Major city · Taiwan
Chiayi County嘉義縣
Spend 2–3 days in Chiayi County to see Alishan, Fenqihu, and the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum; skip if short on time.
Chiayi County offers mountain scenery, historic railways, and cultural sites within a compact area. Two full days cover the Alishan National Scenic Area and the museum; a third day adds Fenqihu Old Street or a coastal nature park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, typhoons)
- Airport
- CYA
- Nights
- 2–3
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Chiayi County110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
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 County, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay aware of mountain weather changes and occasional typhoons.
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 · 0800-011-765 Tourism helpline (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.
- AirportCYA Chiayi Airport (Domestic flights to Penghu and Kinmen; connect to TRA via shuttle bus).
- Getting aroundTRA trains to Dalin, Minxiong, Nanjing, Shuishang; HSR at Chiayi HSR station (30 min by bus from Taibao).
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 (stinky tofu, fried chicken)NT$50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare within countyNT$30–70 (≈ US$1–3)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Southern Branch)NT$150 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personNT$500 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomNT$3,500 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomNT$5,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NT$800 (≈ US$30) · Mid NT$1,500 (≈ US$50) · High NT$2,500 (≈ US$85)
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
- CYA Chiayi Airport (Domestic flights to Penghu and Kinmen; connect to TRA via shuttle bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°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
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chiayi County: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 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
TRA trains to Dalin, Minxiong, Nanjing, Shuishang; HSR at Chiayi HSR station (30 min by bus from Taibao). Alishan Forest Railway runs from Chiayi to Alishan. Local buses connect towns and scenic areas.
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 National Scenic Area
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Chiayi HSR → bus 106/Yellow 9 to Alishan (≈1 h), then forest railway or shuttle
Sunrise, tea plantations, and forest railway. Check ticket availability in advance.
Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus 106/166/7235 from Chiayi HSR to Taibao (≈30 min)
NT$150 entry; closed Mondays.
Fenqihu Old Street
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Alishan Forest Railway to Fenqihu (≈1 h from Chiayi)
Snack stalls and historic railway station.
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.
Fenchihu Hotel
Near Fenqihu station; good base for Alishan trips
Hotel Alishan Gou
Alishan village; convenient for sunrise hikes
Qingshan Hotel
Taibao area, close to museum and bus hub
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$800–1,200 (≈ US$30–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$1,200–2,000 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- High
- NT$2,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 2 nights × NT$3,500 | NT$7,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NT$1,500 | NT$6,000 |
| Chiayi HSR → Taibao bus (round‑trip)2 × NT$150 · check | NT$300 |
| Alishan Forest Railway round‑trip ticket2 × NT$600 · check | NT$1,200 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × NT$300 · check | NT$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NT$1,510 |
| Trip total≈ NT$4,153 per person per day, bed included | NT$16,610≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in NT$; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Night‑market snack (stinky tofu, fried chicken) | NT$50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Alishan tea (cup) | NT$120–200 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Bus fare within county | NT$30–70 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Museum entry (Southern Branch) | NT$150 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check train and bus timetables in advance; some mountain services run only seasonally.
- Typhoon season (Jul–Sep) can suspend forest railway and road access.
- Museum entry fee NT$150 (≈ US$5) for adults; free for under‑18.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Tourism helpline
- 0800-011-765
Pocket card
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Chiayi County嘉義縣
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
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請帶我到這個地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
Embassy
US consulate in Kaohsiung; other embassies in Taipei.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chiayi HSR → Taibao bus: about NT$150 (≈ US$5), 30 min (check)
- Alishan Forest Railway round‑trip: about NT$600 (≈ US$20), 2 h each way (check)
Say or show
- 對不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 謝謝 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少錢？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 廁所在哪裡？ — Where is the bathroom? (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
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 County. 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–Nov, Mar–Apr · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, typhoons) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chiayi County
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