Wander From Home: Dive into Street Food and Traditional Culture of Chiayi, Taiwan
PUBLISHED August 11th, 2020 05:00 am | UPDATED May 12th, 2023 05:18 am
Located in the plains of southwestern Taiwan, Chiayi City is often known as the gateway to the famous Alishan Mountains. But this charming city has so much more to offer. From cultural villages to the many wonders of nature, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In this edition of Wander From Home, dive into the culture and history of Chiayi through walking tours and documentaries.
Explore Hinoki Village
Originally built during the Japanese rule of Taiwan (1895-1945), Hinoki Village was renovated to become the country’s first cultural forest and village. Within the village, explore the 28 Japanese-style historical wooden buildings, each built entirely out of Taiwanese cypress trees. In this walking tour, check out the Pool Landscape, and stroll around the beautiful gardens while enjoying the scent of cypress. Admire the beautiful Japanese architecture at the Tree-ring Plaza, symbolising the the life cycle of forestry. And don’t forget to stop by the traditional teahouses for a bite and a cup of fragrant tea.
Travel Up Alishan Forest Railway
More than 100 years old, the Alishan Forest Railway is perhaps one of the best ways to explore the mountain range. Originally constructed for logging, the railway has transformed into one of Chiayi’s most famous tourist attractions, featuring 50 tunnels and 77 wooden bridges. If you’re a train enthusiast, you’re in luck. Near Chiayi Station, the Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park features many ‘retired’ trains, from steam trains to diesel locomotives. The best part? Travel up the iconic railway on the original wooden tracks while taking in the diverse natural scenery in this video.
Eat Your Way Through the Night Markets of Chiayi
Taiwan has always been known for its abundance of street food, so what trip would be complete without exploring what the food scene in Chiayi has to offer? From the famous Wenhua Road Night Market to the oldest market in town, East Market, there’s a multitude of mouthwatering dishes on offer. A must try is Fish Head Soup from Smart Fish, with a milky broth chock full of flavour. Another signature Taiwanese comfort food is Chiayi Turkey Rice, braised turkey on plain rice. Remember to leave space to grab soft and silky Tofu Pudding for dessert. For all these dishes and more, catch Street Food: Chiayi on Netflix here.
Admire the Beauty of Lantan Lake
Located at the East end of Chiayi City, Lantan Lake, also known as Orchid Lake, is a major reservoir of the city. Functionalities aside, the lake is also famous for being shaped like a yuan bao (old Chinese metallic currency). A recreational area popular with locals, you’ll see many hanging around just taking in the sights and sounds. In the afternoon, relax at the Sanxin Pavillion and catch the breathtaking sunset. And as the day turns to night, enjoy the colourful fountain show and accompanying musical performances from the middle of the lake. Check out the performance here.
Stroll Through the Tranquil Grounds of Chiayi Park
Take a stroll through Chiayi Park to enjoy the tranquil grounds as well as take in one of the city’s largest green spaces. Spanning a whopping 26.8 hectares, there’s much to see from arches to old trees,, and even historic ruins. In this walking tour, wander into Chiayi Confucian Temple. The symmetrical red-lacquered temple is surrounded by many trees and an intricately designed set of stairs. But if you don’t have time to explore, head to the Sun Shooting Tower. Standing at 62 metres tall, visit the observation deck for a panoramic view of the city.
Catch the Sunrise at Alishan Mountain
Of course, a visit to Chiayi wouldn’t be complete without hiking up Alishan Mountain to catch the majestic sunrise. Not only is the mountain range known for their sacred trees and green valleys, it offers one of the best sunrise views in the world. Even if you are not a strong hiker, the park area has many hiking trails that meander through the dense forest to get to your destination. And now you don’t need to exert any energy, just sit back and watch the sunrise from this video.
Top Image: Chuiyang Road, Chiayi City.
