Taichung city occupies a large portion of the Taichung basin. To the north, also in the Taichung basin lies Fengyuan district, the Houli mountain terrace and even further north Miaoli county. The Dadu mountain terrace marks the separating boundry of the 'old city' basin area with the western coastal alluvial plain and Taichung port.

Marking the southern boundry of the city is the Dadu river, across which is Changhua county and the Bagua mountain terrace.

To the east, and of most interest to tourists, is the Central mountain range - a stunning range famous for fantastic scenery that runs from the far north of the island to the very south.