Chiayi City
Gateway to Alishan: transit hub, agricultural market, Turkey Rice tourism. Population stagnated while metros grew. By 2026, HSR accessibility vs. out-migration tests whether small city character becomes asset or liability.
The gateway to Alishan—Chiayi City serves as the service and transport hub for mountain tourism and agricultural commerce. The Alishan Forest Railway's lowland terminus and regional hospital, school, and government facilities concentrate here, making the city essential infrastructure for surrounding agricultural counties.
Small city dynamics differ from Taiwan's metropolitan centers. Chiayi lacks semiconductor manufacturing or major industrial facilities; instead, it functions as agricultural market town elevated to city status. The Turkey Rice (jirou fan) culinary tradition draws domestic tourists, adding food tourism to mountain access as economic drivers.
The city's population stagnated while Taipei and Kaohsiung grew. This stability preserved walkable urban character but limited economic opportunities that drive youth retention. The city experiments with cultural events, night market promotion, and heritage preservation to differentiate from metropolitan competitors.
2026 trajectory: High-speed rail station (since 2007) improved metropolitan accessibility but also accelerated commuter out-migration. The city must find economic identity beyond transit hub status. Alishan tourism recovery after pandemic determines gateway city fortunes.