Changhua Car Rental Guide: Pick Up at Taichung HSR or Taichung Station, Then Drive to Lukang, Baguashan & Wanggong

Changhua Car Rental Guide: Pick Up at Taichung HSR or Taichung Station, Then Drive to Lukang, Baguashan & Wanggong

If you are planning a Changhua (彰化) road trip, start with one practical fact: GoodCars has no branch inside Changhua County. The two nearest pickup points are in Taichung: HSR Taichung Station (高鐵台中站, in Wuri District) and our Taichung Railway Station branch (台中火車站店). The HSR station sits right on the Taichung–Changhua border, so after pickup you are roughly 20–30 minutes from the Baguashan Great Buddha and 30–45 minutes from Lukang. This guide covers which pickup point to choose, real drive times from each one, the five Changhua sights worth driving to, and a one-day and two-day plan. For more on picking up at the HSR station, see our Taichung HSR car rental guide.

The Changhua Roundhouse, the city's best-known railway landmark (Unsplash, location tagged as Changhua Roundhouse)

No branch in Changhua: where do I pick up the car?

Changhua's sights are spread across three areas: Changhua City in the east (Baguashan, the Roundhouse), the coast (Lukang, Fangyuan and Wanggong), and southern Changhua around Tianwei. Getting between them by bus takes transfers and patience, so a car is what makes a Changhua day trip work. The plan is simple: pick up in Taichung and drive south into Changhua. Choose based on how you arrive:

• By high-speed rail (HSR): get off at HSR Taichung Station. Be careful: the HSR line also has a separate HSR Changhua Station (高鐵彰化站, in Tianzhong Township). GoodCars has no pickup point there, so buy your ticket to Taichung.
• By conventional train (TRA): get off at Taichung Station (臺中車站). The Taichung Railway Station branch is about a 4–5 minute walk away (Google Maps: about 250 m along Jianguo Rd).
• Already in Changhua City: take a northbound TRA train from Changhua Station to Xinwuri Station (新烏日), then walk through the connecting corridor to HSR Taichung Station (2F, Exit 3) and pick up there. Check TRA timetables for trains.
• Flying into Taichung Airport (RMQ): you can also pick up at our Taichung Airport location; see the Taichung Airport pickup guide.

HSR Taichung Station or Taichung Railway Station: which is better for Changhua?

For HSR Taichung Station, GoodCars' official instructions say staff drive the car to a designated parking lot and you walk there to pick it up, and at return you leave the key in the car and staff lock it remotely. Which lot to go to is given in your booking confirmation. If this is your first self-service rental, read the self-service pickup and return guide. For the railway station branch, see Taichung Train Station car rental.

Drive times from Taichung to Changhua's main sights

We checked these routes on Google Maps from both pickup points. The search was done late on a Friday night with light traffic, so the lower figure is Google's fastest route and the upper figure adds about 30% for daytime and weekend traffic. Routes on the national freeways incur ETC tolls.

The takeaway: every Changhua sight is about 10–15 minutes closer from HSR Taichung Station. The HSR station is in Wuri, right next to Changhua, while the railway station branch is in downtown Taichung. The two pickup points are about 20–25 minutes apart by car.

Source: Google Maps driving directions (origins: HSR Taichung Station and No. 157, Jianguo Rd, Central District, Taichung), checked on Friday evening, 25 September 2026. Tip: type the Chinese names into your navigation app for the most reliable results.

5 Changhua sights worth the drive

Here is what each place is, how to enjoy it, and how long it takes to get there from your pickup point.

Baguashan Great Buddha Scenic Area: the best view over Changhua City

The Baguashan Great Buddha (八卦山大佛) was completed in 1961 and stands about 22 meters tall, making it Changhua City's best-known landmark (Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration). Behind the Buddha hall you can join the Baguashan Skywalk (八卦山天空步道): about 1 km long, up to 16 m above the ground and mostly 6–7 m high through the treetops. It runs from the park beside the Buddha to the Changhua Living Art Center and takes about 30 minutes (Changhua County tourism website). The scenic area has several parking lots, so it is easy to visit by car.

• Navigate to: 八卦山大佛風景區 (No. 31, Wenquan Rd, Changhua City)
• From HSR Taichung Station: about 20–30 min

Looking over Changhua City from Baguashan in the late afternoon (Unsplash, location tagged as Baguashan, Changhua City)

Changhua Roundhouse: Taiwan's last working fan-shaped engine shed

According to Taiwan Railway, the Changhua locomotive shed was built in 1922 and is the only fan-shaped roundhouse left in Taiwan. It is still in daily use for running, servicing and dispatching locomotives. The tracks fan out from a central turntable that turns engines into their bays, but the turntable only moves when operations need it, not as a show, so seeing it in action is a matter of luck.

• Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday 13:00–16:00; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00–16:00; closed on Mondays (Taiwan Railway and Changhua County tourism website; check official notices before you go)
• Visiting: individuals and groups of fewer than 10 can walk in without applying; groups of 10 or more can apply for a guided tour
• Address: No. 1, Sec. 1, Zhangmei Rd, Changhua City (彰美路一段1號) | about 10 min (2.4–2.9 km) by car from the Great Buddha

Lukang Old Street and Lukang Mazu Temple: half a day on foot

Lukang Old Street (鹿港老街) refers to Yaolin Street and Putou Street, where winding red-brick lanes are lined with restored old shophouses and some stretches turn at right angles several times in a row (Taiwan Tourism Administration). Nearby, Lukang Mazu Temple (鹿港天后宮, No. 430, Zhongshan Rd) dates back to around 1591 and is the only temple in Taiwan that enshrines the original Mazu statue from the Meizhou ancestral temple (Taiwan Tourism Administration). Add Lukang Longshan Temple and you have an easy half-day walk.

• Parking: the lanes are too narrow to drive through. Park in a paid lot on the edge of the old town and walk in. Weekends around lunchtime are the busiest, so arrive early for an easier space.
• From HSR Taichung Station: about 30–45 min | From the Great Buddha: about 30–40 min

Red lanterns over the streets of Lukang; the old town is best explored on foot (Unsplash, location tagged as Lukang, Changhua)

Wanggong Fishing Harbor and Fangyuan Lighthouse: sunset on the coast

Wanggong Fishing Harbor (王功漁港, No. 900, Yugang Rd, Fangyuan Township) has two landmarks: the octagonal Fangyuan Lighthouse (芳苑燈塔), painted in black-and-white vertical stripes, and the 97.5 m Wanggong Ecological Landscape Bridge over the Hougang River. The arched 王者之弓橋 ("King's Bow" bridge) on the south side of the harbor mouth is the sunset spot, and the tidal flats are home to mudskippers and fiddler crabs (Changhua County tourism website).

• Getting there: about 20–30 min from Lukang Mazu Temple via Provincial Highway 61; about 45–65 min directly from HSR Taichung Station
• Sunset time: it changes daily, so check the Central Weather Administration's sunrise/sunset times and arrive about 30 minutes early
• Wind: the coast is windy, especially during the autumn and winter northeast monsoon. Hold the car door firmly when opening it and bring a windproof jacket.

Fangyuan Lighthouse at Wanggong Fishing Harbor, easy to spot by its stripes (Unsplash, location tagged as Wanggong Fishing Port, Fangyuan Township)

Tianwei Highway Garden: at its best in autumn and winter

Tianwei Highway Garden (田尾公路花園) spans Tianwei and Yongjing townships, with more than 140 nurseries and garden shops along Gongyuan Rd, Minsheng Rd and Minzu Rd. Near the main entrance you can rent three-wheeled tandem bikes or e-bikes, so you can park the car and explore on two (or three) wheels (Changhua County tourism website). As for timing: the county tourism site says farmers light the chrysanthemum fields from October to December to control blooming, turning the fields bright at night, and the Taiwan Tourism Administration lists December to February as the garden's main flower season, so autumn 2026 through early 2027 is a good time to go.

• Navigate to: 田尾公路花園 (around No. 156, Sec. 1, Minzu Rd, Tianwei Township)
• From HSR Taichung Station: about 35–50 min. Tianwei is close to HSR Changhua Station, but GoodCars has no pickup point there, so drive down from HSR Taichung.

How to plan it: one day or two days

One day: city + coast (weekend version)

1. Morning: pick up at HSR Taichung Station → Changhua Roundhouse (about 20–30 min; opens 10:00 on weekends)
2. Roundhouse → Baguashan Great Buddha (about 10 min), walk part of the Skywalk
3. Baguashan → Lukang (about 30–40 min) for lunch, the old street and Mazu Temple
4. Lukang → Wanggong Fishing Harbor (about 20–30 min) for sunset
5. Wanggong → return the car at HSR Taichung Station (about 50–65 min)

Weekday version: the Roundhouse only opens at 13:00 from Tuesday to Friday and is closed on Mondays. On weekdays, do Baguashan in the morning and Lukang at lunch, and move the Roundhouse to the afternoon or the next day.

Two days: add Tianwei

• Day 1 (city + Lukang): pick up at HSR Taichung Station → Roundhouse and Great Buddha → Lukang Old Street; stay overnight in Lukang or Changhua City.
• Day 2 (coast + gardens): Lukang → Wanggong Fishing Harbor (about 20–30 min) → Tianwei Highway Garden (about 45–60 min) → return at HSR Taichung Station (about 40–50 min). If you want the Wanggong sunset, end Day 1 at Wanggong instead.

To continue to Nantou after Changhua, see the Sun Moon Lake self-drive guide, which also starts from HSR Taichung. For an extra day in Taichung, see 5 Taichung self-drive routes. Heading further south? You can pick up at HSR Taichung Station and drop off at HSR Chiayi or HSR Tainan Station, where GoodCars also has locations. One-way rentals are available (choose "Drop car off at different location" on the booking page), and the fee varies by pickup and return location, so check the live quote on our website; see one-way car rental in Taiwan for the rules.

