Originally the Chiayi Brewery built in 1914 (the 3rd year of Taisho under Japanese rule), after the Taiwan Provincial Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau's Chiayi Brewery ceased production, the brick factory buildings were preserved intact and the site has since been transformed into a hub of creative exhibitions, markets, and dining. The red-brick building complex forms an open factory courtyard in the heart of Chiayi City, serving as a space where the city's modern industrial history and contemporary creativity intersect.
Highlights of the Cultural and Creative Industries Park
The Chiayi Brewery was built during the Japanese colonial period, with the factory complex primarily using red brick and timber truss frames as its architectural language, preserving the characteristic style of Japanese-era industrial architecture in Taiwan. The renovation deliberately maintained the original building volumes and materials without extensive refurbishment, allowing visitors to directly experience the spatial scale of the century-old factory. The open courtyard connects the various exhibition halls and commercial spaces with a natural pedestrian flow, well suited to unhurried exploration.
The park regularly hosts art and culture exhibitions, creative markets, and performance events covering visual art, design and craft, and music. Some factory buildings serve as permanent exhibition spaces; restaurants and workshops have also moved in. Chiayi local design goods and agricultural products have high visibility at the markets, making it one of the channels for purchasing Chiayi specialty handmade items. Check the park's official website or social media platforms for activity information before your visit.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- On foot: approximately 10 to 15 minutes' walk from Chiayi Train Station, and also close to the Chiayi Bus Terminal — well served by public transport.
- By car: along Zhongshan Road in Chiayi City center. Parking lots are nearby, but parking space is limited on weekends.
- The park is open year-round; some exhibition halls have fixed closure days. Creative markets are mainly held on weekends and during festivals; dining and exhibitions are the main draws on weekdays.
Nearby Connections
- Within walking distance are Chiayi City's historic buildings — Chiayi Old Prison and the Chiayi City Museum — making a half-day walking route through the old city easy to arrange.
- Wenhua Road Night Market is about a 10-minute walk from the park; combine an evening stroll through the park with a visit to the night market afterward for turkey rice and other Chiayi classics.
Source: Official information from Chiayi City Cultural and Creative Industries Park and Wikipedia entry on "Chiayi City Cultural and Creative Industries Park." Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.