In recent years, Taichung City has steadily emerged as a top travel destination for international visitors, with Taichung International Airport becoming a major gateway for travelers entering Taiwan. In response, the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau has been actively expanding the airport’s international route network, offering an increasingly diverse range of destinations. At present, there are 27 routes either in operation or under planning, including 17 scheduled routes and 10 non-scheduled routes for charter flights. These routes connect to most visited countries and regions such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Next year, the city plans to introduce a new scheduled route “Taichung－Miyako Shimojishima,” as well as charter flights “Taichung－Chiang Mai” and “Taichung－Dalat.”
Director Chen Mei-hsiu of the Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that, to stabilize and expand the international tourism market, the city government has been actively strengthening exchanges and collaborations with Japan and South Korea. In the second half of this year, the bureau collaborated with Tigerair Taiwan to invite seven Korean influencers to experience Taichung firsthand. It also joined forces with Taichung International Airport and the Nantou County Tourism Office to host Yoshiki Obata, President and Representative Director of Takamatsu Airport, along with Norio Yokozeki, Executive Director and Deputy Director of Kagawa Prefecture, as well as several Japanese media representatives and influencers visiting Central Taiwan. These initiatives not only showcased the diverse natural landscapes, cultural assets, and leisure tourism appeal of Central Taiwan, but also deepened Japanese and Korean travelers’ understanding of and interest in Taichung and its surrounding areas—further advancing the two-way development of air routes and tourism.
Director Chen added that the Japanese delegates, media representatives, and influencers experienced firsthand Taichung’s diverse and distinctive tourism highlights. Their itinerary included the restored Liuchuan Riverside Walk—hailed as “Taichung’s Cheonggyecheon,” the century-old Second Market, as well as renowned mountain-area attractions such as the Xinshe Castle, Princess Annie’s Garden, and Baileng Canal—“Mother Water of Xinshe,” which supplies both drinking water and irrigation for the region with its siphon system. They also tried Taichung’s signature cuisine, including Shanhe Braised Pork Rice, Like Tea Shop’s Black Tea, and the Michelin Plate–recommended Roast Duck restaurant, which has been recognized for two consecutive years. These experiences offered them a vivid sense of the city’s lifestyle and culinary appeal.
According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, Taichung’s pleasant climate makes it an ideal destination for Japanese and Korean visitors, especially during the winter season. Xinshe, for example, is known for its natural beauty—lush forests and sweeping flower fields that offer distinct scenery throughout the year. The area not only boasts abundant tourism resources and specialty agricultural products but also blends art, culture, and slow-living experiences, creating a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. The ongoing Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival features the Cartoon Network series The Powerpuff Girls as this year’s theme, integrating floral art with animated creativity. The event also incorporates local agritourism, specialty agricultural product markets, and various exhibitions, showcasing the region’s spirit of innovation and sustainability.
The Tourism and Travel Bureau added that, in preparation for the 2025 Taichung Christmas Carnival, the city government has begun festive decorations throughout Taichung, infusing the city with a romantic holiday atmosphere. Together with the convenient Japan–Korea–Taichung flight network at Taichung International Airport, the city sincerely welcomes travelers from around the world to spend the winter in Taichung. Visitors are invited to enjoy the city’s diverse culinary offerings and unique urban charm, take in the natural and cultural landscapes spanning the mountains, coast, urban districts, and townships, and fully immerse in the joyful spirit of international events and winter festivities.