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Illustrative Jiu CAFE is an old-house renovation cafe on Xing-ye East Road in Chiayi's East District, serving self-roasted coffee and wine-aroma desserts. The shop is pet-friendly, with resident cats and lush plants creating a fresh, comfortable atmosphere. It is a fine spot for travelers exploring downtown Chiayi to pause for high-quality coffee, afternoon tea, and the company of a pet companion - equally well-suited to dates or small gatherings.
Illustrative Bu-dai Little Happiness Beach in Chiayi's Bu-dai District is a slender, roughly 150-meter stretch of sand. The setting is tranquil, ideal for walking, catching the sea breeze, and watching the sunset - and pets are welcome, making it a relaxed, pet-friendly getaway. Compared with Chiayi's longer coastline, the scale here is smaller, but that intimacy is exactly what makes it the everyday escape for locals - a small but sure slice of happiness.
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Illustrative Lu-ying Ranch in Zhong-pu Township, Chiayi County, is a leisure farm blending dairy experiences with family fun. The spacious grounds feature grasslands, a butterfly chapel, morning-glory slide, ring-engagement chapel, and other diverse facilities, where guests can milk cows by hand, feed geese and rabbits, sled on grass, or row boats, and enjoy brunch or Italian cuisine in the glass-house restaurant. Free parking makes it good for a full family day out.
Illustrative Hua-shi-xi Trail in Tai-he Village, Mei-shan Township, Chiayi County, is part of the Hua-shi-xi Ecological Reserve. The trailhead is near You-zhu-ju B&B; after parking, it's a 5-minute walk to the observation platform. The path winds through primeval forest and tea gardens, and the stream water carries heavy calcium that forms unusual patterns on the stones, hence 'Hua-shi' (patterned stone). The roughly 1.5-hour loop suits family outings: in spring and summer, clouds and tea fields weave a dreamy scene. It's a popular spot for Instagram photos and admission is free.
Illustrative Gaia Manor in Chiayi's Dalin Township is a white garden manor styled after classical Greek aesthetics. The grounds blend family interaction, DIY crafts, chef-prepared dishes, and biotech skincare experiences for all ages. Inside you'll find a spacious parking lot, outdoor sandpit, sun-and-moon mirror pools, fountain plaza, and Venus wishing well, with photo check-ins, fragrance DIY, and fresh-rice-brew dishes among many activities. Adult tickets are around NT$100 (free for children under 12) and the park offers pet-friendly options. Open Monday to Sunday 08:30-17:30, it suits leisurely morning or afternoon strolls, letting visitors feel European romance and natural aesthetics inside a white palace.
Illustrative A-mei Pineapple in Min-xiong, Chiayi, is a smart-agriculture and local-characteristic family experience park. The bright-yellow pineapple house is its landmark, letting visitors hand-pick premium pineapples, learn about diverse varieties (such as the 'Magnolia Pineapple'), and join pineapple-themed DIY crafts (pineapple cakes, jam, jelly). The brand has won the Shen-nong Award and is marketed in Japan under the 'Summer Snow' label, symbolizing sweet summer freshness. Great for families and friends to experience farming fun and taste fresh pineapple flavors.
Illustrative Magic Treehouse Family Restaurant on Da-ya Road in Chiayi is a two-story glass-house restaurant. The interior is spacious with varied play zones: the first floor has a play-kitchen area, a dress-up area, and a two-story slide and ball pit; the second floor features a cassia-seed sandpit, building blocks, smaller slides, and swings. The colorful space with cute wall murals suits family play. Menu includes kids' meals, pasta, pizza, and nuggets at friendly prices. The restaurant uses UV disinfection after closing daily and deep-cleans every two weeks, so parents can let kids play with peace of mind.
Illustrative GAIA MANOR (Gai-ya Zhuang-yuan) in Dalin District, Chiayi City, is Taiwan's first innovative theme park blending court-Baroque style with biotech skincare. Inspired by Greek mythology's earth goddess Gaia and time goddess Rhea, the park features pure-white Greek-style architecture, sun-and-moon mirror pools, hundred-flower time corridor, Roman baths, and Venus wishing well as photo spots, plus the glass-house restaurant 'Chloris's Garden' for dining experiences. On-site activities include fragrance DIY, chef's cuisine, and fresh-rice-brew, suited for families, couples, and photography enthusiasts to feel the blend of European-court atmosphere and natural beauty.