Fresh explorations of Taichung's coastline

Words and photos by Allen Huang
Translated by Anna Yang

Most local residents and many visitors are very familiar with the popular scenic sites of Taichung's coastal area, including Taichung Port, Gaomei Wetlands, and Taichung City Seaport Art Center. Yet, there are actually many more fresh places to visit, as the city has in recent years initiated projects to promote coastal tourism. Below are some of the destinations offering you reasons to visit, or revisit, this enjoyable side of the city.

Three Recommended Sites of Aofeng Mountain
100, AoHai Rd, Qingshui Dist.

Aofeng Mountain is an attractive hill in Qingshui District covering a total of 60 hectares. Thanks to its excellent leisure facilities and recreational areas, it has become is a must-see for tourists and families during the holidays. Recreational and physical work-out facilities for kids include the "Space Wormhole" and "spider-shaped playground", providing a place where families with children get to spend quality time together and get active during weekends.

A rock-climbing area here features double layers of safety cushions on the ground, adding a safety factor for children and adults alike, and the Aofeng Sports Park is great for biking, with bike lanes leading toward a park observation point--another ideal way to get some exercise and sunshine.

Aofeng Observation Point: Beautiful evening coastal vistas
WuZuo Rd, Qingshui Dist.

This panoramic look-out spot is a popular tourist stop-off along the coast. The best place is the summit here which, weather conditions permitting, gives you clear views of Taichung Port and Gaomei Wetlands. The 45-meter-long observation area includes a six-meter-tall crescent-shaped platform, attractively decorated with white and natural wood. Favorite times to visit include sunsets and evenings when, as it gets darker, you can also enjoy the starry skies overhead.

Aofeng Jade Bridge: An ideal date destination
38-2, WuZuo Rd, Qingshui Dist.

This circular-shaped bridge is beneath the Aofeng Park observation point. For visitors walking on the green, steel bridge over a river, it's a bit like strolling on a a curving piece of jade--considered source of good fortune and riches according to traditional "fengshui" beliefs. Although it doesn't equal the observation point's elevation, romantic couples walking here can still enjoy nice views overlooking Qingshui and other night scenes while surrounded by the mountain.

Besides the hilly areas of Aofeng Mountain, there are is Qingshui's tasty local cuisine (noted below), plus a wide variety of other enjoyable and scenic attractions, including temple hiking trails, the post-earthquake Qingshui Monument in memory of mid-Taiwan earthquake on April 21, 1935, Niumatou historic cultural park, Shibu look-out area, kite park, Hutou hiking trails, and Qingshui "haunted cave". All these sites make further walks and explorations into the history of Aofeng Mountain and Qingshui a very worthy way to spend a day.

Top Qingshui dining spots

Ah-Tsai Mi Gao (Glutinous Rice Cakes)
105, ShiNing Rd, Qingshui Dist.
Hours: 10 am-7 pm (/closed Mon)

When one discusses delicious Qingshui eateries, Ah-Tsai Mi Gao is arguably the most representative place for local cuisine. "Mi gao" glutinous rice cakes here are prepared with premium glutinous rice and a sweet-and-salty sauce, and cooked with slices of pork belly on top, generating tremendously tasty aromas and flavors and putting this place on local foodies' maps.

Ah-Wen Ba Wan: A century-old local meatball dumpling eatery
Hours: 10, BeiNing St, Qingshui Dist.
11 am-6 pm or until sold out (daily fresh-made, limited products)

Recommended dishes: "Ba Wan" meatball dumplings (NT$35), Fish Ball Soup (NT$30), Fish Paste Soup (NT$35)

Ah-Wen Ba Wan is a famous eatery opposite Zi Yun Yan Temple. Its sliced pork and bamboo shoot ingredients are fresh and the meatball dumplings are made daily in limited quantities. If you're looking for traditional flavors, this is a must-try restaurant.

The Painted Township in Meiren, Shalu District

This is a perfect new spot for photo-taking and Facebook check-ins. Walking through this painted town is like taking a time machine back through old memories. Meiren township is located in an alleyway across from Kuang Tien General Hospital and is made up of rebuilt old houses on HsinPing Alley that have transformed this neighborhood into a picture-taking paradise.

For many Taiwanese visitors, the painted township is filled with images from childhood. When one walks into HsinPing Alley the narrow sidewalk, bordered by grey walls and red-brick old houses, feels like a scene from the 1950s. The wall paintings here also have nostalgic themes, portraying sights from the past like cheongsam dress shops, grocery stores, fruit stands, and also whimsical scenes of children hiding from the cops, all designed to help take viewers on a sentimental journey back in time.

Lishuei Fishing Harbor: Greek-style inspiration and magnificent sunsets at a new coastal landmark
27-28, ShanGang Rd, Lishuei Township, Longjing Dist.

Situated on the southern Taichung coastline, right next to a thermal power plan and the Dadu Creek nature bird reserve, Lishuei Fishing Harbor is one of the city's six harbors. While it has long drawn visitors as a sunset biking spot, a newer Greek-style look-out platform is expected to attract even more tourists. This means that one can consider a day of bicycling followed by some beautiful sunset enjoymeat.

The viewing platform isn't large, but the path above the creek leads to the sea and the views along the way are fantastic. A great angle for photos is with the Greek-style blue windows and architecture in the background, a scene similar to Hsinchu's fishing harbor, and ideal for those who adore nice ocean views and an exotic tropical ambiance. Although there aren't other tourists sites near Lishuei Fishing Harbor, taking the expressway is also an efficient way to visit the Taichung coastline and all that it offers.