Rainbow Village
📍 Address: No. 25, Lane 56, Chun’an Road, Nantun District, Taichung City 408, Taiwan
When it comes to must-visit photo spots for Taichung tourism, Rainbow Village immediately comes to mind. Amidst an area dominated by modern white high-rise apartments, this village stands out like a scene from a fairytale, enveloped in vibrant murals of red, yellow, and blue. Its cheerful, heartwarming illustrations are incredibly photogenic from any angle, possessing a magical power to naturally bring smiles to visitors’ faces.
The charm of this village extends far beyond being just an ‘Instagrammable spot.’ In fact, it was originally an old residential area known as a ‘military dependents’ village’ (眷村, juàncūn), where former soldiers and their families who immigrated from mainland China after the war resided. Around 2010, when the aging village was scheduled for demolition due to redevelopment, Huang Yung-fu (黃永阜), a former soldier living there at the time, suddenly began painting murals on the walls and ground. His vibrant art, depicting people, animals, and auspicious phrases, quickly garnered attention. As more tourists flocked to the site, the Taichung City government decided to preserve it. The miraculous story of one elderly man’s passion saving the village from demolition imbues this art with profound warmth and historical significance.
Following the unfortunate incident in 2022 where some murals were painted over, and the passing of the ‘Rainbow Grandpa’ who lived a full life beyond 100 years, Rainbow Village has been fully restored and is now open to the public once more (closed Mondays; open Tuesdays-Sundays, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The village now features a mix of the original ‘Original Preservation Zone,’ which retains the powerful hand-drawn style of Grandpa Huang, and the ‘Citizen Co-creation Zone,’ displaying new artworks created by local citizens and children involved in the restoration. The entire village feels invigorated with ‘new life,’ creating a unique art space that truly touches the hearts of its visitors.
Essential Tips for Making the Most of Rainbow Village
Although it’s called a ‘village,’ Rainbow Village is actually a very compact site, about the size of a small park. You can comfortably explore it in about 30 to 40 minutes, even if you take your time snapping photos. Therefore, instead of planning a half-day or longer stay, it’s recommended to quickly incorporate it into your Taichung itinerary as one of several stops.
The best time to visit is right after opening, around ‘9 AM.’ After 10 AM, tour groups on buses start arriving one after another, making the small area very crowded and difficult to take good photos without other visitors in the frame. The soft natural light in the early morning also beautifully enhances the vibrant colors of the murals, making it perfect for portrait photography. Conversely, the time just before closing in the evening (around 4 PM), when the sunlight is a bit gentler, can also be a good time to visit for a more relaxed experience.
For access, it’s common to take a local bus from ‘Xinwuri Station,’ which is adjacent to Taichung HSR (High-Speed Rail) Station, or from the city center. From the city (e.g., around hotels like Moxy Taichung), you might find direct buses like route 56. However, be aware that local buses in Taiwan can sometimes be driven quite aggressively, so it’s important to hold onto handrails securely while on board. The bus stop itself is painted in rainbow colors and is very cute, so your photo session can start the moment you get off! Since bus frequency can be limited, if you want to make the most of your time, consider taking a taxi or a ride-hailing app (like Uber). Alternatively, using Taiwan’s bike-sharing service ‘YouBike’ for a leisurely ride is also a great way to experience local life.
Please note that the cafe and souvenir shops that were once inside the village are currently closed, so it’s best to prepare and bring your own drinks and snacks beforehand. After enjoying Rainbow Village, a classic itinerary for a fulfilling Taichung trip would be to head to Gaomei Wetlands, a famous sunset spot often called ‘Taiwan’s Uyuni Salt Flat,’ or return to the Taichung Station area to indulge in exquisite sweets at ‘Miyahara’.
