Chiayi isn’t just about the Five Fun Attractions of Fenchihu in a Day Tour

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Aside from the renowned Fenchihu and Alishan Scenic Area, the Chiayi region boasts many other scenic spots and areas worth visiting. Liujiao Township is most famous for the Suantou Sugar Refinery, known as Taiwan’s treasure trove, with its historic buildings and towering chimneys being the most eye-catching landmarks in the township. Below, we have selected five must-visit spots in Liujiao Township to give you a taste of the different facets of Chiayi.

1. Suantou Sugar Refinery
The Suantou Sugar Refinery was built in 1906 and was one of Taiwan’s three major sugar refineries during the Japanese colonial period. After being affected by a typhoon, it ceased sugar production and transformed into a leisure-focused tourist sugar refinery. It now incorporates the unique Taiwan Sugar five-inch-gauge railway and has developed into the “Sugarcane Plaza Cultural Park.”

The century-old sugar factory within the park is its biggest highlight. With the help of guides, visitors can learn about the sugar-making process. The refinery also features quaint wooden buildings and a Japanese-style dormitory complex, which hold significant historical value. You can also take a ride on the five-inch-gauge train.

2. Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
Located near the Suantou Sugar Refinery, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum makes full use of the museum’s rich collections and various international exhibitions to actively fulfill and showcase the functions of a museum, including collection, exhibition, research, conservation, and education. In addition to its bright glass-curtain-wall main building, there is also the “Zhi Mei Bridge” featuring a double-arched bridge deck that blends elements such as lakes and elegant bridges, evoking the subtle beauty of traditional Chinese landscape paintings.

3. Five-Inch-Gauge Railway Station