit the Changhua Lantern Festival if you’re lucky to be here during this annual event. Enjoy the illuminated displays and participate in the festivities with locals. Wrap up your day with dinner at a nearby night market, where you can indulge in street food favorites like stinky tofu and grilled squid.
Begin your day at the impressive Baguashan Buddha, where you can take in panoramic views of the surrounding area while enjoying the peaceful ambiance. Spend some time reflecting at the serene temple grounds before heading to the next destination. Don't forget to take some beautiful photos of the giant Buddha statue against the morning sky.
Visit the nearby Tianwei Highway Garden, where you'll find a stunning array of flowers and plants. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden, enjoying the vibrant colors and fragrant scents. Afterward, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local café, sampling seasonal fruit dishes.
As dusk approaches, return to the city and visit the historic Changhua City God Temple, known for its vibrant decorations and local spirituality. Enjoy the lively atmosphere as worshippers gather to offer their prayers. Conclude your evening with a traditional Taiwanese dinner, experiencing local flavors that will leave your taste buds satisfied.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍜Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3–6 |
| ☕Coffee (cafe) | $2.50–4 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (convenience store / bar) | $1.50–5 |
| 🚌Local bus fare | $0.50–1.50 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (start + short trip) | $3–8 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich traditional culture and well-preserved historic streets (Lukang).
- Affordable food and easy access to fresh seafood and local specialties.
- Good base for rural cycling, flower farms and panoramic photography (Baguashan).
- Less crowded and more relaxed than larger Taiwanese cities.
- Limited late-night entertainment compared with Taichung or Taipei.
- Public transport between small towns can be infrequent—car or scooter helpful.
- Summer can be very hot, humid and subject to typhoons.
- English outside tourist shops can be limited; some vendors speak only Taiwanese Hokkien or Mandarin.
- "你好 (nǐ hǎo)" - Hello
- "謝謝 (xiè xie)" - Thank you
- "請問廁所在哪裡？(qǐng wèn cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)" - Where is the restroom?
- "這個多少錢？(zhè ge duō shǎo qián?)" - How much is this?
- "我吃素 (wǒ chī sù)" - I am vegetarian
- "可以刷卡嗎？(kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma?)" - Can I pay by card?
- "謝謝招待 (xiè xie zhāo dài)" - Thank you for your hospitality
- "小心電動車/機車 (xiǎo xīn diàn dòng chē / jī chē)" - Watch out for scooters
Places to Visit in Changhua
Visit one of these nice places.
Giant seated Buddha on Bagua Mountain with panoramic views of plains and rice paddies—best at sunrise or late afternoon for golden light and long shadows.
Atmospheric alleys, carved wooden facades, red lanterns and ornate temple architecture; ideal for detail shots and street life photography.
Vintage locomotive turntable and historic trains—great for industrial heritage and locomotive action photos when engines move.
Seasonal fields and greenhouse rows with bright blooms—perfect for colorful close-ups, wide landscape shots and floral macro photography.
Coastal boardwalks, wind turbines in the distance and fishing boats—good for sunset seascapes and local harbor life scenes.
Long river views, levees and rural bridges providing minimalist landscape compositions at dawn or dusk.
Food in Changhua
Changhua Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A translucent dough ‘meatball’ filled with pork and bamboo shoots and served with sweet-savory sauce; Changhua-style ba-wan is a regional specialty found on Lukang and Changhua streets.
Must-Try!
A classic Taiwanese night-market dish of eggs, small oysters, starchy batter and savory sauce—widely available at Changhua and Lukang markets.
Comforting minced pork braised in soy served over rice; ubiquitous and inexpensive at local eateries throughout the county.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Historic lanes lined with snacks, traditional sweets, small temples and vendors selling ba-wan, cakes, dried goods and tea—great for street-food photography and tasting local specialties.
Typical Taiwanese night-market experience: seafood, skewers, dumplings, shaved ice and fried snacks—best for sampling many small dishes in one place.
