Transportation
- Regional Travel
- The Alishan Forest Railway departs from Chiayi TRA Station; HSR connects to Taipei in 90 minutes.
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is available, but FindTaxi or 55688 Taiwan Taxi apps are more common locally.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- YouBike 2.0 stations are everywhere; first 30 mins approx. 10 TWD. Scooter rentals via 'Zogo' near the station.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Wangye Port (Dongshi), approx. 40 mins drive west. Not a swimming beach, but famous for sunsets and oysters.
- Top Regional Airline
- Uni Air (operates from Chiayi Airport CYI to Penghu and Kinmen).
- Top International Airline
- EVA Air and China Airlines (via Taoyuan International Airport, 2 hours away by HSR).
- Highway Access
- National Highway No. 1 and No. 3 provide direct North-South access.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Chiayi TRA Station (City Center) and Chiayi HSR Station (15 mins via BRT shuttle).
- Public Transport Passes
- EasyCard or iPass works on all buses and the BRT. Flat fare approx. 20 TWD per trip.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Chiayi Christian Hospital (No. 539, Zhongxiao Rd). Excellent English-speaking staff.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Pure Yoga Chiayi (West District). Focuses on Hatha and Vinyasa.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- World Gym Chiayi (No. 726, Zhongxiao Rd). Full-service gym with monthly memberships around 1,188 TWD.
- Laundry Services
- Super Laundry (24h Coin-op chain). Approx. 120 TWD for a full wash and dry cycle.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda and UberEats both have 100% coverage in Chiayi.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chiayi Turkey Rice (Liu Li Huo Turkey Rice). Price: 30-50 TWD per bowl.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kuan Xin Garden Vegetarian Restaurant (No. 187, Zongheng Rd). High-end plant-based dining.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Lin Cong-ming Casserole Fish (No. 361, Zhongzheng Rd) - while famous for fish, their 'Smart Fish' dessert soup is a local staple.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Chiayi City East Market for fresh produce and cheap local snacks.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shopee Taiwan and PChome 24h deliver to local convenience stores (7-11/FamilyMart).
- Grocery Delivery
- PX Mart (PxGo!) and Carrefour online delivery.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Wenhua Road Night Market area; more specifically the small bars tucked behind the Main Post Office.
- Local Brewery
- Small Craft Beer outlets like 'The Drunkard' (West District) stock local Taiwanese brews.
- Wine Bars
- Sommelier Wine & Bistro (No. 122, Linsen West Rd).
- Street Food Stalls
- Wenhua Road Night Market. Try the grilled mochi and charcoal-grilled squid.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Napo's Mexican (No. 15, Anle St) for authentic tacos and burritos.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hinoki Village (Japanese-era forest dormitories) and the Sun-Shooting Tower in Chiayi Park.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (located in nearby Taibao, 20 mins away).
- Historical Sites
- Old Chiayi Prison (the only well-preserved 'Pennsylvania-style' prison in Taiwan).
- Religious Sites
- Chiayi City Cheng Huang Temple (No. 115, Wufeng North Rd).
- Annual Events
- Chiayi City International Band Festival (December).
- Cultural Districts
- Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park (adjacent to the train station).
- Theater Venues
- Chiayi City Performing Arts Center (Minxiong).
- Local Markets
- Carrefour Night Market (stadium-sized combined market and carnival).
- Music Scene
- Wake Up Festival (large indie music fest occasionally held in Chiayi or nearby areas).
- Street Art
- Linsen East Road alleys feature murals telling the city's timber history.
- Cooking Classes
- Community centers in East District offer periodic 'Turkey Rice' workshops.
- Art Galleries
- Chiayi Art Museum (housed in a stunning former tobacco building near the station).
- Historic Buildings
- Beimen Station (historic wooden station for the Alishan railway).
- Local Heritage
- Timber City heritage – Chiayi was once the 'Timber Capital' of Taiwan.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lantan (Orchid Lake) - scenic reservoir with a 3km walking loop.
- National Parks Nearby
- Alishan National Scenic Area (approx. 2 hours by bus/train).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Chiayi Jiayou Bicycle Path (built on an old sugar refinery railway line).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sun-Shooting Tower top floor offers 360-degree views of the city and plains.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Aogu Wetland Forest Park (45 mins west, prime migratory bird spot).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally restricted; designated BBQ pits at 'Fanlu' camping grounds.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- 7-Eleven 'Black Cat' (Takkyubin) service - send/receive parcels 24/7.
- Tech Repair Services
- Zhongshan Road has a cluster of independent phone and laptop repair shops.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Chiayi Municipal Sports Park table tennis hall.
- Language Classes
- National Chiayi University (NCYU) Language Center.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Chiayi City Library (No. 275, Zhongxiao Rd) has quiet study zones and fast Wi-Fi.
- Community Centers
- East District Activity Center - offers local calligraphy and dance classes.
- Gaming Lounges
- D-Link Internet Cafe (near the station) – high-end PC setups.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casinos are illegal; however, 'Amusement Arcades' with claw machines and rhythm games are popular.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 180,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 7,200,000 TWD / $228k USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 130,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 5,200,000 TWD / $165k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 170,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 10,200,000 TWD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 120,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 7,200,000 TWD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 160,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 12,800,000 TWD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 110,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 8,800,000 TWD)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (for profits over 120,000 TWD).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 21% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial/Resident hybrid; residents taxed on Taiwan-sourced income (and certain offshore income over thresholds).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (for income over 4,720,001 TWD).
- VAT
- 5% (Sales Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, implemented as of 2023 to prevent tax avoidance via low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Annual tax ranging from 1.2% to 3.6% based on assessed value and usage.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Land Value Increment Tax and consolidated House and Land Income Tax (15-45% based on holding period).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Taiwan Employment Gold Card offers 50% income tax deduction on salary over 3M TWD for 3 years.
Essentials
- City
- Chiayi City, Taiwan (Commonly known as the Gateway to Alishan)
- Population
- Approximately 263,000
- Internet Speed
- High reliability, average 110 Mbps; fiber optics widely available in residential areas.
- Currency & Banking
- New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). 1 USD ≈ 31.5 TWD, 1 EUR ≈ 34.2 TWD.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for direct consumption; most apartments provide filtered/boiled water or water dispensers.
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and Type B sockets (same as USA/Canada).
- SIM Card
- Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone. Unlimited 30-day data plans for approx. 1,000 TWD ($32 USD).
- Banking for Expats
- Mega Bank and CTBC Bank are expat-friendly; Revolut works at most ATMs for withdrawals.
- Accommodation
- Mix of traditional apartments and modern high-rises. Avg. monthly rent for 1BR: 12,000 - 18,000 TWD.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Major stores and chains accept Line Pay and EasyCard, but local night markets and small eateries remain cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is active; platforms like 591.com.tw are used for 1-6 month stays (requires translation).
- Budget Accommodation
- Light Hostel Chiayi (No. 422, Guanghua Rd). Beds from 600 TWD per night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- East District, near Chiayi Train Station and Wenhua Road Night Market for accessibility.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- West District, near the Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park for a quieter, more local vibe with modern cafes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Kyoto No. 27 Coworking (No. 27, Kyoto Rd). Day pass approx. 300 TWD.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Come Home Cafe (No. 103, Jianguo Rd). Quiet atmosphere, reliable Wi-Fi, and excellent coffee.
- Networking Events
- Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park often hosts artisan markets and small tech meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- 'Expats in Chiayi' Facebook group; regular Friday night meetups at O'Gonnell's Irish Pub.