Yongquan Park (湧泉公園) @ Taichung City in Taiwan

Now, the good thing about jogging outside when one is overseas is the advantage of chancing upon interesting sights that are absolutely not on our radar! 

At Taichung City, my jog brought me to Yongquan Park (湧泉公園). Coming from Singapore, where there are way too many parks, this one from Taiwan shouldn't surprise me too much.

But it did for a few reasons; one of which was it winning the "2020 Golden A' Design Award in Urban Planning and Urban Design" for meeting the objectives for "environmental sustainability, historical preservation, and community engagement"! 

The 22,672-square-meter park was originally the site for a sugar factory that started operations in 1935. Main building was preserved and restored, where we would pay it a visit shortly.

Another eye popper had to be this above water boardwalk that was in a ring shape. Imagine playing catching with friends where all of you would just run in circles; should be fun, and giddy.

Important timeline on the floor! 

Yes, all in Chinese.

Five-floor observation tower, with industrial looking cladding. The lake that the tower overlooked sat in the centre of the park and its name is Xingquan Lake.

Taiwanese is extremely good in designing photo spots for visitors; using the metal structures, the above was literally a picture surrounded with multiple frames, and the only thing missing is a living person in the middle. 

Notice the birds?! The park was said to "incorporate sophisticated hydrological systems that support sustainable urban ecology through underground tunnel networks and gravel layers, facilitating natural water flow and creating permanent ponds that serve as habitats for water birds and aquatic plants".

A dead bird, I presumed, as it wasn't moving at all. 

I am always a sucker for observation tower but decided to give it a miss as the day was packed with activities, and there were more for me to explore! Furthermore, the tower actually didn't look that tall, and might not be worth the effort. 

More of the multiple frames! 

Guess this place should be quite popular with those going for wedding photoshoots. p.s. it's 8.00 am yet there weren't a lot of exercise-goers in the park. Again, Taiwaneses prefer to exercise at night? 

Picture perfect.

Arrival at the heritage building but it wasn't open for business yet! Such a pity as I so wanted to check out the interior of the "old sugar factory" 

Some history about the area and the factory. While I do read Chinese characters, I am lazy, and it worsens when they are the traditional Chinese characters.

Cafe within the building; would be nice to sit in the cafe that supposedly overlooked the lake. Imagine sipping a cup of coffee, while enjoying the view in front. Relaxing indeed.

Close proximity to Taichung Railway station, which was just about 200-400 meters away, depending on where you were at the park. Just realized that the rescue buoy is in pink, not red! 

You know what's even closer to Yongquan Park?

LaLaport Taichung! Literally next to the park. 

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Address

Leye Rd, East District, 

Taichung City, Taiwan

Map

As above.

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)