ChiayiPlay Recommendations

Zhu-keng Stream Trail in Rui-feng Village, Mei-shan Township, Chiayi County, is a roughly 3.3-kilometer shaded trail, ideal for summer cool-downs and getting close to nature. The trail has two parking points: West Entrance (Route 162-A at 30K, parking for 8-10 cars) and East Entrance (Route 162-A at 36.5K, fewer spots). The path features multiple suspension bridges and wooden walkways; the most famous sights are the spectacular Long-gong (Dragon Palace) Falls and Sheng-mao-shu (Hair Tree) Falls. The trail is also known as the 'Charcoal-carrying Ancient Trail,' combining history with ecology. Fully renovated in 2023 with complete safety facilities, it suits families, hikers, and travelers looking to soak up forest phytoncides.

Zhu-ci Qingshui Park beside Niu-chou Stream in Chiayi City is a free water-themed park spanning about 12 hectares. The grounds feature a children's wading pool, sky corridor, flower-fairy trail, signature suspension bridge, observation deck, and large whale-shaped climbing play equipment, offering a family-friendly cooling space. The park also provides parking, rest areas, and restrooms, suited to family strolls, water play, and enjoying natural scenery.

Guanyin Waterfall sits in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, a natural attraction built around a cascade and forest trail. The full loop takes about an hour on easy grades, with several viewing decks overlooking the falls and valley. The current is most dramatic after rain, when the air is rich in negative ions and cool mist - a refreshing escape from summer heat. The park preserves eight waterfalls of varying scale, with Piao-yu Valley (Drifting Rain Valley) and the fourth-tier falls as the most famous. Since 2026, admission has been free, drawing families, hikers, and nature watchers alike.

Jin Hsing Toys (KHTOY) in Chiayi City is Taiwan's largest plush-toy flagship store. The three-story venue spans more than 600 ping and displays over 1,000 officially licensed plush characters and themed zones, with Disney, Kanaharu, Godzilla, and Harry Potter among the highlights. Aisles are wide and bright, with large elevators that accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, and the entire building is air-conditioned - ideal for families seeking shelter from summer heat or planning a rainy-day outing, and popular with visitors hunting photo backdrops.

Alishan in Chiayi is one of Taiwan's most beloved summer retreats. Rising above 2,200 meters, it stays far cooler than the lowlands and is celebrated for five signature wonders - sunrise, the sea of clouds, sacred cypress trees, the alpine railway, and old-growth forest - woven together with Tsou indigenous culture and tribal life. Travelers reach the mountain via Highway 18, cooling off by clear streams, hiking forest trails, and photographing terraced tea fields. Mountainside water-garden restaurants and tribal villages serve indigenous cuisine, blending nature and culture into a single journey.

Alishan National Park in Chiayi is a high-mountain natural landscape area where summer temperatures stay comfortably below the lowlands, making it a favored summer refuge. Five signature wonders - sunrise, the sea of clouds, sacred trees, Sister Ponds, and tea plantations - are interwoven with Tsou culture and active ecological conservation. The park invites travelers to hike, sightsee, sample indigenous cuisine, and sip high-mountain tea. Highway 18 reveals clear streams and shaded forest paths, while Taiwan's only water-garden restaurant and tea-trail rest stops reward visitors with photo-ready moments - an ideal escape from the summer heat.