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Often lumped with Chiayi County (嘉義縣), the city of Chiayi (嘉義市) is independent of the surrounding region. A pristine hub in southern Taiwan’s remote countryside, Chiayi City has two named mountains. The highest and most prominent peak is Hongmaopishan (紅毛埤山) measuring 161 meters (528 ft).
Chiayi City is a landlocked city within a surrounding county. Chiayi County holds colossal peaks to the east, tapering in size towards the flatlands in the west. Yunlin County (雲林縣) sits north of Chiayi County, while Tainan City (臺南市) is in the south.
In a city of 6,000 ha (14,826 ac), the area is small, and the terrain is mostly flat. The Jianan Plain (嘉南平原) lies north of the city, affecting the city's landscape. The tallest hill is only 161 meters (528 ft), and Chiayi City's second peak, Shanzidingshan (山子頂山), is 147 meters (482 ft). Lantan Lake (蘭潭水庫), Chiayi's scenic pond, rests next to its two peaks.
Climate-wise, Chiayi City enjoys a humid subtropical climate of hot summers and mild winters. Summertime averages 91°F (33°C) while winter days are a warm 73°F (23°C). Chiayi County can get frosty in the mountains, especially on Yushan (玉山), Taiwan's tallest peak. But Chiayi City's location and low-lying terrain encourage a warm climate.
While independent of Chiayi County, Chiayi City is considered the gateway to Alishan National Forest (阿里山國家森林遊樂區) and Yushan National Park (玉山國家公園), both top attractions in Taiwan. It's easier to access these popular parks from Chiayi's well-connected hub. The iconic Alishan Forest Railway runs from Chiayi Train Station into the hilly woodlands.
Thus, Taiwan's mountainous backcountry lies to Chiayi City's east. To the west is the Budai Port (布袋港) on the shores of the Taiwan Strait. To the north is the Jianan Plain, while the Bazhang River (八掌溪) flows to the south, the boundary between Chiayi and Tainan City.
Chiayi City lies among Chiayi County’s plains, where the hills begin to escalate in scale and height towards the east. Thus, Chiayi City’s peaks are the last two hills extending from inner Chiayi County.
Chiayi City’s two hills belong to the Alishan Range’s (阿里山山脈) western extension. The Yushan Range (玉山山脈) lies close to the Alishan Range, but Alishan’s hills are gentler and less steep than the Yushan Range’s signature colossal peaks.
Hongmaopishan and Shanzidingshan’s hills are pretty shallow as they lie on Alishan’s boundary, the last two hills on the westward branch. Their rock strata belong to the Pleistocene epoch, comprising six double layers of silt, sandstone, and shale.
Otherwise known as the Peach City, Chiayi City received its nickname from its abundant peach groves that bloom in late winter. In Chiayi City’s Botanical Garden (嘉義市植物園), a mix of broadleaf and coniferous trees thrive. These include Taiwan fir, Chinese mahogany, Brazil rubber, and blackboard trees.
The ecology near Chiayi City’s hills is mainly aquatic plants due to its proximity to Lantan Lake. The main plant species are knotweeds, water ferns, and arrowheads. Acacia forests dominate the hilly forests’ ecology.
The earliest inhabitants of Chiayi City were the Hoanya people. Han Chinese settlers began to descend from Taiwan’s populated northern cities to the remote and secluded south. Here, they set up farms with ample, fertile land.
During the Qing Dynasty’s reign, the government established a seat in Chiayi City to represent Taiwan’s southern region. During this time, Chiayi City received urban efforts, such as the construction of city walls and appointed government buildings.
As Chiayi City was the urban base for Alishan loggers, the Hinoki Village (檜意森活村) is a well-preserved residence of past Japanese workers. The Japanese-inspired homes were constructed from Hinoki, timber from Alishan’s forests, to create a community village. It is now a well-known tourist attraction in Chiayi City.
The most favorable hiking trails and areas in and around Chiayi City are:
Chiayi’s residents love hiking the paths of Lantan Back Mountain Trail, especially on weekends. One of the most scenic spots in Chiayi City and Taiwan, Lantan Lake is a peaceful pool of paradise located in Chiayi’s eastern outskirts.
The 4.5 km (3 mi) course winds the low-lying hills of Hongmaopishan and Shanzidingshan along a gentle gradient. The mostly leafy bamboo forest obscures prospects, but you can admire the gorgeous view of Lantan Lake reflecting the blue heavens in the clearings.
Known for its avid birdlife, keep your eyes peeled for warblers perched in the trees. Taiwan blue magpies, brown-headed thrush, and bald eagles are some common bird species spotted in Chiayi’s hills. The shrilling birdsong is a beautiful sound that echoes in the damp, dark forest.
Frogs and crabs are also some welcome visitors to the trail, based on its lakeside location. Enter the acacia woods on the rolling, shallow peaks and look out for views of Chiayi County’s mountains escalating in size towards the mammoth Yushan.
Covering 8.6 ha (21 ac) of land, Chiayi Botanical Garden is a lush environment where tropical trees thrive amongst a mix of experimental conifer groves. Towering forests line the paths that trace the emerald groves. A perfect spot for forest bathing, inhale the fresh and wooded aroma released from the flourishing woodlands.
You’ll feel the climate lower in this cool, refreshing garden of leafy arboreals of 355 plant species. The park also holds wildlife as turtles swim in the pond. In springtime, witness the beautiful flowering plants of wild ginger, jasmine, lilies and moon peach. A haven for nature-lovers, feel your mood lift in the bountiful botanical garden.
The luscious 25 ha (62 ha) Beixianghu Park (北香湖公園) sits in Chiayi’s East District’s northern area. Known for its large pond, Beixiang Lake, the park also has leafy foliage from the lychee and cherry blossom groves.
