Not many visitors make it out to Wufeng in South Taichung, but there are lots to keep the visitors who do entertained. Here are top five scenic spots to visit.
1. Taiwan Earthquake Museum
On the 21st September 1999, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck central Taiwan, Nantou County resulting in over 1000 deaths. Many of these were school children who died when their school collapsed around them. The 921 Earthquake Museum preserves Guangfu Junior High School in its original state to enforce the memory of those lives lost. Read more. (Photo Credit: lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0, Link)
2. Taiwan Sake (Saki) Factory
Tucked away just south of Wufeng town center, this award winning saki distillery offers the chance to sample some of the best Saki outside of Japan. While it doesn’t offer a tour of the factory itself, the showroom itself feels like a mini museum. A large back wall outlines the sake production process and the staff are happy to explain many of the 1950s distillery machinery that dot the showroom’s interior. There are different bottle sizes ranging in price from $200NT to those priced in the thousands. Wufeng is famous for its fragrant rice which has allowed it to produce some of the best sake in Taiwan. A great place to buy a unique souvenir from Taiwan. Update: Also offered are wine cellar tours, saki tasting sessions and an art and wine exhibition.
3. Asia University Museum of Modern Art
Though originally intended as a way to expose students to the beauty of art in a world dominated by social media, the museum is a worthwhile stopover for art lovers. The angular design by famed architect Tadao Ando creates interesting spaces in which to enjoy the exhibits presented as they are in a complementary mix of light and shadow that give contextual beauty throughout the building. Exhibitions are biannual, and contain works by famous Taiwanese artists. At time of writing, the gallery features works by seven Taiwanese artists who have influenced art in Taiwan under the theme “Aestheticism Awakens.” In sum, the museum’s minimalist design and composite exhibits make this a unique stop on any tour itinerary.
4. Guangfu Military Village
When the Chinese Nationalist Party first came to Taiwan in the late 1940s, many military villages were erected to house the soldiers and their family. Guangfu was one of the few to remain and today has been turned into an esoteric collection of shops, cafes and studios. It’s important to note that this restoration of the village is only a few years old so the site is still a work in progress. Han Ping road bisects the village in two with several artisan studios and coffee shops clustered along it. Elsewhere abandoned military homes are still in fair condition and offer an insight into time long past. Just across Zhong Zheng road you can find more houses closed off to the public but free to roam between. Around 400 cats inhabit the village and many can be found sunning themselves in the side streets not yet taken over by wandering tourists.
5. Wufeng Friday Night Market
Once a week a small section of Wufeng comes to life with fun, snacks and festivity. Snack vendors jostle with trinket hawkers and traditional game stalls to provide a raucous atmosphere. Night markets are as Taiwanese as noodles and it’s the local markets that really add the flavor. Such night markets are a chance for local people to socialize and relax and a great opportunity for the visitor to experience a staple of Taiwanese culture. Not to be missed if you’re in the neighborhood.
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