Chiayi County
Alishan tea (1,000-2,500m) and heritage railway anchor economy; Japanese-era logging transformed to tourism. Farmer average age 60+. By 2026, tea tourism expansion tests whether cultural experiences sustain mountain communities.
Alishan's high-altitude tea and forestry heritage define Chiayi County—the famous Alishan Railway (built 1906-1914 by Japanese colonial government for logging) now carries tourists to tea plantations at 1,000-2,500m elevation. This transformation from resource extraction to experience economy mirrors Taiwan's broader development trajectory.
The county straddles lowland agriculture and mountain forestry. Coastal plains produce rice and vegetables; mountain slopes grow high-altitude oolong that commands premium prices in Asian markets. Indigenous Tsou communities maintain cultural traditions that add authenticity to tourism experiences.
Agricultural aging hits Chiayi hard—average farmer age exceeds 60. Tea production increasingly relies on Southeast Asian workers. The county experiments with agricultural tourism (tea picking experiences, farm stays) to generate higher-value employment that might retain young workers.
2026 trajectory: Alishan Railway restoration continues after typhoon damage. Tea tourism expansion competes with declining tea farming labor. The county tests whether cultural and agricultural tourism can sustain mountain communities.