Chiayi, Taiwan: travel guide
Railway gateway to Alishan with turkey rice and a timber heritage
Located near the foothills of the scenic Alishan mountains, it serves as the gateway to the famous Alishan Forest Railway and boasts a rich railway and cultural history.
About Chiayi
Chiayi is a southern Taiwanese city on the plain below the Alishan mountains, and it is best known as the gateway to the Alishan Forest Railway. Its own railway and forestry heritage gives the city a distinctive character.
The old timber district has restored buildings and railway sites, and the city's food stalls are famous for turkey rice and other local dishes. In the evening the night markets fill with snacks, and the mountain beyond is only a short train ride away.
Chiayi suits travellers heading to Alishan who want to spend a night in a city with local flavour. Autumn and spring offer the clearest mountain views.
- Country
- Taiwan
- Currency
- TWD
- Time zone
- Asia/Taipei
- Nearest airport
- CYI
Last updated
Top places to visit in Chiayi
Chiayi City God Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of southern Taiwan's most revered Chenghuang temples. Main hall from 1715. Famous for deity processions during Ghost Festival.
Chiayi Hinoki Village
Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Preserved Japanese colonial timber-industry village (1914) with cypress-wood dormitories repurposed as cafés, galleries, and craft shops.
Things to do
- Alishan Forest Railway Sunrise Excursion from Chiayi Nature · 12 h · from TWD 810 per person
Where to stay in Chiayi
- Chiayi City Centre about TWD 2,700 per night
Walking distance to Chiayi Station, turkey rice stalls, Hinoki Village, and City God Temple. Best base for catching the Alishan Forest Railway at dawn.
Hotels
- Chateau de Chine Chiayi 5-star · TWD 6,000 to TWD 18,000 per night
Where to eat
- Chiayi Turkey Rice (Zhongshan Road) taiwanese · about TWD 81 per person
Getting to Chiayi
Airport: Chiayi (CYI)
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Taiwan
Frequently asked questions about Chiayi
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Chiayi?
- The highest-rated places in our Chiayi guide are Chiayi City God Temple, Chiayi Hinoki Village.
- Where should I stay in Chiayi?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Chiayi: Chiayi City Centre.
- How do I get around Chiayi?
- Ways to get around Chiayi covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Chiayi?
- The nearest airport to Chiayi has the code CYI.