About Kaohsiung

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Local Attractions

Regional Attractions

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Bordered by mountains on one side and the sea on the other, Chiayi County is the only county in Taiwan with three major national scenic areas: Alishan National Scenic Area, Southwest Coast National Scenic Area, and Siraya National Scenic Area, each presenting a unique view of nature's wonders, from mountains to plains to ocean views. Alishan, located in the east part of the county by Taiwan's tallest peak, Yushan, is the homeland of the Tsou indigenous people. This area is famous for its breathtaking sunrise views and cloud formations, towering ancient trees, colorful cherry blossoms, the world-famous Alishan Forest Railway, and secluded forest trails, valleys, and waterfalls. The area's appeal is further heightened by the mountain culture and ancestral legends of the Tsou. The fishing harbors of Dongshi and Budai on the west coast are good places to experience the county's oyster industry, coastal ecology, and views. In recent years, Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf has become a summer hot spot for visitors. The Aogu Wetland Forest Park, also in Dongshi, is the largest lowland forest park in Taiwan. Visitors can take a fishing raft ride along the Puzi River to the Waisanding Sand Bar and Haomeili Nature Reserve in Budai to experience the coastal fishing industry. And in the plains area of the county, one can make an educational visit to the Tropic of Cancer Monument or tour centuries-old temples.

Chiayi also hosts several grand religious ceremonies that attract thousands of visitors to the county each year, from the Matsu pilgrimage to a watery procession welcoming the "Guest Kings" (visiting gods).

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Alishan Township, Chiayi, covering an area of 1400 hectares with the main tourism spot locating at about 2,200 meters high above sea level. It is cloudy mid-elevation temperate climate with an average annual temperature 10.6 °C and the annual rainfall is up to 4,000 mm. There are 209 raining days and 244 foggy days on average. The heavily wet weather contributes to the outstanding forest and climate landscape such as Alishan sunrise, sea of clouds, afterglow, forest, railways which count to the five famous sightseeing spots known internationally.¹

Siraya National Scenic Area
The Siraya National Scenic Area is a major farm produce area. A large variety of fruits and other products grow year-round, making the Siraya National Scenic Area true to its name of "A Land of Abundance". In recent years, under governmental direction, the agricultural products of all counties and towns have been integrated, promoting local special products in each area, "one specialty for each district". Each of the 16 administrative districts in Siraya has its own special product, allowing them to promote significant tourism resources for the area.²



Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum houses the world's largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, one which spans China's nearly 5,000-year history. Most of the museum's over 600,000 art objects were part of the Chinese imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in the early Song dynasty.



To achieve cultural equity between the Northern and the Southern regions of Taiwan, and to drive the cultural, educational, social, and economic development in both regions, the Executive Yuan approved the building Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (hereafter referred to as the "Southern Branch Museum") at Taibao City, Chiayi County on Dec. 31, 2004. The entire construction budget totalled to NT$7.934 billion and the Southern Branch Museum open for trial operation on Dec. 28, 2015.³

Cengwen Reservoir
The Cengwen Reservoir was built to regulate the flow of the Cengwen River and provide for the full utilization of its water, with the aim of improving and expanding agricultural irrigation in the Tainan area. Besides irrigation, the multipurpose reservoir also serves the functions of electricity generation and tourism. The expanse of water in the reservoir-the largest in Taiwan--adds to the considerable beauty of the surrounding mountains. The parts of the lake that have been opened to the public now offer camping areas, guest cottages, outdoor exercise, and playing in stream waters. The charming scenery here will make you forget to go home when your vacation is over.⁴

Aogu Wetlands
Aogu wetland belongs to Taiwan salt Corporation's sea plain new land in Dongshi District, Chiayi County. In order to see this wide ecological treasure land of more than 300 hectares, you have to go through Taiwan Salt Corporation's lands before you are able to admire all kinds of wetland sights. Within the area, it includes the ecological space consists of lagoons, sand bars, fishing farms and beefwood forests. And a large number of water birds are attracted to here for this. If you want to admire the postures of water birds, you can see the traces of water birds from the mixed forest besides the dike. Birds including egrets, Black Drongos, Japanese White-eyes and night egrets etc. often take a rest on the branch. If you keep a peaceful mind and listen quietly, you will even find this is the place for water birds to have parties. You can hear the sounds one after another. It is so noisy with excitements. Of course, if you want to take in everything of wetlands at a glance, you may take a bamboo raft and go to sea to have a large tract of Aogu wetland view.⁵