Chiayi Hotels

One conspicuous area of Chiayai County is a de facto UNESCO contender certain to benefit from a little international protection and prominence. Alishan National Scenic Area is a lush nature preserve and venerable resort that lures untold domestic and international tourists in Taiwan. The expanse of mountain wilderness supports 25 summits that eclipse the 2,000 m mark, eclectic fauna and flora, singular indigenous heritage and valuable tea and wasabi agriculture. Doubtless the top tourist target in the county, Alishan is far from the only gem in Chiayi. Chiayi City, home to 275,000 people, has many fine points of interest to consider. The Chiayi Museum, Chiayi Park, lively night markets and a host of scenic areas all offer much to enjoy.

Chiayi's Top 10

Chiayi History

• Chihkan Tower – This tower stands as a reminder of the Dutch colonization and is one of the main architectural attractions in the city.
• Liberty Bell – This bell commemorates the independence of Chiayi from the Chinese.
• UFO Monument – This monument marks the spot of supposed UFO visits to the city of Chiayi.
• Chiayi Station – This historic train station is one of the oldest in the region.
• Zhen’antang Feihu General Temple – This historic temple is a significant religious site and is just outside of Chiayi.

Chiayi Art & Culture

• Monument of the Tropic of Cancer – This park is located at the northernmost latitude at which the sun is at its zenith.
• Shueili Snake Kiln – The tour at this factory allows visitors to see how its ceramics are created.
• Kaiyuansi Temple – Has unique architecture and is an important part of the religious culture of the region.
• Kaituo Shiliao Wax Museum – This wax museum is just outside of Chiayi.
• Chiayi Eiffel Tower Replica – This replica of the Eiffel Tower is one of the main attractions in the city.

Chiayi Shopping

• Zhongshan Road – This shopping street of Chiayi has a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
• IDEE Shopping Mall – This large and modern mall is the best place in the city to buy name-brand clothing.
• San San Department Store – Many of the latest clothing designs can be found at this large department store.
• Far Eastern Department Store – This department store is one of the largest in Chiayi and is a great place to buy inexpensive domestic products.
• Chiayi Night Market – This outdoor market is great for handmade gifts or tasty local snacks.

Gay & Lesbian Chiayi

• Maison de Chine Hotel – This French-inspired hotel is gay friendly and offers unique rooms.
• King Hotel – This lavish hotel caters to upscale gay clientele.
• Cha-no-Michi – This small, gay-friendly tea shop offers a wide variety of unique local drinks.
• New Alishan Hot Spring Hotel – Chiayi hotel with fancy spa bathrooms that make it a favorite for gay travelers.
• Lips Lounge Club – Gay-friendly bar with a modern décor.

Chiayi, a modern city located in the southwestern plains of Taiwan, is best known as the entrance point to Alishan Mountain area. This idyllic retreat is also the capital of Chiayi County, where tourists come from all over the world to discover everything from nature to night markets. While on holiday to the magnificent island of Taiwan, tourists should spend a few days exploring this lovely city.

Chiayi Attractions

• Alishan
• Chiayi Park
• Guanziling Hot Springs

Chiayi Activities

• Stroll through the Carrefour Night Market
• Ride the high-speed railway
• See the grounds of National Chung Cheng University

Chiayi Climate

Chiayi has a warm subtropical climate; fall and winter to be dry and mild, and spring and summer tend to be hot and wet. Annual rainfall totals measure in at 68 in (726 mm), and average temperatures for spring and summer are around 32°C. Visitors should know that Taiwan is subject to typhoons from the Pacific Ocean in June through October.

Getting There & Around

The High Speed Rail (HSR) Taibao station will bring visitors in from the airports in Taipei and Kaohsiung, and it is located close to the city of Chiayi. At Taibao station, travellers will be easily connected to the city by the BRT system located there.

Once in the city, taxis are plentiful, but most drivers do not speak English. Also, travellers will find TRA trains and the Alishan Forest Railway for traversing scenic areas and nearby towns.

Chiayi Events

Chia Le Fu Night Market on Bo Ai Rd supports a multitude of diverse food stalls.

Wenhua Road Night Market is a pre-eminent pulse point in the city. The pedestrian area extends for over 0.3 mi (0.5 km) and is hawker paradise.

Chiayi International Band Festival transforms Chiayi City into a haven of symphonic music.

When To Go

Chiayi has a humid subtropical climate typical for Taiwan. The monsoon season runs from June to August.

In lockstep with the rest of the island, summers in the county swelter with temperatures in the 75°F (24°C) to 91°F (33°C) range. More than 60% of Chiayi’s average annual precipitation total falls in summer as well.

The rest of the year, conversely, is much more amenable. Winter, for one, is mild with temperatures from 54°F (12°C) to 75°F (24°C) and both spring and fall seldom hit over 86°F (30°C).

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