Taichung's Top 10 Souvenirs

Words by Industrial Development & Investment Promotion
Committee of Taichung City
Translated by Naomi Lai

Taiwanese are well-known for their love of giving presents. Whether the occasion is a visit to friends and relatives or a world tour, the purchase of a local-specialty souvenir or two is a must! Thanks to its convenient transportation system, beautiful scenery and variety of international performances and events, Taichung city has become a paradise for culture, creativity, shopping and food, and its diversity attracts tourists from all over the world. Yet, what should you buy when visiting Taichung? What are the most popular gifts from Taichung? What should be on a list of Taichung's Top 10 Souvenirs?

In order to further promote many unique local foods, the Industrial Development and Investment Promotion Committee (IDIPC) of Taichung City organized a "Taichung's Top 10 Souvenirs Poll" to decide on Greater Taichung's most representative souvenirs.

This activity invited nine professional judges and the public to vote for the 10 top winners, which are:
Paochuan Food Company--Cheese Filled Mochi
Ning-Bo Aroma House--Golden Bamboo Cake
Taichung City Farmer's Association--First Class Rice Package
Chia Wia Sina Food Company--Milk Suncake
Wani Food Company--Bean Curd
Sun Kuang Food--Champion Pineapple Cake
Wan-Wen Food Processing Company--Marlin Meat Floss Package
Philippe Cafe--Fruit Enzyme Vinegar
Tea & Cake Shop--Husband and Wife Cake
Nagasaki Bakery--Fantasy Castella

There were also 10 other runners-up finishers and five popular choices. All of these souvenirs boast "local character", "high quality flavor", "creative design" and "commercial potential", differentiating them from souvenirs found in other parts of Taiwan. Thus, buying these for your friends and family members back home are guaranteed to provide a satisfactory experience for everyone.

The objectives of this event were to promote products representative of Greater Taichung's local culture and to boost the popularity of these products within Taiwan and around the world via advertising, publicity and exhibitions; to merge Taichung city and county's resources for cultural presentations; to distill the essence of Greater Taichung's local products and increase consumption of these products; to establish marketing channels for the promotion of Taichung as a brand; and to strengthen the vision of making this a "cultural, economic, international" city.

If you still think that Taichung only sells suncakes and pineapple cakes, you need to update your information. You'll have no problems finding the perfect presents for your friends back home, thanks to this wide variety of products. On your next visit, Mayor Jason Hu welcomes you to take a wonderful-tasting, attractively-packaged piece of Taichung's friendliness and culture home with you!