Serving as the seat of Chiayi County, Taibao City was established as a township in 1945. It encompasses several villages, temples and historic factories on the doorstep of Chiayi City and is home to the southern branch of the Taipei-based National Palace Museum.
Things to do in Taibao City
Caffeine lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Ping Huang Coffee Museum, which offers factory tours and hands-on workshops that delve into all things coffee. Learn about each stage of production, from bean to cup, then test your skills at hand-brewing coffee and coffee cupping. Spread across two floors, the Ping Huang Coffee Museum also features a tasting area where you can try some of the company’s brews.
Another industrial museum not to miss is the Whiteman Toothpaste Tourism Factory, where toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwashes have been manufactured since the 1980s. Join a guided tour to see what goes on behind the scenes and see a 130-year-old residence that was shipped here from China. The museum’s quirky collection of objects includes antique furnishings and statues related to Taiwanese mythology.
You can also visit the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, an architecturally impressive complex that showcases Asian arts and cultural treasures. In addition to its main building, it features a man-made lake and a scenic bridge that connects to the museum’s reception hall. Elements of ancient Chinese, Indian and Persian civilisations are woven into the design, as are the cultural symbols of dragons, elephants and horses.
Getting around Taibao City
Taibao City is a 20-minute drive from Chiayi City and 25 minutes from Chiayi Airport, which has regular flights to Kinmen and Penghu. The much larger Taichung International Airport is an hour away. High-speed trains connect to the Chiayi Station while buses travel throughout Taibao City.