The Unique & Colorful Art At Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan

The Unique & Colorful Art At Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan
Adelheid Bethanny
Adelheid Bethanny 
Published
| 2 min read

Located in Taichung City is a vibrant and colorful housing complex known as the Rainbow Village. This village is a well-known destination for both domestic and international travelers mainly because of the bright colors and unique drawings on the walls. It is a perfect place for those who love art or who seek to appreciate art. So, what is the Rainbow Village exactly? Read more to find out!

A personalized village

the unique & colorful art at rainbow village, taichung, taiwan | a personalized village

The Rainbow Village in Taichung was originally a housing complex for military families that immigrated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War in mainland China. One of the veterans who lived in this complex, known as Grandpa Huang or Rainbow Grandpa, decided to bring life to his home and started to paint on the walls of the houses in 2008. His actions were not discovered until students from the nearby Ling Tung University discovered his arts and took pictures. Afterwards, Grandpa Huang’s masterpieces invited artists and photographers from all over the nation.

The Rainbow Village’s existence was not without obstacles. The government had established a program to replace the military villages, including the village that was painted by Grandpa Huang. However, Taichung’s government decided to preserve the village since many had petitioned to save it. Thanks to these petitioners, the Rainbow Village is now safe and has turned into a well-known attraction in Taichung.

Small, but colorful

the unique & colorful art at rainbow village, taichung, taiwan | small, but colorful

The Rainbow Village is not exactly a village; so do not expect it to be a big site. The complex comprises about 3-5 houses, and is quite small indeed. However, this place is worth visiting even for just an hour. Walk along the walls and take time to appreciate the works of Grandpa Huang. All the colors and designs were painted by hand with a lot of dedication. As small as it may be, this art site is indeed proof of creativity and passion.

Support Grandpa Huang

the unique & colorful art at rainbow village, taichung, taiwan | support grandpa huang

Aside from taking pictures, travelers have the chance to meet Grandpa Huang himself. Grandpa Huang is usually present at the village during the village, along with a few family members, while promoting some of the souvenirs inspired by his art. T-shirts, pins, mugs, postcards, and many more are available for purchase to support Grandpa Huang. So, be sure to check it out and don’t forget to take a picture with the talented Rainbow Grandpa!

Meet the ‘Rainbow Ironman’

the unique & colorful art at rainbow village, taichung, taiwan | meet the ‘rainbow ironman’

During the visit to Rainbow Village, there is usually a street artist that sings to entertain travelers. However, this street artist is quite different from your usual street artist. Whatever the weather, he is constantly seen in a brightly colored suit, which almost makes him as colorful as the walls, and an Ironman mask. Travelers are welcome to take pictures with him during his breaks; there are colorful ukuleles, wigs, and giant sunglasses for those who want to spice up the photo.

How to get there

how to get there

Taichung’s public transportation system does not yet offer MRT trains like Kaohsiung or Taipei, but they do have a good bus system. To get to the Rainbow Village, travelers can take buses number 27 and 40 from Taichung Train Station to Lin Tung University; fares range around 40 NTD (approximately 1.30 USD). From there, walk straight along Lingdong Road toward the south for about 5 minutes. Taxi is also another option for those who don’t have a lot of time, but the cost would depend on your starting point and would be more expensive than the bus fare.

Embrace the colors!

Rainbow Village is one of the unique attractions in Taichung. It’s a place where travelers can witness the power of human creativity. This place is small in size, but since when does that become an obstacle for a true traveler? Traveling is to discover and embrace stories from many sides of the world, which includes this unique and vibrant village. So, come visit Rainbow Village to discover the colorful stories of Grandpa Huang!

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Beth is a 22-year-old Indonesian student with an insatiable passion for globetrotting. She is currently pursuing Spanish studies at a language university in Taiwan, with graduation expected in...Read more

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