Romantic Destinations

Valentine's Day is upon us once again. Are you stressing out over how to celebrate this special occasion? Why not try something different this year and visit one of Central Taiwan's romantic locations?

By XiaoMeng & Zhou NaiXian & Tsai PeiRong & Uvia Chang Translated by Cara Steenstra

Taiyuan Railway Station
When was the last time you and your darling went for a train ride? Taiyuan Railway Station was established in Taichung two years ago and is situated at the end of Beitun district's DongGuang Road. The Taiwan Railroad Administration has a four-car train that heads north, making stops at Fengyuan, Miaoli, Tzunan, Hsinchu, Taipei and Keelung. Heading south, it stops in Changhua, Yuanlin, Tianzhong, Er Shui, Douliu, Dounan and Chiayi. Take your sweetheart's hand, bring along a small picnic and take a romantic little trip. This will surely add some sweetness to your romance.

Gukeng
Apart from the famous Gukeng Huashan Coffee, there are plenty of cafes and garden restaurants with sea views, scenic cloud vistas and night scenes in Yunlin County's Gukeng, making it a romantic place to visit. In the evenings, one can see the lights from the LiuQing Industrial Zone as well as the JanFuSun ferris wheel. Other places worth visiting are the Huashan Mountain trails, Changhu Scenic Area and the JanFuSun Fancy World amusement park.
Getting There:
By car on National Freeway No. 1
Southbound: Get off at the Dounan highway interchange -> take County Rt. 158, 158B to Yong Guang-> Take County Rt. 210 about 20 km to Huashan
Northbound: Get off at the Da Lin highway interchange->take County Rt. 162 ->take Provincial Highway No.3 to Mei Shan->take County Rt. 149 to about 20 km to Huashan
By car on National Freeway No.3
Southbound: Get off at the Gukeng interchange->take Provincial Highway No.3 to Yong Guang->take County Rt. 210 about 15 km to Huashan
Northbound: Get off at the Meishan interchange->Take County Rt. 162 to Meishan->take County Rt. 149 about 10 km to Huashan

Changhua County Tienwei Highway Park
Enter Tianwei Hsiang (township) along Provincial Highway No.1. A sea of greenery and flowers will appear, so you won't have to worry about not finding your destination. The entire area covers 341 hectares and the road surrounding the park is 4.7-km. long. Take a lesiurely drive around the park and absorb all the scenery. There is a also a bicycle for an even closer to nature experience, as well as over 200 shops and garden restaurants along the way.

Beitun Hou Zhuang Bicycle Path
Take your sweetie for a bicycle ride through the countryside. Bask in the traditional Taiwanese scenic delights of old country homes, pastures, gentle breezes and the scent of grass. Start from the Gu Ye Mushroom Farmhouse Restaurant, ride for 30 minutes, and make stops as you pass through the stone park, farm yards, old houses and cattle cart stations along the way.
Location: Between ZhongChing Road and ChongDe 10th Road, BeiTun District, Taichung City Bicycle rentals available at GuYe Mushroom Farmhouse Restaurant (101, HouZuang 3rd St., Beitun District, Taichung City, closed Mondays)
Tel: (04) 2425-9259

Taichung Metropolitan Park
Since this park's opening in 2000, most facilities are finished and are ready. This green forest park provides 88 hectares of space for different kinds of leisure activities. There are walking trails, bicycle paths, bird life observation zones, waterways and protected forest zones. To the west, you can enjoy sunset scenes; the east provides the night views and the north has good starry skies for a little astronomy.
Location: Taichung city and county border, Dadu Mountain Area. Take TaiZhong Gang Rd., sec. 3, turn right onto YouYuan N. Rd., and connect to DuHuiYuan Road (Metropolitan Park Rd.).

Birdwatching at Changhua County's Fubao and Hanbao Wetlands
Come and visit this mysterious coastal area, which attracts thousands of birds. Permanent residents include the Ruddy-Breasted Crake, the Tawny-Flanked Prinia and the Red Turtle Dove. Seasonal visitors include the Little Tern and the Common Redshank. Local bird lovers have built observation stands so that tourists will not frighten the birds. Visitors with a thirst for knowledge can bring along birdwatching books and a pair of binoculars. For non-enthusiasts, it is enjoyable to just simply watch the birds fly by, seeking food, or to take a brisk walk in the breeze along the waterfront.

The Art Museum Parkway (WuQuan Parkway)
The Art Museum Parkway in front of WuQuan West 4th Street has an eclectic collection of shops, creating an attractive commercial-yet-artistic setting amongst the greenery. On either side of the parkway are different styles of cafes, featuring modern minimalism, European-style garden architecture, and even ancient watermills installed on roofs and grand carriages parked out front. Each cafe tries to outdo the others in style and uniqueness. The romantic, stylish atmosphere gives off an aristocratic European flavor. This place offers a respite from the concrete jungle we live and work in, and is an ideal spot for a romantic date with your Valentine!

JingMing 1st Street
Labeled by some visitors as "Little Paris", JingMing 1st Street appears more enchanting under lamplight in the evenings. Outdoor cafes are filled with people chitchatting and the wafting scent of coffee. An street artist sits in a corner doing black-and-white sketches depicting people with different expressions, adding an exotic air to this romantic street setting. Apart from tea houses and small restaurants, there is also plenty of small boutiques and stylish shops to browse through after a romantic dinner.

Maple Leaf Community
It is certainly rare to get a real breath of fresh air within a cosmopolitan city. The "Maple Leaf Community" is situated in Taichung City's Nantun district. On either side of the canal are two rows of maple trees, releasing a lingering maple scent as one passes by. Every autumn and winter, the beautiful red leaves attract many couples here for their wedding photos. Walking further along, traditional old houses, pottery stores and cafes can be found. Slow your footsteps here and breath in the all-encompassing, simple and relaxed atmosphere.

Gao Mei Wetlands
Situated in Taichung County's CingShui(Chingshui) Township, the Gao Mei Wetlands--Da Jia River's outlet into the sea--is a well-known birdwatching venue. More than a hundred species of birds can be seen in this rare natural habitat. Walk barefoot along the coast during sunset and enjoy the tranquility as you stroll with your loved one in this lovely setting.