More convenient now—explore 4 major attractions along the "Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum Line"

▲Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

ReporterYan Xintong/ Comprehensive Report

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum began trial operations at the end of 2015, and the "Taiwan Tourist Shuttle—Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum Line" was launched in March 2016, offering access to at least six major attractions along the route. The line passes through key stops including Chiayi HSR Station, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, Suan Tou Sugar Refinery, Hsinkang Fengtian Temple, Minxiong Railway Station, National Chung Cheng University, Alishan Forest Recreation Area (Guiyi Forest Village) in Chiayi City, and Chiayi Railway Station.

1. Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
Covering an area of 70.3 hectares, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum opened on December 28, 2015. The museum houses treasured artifacts such as the "Dragon Sutra" and the "Vietnamese Blue-and-White Glazed Monkey King." The scenic grounds feature beautiful water gardens and ecological ponds that complement traditional Chinese garden elements like small bridges and flowing streams. The museum’s design is inspired by calligraphy art, and even the surrounding structures—such as the Zhi Mei Bridge, water gardens, and lakeside stage—as well as smaller details like streetlights and floor decorations—are infused with a strong artistic ambiance.

▲Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
Address: No. 888,故宫大道, Taibao City, Chiayi County
Admission: Regular ticket NT$250, group ticket NT$230, concessionary ticket NT$150

2. Suan Tou Sugar Refinery
The century-old sugar factory at Suan Tou Sugar Refinery Cultural Park no longer operates, but visitors can view exhibits of sugarcane plates, molasses, and other materials. The refinery, built from wood, offers rides on a small five-inch gauge train heading toward Taibao and Nanjing, with guides providing commentary along the way. Additionally, the Suan Tou Sugar Museum showcases over 400 precious sugar industry artifacts collected from the Suan Tou, Dalin, and Nanjing factory areas, including documents, machinery, and vintage photographs. The exhibits are arranged by themes such as farms, farming operations, and railway transport. One section features a traditionally restored old-style sugar mill, allowing visitors to learn about sugar production techniques.

Suan Tou Sugar Refinery Cultural Park
Address: No. 1, Gongchang Village, Liujiao Township, Chiayi County
Phone: (05)380-0735
Museum Hours: Monday to Friday (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), free admission

3. Hsinkang Fengtian Temple
A Grade III historic site, Hsinkang Fengtian Temple’s main hall enshrines the Goddess Mazu, while the rear hall is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, accompanied by Manjushri and Samantabhadra. Other deities are also venerated throughout the temple. The three-bay front hall features predominantly stone carvings. Visitors can admire the eight-immortal dragon pillars and flower-and-bird pillars built during the Japanese colonial period. The temple entrance is guarded by three pairs of stone lions, which remain vividly green and gleaming despite being over a century old.

▲Hsinkang Fengtian Temple. (Photo / From Wikimedia Commons)

Hsinkang Fengtian Temple
Address: No. 53, Xinmin Road, Daxing Village, Hsinkang Township
Phone: (05)374-2432

4. Alishan Forest Recreation Area (Guiyi Forest Village) in Chiayi City
Spanning approximately 3.4 hectares, the area consists of 28 historical Japanese-style wooden buildings. Reflecting the appearance of early Japanese dormitories, the northern section originally housed junior Japanese staff, while the southern part accommodated higher-ranking officials. The entire complex has been restored using traditional Japanese construction methods and original materials where possible. It is not only Taiwan’s earliest forestry village but also the most well-preserved and extensive collection of Japanese official residence architecture.

Alishan Forest Recreation Area (Guiyi Forest Village)
Address: No. 1, LinSen East Road, East District, Chiayi City
Phone: (05)276-1601
Website:http://www.hinokivillage.com.tw/

Currently, there are two Taiwan Happy Travel routes in Chiayi: the Alishan Route and the Salt Township Coastal Route. The Alishan Route mainly travels along the mountainous Alishan Highway to the forest recreation area; the Salt Township Coastal Route runs through the coastal townships of Chiayi and Tainan. The “Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum Route” is the third route, located in the plains area. Once it opens in March 2016, it will make it more convenient for travelers to visit various attractions across Chiayi.