Wuri Fun Tour

Words by Lishea Zheng Translated by Angela Cheng
The content is developed jointly by Industrial Development & Investment Promotion
Committee of Taichung City, FM 89.1 Sunny Radio and Compass Magazine.

With the inauguration of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) system, Taichung's Wuri district was transformed overnight into a major transportation hub for central Taiwan. Thus, when the Taiwan Lantern Festival returns to Taichung after an absence of 12 years, it will be located in Wuri in the area around the Taichung HSR station, allowing fast, convenient and smooth transportation connections to the rest of the island.

Whether you happen to be arriving in Wuri on a HSR or Taiwan Railway train, you will probably notice the large, eye-catching signs for the Wuri Brewery, which offers visitors the chance to enjoy icy-cold beer on hot summer days. Products (pictured above, left- right) include: 1. The brewery's extremely refreshing 18 days beer; 2. Taiwan Beers new Weissbier introduced in May, and fermented 6 months before it is sold; 3. a new lychee-flavored fruit beer (joining previous mango, grape, orange and pineapple varieties); 4. non-alcoholic whole-wheat beer; 5. dark malt beverages in various flavors. Also enjoy a summer beer festival here on July 25 and 26.

After exited the HSR station in Wuri, to your right side you will see the Yanpo Taiwanese Meatballs shop, being run by a third generation since its founding 71 years ago. Notably, its signature Yanpo Plum Meatball includes a sour plum juice added to the meatball sauce, helping to reduce oiliness. This recipe, carefully created 71 years ago, offers a delicate, smooth and chewy texture, thanks to the use of hind-leg pork meat and fresh bamboo shoots. Located at the same address on SanMin Street for over 30 years, Old Place Beef Noodles still slow-cooks beef soup over the afternoon break, ensuring its fresh delicious flavors. The stuffed dumplings here are also fresh-made (NT$4/each, frozen NT$3/each).

The 50 Years Noodle Shop is a traditional noodle eatery that started out selling simple steamed minced pork with pickles rice, before adding five more rice dishes. Its signature meal set (NT$70) entree is a traditional non-greasy sausage with slight a Kaoliang liquor flavor, mixed with some Chinese herbs and tender red-sauce pork with natural coloring, plus three side dishes, soup and seasonal vegetables fried with orange daylilies for some appealing added color, crispiness and flavor.

One well-known local souvenir sought by Taiwanese is a Wuri-Chenggong rail ticket, believed to bring good school grades. Other similar examples include a Zhuifen-Chenggong ticket for good exam results, and a Dadu-Chenggong ticket, favored by newlyweds. Yet another Wuri historic site is the Ju-kui-ju Western building, hidden on an alley and built by the wealthy Chen family in early 20th century. This striking mansion uses traditional Chinese construction materials to create a European-inspired style unique to Taiwan. Its impressive looking circular corridor columns and traditional red-brick walls exude a unique oriental ambiance, creating a blend of Chinese and Western styles.

Convenient Wuri transportation: A "WDL" (Wuri-Dadu-Longjing) shuttle bus operates on Saturdays/Sundays in July and August, providing convenient to weekend fun. For schedule, go to Taichung Tourism website: http://www.twleya.com.tw/2014bus/e1.html

Fun Wuri places:
Wuri Brewery
1, GuangHua St, Wuri Dist.
(04) 2338-1216
9 am-5 pm

Yanpo Taiwanese Meatballs
161, SanMin St, Wuri Dist.
(04) 2337-2060，0928-984474
6:40 am-1 pm
(closed Chinese New Year holiday)

Old Place Beef Noodles
93, SanMin St, Wuri Dist.
(04) 2337-1608
11 am-2 pm，4:30-7:30 pm
(Announces specific days off each month.)

50 Years Noodles Shop
564-2, JhoongHua Rd, Wuri Dist.
(04) 2336-6129，0928-986496
11 am-10 pm (closed Sun. and Chinese New Year holiday)

Chenggong Train Station
(04) 2337-1986

Ju-kui-ju
36, Lane 405, XueTian Rd, Wuri Dist.