small cute house with a scooter and a helmet in the front with red lanterns and typical writings in Lukang's old street in Taiwan

Lukang won us over with its rich history and unique charm. In this blog, you’ll find out why it deserves a spot on your Taiwan itinerary. We’ve rounded up our favorite sights, places to eat, and everything else you need to make the most of your visit.

red bicycle in front of a blue typical house with plants in Lukang's old street in Taiwan — **HOW MANY DAYS |**
1 - 2
**BEST TIME TO VISIT |** spring & autumn
**WHERE TO STAY |**
Wenzhang Youth Hostel
**TOP THINGS TO SEE |**
Lungshan Temple, Old Street, Gentleman Alley
**HOW TO GET AROUND |** walking, bus & taxi

What truly stole our hearts in Lukang was its authenticity—it’s a city with charm and character. The beauty of its temples, especially one that we now call the most stunning we’ve seen in Taiwan, left us in awe. We arrived with little expectations, but were completely captivated by its unique atmosphere and undeniable appeal. It might seem like just an old street and a few temples at first glance, but there’s an special essence about this city that you can only feel when you’re there.

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HOW MANY DAYS FOR LUKANG?

While you can visit Lukang as a day trip from Taichung, it makes for a long and rushed experience. We recommend staying at least one night to fully soak in the charm of the city and enjoy it without the crowds of day tourists. For a more relaxed experience, one full day (two nights) is ideal to explore everything at your own pace.

WHEN TO VISIT LUKANG?

IIt’s possible to visit Lukang year-round, but summer is hot and rainy, and winter can get chilly and windy. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, especially during March, April, October, and November, when the weather is most comfortable.

Spring (Mar–May): With temperatures ranging from 18–27°C (64–81°F), spring brings pleasant weather with occasional showers. It’s a great time to wander Lukang’s historic streets and temples without the summer heat. The blooming flowers add a lovely charm to the city.

Summer (Jun–Aug): Hot and humid, summer sees temperatures climbing to 27–34°C (81–93°F), with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. While it’s a vibrant time with lively festivals and local culture, you’ll need to prepare for the heat and humidity.

Autumn (Sep–Nov): Autumn offers ideal weather for relaxed exploration, with comfortable temperatures between 22–30°C (72–86°F). The dry and mild conditions make it perfect for enjoying Lukang’s authentic charm and outdoor attractions.

Winter (Dec–Feb): Winter is a quieter season with cool temperatures around 14–22°C (57–72°F). It’s an excellent time to explore without crowds, though occasional winds can make it feel colder, so layering up is a good idea.

HOW TO GET TO LUKANG?

If you're coming from Taipei, the easiest option is to take Ubus 1652 from Taipei Bus Station. The journey takes about 3 hours, and tickets cost NT$395, which you can purchase directly at the station.

Traveling from Taichung? You can take bus 9018 from Taichung Railway Station (East Station), which takes around 1.5 hours. Alternatively, take a local train to Changhua, then switch to a bus heading to Lukang. Use Google Maps or Bus+ (iOS/Android) to check schedules and connections for the most convenient route.

READ | 11 Must-Do Activities in Taipei for First-Time Visitors

HOW TO GET AROUND LUKANG?

Walking is the best way to explore Lukang’s charming streets and historic sites. For destinations outside the city center, you can conveniently use public buses and pay with your EasyCard or book a taxi through Uber for a hassle-free ride. We didn’t miss a thing while sightseeing thanks to our eSIM. It kept us online, so we could easily find the best landmarks, activities, and cafes while exploring.

WHERE TO STAY IN LUKANG?

We stayed at a hostel right in front of Lungshan Temple and absolutely loved it. The location offered an amazing view in the evening, and we were able to visit the temple before the crowds arrived. The hostel is modern and offers private rooms for 1 to 4 people, including a few with their own bathroom. Definitely worth checking out for a comfortable and convenient stay.

BUDGET | Wenzhang Youth Hostel

COMFORT | Lukang Holiday Hostel features nice, standard hotel rooms with AC, private bathroom and a TV close to the Old Street of Lukang.

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TEMPLES IN LUKANG

MUST-VISIT

Lungshan Temple

To us, this temple became our all-time favorite in Taiwan. Its intricate carvings and vibrant decorations make it a truly awe-inspiring place to visit. There's also a small garden in the back with turtles, fish, and a fountain waterfall, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

The temple is beautifully designed, facing west with its back to the east. Its square layout includes four layers and three gardens, inspired by Longshan Temple in Quanzhou. Once home to 99 doors, it’s a masterpiece with stunning carvings and colorful paintings at every turn. Known as the "Treasure of Chinese Architectural Art," the attention to detail is incredible. At the entrance, granite dragon poles showcase powerful, elegant designs with ascending and descending dragons.

OPEN | 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

TIP | Visit it in the morning before the tourist buses arrive for a peaceful experience, and make sure to return in the evening to admire its beauty illuminated by night lights.

Mazu Temple

The Lukang Mazu Temple, dating back to the 1600s, is the city’s most famous attraction and one of Taiwan’s oldest Mazu temples. Renowned for its intricate carvings, it serves as a vibrant cultural hub, with frequent processions happening throughout the year. Surrounding the temple, you’ll find an array of restaurants and street food stalls, offering a perfect blend of heritage and local flavors.

