Things to Do in Taichung in December

This private tour whisks you north from Taichung to Taipei's volcanic landscapes, contrasting central Taiwan's urban order with the otherworldly geothermal activity of the north. You will see plumes of sulfurous steam rising from the cracked earth of Beitou Thermal Valley and feel the mineral-rich warmth of hot springs that have drawn visitors for generations. The day ends in the historic riverfront port of Danshui, where seabirds cry above the chatter of the old street market.

This join-in tour starts with a scenic train or van ride from Chiayi up into the misty, high-altitude forests of Alishan National Scenic Area. You will walk among ancient, moss-draped cypress trees, their trunks towering overhead, and breathe the crisp, pine-scented air that fills the mountain trails. The journey usually includes a ride on the narrow-gauge forest railway, its vintage carriages creaking through tunnels of emerald foliage.

This guided experience examines the architectural and social history of central Taichung, from the colonnaded facades of the old city center to the preserved merchant houses, before finishing with hands-on creation of the city's signature pastry. You will feel smooth, sweet bean paste and melted malt sugar between your fingers as you form your own suncake, then taste the warm, flaky result fresh from the oven.

This shared tour from Taichung climbs into the central mountain ranges to visit two of Taiwan's most celebrated natural destinations. At Sun Moon Lake you will see the water's surface, often placid and mirror-like, reflecting the surrounding forested hills, and later, at Qingjing Farm, feel the cool, grassy upland breeze while sheep graze on rolling slopes.

Departing directly from Taichung, this join-in tour involves a longer but scenic journey south and east into the heart of the Alishan mountain range. The reward is immersion in gargantuan, ancient tree roots, whispering bamboo groves, and the quiet, profound stillness of a forest that has endured for centuries. You will hear the rhythmic sound of the Alishan Forest Railway, a relic of a bygone forestry era, echoing against valley walls.

This extensive private tour sweeps you from Taichung down Taiwan's culturally rich western corridor and tropical southern tip. Over three days you will hear the clamor of night markets in Tainan, see glittering lights reflecting off the Love River in Kaohsiung, and feel steady, warm ocean winds along the beaches of Kenting. It is a journey defined by sensory contrasts, from the historic temple incense of one city to the salty spray of the next.