台中市

Why this place

Taichung has the best climate on the island — sunny and mild — and it is the city where bubble tea was invented. Its National Museum of Natural Science is one of the best in Asia, and the nearby mountains hold some of the island's best scenery.

What to see

• The National Museum of Natural Science, and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
• The Rainbow Village and the old Japanese-era districts of the city centre
• The Gaomei Wetlands, with its sunset boardwalk
• The Central Cross-Island Highway into the mountains, and Wuling Farm

What to eat

• Bubble tea, invented here — and the original shops are still going
• Taichung's 'suncake' pastries, and the local 'taichung' noodle dishes
• The Fengjia night market, one of the largest on the island

Best time

October–April