Walk Around the Maple Garden (秋紅谷景觀生態公園)
Fancy a stroll after a play? Want a breath of fresh air after browsing the nearby malls? Maple Garden is a short walk up Henan Road from the National Taichung Theater, adjacent to Chaoma Bus Station. It has a lake with fish, nature trail and quiet overlooking cafe. The garden is recessed from the nearby road to give the impression of a quiet natural oasis amidst the busy city around.
Best visited by day, the nature trail is interesting with lots of English signs, and plenty of room for kids to run around. The nearby coy lake has a surprising range of birds too including egrets, ducks and geese – bring your own bread if you want to feed the ducks and fish. Nighttime brings a romantic ambiance to the place, though you may need a flashlight as interior lighting is remarkably insufficient. Bug spray is a must too as mosquitoes tend to proliferate around this time. Occasional musical performances are given on the cafe balcony from time to time. Entrance into the park is free.
Details
Shezheng North 7 Road and Henan Intersection
臺中市西屯區市政北七路河南路口
Tel: 0970 303 719
Entry fee: Free
Website: https://travel.taichung.gov.tw/zh-tw/Attractions/Intro/818/秋紅谷廣場
Getting There
Coming from Taichung Train Station, walk up Taiwan Boulevard (台灣大道) to the Taichung Railway Station bus stop on the left. Take bus 326 directly up Taiwan Boulevard until you arrive at Maple Garden Bus stop. You will hear the announcement in English. You will pass Sogo department store on the way as well Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store. Several shopping malls are also conveniently situated a few hundred meters up from Shin Kong Mitukoshi (新光三越 台中中港店) and Top City (台中大遠百百貨) malls.
Maple Garden Photo Credit By *嘟嘟嘟* (http://www.flickr.com/photos/enixii/8074062959/) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
References
http://ocuae98wctgp.weebly.com/maple-garden1.html
http://travel.taichung.gov.tw/en-us/Attractions/Intro/851/Maple-Garden