Chiayi Park is the oldest urban park in Chiayi City, dating from the Japanese colonial era and preserving historic structures such as a Confucius Temple and a colonial-era torii gate. Within the park stands the 62-meter, 12-story Shooting Sun Tower, built on the site of the former Chiayi Shrine's main hall, which became a Martyrs' Shrine after the war, burned down in a 1994 fire, and was rebuilt on the same site as the Shooting Sun Tower, completed in 1999.
The Shooting Sun Tower stands on the site of the former main hall of the Japanese-era Chiayi Shrine, which became a Martyrs' Shrine after WWII; that structure burned down on April 24, 1994, and the site was rebuilt as the 62-meter, 12-story Shooting Sun Tower, completed in 1999. It was designed by National Cheng Kung University architecture professor Lin Hsien-te together with the Cho Chien-kuang Architects firm, with an exterior inspired by Alishan's sacred trees. The park also contains the Chiayi Confucius Temple, completed in 1964.
Highlights of Chiayi Park & Shooting Sun Tower
Chiayi Park was established during the Japanese colonial era and is the oldest urban park in Chiayi city. The grounds preserve several precious historical structures: a colonial-era torii gate, the remnant of a Shinto shrine; a Confucius Temple carrying on the Qing-dynasty tradition of civil education; and surviving sections of the Zhuluo County city wall — physical evidence of Qing-era urban fortifications in Taiwan. The coexistence of historical layers from different eras makes the park a three-dimensional condensation of Chiayi's urban history.
The Shooting Sun Tower takes its design concept from the Tsou indigenous people's myth of shooting down the sun. At 62 meters tall, the tower's top floor features a 360-degree wraparound observation deck; on clear days you can look straight down onto the street grid of Chiayi city and out across the Chiayi Plain. The tower's exterior incorporates indigenous motif elements, and the interior houses a display area introducing Chiayi's local culture. The park's trail network is well-maintained, pleasant for a morning walk or an evening stroll.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Located on Park Street, about a 15–20-minute walk from Chiayi Train Station; city buses serve the Chiayi Park stop.
- The park is open year-round. Shooting Sun Tower hours and admission fees follow official announcements; check before you go.
Nearby Connections
- The Chiayi City Art Museum is nearby and walkable from the park — combine both for a half-day Chiayi cultural itinerary.
- Chiayi Chenghuang Temple is about a 20-minute walk from the park; link the temple, park, and art museum for an urban cultural walking route.
Source: Tourism information from the Chiayi City Government and local historical records. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stood on the Shooting Sun Tower's site before?
The site originally held the main hall of the Japanese-era Chiayi Shrine, which became a Martyrs' Shrine after WWII and was rebuilt as the Shooting Sun Tower after a 1994 fire destroyed it.
When was the Shooting Sun Tower completed?
It was completed in 1999 on the site of the former Martyrs' Shrine, standing 62 meters tall across 12 floors.
What is the design concept behind the Shooting Sun Tower?
Its exterior draws on the image of Alishan's sacred trees, with brown aluminum strips evoking tree bark; a central “sliver of sky” opening houses bronze carvings depicting the indigenous legend of shooting down the sun.
When was the Confucius Temple in Chiayi Park built?
The Chiayi Confucius Temple was completed in 1964, funded through a mix of official and public donations.