The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday has just come to an end, and another long weekend for Taiwan’s National Day in October is just around the corner! If you’re planning a family outing, consider adding family-friendly tourism factories and biotech parks to your itinerary. They’re a great way for kids to burn off some energy while giving parents a chance to relax and recharge. Dalin, Chiayi, is home to quite a few tourism factories with eye-catching themes and plenty to explore. Best of all, many of these attractions are clustered around the Dapumei Industrial Park, making it easy to experience several different themes in a single trip!
Contents
◦ Chiayi Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in Chiayi
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚗 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour from Taipei
🚌 Shared City Transfer between Chiayi and Alishan
🛵 Chiayi Scooter Rental - Chiayi Railway Station Pickup
02｜Popular Attractions in Chiayi
🎫 Alishan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket
🎫 Three Pigs Farm Ticket in Chiayi
🎫 Chiayi Taiping Suspension Bridge Ticket
🎫 National Palace Museum Southern Branch Ticket in Chiayi
03｜Things To Do in Chiayi
🚌 Alishan Day Tour from Taichung, Chiayi or Kaohsiung
💆🏻♀️ Yuxiantang Chuiyang & Linsen Hall・Foot & Meridian Acupressure Massage Coupon
🏕️ Guipu Glamping in Chiayi
◦ The History of Dalin
Dalin, Chiayi, is the first town in western Taiwan to receive certification from Italy’s international Cittaslow organization. Being a “Slow City” is about more than simply slowing down. It reflects a town’s commitment to quality of life, local culture, and environmental sustainability. Dalin embraces the philosophy of “slow living, slow food, and slow travel.” From environmental initiatives and locally sourced ingredients to community development, these are all part of the criteria considered in the Cittaslow certification process. Local volunteers, in particular, have played a key role in helping Dalin earn this recognition. As you explore Dalin, you’ll discover that every village and neighborhood has a story of its own. Some take pride in their rice-based foods, others champion environmental conservation, while some communities actively research and preserve their local culture.
Dalin was formerly known as “Dapulin,” and historical records of the area date back to the reign of Emperor Kangxi during the Qing dynasty. With its expansive agricultural hinterland and abundant irrigation water, Dalin became an important granary of the Jianan Plain. The area is particularly well known for the quality of its rice and orchids.
◦ Attractions in Dalin
01｜Château de Jourdeness
When it comes to Taiwan’s well-known beauty, wellness, and spa groups, Sodamore is a name that can’t be overlooked. Château de Jourdeness was built by the company at a cost of approximately NT$3 billion. Centered around a grand Baroque-style architectural design, the castle has earned the nickname “Taiwan’s Versailles.”
The attraction is divided into two main areas: an outdoor European-style estate and an indoor tourism factory. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of experiences, including photo opportunities, dining and shopping, beauty and skincare products, fragrance blending, and DIY diffuser-stone workshops. Whether you’re traveling with children or simply enjoy taking photos, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
Personally, I think the outdoor estate is particularly well designed. Fountains and sculptures are complemented by seasonal flowers, creating a lavish European atmosphere. It’s no surprise that the estate has also become a popular location for wedding photography. As for the dining and shopping options, aside from Sodamore’s own beauty products and fragrances, prices for other items tend to be relatively high. The exhibitions are also fairly conventional and may not be the most memorable part of the visit. If you’re short on time, I’d recommend saving it for other tourism factories with more distinctive themes and experiences.
Château de Jourdeness Opening Hours: 0900-1730 No. 15, Dapumei Park 3rd Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
02｜Gaia Manor
Compared with the grandeur of Château de Jourdeness, I actually prefer the pure white elegance of Gaia Manor, which is inspired by the architectural style of ancient Greek temples. Gaia Manor is operated by the skincare brand CONI and was designed with the help of a Disney architectural team. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, the manor centers around Gaia, the goddess of the Earth, and her daughter Rhea, incorporating their stories to express the brand’s aesthetic philosophy. The estate features a number of distinctive attractions, including the Hundred Flowers Time Corridor, the main Gaia building, the Fragrance-filled Secret Realm, and the Little Prince’s Garden of the Soul. Throughout the experience, beauty and fragrance are closely woven into every detail.
