On Taichung’s western coast is a vast tidal flatland where the sea intrudes into the land and creates the marshy wetlands of Gaomei. Here you can watch spectacular sunsets over the vast open space, breathe fresh salty air and walk with the sea critters that live in the watery coastline. Its not your usual tropical sunset over a beach with a defined surf. Instead its vast and expansive, its flat and its water logged, muddy and wet.
There are big wind turbines lining the side of the winding road, and its in the eye of the beholder whether you think the wind turbines add or detract to Gaomei Wetlands’ appeal. On the opppsite shore there is a 800m boardwalk through the marshes so you can get up close to the sea environment without trampling on the mud or destroying any precious ecosystem.
How to go to Gaomei Wetlands from Taichung City by Bus
To get to Gaomei Wetlands from Taichung City, the most straightforward way is to take the bus 309. The bus stops along 3 places in Gaomei Wetlands before it terminates at Wuci Fishing Port: Gaomei Wetland Shansunlun Road, No. 18 Wind Turbine and No. 9 Wind Turbine. We suggest that you alight at the middle stop, No. 18 Wind Turbine. From here you can cross the blue Gaomei Wetlands bridge to the visitors’ centre and to the boardwalk.
On weekends, you can also catch bus 655 from The Rainbow Village or Xinwuri TRA Station (the Xinwuri station is adjacent to the Taichung HSR). This bus also terminates at the Wuci Fishing Port and stops in front of the visitors’ centre and No. 9 Wind Turbine.
Bus 309 originates from Taichung Station and terminates at Wuci Fishing Port. The bus pass through the main thoroughfare Taiwan Boulevard so you can catch this bus at the 2nd Market bus stop, the National Museum of Natural Science bus stop (near Sogo), Taichung City Hall bus stop or Shinkong Mitsukoshi/Top City Department Stores bus stops. Travel time takes 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic conditions. When we took the bus, it took us 1 hour to reach Gaomei Wetlands but the return journey took only 30 minutes.
Most people go to Gaomei Wetlands to watch the sunset. The overhead sun can be scorching so the best time to visit would be past 4pm. If you happen to arrive earlier or you still find the sun too high or too hot for your liking, or suddenly feel hungry, don’t alight at the wetlands. Instead take the bus all the way to Wuci Fishing Port which is the last stop of the bus and only one bus stop away from Gaomei Wetlands. There is a market selling fresh seafood (but of course), restaurants and lots of shops selling foodstuff. The port is worth a visit if only to pass the time before sunset. When you are ready to head back to Gaomei Wetlands just take the returning bus 309.
One disadvantage of taking bus 309 though is that you will alight along the main road and from here its still a good 30 minute walk to the boardwalk.
Take bus 309 on the opposite side of the road to return to Taichung City. The last bus leaves Wuci Port for Taichung City at 7:30pm during summer (April-September) and 6:30pm during winter. This is a pity actually as we would have liked to linger longer but we have to catch the bus back. Still we were grateful to have been to Gaomei Wetlands and see its unique environment.
Address: Gaomei Wetland Preservation Area, Qingshui District, Taichung, Taiwan
Related:
Our guide to the Public Bus System: