Chiayi CountyPlay Recommendations

Happiness Hill perches on a hillside in Chiayis East District, blending a view restaurant with a family-friendly leisure park. Admission is free, the grounds are spacious, and visitors will find a manicured lawn, an elevated walkway, a European-style garden, and a panoramic viewing platform overlooking the Chiayi cityscape, all wrapped in greenery. The restaurant serves coffee, light meals, handmade desserts, and bread, drawing both families and pet owners. A dedicated car park is provided, though some walkways have steps, so parents with strollers may need to carry them. Ideal for families, couples, or anyone craving a green escape inside the city.

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Taibao, Chiayi County, is the southern flagship of Taiwans National Palace Museum. The architecture fuses modern lines with ink-painting imagery and pairs media-rich exhibitions with interactive installations suited to all ages. A free Childrens Creative Centre hosts a circular theatre, hands-on DIY workshops, and VR experiences, while the outdoor grounds add sand pits, slides, and fountains, so kids learn Asian culture while they play. Spacious, air-conditioned galleries make it a year-round destination and one of Chiayis best free cultural days out for families.

The NCYU Insect Museum on the Lantan Campus of National Chiayi University is an indoor museum devoted to the world of insects. Specimens fill the displays alongside oversized models of protected species, and the live-experience zone lets visitors get close enough to observe and touch live insects. The signature attractions are Taiwans only rotating butterfly-column installation and a spherical butterfly greenhouse garden, balancing education with wonder and making the museum a favourite for families curious about the natural world.

Zhang-Nao-Liao Station in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, is the only switchback station still operating on the Alishan Forest Railway, sitting about 543 metres above sea level. The tracks unique switchback rails and spiral mountain-climbing route see trains loop around Duli Mountain three times before doubling back, a piece of railway engineering that draws enthusiasts from across the region. Ancient camphor trees shade the platform, and vendors sell grilled sausage, cao-za-gao mugwort cakes, and a-yu jelly ice for hikers fuelling up. With trails and a suspension bridge nearby, the station welcomes families, nature lovers, and railway fans in equal measure, and entry is free.

Hinoki Village in Chiayis East District is Taiwans largest cluster of Japanese-style wooden architecture and a forest-themed creative park. The grounds preserve the forestry dormitories built during the Japanese colonial period, and the air still carries the warm scent of cypress, perfect for slow strolls, family photos, and hands-on woodcraft DIY workshops. Wide lawns, coffee shops, and snack stalls round out the experience, and entry is free with daily hours from 10 AM to 6 PM. The flat pathways and pet-friendly policy make it an ideal photo stop for families travelling with pets.

Rhinoceros Beetle Leisure Farm in Zhongpu Township, Chiayi County, spreads across roughly 7 hectares and is a long-time favourite with families. The grounds combine a sweeping grass lawn, oversized grass-sledding slope, sand pit, electric rides, and archery with a small train, pony rides, and a hands-on animal zone where visitors feed alpacas, cows, and llamas, all complemented by an indoor insect hall and DIY painting sessions. Fresh-milk soft serve and steamed buns are served on site, making the farm a full-day destination for play and nature learning.