Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Chenghuang Temple
TAOIST TEMPLE
(Chénghuáng Miào)
This is the spiritual centre of Chiayi and is dedicated to the City God.
First constructed in 1715, many of the best parts of the temple hail from a 1941 recon-
struction. Look for the gorgeous spiderweb plafond (decorative) ceiling and two rows of
lively cochin (koji; brightly coloured, glazed ceramic) figures on the walls of the main
hall (found behind a glass pane).
The traditional double-eave roof sports elegant swallowtail ridges and colourful fig-
ures in
jiǎnniàn
(mosaic-like temple decoration). You can check it out from the upper
floors of the back annex.
Alishan Forest Railway Chiayi Garage
MUSEUM
(Ālǐshān Sēnlín Tiělù Jiāyì Chēkù; 2-1 Linsen W Rd; 8.30am-5pm)
The tree-lined gar-
age is actually a park with an extragavanza of old steam locomotives. Train buffs and
kids alike will certainly love it. Look for the SL13 (built in 1910), the oldest in the col-
lection.
Koji Ceramic Museum
MUSEUM
(Jiāozhǐtáo Guǎn; 275 Jungshiao Rd; 9am-noon & 1.30-5pm Wed-Sun)
A museum ded-
icated to cochin a low-fired, brightly coloured glaze style of ceramic traditionally used
for temple decoration. It's in the basement of the
Chiayi Cultural Centre
(Jiāyìshì WénHuà
Zhōngxīn)
.
Prison Museum
MUSEUM
(Yùzhèng Bówùguǎn; 362 1873; 140 Wei Hsin Rd; 9.30am, 10.30am, 1.30pm & 2.30pm Tue-
Sun)
Offering a taste of life behind bars, free admission to this museum includes a
guided tour, which is repeated four times per day. The museum is on the site of the old
Chiayi Prison, built in the 1920s and the only wooden prison structure in Taiwan that has
survived from the Japanese era. Check out the fan-shaped cell complex and the Japanese
shrine atop the central control room.
