Where to shop in Taichung

Home to green open spaces, trendy cultural quarters, and lively traditional markets, Taichung is so much more than a stepping stone between Taipei and Kaohsiung. Plus, the emergence of new malls and complex spaces in recent years has boosted Taichung’s shopping credentials while allowing the city to retain its unique character.

If you’re planning a weekend trip to Taichung (and given it’s just a two-hour flight from Hong Kong, why wouldn’t you?), here’s how to make the most of its shopping scene while getting a taste of the city’s incredible food, art and culture. 

Shopping malls

Mitsui Shopping Park Lalaport Taichung

Opened last year, this sprawling mall lies just east of the city centre, a 10-minute walk from Taichung Rail Station and the former Taichung Sugar Factory. Light and spacious, it’s divided into two wings. The South Wing comprises nearly 200 well-known brands including Uniqlo, Muji, and Hands. Gigo, a large Japanese game centre, also makes its first foray into Taiwanese culture here. 

Over in the North Wing, you’ll find some additional 260 outlets from the likes of select shop Nano Universe, fashion labels Beams and Tommy Hilfiger, and skincare brand Aesop, providing a diverse range of options to meet your retail needs. Feeling peckish? A range of cuisines are offered at the South Wing food court, from Thai to Indian.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taichung Zhonggang Store

One of Taichung's biggest and best-known department stores , this 17-storey complex is bursting with shopping and dining options. You’ll find everything from cosmetics and jewellery to travel and technology products, as well as big international brands like Lancôme, Balenciaga, Loewe, and North Face. 

When you’ve worked up an appetite, A-Kuan Hot Pot , a Taichung original, offers 12 different soup bases to choose from, alongside an array of fresh ingredients at reasonable prices. Alternatively, GBA Brewery serves hearty Western dishes and quality beers in a lively setting, making it ideal for groups. Be sure to also visit Taiwan's popular SunnyHills bakery , where you can stock up on pineapple and apple cakes for friends and family back home.

Eslite Life 480

Opened late last year, Eslite Life 480 was built with a unique concept in mind: to be “a city art museum”. Sleek and understated, it more closely resembles an art gallery than a mall, surrounded by an outdoor leisure space bursting with native Taiwanese plants. 

Inside, each floor takes on its own unique aesthetic, featuring exhibition rooms alongside various brand experience stories. In addition to a bookstore on the fifth floor, you’ll also find Eslite expo select , showcasing products from over 50 lifestyle brands with a focus on homegrown design and eco-friendly living. 

Be sure to check out the collaboration between fashion brand Su:mi and plant landscape company 5pm Twcaudex , where you’ll find a mix of clothing and plants, as well as coffee and light bites on offer inside a greenhouse-like structure. 

Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Port

Located outside Taichung on the waterfront, this huge outlet is a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Its retail offerings include sports and leisurewear, Japanese fashion, and goods from international brands like Lulu Guinness, Timberland, Vans. Dining-wise, fans of Japanese fare will have plenty of restaurants to choose from, including Momiji Chaya, Tokachi Butadon Ippin, and Tokyo's popular toast shop Ivorish . 

Mitsui Outlet Park also provides hours of family fun with facilities like Snow Town ice playground and Asobi Square amusement park, not to mention the 60-metre-tall Taichung Ferris Wheel, allowing you to take in the beauty of Taichung Port from above.

Creative districts

Audit Village

Originally a dormitory for government workers, Audit Village (also known as Shenji New Village ) has been redeveloped into an art and culture park. With its neat rows of yellow houses, it’s an excellent spot for taking photos. Dessert lovers should make a beeline for Luho Puff , a popular bakery selling pastry puffs in a variety of flavours for only NT$17 (about HK$4) each, with souvenir gift boxes for easy take-away. 

Among the village’s artsy boutiques, we recommend visiting Yushilab , a local art studio whose playful designs highlight Taiwan’s history and culture. There’s also Si Cyuan , a brand from Taichung's Dajia district, which specialises in traditional Taiwanese rush weaving. Browse its range of straw hats, bags, and home goods, and if you’re interested in learning more, consider joining one of the shop’s DIY workshops. 

Park2 Caowu Square

A modern, multifunctional space in Taichung’s West District, Park2 Caowu Square seamlessly blends shops and restaurants with green outdoor spaces. At night, the outdoor plaza transforms into a large urban oasis-style bar, with regular DJ performances.

By day, shoppers and foodies alike will find much to delight in: Misato serves up Instagram-worthy matcha beverages and fresh desserts, and the edgy Coffee and John offers a range of drinks along with branded T-shirts and caps. Meanwhile, large outdoor Taiwanese goods store Rockland stocks top brands like Fjallraven, Mammut, and Chums. 

Markets

Feng Chia Night Market

The most famous of Taichung's night markets, Feng Chia Night Market is also one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan. With its nucleus around Wenhua Road and Fuxing Road, it extends all the way to Fengjia Road and Xian Street. Along its route, you’ll encounter an abundance of snack stalls, clothing shops showcasing the latest Korean and Japanese fashion trends, and electronic gadgets stores offering quality goods at low prices. 

Additionally, this area is home to Fengjia Fun Star , a food, shopping and entertainment complex with stalls selling popular snacks like pork ribs, stir-fried chicken, and mentaiko cheese buns. There’s also a fun game zone that’s worth checking out.

Yizhong Street Night Market

Just north of Taichung Park – a stone’s throw from several Taichung universities – is another must-visit night market. This lively spot is favoured by the city’s younger crowd, with a diverse range of reasonably priced products and street food on sale. 

Alongside stalls touting foodie trends like hand-shaken drinks and egg crepes, you’ll also find older, venerated establishments like Yi Zhong Feng Ren Ice, a shaved ice dessert parlour, and Shang He Yuan Lou Mei, which serves braised meat dishes. The shopping options are just as varied, with accessories, clothing, and sports items all up for grabs.