Major city · Taiwan
Chiayi嘉義
Give Chiayi one night, two if you want Alishan: the city itself is a half-day of temples, hinoki dorms and turkey rice, then a bus up the mountain.
Chiayi is a low-rise city of about 263,000 people in southern Taiwan, ringed by Chiayi County and used by most travellers as the gateway to Alishan. The centre is walkable, the food is cheap and specific (turkey rice), and the train station puts Taipei 1 h 30 min away by high-speed rail. Stay one night for the city, or two if Alishan is the point of the trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jul–Sep: typhoon season; check forecasts and transport before mountain trips
- Airport
- CYI
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chiayi110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chiayi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyChiayi is a calm, safe city by day and night; the real risks are typhoon-season rain, mountain-road closures on the way to Alishan…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCYI Chiayi Airport (Domestic only: Uni Air from Kinmen and Penghu.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNight-market snack (one item)NT$50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus to Alishan, one wayNT$236–250 (≈ US$8–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekNT$300–600 (≈ US$10–20)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personNT$600 (≈ US$20)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per roomNT$2,600 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per roomNT$5,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NT$1,200 (≈ US$40) · Mid NT$2,200 (≈ US$75) · High NT$4,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CYI Chiayi Airport (Domestic only: Uni Air from Kinmen and Penghu. Most visitors arrive via Taoyuan (TPE) or Kaohsiung (KHH) and continue by rail.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Nov (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chiayi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable. BRT connects the HSR station at Taibao with the TRA station in about 30 minutes; the BRT stop is behind the TRA station, reached by a pedestrian bridge. Buses to Alishan leave from beside the TRA station and take about 2–2.5 hours; the fare is NT$236–250 one way (2026 estimate).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Alishan
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h each way
Bus from beside Chiayi TRA station, about 2–2.5 h; fare NT$236–250 (≈ US$8–9) one way (2026 estimate). Check current railway operations before choosing the train.
An overnight stay gives time for the mountain trails and sunrise.
Guanzihling hot springs
cautionDoor to door: Check
Bus from the Zhongshan Road terminal near Chiayi TRA station; journey time check.
Check bus times before planning a return the same day.
Door to door: Check
TRA from Chiayi station, or BRT to Taibao and HSR from there.
A practical next stop south; allow time for the HSR station transfer.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Chiayi TRA station
Convenient for trains and buses to Alishan; the city’s main rail stations are here.
Wenhua Road area
Central for the night market, food stalls and shopping.
East District near Chiayi Park
Near Chiayi Park, the Confucian Temple and Hinoki Village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$1,200–1,800 (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$1,800–3,200 (≈ US$60–110) excl. bed
- High
- NT$3,200 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × NT$2,600 | NT$2,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NT$2,200 | NT$4,400 |
| BRT HSR station ↔ TRA station, both ways2 × NT$80 | NT$160 |
| Bus to Alishan, one way2 × NT$250 | NT$500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NT$400 | NT$800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NT$850 |
| Trip total≈ NT$4,660 per person per day, bed included | NT$9,310≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in New Taiwan dollars; flights and rail passes excluded. Lodging and daily-spend figures are estimates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Turkey rice (huoji rou fan), small bowlPrice varies by shop. | NT$20–40 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Turkey rice plate at a popular shop | NT$50–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Night-market snack (one item) | NT$50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bubble tea or fruit drink | NT$15–60 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus to Alishan, one way | NT$236–250 (≈ US$8–9) |
| BRT HSR ↔ TRA stationFree when travelling directly between the HSR and TRA stations. | NT$40 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | NT$300–600 (≈ US$10–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Typhoons and heavy rain can disrupt travel in Jul–Sep; check forecasts and transport before mountain trips.
- The Alishan Forest Railway has had service limitations after storm damage; check the operating route before travel.
- The BRT stop is behind the TRA station; use the pedestrian bridge to reach it.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Chiayi嘉義
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
請到這個地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Chiayi; most countries keep embassies or representative offices in Taipei. US citizens: American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BRT HSR station → TRA station: NT$40 (≈ US$2), about 30 min; free directly between the two stations.
- Bus Chiayi → Alishan: NT$236–250 (≈ US$8–9) one way, 2–2.5 h (2026 estimate).
- HSR Chiayi → Taipei: About NT$1,080 (≈ US$40), 1 h 30 min (2026 estimate).
Say or show
- 不好意思 — Excuse me / Sorry (bu hao yi si)
- 謝謝 — Thank you (xie xie)
- 這個，謝謝 — This one, please (zhe ge, xie xie)
- 多少錢？ — How much is it? (duo shao qian)
- 可以刷卡嗎？ — Can I pay by card? (ke yi shua ka ma)
- 廁所在哪裡？ — Where is the toilet? (ce suo zai na li)
Cash is useful at stalls and small shops.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chiayi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jul–Sep: typhoon season; check forecasts and transport before mountain trips · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CYI and the Taibao HSR link: last BRT departure field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: TRA station and Zhongshan Rd, Wenhua Road night market, Chiayi Park and Hinoki Village, Lantan Lake.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Hinoki Village, Sun-Shooting Tower, Chiayi Old Prison, Museum of Ancient Taiwan Tiles) and eat pages with last orders.
- Alishan departure fixture: bus and forest-railway timings checked the week before travel.
Sources
- officialChiayi City Government
- officialTaiwan High Speed Rail — Chiayi station
- officialTaiwan Railways — Chiayi station
- officialChiayi Airport
- officialHinoki Village
- secondaryWikivoyage: Chiayi, revision 5236936 (CC BY-SA 4.0)