Taichung West District is one of the smaller districts in Taichung City. Many Government offices and the former City Hall are located in the area. The district is home to cultural centres, museums and dining establishments which will delight all travellers to this petite pocket of Taichung City.
West District is famed for its museums, the perfect place to begin a tour is at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. Contemporary artwork and sculptures from Taiwanese artists are showcased both inside and outside the museum. The building and outdoor parks cover a total of 102,000 square metres with plenty of space to discover some of the best creativity in the country. This popular museum attracts more than one million visitors each year. A short walk away is the National Museum of Natural Science. This interactive gem is a real people pleaser. Although this museum is located on the cusp of North District it is easily accessible via the Calligraphy Greenway. The museum is divided into several venues which include a Science Centre, Global Environment Hall, Human Cultures Hall and even a Space IMAX Theatre. The museum has space dedicated to volcanoes and earthquakes depicting scenes from the country’s own disaster. Should visitors wish to discover more about these subjects, a visit to the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan should be added to the itinerary. This national museum is dedicated to the 7.3 earthquake which struck the country in 1999. The Government preserved many of the structural remains, along with educational materials to remind residents to prepare for the future, just in case. The museum can be reached by car in around 25 minutes from West District.
Getting around Taichung City is easy. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance. Alternatively, local bus services operate throughout the city. Taichung Central Rail Station is a 30 minutes’ walk from the National Museum of Fine Arts, or scooter hire is a popular way for the fearless to travel around the city and outlying areas. Taichung Airport operates domestic flights, and Taipei can be reached by air in 40 minutes. Air services to Japan, China, Vietnam and South Korea are also available.
West District is a mixture of historic sites ranging from temple halls to modern museums. It has much to offer the visitor in the way of culture. The area is known for its delicious, exotic cuisine which attracts many foreign tourists. The large department store SOGO is located to the north and is the ideal place to indulge in some retail therapy.