OPEN | 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Wenwu Temple

The Wenwu Temple is unique because it combines the Wu Temple, Wen Shrine, and Wenkai Academy into one magnificent complex. It was built in 1812, it was designed as a place to inspire young people in loyalty, learning, and martial arts.

The Wen Shrine honors Wenchang Dijun, the god of literature, while the Wu Temple is dedicated to Guansheng Dijun, the god of war. The two temples stand side by side, separated by just one wall.

OPEN | 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Temple Etiquette

We put together this guide to share key Taiwanese temple etiquette tips and help you better understand the significance of these sacred places. Take a look to learn what to expect, how to dress appropriately, and what to look for during your visit.

READ | Taiwan Temples: A Guide to Etiquette, Symbolism & Architecture

WORTH CONSIDERING…

Glass Matsu Temple (Husheng)

We really have mixed feelings about this temple and do not think it is a must-see. Yes, probably this is the only glass temple you will see in your life and it is very pretty to admire it in the evening to see the lights of the temple change. During the weekends, the temple is open until 9:00 p.m. so this is the best days to visit in the dark. We think it might not be worth it, if you only visit it during the day.

Inside the complex, there’s a glass shop and museum, which felt a bit odd and outdated to us. Behind the temple lies an abandoned garden with crumbling buildings, adding to the overall strange and slightly eerie atmosphere.

OPEN | 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m

Sanqing Sanyuan Shell Temple 三清三元宮貝殼廟

This temple is entirely decorated with seashells, which we found really unique and fascinating. Although it’s quite small and a bit out of the way, it’s worth a visit if you’re curious about something truly unusual.

Inside, the main shrine is quite dark, filled with incense smoke. To the left, a staircase leads you down a hall adorned with more seashell decorations. From here, things start to feel a bit strange. You exit into an old, dusty shop selling seashell art, some of it broken and forgotten. Continuing on, you pass through a series of aquariums and what looks like an abandoned fish farm with remnants of a restaurant—it’s hard to tell if they ever operated or if they’ve just been left for decades.

Between the odd surroundings, you’ll come across large artificial ponds filled with kois, giant turtles and even crocodiles. Finally, you’ll arrive at a beautifully decorated and peaceful seashell garden, offering a serene end to this quirky and surreal experience.

OPEN | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Night Lights at Husheng Glass Temple in Lukang

LUKANG OLD TOWN

Lukang Old Street

Today, Butuo Street, with its narrow lanes and red-brick tiles, is the heart of the area's "old street" experience. The alleys are full of charming old shops, historic homes, ancient temples, and beautiful architecture that take you back in time. One notable feature is the Lukang Shigandang, a stone tablet in a red brick wall, once believed to protect against evil spirits.

A short walk south takes you to the historic Heqi Mansion, once home to many scholars. Nearby is the famous Jiuqu Lane, a narrow, winding path built to block strong winds. The lane leads to Shiyilou, a gathering spot for poets, artists, and scholars. Each place feels like it holds stories of the past, full of creativity and tradition.

EAT | Flour tea (miancha) and phoenix eye cookies

Gentleman Alley

This narrow passageway in Lukang is famous not just for its quirky name, but also for the local legend behind it. The alley is so tight that, back in the day, it was said a gentleman could accidentally brush up against a woman while passing—hence the name. Today, it’s more of a fun photo stop and conversation starter, but still a charming example of Lukang’s playful history and compact urban layout.

Museum of History

The museum is housed in a traditional Japanese-style wooden building that once served as the residence of the Lukang mayor during the Japanese colonial era.

The exhibits are limited but include a few interesting artifacts, but he house itself is beautifully preserved.

OPEN | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sven from TheRealTraveler at Lukang's temple entrance

Folk Arts Museum

The museum holds an intriguing collection of artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including vintage photos, lacquerware, porcelain, carved stones, embroidery, musical instruments, and more. The building itself is an unusual blend of Asian and Western architectural styles.

OPEN | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed mondays)

Hexing Youth Innovation

The dormitory buildings have been transformed into a row of charming clothing shops and cafés. An elevated walkway offers great views of the street below. When we visited, many stores were closed due to lease contract renovations.

OPEN | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closed mondays)

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WHERE TO EAT IN LUKANG?

Breakfast

MORNI serves Taiwanese and American-style breakfast such as noodles, French Toast, muffins, sandwiches, Taiwanese pancakes, burgers and so on. It is vegetarian and vegan friendly, as almost all their menu can be cooked without meat or eggs. We really enjoyed to have breakfast here and kept coming back every morning.

WHERE | MORNI 莫尼鹿港店/人氣早午餐

PRICE | NT$100 | €3 | US$3

Lunch

For typical Taiwanese vegetarian food with noodle bowls or rice noodles, with mock meat and vegetables. It is very delicious and you can choose the vegetables and mock meat of your preference.

WHERE | 菓蔬輕蒔坊

PRICE | NT$65 - $199 | €2 - €6 | US$2 - $6