Blending Local Vitality: Explore the Old Prison and Yushan Hostel in Chiayi

Reported by Reporter You... / Special Feature

Taiwan, an island rich in character, offers unique and profound attractions in every county and city. To truly understand the local essence and experience Taiwan’s distinctive culture—where history, ecology, and storytelling converge—requires immersive exploration. In Chiayi, spots brimming with stories such as the century-old park, Yushan Hostel, and the Dutch-era Lantan Reservoir are perfect for a two-day, one-night trip to soak in the region’s unique cultural and humanistic landscapes.


▲ Chiayi Cultural and Creative Park, a repurposed former liquor exhibition venue, boasts a uniquely artistic style. (Photo / Courtesy of Chiayi Cultural and Creative Park website)

With a history of over 300 years, Chiayi City serves as the gateway to the international attraction Alishan and is filled with visible historical textures. On the first morning, start your journey from Chiayi Railway Station and head first toChiayi Cultural and Creative Park, a venue transformed from an old liquor exhibition space, which opened on May 25. It features a uniquely artistic style and offers a wealth of performing arts experiences. Next, visitBeimen Station, where you can admire the beautiful golden yellow flowers of the golden shower trees during the spring-summer transition. The site also evokes a nostalgic charm through its vintage wooden architecture, and stepping inside allows you to catch the lingering scent of the old building’s memory.


▲ A Japanese-style old house next to Beimen Station. (Photo / Taken by Reporter You...)
A two-minute walk from Beimen Station will take you to the nearbyYushan Hostelfor check-in. Take a coffee break and relax. Yushan Hostel, run by Yu Guoxin, founder of Hongya Bookstore, embodies strong community care and a social movement ethos, visibly marked by the beautiful traces left after every struggle. It could be described as the hub of Chiayi's social movements. In the evening, head toWenhua Road Night Marketto sample famous local snacks such as rice cake, chicken rice, and tofu pudding, ending the day on a delicious note.


▲%The intense social movement sentiment is evident at the night market in the old residential area. (Photo / Taken by Reporter You...)

On the second day, visit theCentury-old Chiayi Park, which holds over 400 years of historical significance. It was a favorite painting spot for the internationally renowned artist Chen Cheng-po in his youth, and today the park showcases paintings that juxtapose past and present. Then proceed to theHistorical Materials Museum, known as “the best place to get to know Chiayi City.” Climb to the top of the Tower of Shooting the Sun for a panoramic view of Chiayi City—this tower is steeped in the legendary tale of shooting the sun, and the park is filled with emotional resonance. Next, visit the Dutch-eraLantan Reservoir, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Chiayi. The large public art installation “Moon Shadow Over the Heart of the Lake” and the “Lantan Music Fountain” create a romantic and enchanting atmosphere.

To conclude the journey, visit the national heritage site, the former Chiayi Prison, which has now been transformed into theChiayi Prison Museum. Explore the living quarters of former inmates and imagine the conditions where four or five prisoners shared cramped dormitories, with toilets located in undivided rooms. The prison retains much of its past ambiance, allowing visitors to still feel the somber atmosphere of those times.

【Attraction Information】
Chiayi Cultural and Creative Park
Address: No. 616, Zhongshan Road, Chiayi City
Phone: 05-2226612
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 ~ 17:00
Website:http://chiayi.moc.gov.tw/default.aspx

Beimen Post Station
Address: No. 482, Gonghe Road, Chiayi City

Yushan Hostel
Address: No. 410, Gonghe Road, Chiayi City
Phone: (05)276-3269
Website:https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E7%8E%89%E5%B1%B1%E6%97%85%E7%A4%BE/111961388868436

Wenhua Road Night Market
Address: Wenhua Road, Chiayi City
Business Hours: 17:00 ~ 1:00

Centennial Chiayi Park
Address: No. 99, Shenghuan Road, Chiayi City
Phone: (05)2294-593
Website:http://travel.chiayi.gov.tw/TC/spotsContent.aspx?id=18&chk=ce0ece3d-f455-434a-9bfa-1dceda59074a

Historical Site Museum
Address: No. 42, Gongyuan Road, East District, Chiayi City
Phone: (05)271-1647
Website:http://www.cabcy.gov.tw/historical/

Lantan Reservoir
Address: No. 4-187, Hongmaopi, Luliao Village, Chiayi City
Phone: (05)225-4321

Chiayi Prison Museum
Address: No. 140, Weixin Road, Chiayi City
Website:http://prisonmuseum.moj.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=1