Sprawling south-east of Chiayi City, Zhongpu is a largely rural township famed for its cultivation of fruits. Around 7,000 hectares of the township’s land is planted with agricultural crops, such as papayas, tangerines and pineapples, and the industry employs roughly a third of Zhongpu’s population.
Things to do in Zhongpu Township
Indigenous arts and crafts created by the region’s Tsou people are exhibited at Wu Feng Park, which is named after a government official who played an important role in resolving disputes between the tribe and the Han Chinese people. Traditional red brick Fujian-style buildings dominate the space, together with several spur stones and octagonal pavilions.
Also not to miss is the Chiayi Zhongpu Centennial Cave, a historic tunnel that dates back to the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. You can walk its 80-metre length while marvelling at the sculpted walls, then see its now-ruined oil storage tank. Combine your visit to the cave with a stop at Fengshan Ecological Park, which is planted with a diverse range of locally loved fruit trees such as jackfruit and finger lemons.
You can rejuvenate at the end of the day in the hot and cold pools of the Jia Ying Hot Spring, which is nestled in the mountains of Zhongpu Township. The on-site restaurant serves traditional, home-cooked meals, with the bitter tea oil chicken particularly renowned. If you prefer to stay dry, there is also a tranquil creekside trail to explore.
Getting around Zhongpu Township
Zhongpu Township is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Chiayi City and Chiayi Airport, which has regular flights to Kinmen and Penghu. The much larger Taichung International Airport is 1.5 hours away. Buses travel through Zhongpu, although renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the township.