Wedged between the Da’an and Dajia rivers, Houli District is a largely rural area north of Taichung City. It was organised as a township following the Japanese handover of Taiwan in 1945 and is renowned for its colourful flower market and saxophone-making factory.
Things to do in Houli District
Sprawling across an old sugar ranch in Houli District’s west is Lihpao Land, a family-friendly theme park boasting the world’s first roller coaster with a 90-degree drop. Ride the Mine Express and the Wild Flume Adventure before exploring the Enchanted Forest and the Fairytale Village. Lihpao Land is also home to Taiwan’s tallest Ferris wheel, the 120-metre-tall Sky Dream.
If you’re interested in the art of instrument making, don’t miss a visit to the Chang Lien-cheng Saxophone Museum, which is named in honour of a local resident who made the country’s first saxophone from scratch. It led to the development of a thriving saxophone-making industry in Taiwan, which remains one of the largest in the world today. Learn about the life of Chang Lien-cheng and see how saxophones are made or coincide your visit with a performance in the concert hall.
One of Houli District’s most photogenic destinations is the Zhongshe Flower Market, where a variety of colourful flowers are in bloom throughout the year. Wander through the six-hectare gardens and take advantage of the photography backdrop props that range from musical instruments to a giant picture frame.
Getting around Houli District
Houli District is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Taichung City and 20 minutes from Taichung International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Asia. Regular trains connect to the Houli railway station while buses travel throughout the district.