Chiayi, Taiwan

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Chiayi, Taiwan

Region: Chiayi City

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Geographic Coordinates: 23.480000, 120.450000

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 251938

Language: Mandarin

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Chiayi is a lively city situated in the southwestern region of Taiwan. It is renowned for its cultural legacy, Breathtaking natural landscapes, And delectable local food. The city is encompassed by stunning mountains and verdant forests, Making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. One of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Chiayi is the Alishan National Scenic Area. This extensive area spans over 140 square kilometers of picturesque mountainous terrain and houses some of Taiwan’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Tourists can take a scenic train ride up to Alishan Mountain to explore ancient temples, Hike through pristine forests, And witness spectacular sunrises over the mountains. Apart from its natural beauty, Chiayi also boasts a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries. The downtown area features numerous historical buildings and landmarks that offer insight into its past as a hub of commerce during the Qing Dynasty era. One such landmark is the Chiayi Old Prison Museum which was previously used as a detention center for political prisoners during Taiwan’s martial law period.

Another significant attraction in Chiayi is the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum which houses more than 700, 000 artifacts from China’s imperial history. Visitors can learn about Chinese culture and history through interactive exhibits. Food lovers will relish exploring Chiayi’s vibrant culinary scene as it offers traditional Taiwanese street food such as braised pork rice (lu rou fan), Oyster omelets (o-a-chien), Stinky tofu (chou doufu), Bubble tea (zhen zhu nai cha) , And more! You can savor these scrumptious delicacies at one of many night markets or local restaurants throughout the city.

experiencing one of its many colorful festivals throughout the year would make your visit to Chiayi complete. One such festival is International Band Festival where musicians and marching bands from around the world compete in a lively parade through the city’s streets. Other festivals include Chiayi City Lantern Festival and Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival. Chiayi is an intriguing destination that caters to everyone’s interests. Whether you are keen on exploring Taiwan’s natural beauty, Learning about its cultural heritage, Or indulging in delicious local cuisine, This vibrant city has it all.

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1. Alishan National Scenic Area
2. Chiayi City Wenhua Road Night Market
3. Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
4. Hinoki Village
5. Chiayi Park
6. Lantan Reservoir Scenic Area
7. Chiayi Municipal Museum
8. Yushan National Park
9. Siraya National Scenic Area
10. Beigang Chao-Tian Temple

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• Agriculture
• Tourism
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Education
• Retail
• Food industry

Chiayi is known for:

• Tea
• Sugar cane
• Fruits

Tourist attractions:

• Alishan National Scenic Area
• Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum

Manufacturing companies:

• Electronics
• Machinery
• Textiles

Healthcare:

• Hospitals
• Medical centers

Education:

• Universities
• Colleges

Retail:

• Shops
• Markets
• Malls

Local delicacies:

• Turkey rice (火雞肉飯)
• Beef noodles (牛肉麵)
• Fish-head soup (魚頭羹)

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Noteable History

1. The Battle of Chiayi: In 1895, during the First Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese army defeated the Qing dynasty forces in a battle that took place in Chiayi.
2. The Wusanto Reservoir disaster: In 1959, Typhoon Vera caused a landslide that blocked the flow of water from the Wusanto Reservoir in Chiayi. This resulted in a massive flood that killed over 100 people and destroyed many homes and buildings.
3. Tsai Ing-wen: The current President of Taiwan was born in Zhongpu Township, Chiayi County.
4. Kuo Hsueh-hu: A famous Taiwanese painter who was born and raised in Chiayi City.
5. Alishan Forest Railway: This scenic railway was built during the Japanese colonial period to transport logs from Alishan to Chiayi Port. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
6. National Chung Cheng University: One of Taiwan’s top universities is located in Minxiong Township, Chiayi County.
7. Hinoki Village: A former logging village that has been transformed into an artsy cultural center with shops and restaurants showcasing local crafts and cuisine.
8. Tropic of Cancer Marker: The Tropic of Cancer runs through southern Taiwan near Dongshi Township, which is part of Greater Chiayi Area.
9. Chi Mei Museum: One of Asia’s largest private museums located at Rende District showcasing Western art collections including paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent Van Gogh, Monet etc.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Chiayi City Art Museum
2. National Palace Museum Southern Branch
3. Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park
4. Chiayi Park
5. Wenhua Road Night Market
6. Hinoki Village
7. Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park
8. Beimen Crystal Church
9. Xingang Fengtian Palace
10. Chiayi Old Prison Museum

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Cultural Events

1. Taiwan Lantern Festival is a major annual festival held in different cities across Taiwan, including Chiayi. Visitors can enjoy traditional lanterns, light displays, performances, and fireworks.
2. Alishan National Scenic Area Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms in Chiayi’s Alishan National Scenic Area. This festival offers visitors scenic views, cultural performances, and local food.
3. Southern Branch of National Palace Museum Opening Ceremony marked an important milestone for Taiwanese culture when it opened in 2015 in Chiayi County. Many dignitaries attended the grand opening ceremony.
4. International Band Festival is an annual event featuring marching bands from around the world who come to compete and showcase their skills on stage.
5. Chiayi City International Kite Festival attracts kite enthusiasts from all over the world who come to show off their kites and participate in competitions at Wenhua Road Park each year.
6. Hakka Tung Blossom Festival celebrates Hakka culture with traditional music performances, dances, food stalls selling Hakka cuisine, and more.
7. Guanziling Hot Spring Festival takes place near Yizhu Township’s Guanziling Hot Spring each year featuring hot spring tours along with cultural activities like folk songs performance.
8. Taiwan Sugar Railways Cultural Heritage Exhibition showcases Taiwans’ sugar railways heritage established during Japanese colonial period (1895-1945).
9. Mountains & Ocean Music Festival is a two-day music fest held every summer at Tsing Hua University campus where visitors can enjoy live music performance by various artists while enjoying the scenic beauty of Chiayi.
10. Chiayi City International Art Festival features local and international artists showcasing their artwork in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, photography among others on an annual basis.

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Cuisine

• Turkey Rice is a well-liked local dish that consists of shredded turkey meat and rice, served with a unique sauce.
• Alishan Tea is one of the most famous teas in Chiayi, which is well-known for its tea plantations.
• Chiayi has several night markets where tourists can try various street foods such as stinky tofu, oyster omelette, grilled squid, and fried chicken.
• Tainan Danzai Noodles are a specialty noodle dish from nearby Tainan that can often be found in Chiayi restaurants.
• Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice) is another local favorite made with braised pork belly served over rice.
• Yimin Temple Vegetarian Buffet serves an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet featuring mock meats, vegetables, and tofu-based dishes.
• Wenhua Road Seafood Market is located near the train station in Chiayi City and offers fresh seafood that can be cooked on-site at one of the many surrounding restaurants.
• Guoqiao Mixian (Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles) originated from Yunnan China but has become a popular dish in Taiwan as well.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Alishan National Scenic Area
2. Hinoki Village
3. Chiayi Park
4. Wenhua Road Night Market
5. Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park
6. Southwest Coast National Scenic Area – Budai Salt Mountain, Black-faced Spoonbill Reserve, and more.
7. Lantan Reservoir Recreation Area – boating, fishing, cycling, and hiking trails.
8. Aogu Wetland Forest Park – bird watching, cycling, and walking trails.
9. Xingang Fengtian Palace – historic temple with beautiful architecture.
10. Chiayi City Historical Relics Museum – showcasing the history of the city through artifacts and exhibits.

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Let The Journey Begin.

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