Taichung Park, established in 1903, has a history of over a century and remains one of the most iconic landmarks of Taichung City. It serves as a shared haven for both residents and visitors. Inside the park are an artificial lake, elegant pavilions and bridges, lush greenery, and shaded groves. Facilities include an open-air music stage, children’s playground, and tennis courts, making it a versatile destination for family outings, romantic dates, or simple strolls and exercise. Its central location ensures convenient access, allowing people to enjoy a natural oasis without traveling to mountains or valleys. This convenience has made Taichung Park one of the most popular family destinations on weekends and holidays.
For many Taichung locals, the park carries childhood memories: rowing boats at the pavilion on the lake or cooling off under large trees, it has long been a warm gathering place for families and an important space for emotional connections. For visitors from outside the city, Taichung Park is not only Taiwan’s very first century-old public park but also a site that blends natural beauty, history, and culture. After strolling through the park, one can easily head to nearby stations or night markets to enjoy food and shopping.
The most representative landmark within the park is the Lake Pavilion, built in 1908 to commemorate the completion of the north-south railway line. When Imperial Prince Kan’in-no-miya Kotohito of Japan stayed overnight here, the pavilion quickly rose to fame and has symbolized Taichung since the Japanese colonial period. In 1999, the Lake Pavilion and the nearby Zhongshan Bridge were designated as municipal historic sites.
Another historic site within the park is Wangyue Pavilion, constructed in 1889. It is a surviving remnant of the old North Gate, originally built when Liu Ming-chuan, Governor of Taiwan under the Qing Dynasty, designated Taichung as the provincial capital. Over time, most of the old city gates were destroyed, leaving Wangyue Pavilion as the sole surviving structure. The pavilion once held a historic plaque inscribed with “Qu Zou Ying Shen” (Melody Played to Welcome the Deities), written by Magistrate Huang Cheng-yi. The current plaque is a reproduction, while the original is preserved at the Niumatou Archaeological Site Cultural Park.
Additionally, the park contains a Genglou (Watchtower Gatehouse), originally the front gate of the Wu Luanchi residence. When the mansion was demolished, the Taichung city government relocated the gatehouse to the park for preservation. As such, this rare example of a traditional Chinese-style gate tower continues to survive, making it one of the park’s unique features.
