Play Recommendations
Bamboo forest whispers, castle ruin cherry blossoms, chance encounters under neon lights — every spot becomes a memory.
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Illustrative Ival Coffee at No. 136 Siwei 3rd Road in Kaohsiung's Lingya District is a cat-café where feline managers roam among country-style seating. Guests sip rich coffee while petting resident cats — a cozy blend of caffeine and companionship. The menu focuses on coffee, milk tea, and light sweets, with an average spend around NT$120. There is a minimum drink order and a 30% discount on refills; no service charge. A relaxed haven for pet lovers seeking a comfortable coffee break.
Illustrative Zhu-meng Sen-ju (Dream-building Forest Dwelling) sits beside Yun-shui Stream in Shen-keng Village, Zhong-pu Township, Chiayi County. Originally an abandoned betel-nut orchard, years of restoration have turned it into a nature-ecology-themed family camping park. Clean, comfortable RV trailers come with air conditioning and separate wet/dry bathrooms, plus skylights for stargazing. Activities are diverse: ecological tours, DIY crafts, tree climbing, rock climbing, lazy-river water-gun battles, ai-yu jelly DIY, and small-animal feeding, for kids and adults to experience together. An open-air restaurant serves home-style dishes featuring mountain produce so families can enjoy good food in nature. The atmosphere is warm and educational, suiting travelers seeking easy camping, family interaction, and environmental learning.
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Illustrative →Happiness Hill
Happiness Hill perches on a hillside in Chiayis East District, blending a view restaurant with a family-friendly leisure park. Admission is free, the grounds are spacious, and visitors will find a manicured lawn, an elevated walkway, a European-style garden, and a panoramic viewing platform overlooking the Chiayi cityscape, all wrapped in greenery. The restaurant serves coffee, light meals, handmade desserts, and bread, drawing both families and pet owners. A dedicated car park is provided, though some walkways have steps, so parents with strollers may need to carry them. Ideal for families, couples, or anyone craving a green escape inside the city.
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Illustrative →National Palace Museum Southern Branch
The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Taibao, Chiayi County, is the southern flagship of Taiwans National Palace Museum. The architecture fuses modern lines with ink-painting imagery and pairs media-rich exhibitions with interactive installations suited to all ages. A free Childrens Creative Centre hosts a circular theatre, hands-on DIY workshops, and VR experiences, while the outdoor grounds add sand pits, slides, and fountains, so kids learn Asian culture while they play. Spacious, air-conditioned galleries make it a year-round destination and one of Chiayis best free cultural days out for families.
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Illustrative →New Chiayi University Insect Museum
The NCYU Insect Museum on the Lantan Campus of National Chiayi University is an indoor museum devoted to the world of insects. Specimens fill the displays alongside oversized models of protected species, and the live-experience zone lets visitors get close enough to observe and touch live insects. The signature attractions are Taiwans only rotating butterfly-column installation and a spherical butterfly greenhouse garden, balancing education with wonder and making the museum a favourite for families curious about the natural world.
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Illustrative →Zhangnaoliao Station
Zhang-Nao-Liao Station in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, is the only switchback station still operating on the Alishan Forest Railway, sitting about 543 metres above sea level. The tracks unique switchback rails and spiral mountain-climbing route see trains loop around Duli Mountain three times before doubling back, a piece of railway engineering that draws enthusiasts from across the region. Ancient camphor trees shade the platform, and vendors sell grilled sausage, cao-za-gao mugwort cakes, and a-yu jelly ice for hikers fuelling up. With trails and a suspension bridge nearby, the station welcomes families, nature lovers, and railway fans in equal measure, and entry is free.
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Illustrative →Hinoki Village
Hinoki Village in Chiayis East District is Taiwans largest cluster of Japanese-style wooden architecture and a forest-themed creative park. The grounds preserve the forestry dormitories built during the Japanese colonial period, and the air still carries the warm scent of cypress, perfect for slow strolls, family photos, and hands-on woodcraft DIY workshops. Wide lawns, coffee shops, and snack stalls round out the experience, and entry is free with daily hours from 10 AM to 6 PM. The flat pathways and pet-friendly policy make it an ideal photo stop for families travelling with pets.
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Illustrative →Rhinoceros Beetle Farm
Rhinoceros Beetle Leisure Farm in Zhongpu Township, Chiayi County, spreads across roughly 7 hectares and is a long-time favourite with families. The grounds combine a sweeping grass lawn, oversized grass-sledding slope, sand pit, electric rides, and archery with a small train, pony rides, and a hands-on animal zone where visitors feed alpacas, cows, and llamas, all complemented by an indoor insect hall and DIY painting sessions. Fresh-milk soft serve and steamed buns are served on site, making the farm a full-day destination for play and nature learning.
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