Gaia Manor also incorporates the brand’s expertise into a variety of DIY workshops. From preserved-flower wreaths and diffuser stones to scented bath bombs, these hands-on experiences are perfect for families with children or couples looking to enjoy a creative activity together.
Gaia Manor Opening Hours: 0830-1730 No. 18, Dapumei Park 7th Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
03｜TK Food Factory
When it comes to cubic pastry, is there anyone in Taiwan who hasn’t tried T.K. Food? T.K. Food got its start in Chiayi, taking the traditional baked sesame pastries once popular in military dependents’ villages and reinventing them into convenient, crispy, bite-sized cubic pastries. Combined with a successful marketing strategy, the crackers quickly became one of Chiayi’s best-known local souvenirs.
I had previously only tried the salted egg yolk and brown sugar flavors. It wasn’t until I visited TK Food Factory, that I discovered just how many flavors they offer. With so many options, I was completely spoiled for choice, so I did what any serious foodie would do—sip some refreshing grass jelly tea to cleanse my palate while working my way through the samples. And when it comes to sampling, they are incredibly generous. The staff kept bringing out more and more samples! After trying my way through the different flavors, brown sugar used to be my favorite. But my new top pick is now the Guava & Plum flavor. It’s sweet, tangy, refreshing, and surprisingly addictive. I ended up buying several bags to take home, and I could easily finish an entire bag in one sitting. My friend, meanwhile, is a big fan of the Oolong Tea flavor, which is also one of their most popular varieties.
TK Food Factory Opening Hours: 0830-1700 No. 3, Dapumei Park 5th Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
04｜Ball Planet
When I first saw the name “Ball Planet” and its futuristic-looking exterior, I thought it was an astronomy exhibition hall. It wasn’t until I stepped inside that I discovered it was actually a meatball-themed tourism factory created by Jianan Foods. From raising pigs at the source and using automated slaughtering facilities to processing the meat into finished products, Jianan Foods maintains strict quality control throughout the entire production process. This farm-to-table approach has helped make its products a popular choice for families and local eateries alike.
The interior of Ball Planet is colorful and vibrant, with the universe as its main design concept. Walking inside feels like embarking on a journey through outer space. Visitors can learn about the history of Jianan Foods and discover how traditional Taiwanese pork meatballs are made, bringing this seemingly ordinary everyday food to life in a whole new way. The free samples are generous too. In addition to tasting their large, springy pork meatballs, visitors can enjoy a variety of fun interactive games. It’s a family-friendly attraction where both kids and adults can have a great time.
Ball Planet Opening Hours: 0930-1730 No. 29, Dapumei Park 2nd Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
05｜Dalin Sugar Factory
Dalin Sugar Factory, originally known as the “Dalin Sugar Refinery,” was once the Chiayi plant of Shin Tak Sugar Co., Ltd., a private company operating during the Japanese colonial period. To support the sugar industry at the time, an industrial railway was built, leaving behind a valuable legacy of Taiwan’s sugar-making history in Dalin. In recent years, the township government has revitalized the former railway tracks of Dalin Sugar Factory, incorporating local industries, natural ecology, and scenic cycling routes. This has given the once-thriving sugar industry a new role in modern life.
When visiting the ice cream shop at Dalin Sugar Factory, don’t miss its popular fresh milk ice cream. This time, I also discovered that the shop’s coffee is made with beans sourced from small-scale farmers in the highlands of Guatemala. It has a pleasantly tangy acidity and a distinctive character, and it pairs perfectly with the creamy fresh milk ice cream!
Dalin Sugar Factory Opening Hours: 0900-1700 No. 399, Dalin Township, Chiayi
06｜Shicuiyuan Mackerel Theme Pavilion
Not far from Dalin Sugar Factory, Shicuiyuan is a small exhibition center jointly established by Taiwan Sugar Biotechnology and the Suao Fishermen’s Association in Yilan. The venue isn’t very large, but its theme is quite unique. I found the “Fish Tornado” interactive experience at the entrance particularly fascinating. A video simulates a school of mackerel in the waters off Nanfang’ao in Yilan. When the fish sense a shark approaching, they gather together and rapidly spin as a group, forming a tornado-like defensive formation to scare the shark away.
