Established as a trade harbour on a branch of the Zhuoshui River, Beidou Township sprawls across an alluvial plain in Changhua County. It’s particularly famed for its ba-wan, a savoury Taiwanese street food made from sweet potato and stuffed with pork, bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms.
Things to do in Beidou Township
One of Beidou Township’s most important architectural landmarks is the Dian’an Temple, which was originally established around the turn of the 17th century in honour of the sea goddess, Mazu. It is unique in that it features a market in its rear hall, which was added to help fund the temple’s reconstruction following the 1999 Jiji earthquake. In addition to its ornate design, the Dian’an Temple is notable for enshrining several Mazu figures dating from the Qing Dynasty.
You can stretch your legs along the waterfront trails of Beidou Riverside Park, which is lined with beautiful willows and flowering mahogany trees. Benches and pavilions dot the trails while several uniquely designed bridges connect the river’s banks. Beidou Riverside Park extends between Rotary Park and Heart Plaza to create an extensive recreational space in the heart of the township.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to the Love Play Color Creative Museum, which offers a variety of fun classes and workshops designed specifically for young visitors. Join a guided tour of their paint and colour galleries or participate in one of the DIY activities using water-based, non-toxic pigments. Paints, pigments and colouring accessories can also be purchased to take home.
Getting around Beidou Township
Beidou Township is around an hour’s drive from the centre of Taichung City and 45 minutes from Taichung International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Asia. Buses travel to Beidou Township and connect most of its attractions.