5 Great Souvenirs You Should Buy in Taichung

Ask any Taiwanese person what they want you to bring back from your trip to Taichung, and they will scream ‘Suncakes!’ Yes, it’s the most popular thing you can buy in Taichung (aside from pearl milk tea but who’s taking that on a plane?) but don’t assume that it’s some bland, tasteless cake that people buy simply because it’s the done thing. Suncake is a flaky pastry with a sweet maltose filling but lately, bakeries have been getting quite creative with their fillings, and you can now find a wide variety of flavors. There are dozens of bakeries throughout the city, but perhaps the most famous is Chia Wia Sina. Expect to see long queues at the front door though as this place is incredibly popular. Their Milk SunCake (yes, it’s a thing) was recently voted one of the best souvenirs to take home from Taichung.

Fengyuan in Taichung was once the center of all things lacquer here in Taiwan. In fact, at one point it was said that 99% of the country’s lacquerwares were made in the area. Today, you’ll find that it’s home to the Fengyuan Lacquer Art Museum which is a great place to learn about the history of lacquer art during the Japanese colonial period. It’s also the best place to pick up a locally made piece of lacquerware. From chopsticks to bowls, there are plenty of brightly colored pieces to choose from, and they’re the ideal souvenir for your living room.

Many people laugh at the notion that Taiwan can produce high-quality wines but that’s simply down to a lack of wine-producing history. However, that is all about to change as Waipu winemakers Shu Sheng have won international acclaim for their products. Started back in 2000 by a local farmer and a winemaker, the vineyard is slowly gaining recognition as one of the best producers of wine in Asia, with their wines winning many awards across the globe.