Rainbow Village – Taichung – a vibrant family attraction

Rainbow Village is one of Taichung’s most charming and emotionally resonant attractions—a burst of colour and creativity born out of the determination of one man. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Nantun District, this small military dependents’ village has been transformed into a vivid wonderland of surreal, whimsical, and heartwarming art. It’s a place where art didn’t just beautify walls—it saved homes, revived a community, and inspired countless visitors.

Highlights	Rainbow Village is a vibrant, mural-filled gem in Taichung saved by one man’s art. A colourful, inspiring tribute to creativity, community, and resilience.
Cost	Free
Location	408, Taiwan, Taichung City, Nantun District

A Backstory That Touches the Heart

The origin of Rainbow Village is as remarkable as the art itself. Once facing demolition, the village was saved by the artistic vision of Huang Yung-Fu, affectionately known as “Rainbow Grandpa.” A former soldier, Huang began painting colourful, dreamlike murals in protest, decorating the walls, doors, and pavements with animals, children, cartoon characters, and bright geometric patterns. His vibrant work caught the public’s attention, and soon, this obscure village transformed into a celebrated symbol of resilience, creativity, and community spirit.

Though Huang sadly passed away in 2024, his legacy lives on through his art and the joyful atmosphere he created. Visiting the village now is as much about celebrating his life and work as it is about appreciating the murals themselves.

The Art and Atmosphere

The murals are childlike and surreal, painted with an untrained but deeply expressive hand. They feel joyful, playful, and alive. There’s something about the use of bold reds, yellows, greens, and blues that makes even the most tired traveller smile. The artwork is filled with messages of love, hope, peace, and animal affection, and the whole space is photo-ready from every angle.

Sadly, around 2022, some of the original murals were vandalised, and the damage was significant enough to require restoration. Instead of simply covering the losses, the local municipality and volunteers worked to keep the spirit alive—layering new community murals over the damaged ones. It’s bittersweet: part of the original work is gone, but the sense of communal effort and homage to Rainbow Grandpa is still strong.

Visiting the Village

We visited as part of a Klook tour, which we’d highly recommend. Rainbow Village isn’t the easiest place to get to on public transport, and a tour made the experience hassle-free. Once there, we found that while the area itself is relatively small and doesn’t require a lot of time to explore, every wall and corner offers a great photo opportunity.

It’s definitely more of a visual experience than a hands-on one—there are no activities or shops beyond a small souvenir stand and café. But for anyone interested in art, photography, or simply absorbing something uniquely Taiwanese, Rainbow Village is well worth the trip.

Family Friendly & Accessible

Kids will love the vibrant artwork and the cartoonish characters splashed across the buildings. There are no steep climbs or difficult terrain, so the village is suitable for strollers and families. It’s also a great place to teach children about the value of creativity, perseverance, and how art can impact the world in a very real way.

Final Thoughts

Rainbow Village is more than just a colourful stop on a tourist itinerary—it’s a story of how one elderly man’s love for his home and a box of paints changed the fate of an entire neighbourhood. While it doesn’t offer much in terms of things to do, what it shows is powerful: the enduring strength of art and the beauty of human resilience.

Whether you’re an art lover, a photographer, a family with kids, or simply someone in need of a bit of brightness in your day, Rainbow Village offers a short but sweet experience that’s unlike any other. Just be sure to visit while the legacy still lives on—because places like this are rare, and their stories deserve to be remembered.

Please support the website by liking the article or subscribing to the mailing list. The review and the experience above are based on my own views. No commission, freebies or payments have been received.

Here are some of my recent articles: