嘉义市

Why this place

Chiayi is the city you pass through to reach Alishan, and it is worth a stop — its old town has the remains of the Japanese-era timber industry, a fine old train station and the small forest railway that climbs to the mountain.

What to see

• The Alishan Forest Railway, which climbs from the city to the mountain
• The Hinoki Village — the old Japanese timber-yard buildings, restored
• The Wenhua Road night market, one of the best in the south

What to eat

• Chiayi is famous for its 'turkey rice' (huoji roufan) — the city's signature
• The local 'sand-guo' fish-head stew, and the Alishan high-mountain tea

Best time

October–April; Alishan's cherry blossom is in March–April