The first time I went to Shengji New Village, I had no idea what Taichung was about. It was my first real trip exploring the city with my best friend, and we showed up in the evening, right when the lanes filled up.
Tiny shops, snacks everywhere, and a crowd moving slowly because there was too much to look at.
I loved it.
I've come back every year since: once with friends visiting from the UK, once with a friend who'd never been to Taiwan at all. The shops stay small and cute, but the village changes with the hour. At night it's lively with young people walking around through the crowd. During the day, right as the shops are opening, it's slow and easy, and you can actually talk to the people who make the things you're buying.
This guide covers how a forgotten government dorm became one of Taichung's favorite creative spots, what's worth buying and eating, how day and night compare, and where to go next.
It's one of the few places in the city where you'll leave with something you can't find anywhere else.
A (Very) Quick History
Shengji New Village (審計新村), also called Audit Village, started life as a dorm built by the Taiwan Provincial Government for the employees of its auditing office almost half a century ago. When the government restructured, the dorms sat empty for years.
Then the government stepped in.
The old village was revitalized as a base for young entrepreneurs, and artists, makers, and café owners moved into the little houses. Creative markets also pop up here on weekends from time to time. This whole space covers only about half a hectare, which is exactly why everything feels so close together and intimate.
Getting There
Unfortunately, there's no MRT stop close by. The village sits on Lane 368 of Minsheng Road, just north of the National Museum of Fine Arts and a few minutes off the Calligraphy Greenway.
The first time, my best friend and I grabbed YouBikes at the National Museum of Fine Arts and biked over. The second and third times, I took an Uber. A city bus works too, and your EasyCard covers it.
What to See
The local artist shops
Every little house is a different maker's shop: stationery, tiny gifts, prints, and handmade pieces you really won't find in a regular store. Frankly, it's the best place in Taichung to shop for a unique souvenir that isn't a keychain.
Create your own custom patch pouch
I had a little pouch made here too! You can customize other things, like shirts and bags. Pick out the patches you like, arrange them wherever you want, tape them in place, and head to the counter. They'll put it together in about half an hour.
It's one of my favorite things I've bought in Taiwan.
The Bubu Art Café
On my third visit, we went to a café where you can choose the art you want to recreate on a slice of toast, and then they bake it for you!
I picked Van Gogh's Starry Night and… well… let’s say I tried my best. 😅
It’s not a masterpiece (much harder than I thought it would be lol), but it was fun and delicious.
Day vs. Night
By day: The shops are just opening, it’s bright, the lanes are calmer, and it's easier to chat with the makers and take your time. Stalls set up outside as the afternoon goes on, and it gets busier.
By night: Still a great atmosphere, and noticeably more packed than the daytime.
My pick: Go during the day if you want to shop and actually look. Go at night if you want the livelier vibe. If you've got time, do both. It's genuinely two different experiences.
Do you like to shop? Yizhong Street Night Market is where I'd go for streetwear, fun photo booths, and food after dark.
Taichung Experiences You'll Love
Short on time or not sure where to start in Taichung?
I put together a few GetYourGuide tours, from a 3-hour walking tour with a local guide to full-day highlights, so you can skip the planning.
Make a Day Out of It
Come True Coffee 成真咖啡
🍽️ Café | $$ | 📍 No. 370號, Minsheng Rd, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403
On my third visit, we ate here for brunch before walking over, which is a great way to time it for when the shops open. They're known for their soufflé pancakes. Not to mention, they have some unique coffee drinks I never expected.
Museum + Greenway walk
The National Museum of Fine Arts and the Calligraphy Greenway are both a short walk away, so you can turn this into an easy, shady half-day. Park Lane by CMP is nearby too if you want more cafés and shops.
Night market after dark
When I brought my friends visiting from the UK, we visited at night and then headed straight to the Yizhong Street Night Market afterward for some more shops, photobooths, claw machines, and street food.
Want more spots like these? My Taiwan Curated Map has every place I actually love, pinned and ready →
Read more: Miyahara for ice cream and souvenirs, and Yide Mansion for another beautifully restored historic building. Both are a ride away, not walkable.
Final Thoughts
Shengji New Village, although small, has quite a lot to see, eat, and do. From shops that barely change year after year — which is a good thing btw! — to little pop-up stands that local artists create, there's a lot to see and a lot to do and a lot to even buy lol.
Ready to turn this into an actual trip? The planner has the itineraries so you don't have to build one. Plan my Taiwan trip →
Visit Info
VISIT
Daily around 11 am – 7 pm. Individual shops set their own hours
LOCATION
Taiwan Travel Vlog
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