Why we say 'above the night market'
Happy Inn is on the 10th floor of 185 Zhonghua Rd. Sec. 1, Central District, with Zhonghua Night Market right downstairs — take the lift down, step out of the building, and you're already in the market.
With the inn as your centre, the Second Market, Miyahara, the Fourth Credit Cooperative, the Liuchuan Riverside Walk and Taichung Park are all within walking distance, and the Yizhong shopping district is only about 10 minutes away. A whole day of eating and wandering needs no car or scooter — just your feet.
Morning: a traditional brunch at the Second Market
A few minutes' walk brings you to the Second Market — a traditional market in Taichung's Central District and a local favourite for old-school brunch. Noodle stalls, rice dishes and pastry vendors gather here; sleep in, wander over, and start the day with a market brunch.
Afternoon: Miyahara, the Fourth Credit Cooperative and a Liuchuan stroll
For an afternoon dessert, head to Miyahara. This Japanese-era red-brick building, run by the Dawn Cake group, was once an eye clinic and is now one of Taichung's most iconic dessert spots, popular for its ice cream and gifts.
For more ice cream, visit its sister shop, the Fourth Credit Cooperative — an ice parlour set in a former bank building, also within walking distance.
After dessert, walk it off along the Liuchuan Riverside Walk, following the restored waterway — a classic Central District afternoon. If you like green space, Taichung Park is within reach too.
Evening: the night market is just downstairs
Dinner couldn't be simpler: take the lift down to Zhonghua Night Market. This long-established market runs along Zhonghua Road, lined with street-food stalls and old shops — pick as you stroll, and it only gets livelier as the night goes on.
The great advantage of staying upstairs is that you can head back to your room anytime — eat a round, go up to rest, and popping back down for a late-night snack is just a lift ride away.
Late night and winding down: one last stop before bed
Bringing a late-night snack back to the inn is easy too: the lounge has a microwave and a large fridge, plus free ground coffee, sparkling water and tea bags to go with it.
The day in a nutshell: Second Market in the morning → Miyahara or the Fourth Credit Cooperative and the Liuchuan waterfront in the afternoon → Zhonghua Night Market downstairs in the evening → a snack packed up for the room. All on foot — that's a day above the night market.