Shopping in Taichung's major districts heats up for the Chinese New Year

Words by Lin Fu-shan
Translated by Sho Huang
Photos provided by each Shopping District and website

All of Taichung's major shopping streets, including JiGuang Street, TianJin Road, Taichung GuanBo Street and YiZhong Street, will be offering Chinese New Year related products and are highlighting all sorts of colorful and yummy items to announce the imminent arrival of the Year of the Horse. In anticipation of the holiday, all of these areas are fully stocked to satisfy every household need.

TianJin Chinese New Year Goods Shopping District

Business Period: Jan. 17-30, Mon.-Thu. (1-11 p.m.); Fri-Sun. (10 a.m.-11 p.m.)
Shopping Area: TianJin Rd., Sec. 2, Taichung City (between DaYa and MeiChuan rds.)
Tel: 0936-333-467
http://0936333467-tianjin2013.blogspot.tw/

The main theme for this particular shopping street during the lunar new year will be "Galloping Jiawu Horse Brings Happiness". TianJin Road Shopping District is also known as Taichung's version of Taipei's super-popular Wufenpu shopping area and local organizers will be holding a special lucky-draw program this year, giving all customers an equal opportunity to win a car or international trips. Most of the special goods featured this year will be food--candy, cookies and snacks--in addition to heavily-discounted, fashionable clothing.

JiGuang St. Chinese New Year Goods District

Business Period: Jan. 10-29 (11 a.m.-11 p.m.)
Shopping Area: JiGuang St., Taichung City
Tel: (04) 2222-8786 (Mr. Lin)

As the end of the lunar year approaches, the usual weekend market at JiGuang Street has been expanded into a Chinese New Year Shopping District, ensuring that it lives up to its widespread reputation as the central Taiwan equivalent to northern Taiwan's renowned DiHua Street when it comes to lunar new year shopping and unsurpassed product variety. In addition to the existing shops and restaurants lining the street, there will be plenty of stalls erected in pedestrian areas, making it a perfect place to shop, savor delicious treats, experience a festive atmosphere, or simply soak up the joy of holiday merriment on each street corner.

Taichung GuangBo St. Chinese New Year Goods Street Shopping District

Business Period: Jan. 17-19 and 24-26
Shopping Area: 835, ChongDe Rd., Sec. 3, Beitun District, Taichung City (intersection of HuanZhong and ChongDe rds.) near No. 2 Parking Lot of Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Tel: (04) 2462-6433 (Ms. Zhuang Huiling)

When it comes to shopping for lunar new year products, Taichung GuangBo Street is one of the first places that comes to local residents' minds, as it has consistently offered great-quality, local-brand merchandise, popularizing many trendy items over the past 14 years. As it prepares for its 15th year, organizers have decided to expand it. During the first six days of the event, throngs of shoppers are expected to flock to join the "Constant Flow of Cars and Horses" activity. A wide selection of items will be available, including specialties from all over Taiwan, snacks, decorative items for the Chinese New Year, and gift sets. Many stalls set up in the community here also carry agricultural products, in a perfect reflection of the close-knit local culture and social structure here.

YiZhong St. Chinese New Year Goods Shopping District

Business Period: Jan. 24-Feb. 9 (8 days before lunar new year eve and the following 9 days afterwards)
Business Hours：10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Shopping Area: YiZhong St. (south to YuCai S. and ZunXian streets, north to YuCai and YuCai N. streets) . Traffic controls are in place for the entire area.
Tel: 0936-333-467 (Mr. Dai A-Can)
http://taiwan0936333467.blogspot.tw

Yizhong Shopping District has been super-popular among the younger shoppers with its cheap, but fashionable, clothing and accessories, making it the equivalent of Ximending in Taipei. This shopping district is also the only place in Taichung where you can still purchase Chinese New Year goods after Chinese New Year's Eve. It's also an excellent place to check out the trendiest outfits and items for the start of the year. Young shoppers' new-year "red envelopes" are sure to support plenty of fun activities here--sampling savory treats, drinks, fun games and new outfits.