Dalin Township is a Cittaslow-certified town in Chiayi County recognized in 2016, the first slow city in western Taiwan and the second nationwide. It preserves former Dalin Sugar Factory rail lines and Japanese-era dormitories, and has built a small-town lifestyle centered on Dalin Ciji Hospital that blends healthcare, agriculture, and an unhurried pace of life.
Dalin Township received Cittaslow International certification in 2016, becoming the first slow city in western Taiwan and the second in the country overall, after Fenglin Township in Hualien County. Dalin Ciji Hospital opened on August 13, 2000, following groundbreaking in 1996; the former Dalin Sugar Factory ceased production in 1996, and its rail corridor has since been converted into an approximately 8-kilometer cycling path linking the sugar industry heritage site with surrounding farming villages.
Highlights of the Area around Dalin Ciji Hospital
Dalin Township is located in northern Chiayi County and was historically centered on sugarcane agriculture. The industrial heritage left behind by the Japanese colonial-era sugar refinery is an important piece of local historical memory. Parts of the township's streets preserve the layout of an agricultural settlement, where traditional brick buildings and old trees coexist, reflecting the texture of life in Taiwan's agrarian society. The public spaces around Dalin Ciji Hospital bring a measure of public life quality to this small town.
Dalin's "Three Goods Community" initiative drives regular cultural activities within the township, combining environmental tidiness, community interaction, and preservation of local history and culture to create an atmosphere quite different from a typical tourist attraction. Zhonglin Road's commercial street still features traditional pastry shops, processed agricultural products, and other local businesses typical of a working town. It is best suited to visitors who prefer unhurried, in-depth travel — a place to feel the everyday texture of rural Taiwan.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Dalin Township has its own TRA station (Dalin Station); take the Taiwan Railways from Chiayi Station and walk about 10–15 minutes into the town center.
- Community activity dates are announced irregularly; check the Dalin Township Office or related community platforms for the latest news before you go.
Nearby Connections
- Dalin Township is in northern Chiayi County, bordering Douliu in Yunlin County to the north; a cross-county agricultural small-town cultural route linking Chiayi and Yunlin is possible.
- Renyi Reservoir in Zhongpu Township, Chiayi County, is to the south; pair with Dalin for a combined agricultural-and-nature itinerary within Chiayi County.
Source: Public records from the Dalin Township Office and Three Goods Community. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dalin Township receive its slow city certification?
Dalin Township was certified by Cittaslow International in 2016, becoming the first slow city in western Taiwan and the second nationwide.
When did Dalin Ciji Hospital open?
Groundbreaking took place in 1996, and the hospital formally opened on August 13, 2000.
What is the former Dalin Sugar Factory rail line used for today?
After the factory stopped production in 1996, its rail corridor was converted into an approximately 8-kilometer cycling path linking the sugar heritage site with surrounding villages.
What nearby destinations pair well with a visit?
Combine with Douliu in Yunlin County to the north or Renyi Reservoir in Zhongpu Township to the south for a cross-county agricultural small-town itinerary.
Sources
- Dalin – 台灣慢城聯盟 — 確認大林鎮2016年獲Cittaslow國際慢城認證，為西部第一、全國第二
- 大林慈濟醫院 - 維基百科 — 確認大林慈濟醫院1996年動土、2000年8月13日啟用
- 嘉義大林「慢」是一種生活態度 — 大林糖廠鐵道轉型自行車道背景資訊