What are the best things to do in Chiayi?
Top picks in Chiayi include Sun-Shooting Tower, Chiayi Jen Wu Temple, Chiayi Confucian Temple, Mount Jiuhua Kshitigarbha Temple. See the full list and itinerary on this Chiayi travel guide.
Photo: Mk2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why visit Chiayi
Travel guide for Chiayi, Taiwan — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Chiayi is a stop in Taiwan, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Sun-Shooting Tower, Chiayi Jen Wu Temple, Chiayi Confucian Temple instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 60–140 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Chiayi
1
Sun-Shooting Tower
2
Chiayi Jen Wu Temple
3
Chiayi Confucian Temple
4
Mount Jiuhua Kshitigarbha Temple
5
St. John's Cathedral
6
Chiayi Municipal Museum
7
Chiayi City Historical Relic Museum
8
Chiayi City Cultural Square
Budget travel
Free things to do in Chiayi
Chiayi Jen Wu Temple
Chiayi Confucian Temple
Mount Jiuhua Kshitigarbha Temple
St. John's Cathedral
Chiayi City Cultural Square
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Chiayi itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Sun-Shooting Tower
- Visit Chiayi Jen Wu Temple
- Visit Chiayi Confucian Temple
- Eat at Fountain Turkey Rice
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Mount Jiuhua Kshitigarbha Temple
- Visit St. John's Cathedral
- Visit Chiayi Municipal Museum
- Eat at Chiayi East Market
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Chiayi City Historical Relic Museum
- Visit Chiayi City Cultural Square
- Visit Chiayi Park
- Eat at Chia-Le-Fu Night Market
Budget
Chiayi trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 60–140
per person / day
Luxury
USD 160–265+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Chiayi, Taiwan. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Chiayi
Estimated total (USD)
$2,250
≈ $1,125 per person · $321 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $100/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Chiayi mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 60–140 · luxury 160–265+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Fountain Turkey Rice
Chiayi East Market
Chia-Le-Fu Night Market
Wenhua Road Night Market
Mituo Night Market
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Chiayi Dream Hotel
New Alisan Hot Spring Motel
Nightlife
- Cha-no-Michi
- Orange Town Shake
Museums & culture
- Chiayi Jen Wu Temple
- Chiayi Confucian Temple
- Mount Jiuhua Kshitigarbha Temple
- St. John's Cathedral
- Chiayi Municipal Museum
- Chiayi City Historical Relic Museum
In pictures
Chiayi gallery
Photos: Mk2010, ASDFGHJ (talk), Chiayi City Government — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Chiayi travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Chiayi?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Chiayi?
Plan at least 3 days in Chiayi for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Chiayi?
Popular stays in Chiayi include Chiayi Dream Hotel, New Alisan Hot Spring Motel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Chiayi cost?
On the ground in Chiayi (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 60–140, and luxury about 160–265+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Chiayi, Taiwan. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
_(cropped).jpg?width=1920)
