Chiayi County

Chiayi County stretches across southwestern Taiwan from fertile coastal plains to the forested highlands of Alishan, encircling but not including the separate city of Chiayi. It is one of Taiwan's leading agricultural regions and the main gateway to the Alishan National Scenic Area, known for mountain tea, oranges and rice as well as dramatic scenery.

The county's history is visible in the Japanese-era Alishan Forest Railway, old sugar-industry towns and the Tsou indigenous communities of the Alishan area. The National Palace Museum Southern Branch in Taibao, the county seat, is a major cultural landmark, while Xingang Fengtian Temple remains an important centre of Mazu worship in southern Taiwan.

Travelers visit mostly for the Alishan region, where sunrise viewpoints, a sea of clouds, ancient forests and cherry blossoms draw visitors year-round. Fenqihu's old street and famous railway lunchboxes, the Taiping Suspension Bridge in Meishan and the coastal fishing ports of Dongshi and Budai add variety to the county.

Agriculture and food processing still anchor the local economy, alongside high-mountain tea, coffee and growing business parks near Taibao and Puzi. The high-speed rail station at Taibao makes Chiayi County easy to reach from Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, supporting both day trips and longer stays.

With its mix of mountain scenery, indigenous and Han culture, coastal seafood and accessible transport, Chiayi County suits leisure travelers heading to Alishan and business visitors using the high-speed rail corridor.