Sound cave
Curved walls.
Nico Kaiser — CC BY 2.0 · Wpcpey — CC BY 4.0 · Robert — CC BY 4.0 · reeqhair — CC BY 2.0
An opera house and theatre among Asia's boldest modern buildings, designed by the Japanese architect Toyo Ito and opened in 2016. Its idea is a sound cave: almost no straight walls or columns, just continuous curved surfaces like caves or tubes through which movement and sound flow. From outside it looks like a huge grey box pierced by curving glass openings; inside, corridors, stairs and foyers flow between floors in soft organic shapes, lit by daylight from openings in the roof. On top is a green roof garden with curving paths and views over Taichung's modern towers, and the building holds large and small halls for opera, music and dance, plus a café and a design shop. The public areas and roof garden are free, while performances need tickets. The evening, when the building is lit, is loveliest.
Curved walls.
City views.
On the building.
Xitun District, new downtown Taichung
Yes, the foyers and roof garden are free to visit, and guided tours are sometimes run.