More than meets the eye

Currently a valuable cultural asset, visitors should swing by to pay the prison a visit if time allows, even though it is, unfortunately, no longer open to the public. But you can still “see” the prison by peeking through the windows and looking at the pictures on display.

Taiwan's only surviving and fragile—looking Chiayi Old Prison is 88 years old. Originally operating under the name of Tainan Prison Chiayi Branch, it was later renamed “Taiwan Department of Correctional Affairs, Chiayi Branch,” and then “Taiwan Chiayi Prison” in 1947.

The prison has a unique architectural design and layout that was an ideal prototype of prisoner control because guards could oversee all cell rooms from one position.

The raised ceilings of the prison houses provided ventilation and allowed natural light to enter the rooms. The doors and windows were made of cypress from Alishan, or Mt. Ali, that was incredibly strong and durable.

Even though paint is peeling off the walls, as you can see clearly even at its front door, it is amazing to see how the structure has remained in such good condition after all these years.

Rice it Up with Some Turkey

Turkey rice has long been associated with the Chiayi area, so it is a must-have before visitors depart the city. For a bowl of local authenticity, walk down Wenhua Road and stop by Kuo Family's Turkey Rice.

Here, turkey rice is served from 10 a.m. through 5:30 a.m. the following morning. An employee surnamed Lee exclaimed that there is never enough time to serve all the customers they receive every day.

Restaurant owner Mr. Kuo highlighted that although the place has been running for three decades now, their turkey rice has been around for nearly a century, beginning as a small stall in a nearby market. Currently managed by the fourth generation of Kuos, the flavor of the turkey rice has never changed. However, more health—conscious customers nowadays prefer less turkey fat or skin in comparison to the past.

In comparison to the commonly seen chicken rice, the rice with shredded pieces of turkey meat is heavier in flavor and stronger in smell because it soaks up more salt. Kuo's recipe ensures that the turkey meat is never too dry.

Turkey rice is popular in the area because the weather conditions — always sunny — are suitable for raising turkeys (what a bummer to be a turkey in Chiayi). The amount of turkeys killed to make turkey rice in the city can number hundreds a day.

As nighttime approaches, be prepared as you begin your journey home; it may be hard to believe how much you're going to miss this peaceful city.

How to get there:

By HSR:

Get off at Chiayi Station and take the free transit bus into city center (NT$1,075/trip from Taipei). It's an average 80-minute journey.

By Train:

Get off at Chiayi Station, located in the heart of the city (about NT$580/trip from Taipei). The journey is about two hours.

By Bus:

Take the King Bus (國光) from Taipei Main Station that goes to Chiayi City (NT$165 - NT$200/trip). It takes about three to four hours to arrive.

Kuo Family's Turkey Rice 郭家火雞肉飯/No. 148 Wenhua Road, Chiayi City 嘉義市文化路148號 (05) 225- 6214

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