Chiayi City government usually illuminates the lake area during holidays, like Lunar New Year, Halloween and Christmas. At night time, Chinese lanterns suspended above water glow in a rainbow of colors reflected off the lake’s surface. It is a most spectacular sight to witness.
Locals frequent the park for exercise, running along the extensive maze-like paths, while some enjoy simply strolling amongst nature. Uncover the ornate temples hidden amongst the luscious greenery, and if you’re lucky, you may encounter some roaming park geese.
Another scenic spot, the Renyitan Reservoir (仁義潭水庫), lies outside Chiayi City in Chiayi County. Hiking and biking trails venture through the woodlands, from where stunning views of the dam can be admired en route.
A hazy fog descends over the lake in the morning, a stirring sight to encounter. Sunrise and sunset are breathtaking over the calm still water as the sky turns warm shades of gold and amber. Renyitan Reservoir’s setting is wonderfully peaceful as quietness fills the air, a stark contrast to Chiayi City’s honking traffic.
Although technically in Tainan City, Guanziling Hot Spring (關子嶺溫泉) is closer to Chiayi City. To access the hillside thermal bath, you first need to reach Chiayi City and then head into the mountains from there.
One of Taiwan's famous hot springs that rose to prominence during the Japanese Occupation Era, Guanziling Hot Springs's minerals are salt, sulfur, and mud. Thus, Guanziling is known as the 'mud hot spring'. With a spring temperature of around 167°F (75°C), guests love the warmth of the water in the crisp, misty mountains.
Once you've finished soaking in your mud bath, explore Guanziling's pristine area of many trails. Head to the magnificent Hongye Park situated on Bailushan's (白鷺山) hillside. Also known as Autumn Leaves Park, the maple foliage transforms into a golden honey color, decorating the trees and the forest floor.
Climb up the Haohan Slope for picturesque views over Guanziling. You can view the surrounding hills of Dadongshan (大凍山), Zhentou Shan (枕頭山), Hutou Shan (虎頭山), and Jilongshan (雞籠山).
As Chiayi City is rather small, the area is divided into two zones: the East District (東區) and West District (西區). Base yourself in one of these neighborhoods, as you can access the whole city from wherever you’re are.
The area closer to nature, Chiayi City's East District houses most of the town's green spaces, like Chiayi Park (嘉義公園), Chiayi Botanical Gardens, and the picturesque Lantan Lake. It holds fascinating attractions and historical relics, too.
Head to the 62 meters (203 ft) high Sun Shooting Tower (嘉義市忠烈祠) for sublime views over Chiayi City. Situated in the leafy Chiayi Park, this bronzed aluminum column draws inspiration from Alishan's giant trees. In particular, it resembles Alishan's sacred tree cracked center as the structure has a 40-meter (131 ft) linear hollow down the middle. Visitors take an elevator to the top floor for sweeping views of the city and beyond.
Once Alishan's timber arrived in low-lying Chiayi City, these logs were stored at the Hinoki Village until transported elsewhere. This center was also the home of Japanese loggers, who constructed wooden lodges with Alishan's hinoki and cypress cuts. The Chiayi City authorities have preserved these historical buildings in pristine condition. Today, locals and tourists can marvel at the beautifully crafted community.
Another of Chiayi City's highly sought-after places is Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park (阿里山森林鐵路車庫園區). Storing old steam-engine locomotives that once traveled into Alishan's forests, guests can marvel at these great machines from a time gone by. Other vessels displayed at this outdoor museum are diesel trains, railcars, and freight cars. Train enthusiasts will have a field day. To others, the Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park is an exciting exhibition of old-school transportation.
The cultured side of Chiayi, the West District is a center of culinary street food and creative arts. The more refined side of Chiayi, the West District will leave you with an understanding of the city’s identity through its handcrafted artisanal designs.
You can’t visit Taiwan without visiting a night market. In different cities, night markets offer a range of specialty foods native to that area. Wenhua Road Night Market (文化路夜市) bright lights attract locals and tourists to its jam-packed alley of food vendors. Some Chiayi dishes to sample are turkey rice, beef offal soup, and fish head casserole. For dessert, try the soya milk tofu pudding or the starfruit juice. Once you’ve finished tasting your way around the night market, you can admire the nearby Chenghuang Temple with its grand gate behind a string of ruby Chinese lanterns.
A relic of the city, Chiayi Art Museum (嘉義市立美術館) operates in an old tobacco and wine factory. A building of glass, modern structures and historical architecture, Chiayi Art Museum’s architecture is as renowned as its iconic art collections. Displaying local Taiwanese art, the Chiayi Art Museum’s exhibitions educate the public on Chiayi’s collective spirit and 20th-century identity in southern Taiwan.
Finally, another enriching pursuit in Chiayi City’s West District is the Cultural and Creative Industries Park (嘉義文創園區). Like the Chiayi Art Museum, this creative space of 21 buildings once was a brewery and wine distillery. While vague in title, the Cultural and Creative Industries Park is a charming marketplace filled with tea stores, art galleries, and curiosity shops. Walk the steel pipe interiors of factory days long gone to a fresh coat of local talent.
Take the Taiwan local express train (TRA) from Taiwan's major cities to Chiayi City. The Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) stops in Chiayi County’s Taibao City. To reach Chiayi City, you’ll have to board the THSR bus and alight at Ziyou Youai stop in Chiayi City.
Alternatively, you may want to hire a car or scooter from the nearest city. The drive from Tainan City to Chiayi City is 70 km (43 miles).
Explore Chiayi City with the PeakVisor 3D Map and identify its summits.
