TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Chiayi City launched a Disney-inspired light festival Thursday (Oct. 9), transforming Beisianhu Park (北香湖公園) into an "Alice in Wonderland" wonderland through Oct. 19. The 2025 Chiayi Light Festival (2025嘉義市光織影舞) features eight themed light installations, creating an enchanting atmosphere with daily operations from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Mayor Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠) emphasized the festival combines romance and whimsy, highlighting a nine-meter-tall (29.5-foot) Alice installation that creates a delightful "shrinking" illusion for visitors. The festival features a "Fantasy Market" for exploration, operating daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the celebration period.
Weekend performances feature renowned artists including Hsu Fu-kai (許富凱), Ivy Lee (艾薇), and Andrew Tan (陳勢安), creating atmospheric autumn night celebrations. Shuttle services connect KANO Visitor Center (KANO遊客中心), Chiayi Railway Station Front Station (嘉義火車站前站), and Beisianhu Park (北香湖公園) to accommodate festival visitors throughout the celebration period.
The Culture & Tourism Bureau of Chiayi County (嘉義縣文化觀光局), Taiwan's regional tourism authority, launches the Alishan Forest Railway's steam-powered Hinoki train Wednesday (Oct. 16). The classic "Hinoki Car" operates weekly on the Alishan to Zhaoping Line (沼平支線), while the "Alishan" train provides direct Chiayi City to Alishan service.
The Alishan Forest Railway climbs from 30 meters (98 feet) to 2,216 meters (7,270 feet) above sea level, traversing diverse forest landscapes and mountain views. Tickets sell daily at 6 a.m., with Friday weekend slot openings 14 days advance, while unpaid reservations release within two days for last-minute opportunities.
The NPM Ansian Art Festival—NANYANG Month (2025故宮亞洲藝術節-南洋月) at the South Branch of the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院南部院區), Taiwan's premier cultural institution, explores Southeast Asia's cultural tapestry throughout October. The festival features themed exhibitions, interactive games, costume courses, performances, and lectures under "CoEX—Co-existence" (CoEX—共存) theme.
The High-Heel Wedding Church (高跟鞋教堂) in Budai (布袋) continues attracting visitors as the world's largest high-heel-shaped building, earning Guinness World Records recognition in June 2016. This unique architectural landmark adds romantic allure to Taiwan's southwestern coastal region, complementing the area's diverse cultural attractions and tourism offerings. ◼
