Changhua is known as “the granary of Taiwan.” Surrounded by mountains to the north, south, and east, the city faces the Taiwan Straits to the west.

The flat and fertile land of Changhua has earned this county a reputation as the breadbasket of Taiwan. Known originally as ‘Banxian,’ this area was one of the first to be developed in Taiwan. During the Qing period, Lugang in Changhua grew to become the main city in central Taiwan, leading to the saying: “first Tainan, second Lugang, third Taipei’s Mengjia (Wanhua) district.”

Today, Changhua invites visitors with an abundance of tourism resources. The Bagua Mountain Range is a rising star on Taiwan’s tourism map, offering a perfect spot for hiking, fitness walks, bicycling, and ecotourism. For cuisine, each region of Changhua serves up unique mouthwatering specialties: Taiwanese meatballs (Changhua and Beidou), mutton stewed with Chinese herbs (Xihu), sweetmeat (Yuanlin), oyster omelets and traditional cakes (Lugang), fried oysters (Wanggong), herbal cuisine (Tianwei), and fire stir-fried noodles (Ershui). Changhua is also a great spot to enjoy a leisurely vacation in the country, with many of the county’s farms open for recreation. The local orchards produce some of Taiwan’s best fruit, including carambola (in Yuanlin Township), litchis (Fenyuan), grapes (Dacun and Xihu), guava (Shetou), and watermelon (Dacheng).

Changhua was settled largely by immigrants from the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. These settlers brought with them their unique customs and culture, evident today in the many colorful historic sites found throughout the county. These include: Changhua’s landmark Baguashan Great Buddha; Longshan Temple, a national historic site known as “Taiwan’s Forbidden City”; Tianhou Temple, a national historic site dedicated to Meizhou’s Mazu; and Baozang Temple, Qingshui Temple, and Hushan Temple. All open a fascinating window to Taiwan’s history.

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