Museum of Chiayi City

275, JungShiau Rd., Chiayi City
(05) 278-8225
Hours: 9 am-12 noon, 1:30 pm-5 pm

     The new and impressive Museum of Chiayi City is a welcome addition to a complex of buildings that includes a public library, a cultural center for the performing arts, and the nearby Beimen Railway Station where tourists can take the train to the mountain resort of Alishan. Stunning architecture and spacious exhibition rooms inside the three-story building make this a worthwhile stop for visitors to Chiayi. A monthly schedule of shows and displays is already up and running. According to a spokesman for the Chiayi City mayor's office, the new museum is part of the city's efforts to attract more out-of-town visitors, especially as the inauguration of Taiwan's high-speed railway draws nearer. The museum is a 20-minute leisurely walk from the main Chiayi train and bus stations, or a short taxi ride costing around NT$100. Admission is free. --By Dan Bloom