Things To Do
in Yizhu
Yizhu (Yijhu) is a quiet rural township in Chiayi County on Taiwan’s western plain, known for its rice paddies, agricultural landscapes and local temples. The town offers a slow-paced, authentic experience of Taiwanese rural life with small markets, old streets and seasonal farming activity. It is a convenient base for visiting nearby Chiayi City and for day trips to Alishan or coastal areas.
Visitors come for relaxed cycling, temple photography, and to sample regionally fresh produce and comfort food.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your journey by landing in Taichung Airport, then head to Yizhu. Settle into your accommodation and take some time to refresh after your travels. Explore the immediate area for a light breakfast at a local café, enjoying traditional Taiwanese flavors.
Spend your afternoon visiting the nearby cultural and historical sites, such as local temples and markets. Engage with the friendly locals, and perhaps pick up some souvenirs from artisan shops. Delight in trying some street food for lunch, sampling unique Taiwanese snacks.
As the sun sets, experience the vibrant night market culture by visiting Yizhu's local market. Try a variety of dishes from different stalls, including famous Taiwanese delicacies. End your day by taking a leisurely stroll and soaking in the lively atmosphere.
Start your day early with a hike in the lush green hills surrounding Yizhu. Stroll through picturesque landscapes, breathing in the fresh country air while spotting local flora and fauna. Enjoy a packed breakfast amidst nature, perhaps by a serene stream.
After your hiking adventure, head back into town for a relaxing lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant featuring fresh ingredients from the local farms. Spend the afternoon visiting nearby fruit orchards and participating in a picking workshop. Experience the joy of choosing your own seasonal fruits.
In the evening, return to town for a cooking class where you can learn to prepare traditional Taiwanese dishes. Share the meal you've created with fellow travelers, experiencing the delight of culinary teamwork. Conclude the night by sharing stories and enjoying the warmth of new friendships.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍜Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-6 |
| ☕Coffee or tea at a cafe | $2-4 |
| 🚍Local bus ride | $0.80-2 |
| 🚕Taxi short ride | $5-15 |
| 🏨Budget guesthouse / small hotel (per night) | $30-60 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic rural Taiwanese experience with fresh local produce
- Quiet, uncrowded scenery ideal for photography and relaxation
- Convenient base for day trips to Chiayi and Alishan
- Friendly local community and traditional temples
- Limited nightlife and fewer dining options compared with cities
- Public transportation options are limited; having a scooter or car helps
- Hot, humid summers with typhoon risk
- Fewer English-language services in rural shops and clinics
- "你好 (nǐ hǎo)" - Hello
- "謝謝 (xiè xie)" - Thank you
- "請問... (qǐng wèn...)" - Excuse me / May I ask...
- "多少錢? (duō shǎo qián?)" - How much is it?
- "對不起 (duì bu qǐ)" - Sorry / Excuse me
- "廁所在哪裡? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)" - Where is the restroom?
Places to Visit in Yizhu
Visit one of these nice places.
Wide-open fields offer classic golden-hour shots, reflections in flooded paddies and scenes of agricultural life.
Traditional temple architecture, colorful decorations and occasional festivals make strong cultural images — best photographed respectfully during daylight hours.
Candid street photography opportunities: vendors, produce stalls and everyday scenes showing local life.
Low bridges, water reflections and birdlife provide tranquil nature photos, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Food in Yizhu
Yizhu Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Locally grown rice appears in many forms — steamed rice, rice porridge and simple rice bowls; best tried at family-run eateries or farm stalls.
Must-Try!
A Taiwanese classic found in local restaurants and food stalls — savory minced/braised pork served over rice; comforting and widely available.
Vegetables harvested nearby are often simply stir-fried or blanched with garlic and soy — very fresh and flavorful at market stalls and small diners.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small weekday markets sell fresh produce, tofu, eggs and snacks; ideal for sampling seasonal fruits and buying picnic supplies.
For a wider street-food selection, head into Chiayi City to try oyster omelets, turkey rice (a Chiayi specialty), grilled snacks and Taiwanese sweets.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
A simple '你好' (nǐ hǎo) or a nod is polite. Use modest, respectful behavior in temples and remove shoes where required.
Speak quietly, avoid pointing at altars, and follow any local customs if participating in rituals; ask before taking close-up photos of worshippers.
Taiwanese generally follow informal queuing; be patient and orderly in markets and transport hubs.
Safety
Tipping in Yizhu
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not customary in Taiwan; good service is part of the price. Rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated but unnecessary in most shops and eateries.
Cash (New Taiwan Dollar, TWD) is widely used in rural areas. Contactless payments (EasyCard, credit cards, Apple/Google Pay) are accepted at larger stores and some restaurants — carry cash for markets, small stalls and taxis.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Mild temperatures and blooming roadside flowers make spring pleasant for cycling and outdoor photography; occasional rain but generally comfortable.
Hot, humid and often rainy — afternoons can see heavy showers and the typhoon season (June–October) brings occasional storms; mornings are best for outdoor activity.
Generally the most comfortable season with cooler temperatures, clearer skies and lower rainfall — ideal for day trips and hiking.
Cooler and drier, with mild daytime temperatures but cooler nights; not snowy, and a good time for relaxed exploration and food-focused visits.
Yizhu at Night
Hiking in Yizhu
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Famous mountain area with forest trails, sunrise viewing, and cooler mountain air; reachable as a day trip from Yizhu via Chiayi — plan for an early start and check weather conditions.
Various short trails in the hills around Chiayi offer easy to moderate hikes, good views and opportunities to see local flora and fauna.
A regional network of scenic sites with trails, wetlands and cultural stops — suitable for gentle hikes and nature observation within a short drive.
Airports
How to reach Yizhu by plane.
Small regional airport in Shuishang, Chiayi County — limited commercial flights. From Yizhu reach by car or local bus in around 30–45 minutes depending on route.
Regional airport serving domestic flights and some international charters; reachable by car in about 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Good option for accessing the Tainan region or switching to ground transport toward Chiayi.
Major southern Taiwan international airport with many domestic and international connections; about 1–1.5 hours by car from Yizhu depending on traffic and route.
Larger airport to the north with domestic and some international flights; typically around 1.5–2 hours by car and useful for arrivals from central Taiwan.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority population in the township, speaking Taiwanese Hokkien and Mandarin; many families are involved in agriculture.
Smaller Hakka and other Han communities contribute to regional cultural diversity and local festivals.
Rural townships tend to have an aging demographic and close-knit family-run farms; community life often centers around markets and temples.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Baseball is widely followed across Taiwan; local communities often organize youth teams and friendly matches.
A popular pastime in towns and cities with many open courts for pickup games and school competitions.
Cycling for leisure and fitness is popular due to flat rural roads and scenic lanes — many visitors rent bikes to explore the area.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Yizhu.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are usually limited at rural stalls but simple vegetable dishes, tofu and rice are available; in restaurants ask for 'su' (素) dishes and watch for hidden fish sauce or meat stocks.
Vegan choices require explicit requests — many dishes use egg or fish-based seasonings; larger towns nearby have more vegan-friendly restaurants.
Rice-based foods are naturally safe, but soy sauce contains wheat; request tamari/avoid sauces if you are sensitive and carry a translation card for cross-contamination.