Drive times: Google Maps, checked on Friday evening, 25 September 2026, with extra time added for daytime traffic.

Farmland like this lines the roads toward the coast and southern Changhua (Unsplash, location tagged as Dacheng Township, Changhua)

Driving tips for Changhua

• Parking: park outside Lukang's old town and walk in; the Great Buddha scenic area has several parking lots; elsewhere, follow the signs. For curb colors and how to pay for street parking, see parking in Taiwan.
• Tolls: from Taichung, Google often routes you via National Freeway 1 or 3, or Provincial Highways 74 and 61. Freeway driving incurs ETC tolls, which are settled separately according to GoodCars' rules; see the Taiwan ETC toll guide.
• Returning after sunset: Wanggong to Taichung takes about 50–65 minutes. HSR Taichung Station accepts returns until 23:55, which gives you more room; at the Taichung Railway Station branch, online-bookable return times end at 21:00, so if you need to return later, call the branch in advance (+886-4-2201-0077) and we'll arrange it.
• Coastal weather: Wanggong and Fangyuan are windy with strong sun. Bring a windproof layer in autumn and winter, and sun protection in summer.

What you pay: rental fee + mileage fee, with a fuel card

Renting in Taichung for a Changhua trip comes down to two charges: the rental fee and the mileage fee.

• Rental fee: depends on the car and dates (weekday, weekend and holiday rates differ). Live prices for both Taichung locations are on the booking page.
• Mileage fee: you pay for the kilometers you drive, and there is no cap on distance, so covering the city and the coast in one day is no problem.
• Fuel card: every car comes with a dedicated fuel card. When you need fuel, pay with that card. You do not pay for fuel yourself (it is built into the mileage fee), and there is no need to top up before returning the car.
• Paid for fuel yourself by mistake? Keep the receipt; it can be fully deducted from your mileage fee.
• Tolls: freeway ETC tolls are settled separately according to GoodCars' rules.

For how the mileage fee works, see the mileage fee page. For typical prices by car type and when to book, see how much car rental costs in Taiwan.

Choosing a car: for two to four people on mostly flat roads, a five-seater such as a Vios or Yaris is plenty and easy to park around Lukang. For five or more people or lots of luggage, choose a 7–9 seater. See our 5-seater and 7–9 seater pages; what is available at each Taichung location on your dates is shown on the booking page.

FAQ

Q1. Is there a GoodCars branch in Changhua? Can I pick up at HSR Changhua Station?

Not at the moment. GoodCars has no pickup point anywhere in Changhua County, including HSR Changhua Station. The closest option is HSR Taichung Station, followed by the Taichung Railway Station branch. If you travel by HSR, buy your ticket to Taichung.

Q2. Which Taichung location is better for a Changhua trip?

For a Changhua-focused trip, choose HSR Taichung Station: it is about 10–15 minutes closer to Baguashan, Lukang and Wanggong, and bookable from 00:00 to 23:55. If you arrive at Taichung Station by TRA or are staying in central Taichung, the Taichung Railway Station branch is more convenient.

Q3. I arrive late at night or early in the morning. Can I still pick up?

Yes. HSR Taichung Station is self-service in the station parking lot and bookable 00:00–23:55. The Taichung Railway Station branch can be booked online for pickup and return between 09:00 and 21:00; for a pickup outside business hours (21:00–09:00), call the branch in advance (+886-4-2201-0077) and we'll arrange it. Book before you travel, upload your documents and complete payment and the e-contract, then follow your booking confirmation on arrival.

Q4. What documents do foreign visitors need?

Bring your passport and your home-country driving license. Most visitors also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Visitors from Japan can drive with a Japanese license plus an official Chinese translation instead of an IDP, under the Taiwan–Japan reciprocity arrangement. You also need a credit card in the renter's name. You can upload your documents for review as soon as your booking is confirmed. Remember that Taiwan drives on the right.

Q5. Can I see Changhua in one day?

By car, yes: one day is enough for the Roundhouse, Baguashan, Lukang and a Wanggong sunset (see the one-day plan above). If you want to add Tianwei Highway Garden or take things slower, plan two days.

Q6. Do I need to stop for fuel before returning the car?

No. Fuel is already included in the mileage fee. If you need fuel on the road, pay with the fuel card in the car. The tank does not need to be full when you return; just bring the car back on time to the designated lot at HSR Taichung Station or to the Taichung Railway Station branch.

Q7. Can I rent a 7–9 seater for a family trip?

GoodCars has 7–9 seaters in its fleet (see the 7–9 seater page), but each location's fleet is different. The booking page shows which location has larger vehicles on your dates. They are the first to go during long weekends and school holidays, so book early once your group size is set.