taiwanfun
From our archives, Compass Magazine, Feb. 2002
By Tammy Huang Translated by Elliot Bilings
Looking for an oasis outside of the bustling city? Take Taichung Kang Road up the hill in the direction of Wu Chi. After passing Tunghai University, turn right onto Dung Da (Tung Ta) Road. Then, follow Du Huei Yuan (Tu Hui Yuan) Road. Here, the air becomes fresher, the landscape becomes greener and there are kites of various colors dancing in the sky.
Upon entering the Taichung Metropolitan Park, one sees a sculpture that looks shockingly like an unexploded missile that might have been left over from the Second World War. It is actually a sundial, representing the theme of the park, sprouting upward like a seed to meet the sun and serving as the marker of the park’s center.
Forming a semi-circle around the park’s center is a man-made lake. From the minnows leisurely swimming in the water to the weeping willow trees on either side, one could almost believe that it was all natural. It is a beautiful place for picture-taking.
Walking further along, one comes to a crescent-shaped walkway that provides a great place to look at the moon. There are also signs along the side introducing the various types of insects found in the park.
Continue along the walkway and you’ll come to my favorite place for looking at the stars. Here, in the darkest part of the park, there is a large, convex sky chart set into the ground. After dark, the blue sphere is lit up with a fiber-optic image of the sky that you can use to find the current position of any star or constellation relative to the dates printed on the outer rim of the chart.
The park is place where local citizens can not only relax in the fresh air, but also learn a bit about the environment as well. Because of its excellent climate and geography, it has become a nesting area for birds and is one of the best places to see fireflies. If you want to cover more ground, rent a bicycle outside the main gate. Both mountain bikes and tandem bicycles are available. Just leave your ID card and a NT$500 deposit. The fee depends on the time of rental and type of bicycle but is usually around NT$50 per hour.
If you want to eat, there is a cafe inside the park and outside the gate there is an area with food stalls. If you’re looking for something else to do in the area, visit nearby Tunghai University, Providence University, and the Taichung Fish Market.
Hours of Operation
Indoor Facilities: 9 am to 5 pm
Central Grounds: 6 am to 9 pm
Scenic Viewing Area: 6 am to 6 pm
For more information, call (04) 2461-2483, or visit Taichung Metropolitan Park online at http://210.69.204.20/tmpp/index.htm
Getting There:
1. From Taichung city, take Xi Tuen (Hsi Tun) Road in the direction of Tunghai University, then follow the signs once you reach Dung Da (Tung Ta) Road.
2. From outside of Taichung, take the expressway to the Taichung Kang Road interchange then head towards Tunghai University. From there, make a right onto Dung Da Road, and then a left onto Xi Tuen Road.
3. From the Chung-Chang expressway, get off at the Xi Tuen Road interchange.
Bus Directions:
1. Take Taichung Bus Company (green) #22
2. Jen-you Bus Company (orange) #38 has stops at the Taichung Railway Station, Science Museum, SOGO and Mitsukoshi department stores, Tunghai University and the Metro Park.
During weekends and holidays, buses run every 20 to 30 minutes. Buses depart from Taichung Station from 8 am to 5:10 pm. Buses depart from the Metropolitan Park from 9 am to 6:30 pm.
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