While focused on plants, the area has cafes and stalls serving light meals and desserts—visit in season when roadside stalls accompany the flower trade.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Dress modestly at temples, speak quietly, remove hats in some areas and avoid climbing on altars; place offerings respectfully.
Remove shoes when entering private homes or some small businesses—follow hosts’ cues and look for shoe racks.
Politeness toward older people is important—use formal greetings and yield seats to elders on public transport.
Taiwanese generally queue orderly at bus stops and shops; avoid loud phone conversations on public transport and be mindful of personal space.
Use both hands when offering or receiving gifts, cards or money as a sign of respect.
Safety
Tipping in Changhua
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not customary in Taiwan; small acts of appreciation are accepted but not expected. Many restaurants include a 10% service charge (mainly in hotels and larger establishments). Cash (New Taiwan Dollar - NTD) remains widely used—carry small bills for markets and scooters. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most mid-to-large restaurants and hotels; EasyCard contactless card is used for buses and some shops. Mobile payments (LINE Pay, Apple Pay) are increasingly available in urban areas. ATMs supporting international cards are common; inform your bank about travel dates.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
March–May brings mild temperatures and flowering season—ideal for visiting Tianwei’s flowers and exploring outdoors; occasional rainy days as spring transitions.
June–August is hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms and the typhoon season peaking in July–September; stay hydrated, plan indoor options and monitor weather alerts.
September–November is generally pleasant and less humid—comfortable for hiking and cycling, with clearer skies making it good for photography.
December–February is mild compared with many countries; cool mornings and evenings with occasional chilly spells—layers are recommended, and indoor attractions are comfortable.
Changhua at Night
Hiking in Changhua
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Short to moderate trails around the Baguashan Great Buddha with viewpoints over the plains—suitable for sunrise or sunset hikes.
Popular forested ridgeline trails a 30–45 minute drive from central Changhua—offers varied difficulty levels and excellent mountain views; a good half-day trip.
Gentle seaside paths and boardwalks along the fishing port and wetlands—easy walking with birdwatching and sunset views.
Flat, accessible trails along river dikes and between paddies—great for casual walking, cycling and low-effort sunrise photography.
Airports
How to reach Changhua by plane.
Closest regional airport—domestic and some international flights; about 30–60 minutes by car depending on your Changhua destination. Good for regional connections and low-cost flights.
Main international gateway for Taiwan (near Taipei); roughly 1.5–2 hours by car or 2+ hours by public transport to Changhua depending on transfers.
Serves southern Taiwan; about 2–3 hours by car or train to Changhua—useful if combining a southern itinerary.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority group in Changhua; Taiwanese Hokkien language and culture are prominent in daily life and local festivals.
Hakka communities are present, contributing to local dialects, cuisine and customs in certain townships.
Families with roots across different parts of China who arrived in Taiwan after 1949 form part of the demographic mix.
Filipino, Indonesian and other Southeast Asian workers contribute to local labor, especially in care, manufacturing and agriculture.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Baseball is a national favorite—local communities follow professional leagues and youth baseball is popular.
Commonly played in schools, parks and community courts across Changhua; pickup games are easy to find.
Recreational cycling is popular owing to flat plains and rural roads—many visitors explore by bike.
Indoor racket sports are widely played at community centers and schools throughout the county.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Changhua.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist—look for Buddhist/vegetarian restaurants, vegetable-only stalls and clearly labeled '素' (sù) dishes. Saying 我吃素 (wǒ chī sù) helps; many small night-market stalls may use meat-based sauces, so ask before ordering.
Vegan choices can be limited at traditional stalls due to egg/fish sauce usage; seek out dedicated vegetarian eateries or Buddhist temple cafeterias, and confirm no egg/dairy in dishes.
Rice-based dishes are common, but soy sauce and batter-fried foods contain gluten. Communicate restrictions clearly (use translation apps or a note) and prefer steamed rice and plain grilled seafood.
Halal-certified restaurants are rare in Changhua—plan ahead, look for Muslim-friendly eateries in Taichung, or choose seafood/vegetable dishes and confirm ingredients with vendors.