The staff here are very friendly and will happily introduce the exhibits, even if you’re visiting alone. Learning how almost every part of the mackerel can be put to use and processed into food products and health supplements made me think: if there’s a next life, I definitely wouldn’t want to come back as a mackerel. It sounds exhausting! The final stop is the gift shop, where you can find a variety of Taiwan Sugar products, including Taiwan Sugar ice cream, mackerel essence, canned fish, skincare products, and more.
Shicuiyuan Mackerel Theme Pavilion Opening Hours: 0800-1700 No. 61, Dahu Farm, Dalin Township, Chiayi
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Dalin
01｜Dalin Train Station Stinky Tofu
In front of Dalin Railway Station, you’ll find a lively food street filled with local favorites. One of the most famous spots is Stinky Tofu, an extremely popular eatery that is often packed as soon as it opens. If it’s your first visit, don’t make the mistake of walking straight inside to look for a seat. The system here is to take a number, wait for your number to be called, place your order, and only then head inside to enjoy your meal.
The oil they use is kept remarkably clean, and the stinky tofu is fresh, crispy on the outside, and full of rich soybean flavor. Add some chili sauce, and you get a seriously intense combination. They offer two levels of spiciness: a mild vegetarian option and a much hotter version made with meat-based ingredients. This time, I tried their chili peppers with tiny dried fish, and they were so spicy that they brought tears to my eyes! If you love spicy food, you’ll definitely find it incredibly satisfying.
Dalin Train Station Stinky Tofu－臭非臭 Opening Hours: 1200-1930, closed on Mondays. No. 13, Zhongshan Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
02｜Xuexiang Pavilion
After devouring some seriously spicy stinky tofu, I desperately needed something to cool down the heat. When I spotted a tofu pudding shop on the same street, I decided to stop in. Originally, I only planned to have a bowl of tofu pudding and leave. But between the charming old house and the resident cat, I ended up staying for more than an hour. According to the owner, the building is a historic “Jiyang Yanpai” shophouse and one of the best-preserved old buildings along Dalin Old Street. It was later taken over and revitalized by a local team, transforming the historic house into what is now Xuexiang Pavilion. In addition to its signature soy milk tofu pudding, the shop also serves coffee, cakes, and pudding.
I ordered the taro ball tofu pudding with soy milk and added traditional Taiwanese Miancha, a roasted flour and grain powder that’s not commonly found these days. The rich, fragrant soy milk paired beautifully with the silky tofu pudding and chewy taro balls. Topped with the aromatic mee-cha, every bite was incredibly satisfying. The real boss of the shop, however, is this orange cat. It casually wanders between the front and back courtyards and around the tables.
Xuexiang Pavilion Opening Hours: 1030-1800 No. 68, Zhongshan Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
03｜The Unnamed Breakfast Shop
This little shop is incredibly easy to overlook, but it’s surprisingly hard to miss when you walk past. With a whole row of gas cylinders lined up outside and a steady stream of customers waiting in line, it’s clear at a glance that this is a local favorite. With generous portions at wallet-friendly prices, the shop attracts not only nearby residents but also plenty of students from Nanhua University and National Chung Cheng University. I ordered a cheese egg pancake, radish cake, and milk tea, and the total came to less than NT$100. Prices like these are getting harder and harder to find, and they’re exactly the kind of thing that makes small towns like Dalin so charming.
The Unnamed Breakfast Shop Opening Hours: 0530-1200, closed on Sundays. No. 284, Zhongxing Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Chiayi
➤ Budai | Budai Salt Fields
➤ East | Wearing Kimono, Exploring Historic Sites, and the Must-Try Turkey Rice
➤ Dongshih | The Oysters of Dongshih are at Their Best!