Changhua is embraced by mountains to the east, south and north, with the peak of Baguashan towering above them all and the Taiwan Strait to the west. The resulting warm climate and moderate rainfall provide an ideal environment for farming, earning Changhua the nickname of "Taiwan's granary." The county was originally known as "Banxian," after a local aboriginal tribe. During the Yongzheng period of the Qing dynasty (1678~1735), this region was settled by Chinese immigrants from southern Fujian. The new arrivals congregated in the area of Lugang, where they prospered and multiplied. The name they gave their home was "Changhua," after the phrase "xian-zhang sheng-hua," or "manifestation of the divine."

Over the century later, the old fortifications of Changhua have long disappeared, though many historic sites and temples in the county have survived the years. Visitors to these sites can get a glimpse of the difficult life of those settlers who came to develop the land in those early times.

There are 19 well-known historical sites in Changhua. They include the Changhua Confucius Temple and Lugang Longshan Temple (both grade one sites); the Daodong Academy in Hemei, Chen Family Abode in Maxing, Shengwang Temple, Yuanqing Taoist Temple (grade two sites); and Hushan Temple in Huatan, and Tianhou Temple in Lugang (grade three sites).

Changhua also has a rich tradition of farming, faith and food, with unique varieties in each different township. The three most famous local food specialties are Taiwanese meatballs, braised meat on rice, and the colorfully named cat and mouse noodles (neither are used in this dish!). The best spots to sample these and other local treats are at one of the county's three main night markets, including the Yongle Street and Taiping Street Night Market, Chenling Road Night Market, and Zhonghua Road Night Market.