This weekend, we decided to explore a lesser-known part of Yunlin County — Taixi Township, a quiet coastal area with plenty of hidden gems. We started our day with some local food, which, compared to the cities, was incredibly affordable and came in huge portions. Afterwards, we visited a few historic buildings from the Japanese era, each with its own story and charm. To wrap up the trip, we made a final stop in Baozhong at Wunian Qiansui Park, a unique temple-themed maze park that was both fun and full of surprises — a perfect ending to our off-the-beaten-path Yunlin adventure.
If you think you’ve seen all of Taiwan’s parks, think again. Hidden in the quiet town of Baozhong, Yunlin, Wunian Qiansui Park blends the charm of a traditional temple garden with the adventure of a massive maze — all crowned by Taiwan’s tallest curved rainbow bridge.
It’s quirky, beautiful, and best of all — completely free.
The park sits right beside Maming Mountain Zhen’an Temple (麻命山鎮安宮) — the spiritual heart of local Wunian Qiansui worship. Driving is the easiest option, with a large free parking lot conveniently located near the entrance.
Wunian Qiansui Park (五年千歲公園) - A Temple Maze Like No Other
Wunian Qiansui Park isn’t your typical park — it’s Taiwan’s largest temple-themed maze, spanning nearly two hectares of winding stone paths, rock formations, tunnels, and scenic viewpoints.
The maze features 73 numbered checkpoints, each with poetic names like Immortal Cave, Arhat Cliff, and Lingzhi Pavilion. Exploring the full route takes around 1.5–2 hours, though you’ll likely be tempted by a few shortcuts along the way. Emergency exits are scattered throughout, but where’s the fun in taking those?
Every maze needs a goal, and here it’s the Rainbow Arch Bridge — the park’s most iconic landmark.
Rising dramatically over the grounds, it’s the tallest curved rainbow bridge in Taiwan. The steep climb might make your legs wobble, but reaching the top rewards you with a 360° panoramic view of the maze, temple roofs, and surrounding countryside. It’s the ultimate “I made it!” photo spot — especially on a clear day when the colors pop against the blue sky.
One of the joys of exploring Wunian Qiansui Park is its unpredictability. One moment you’re walking past a serene Chinese-style pavilion, and the next you’re staring at a giant dinosaur statue that looks like it wandered in from another world.
You’ll also discover rocky cliffs, stone caves, and even a massive dragon-shaped ship that glows at night. It’s part temple, part fantasy adventure — and entirely unique.
The park is an extension of Maming Mountain Zhen’an Temple, which honors Wunian Qiansui, one of Taiwan’s Twelve Royal Lords. The temple is considered the ancestral center of this worship tradition, and its grand festival — the Wunian Qiansui Great Rite — has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Interestingly, the park wasn’t always a maze. It began life in the 1970s as Zhongzheng Park, and only later, in 1996, was it transformed into the whimsical labyrinth we see today.
If you’re road-tripping through Yunlin, Wunian Qiansui Park is one of those unexpected finds that make you say, “Wait, this is in Taiwan?” It’s part cultural site, part playground, and part endurance challenge — a mix that guarantees you’ll leave with both photos and memories that stick.
This weekend, we decided to explore a lesser-known part of Yunlin County — Taixi Township, a quiet coastal area with plenty of hidden gems. We started our day with some local food, which, compared to the cities, was incredibly affordable and came in huge portions. Afterwards, we visited a few historic buildings from the Japanese era, each with its own story and charm. To wrap up the trip, we made a final stop in Baozhong at Wunian Qiansui Park, a unique temple-themed maze park that was both fun and full of surprises — a perfect ending to our off-the-beaten-path Yunlin adventure.
Taixi Township (臺西鄉)
Tucked away on Taiwan’s northwestern shore, Taixi Township (臺西鄉) is a quiet coastal community that feels worlds apart from the bustle of city life. Bordering the Taiwan Strait to the west and sitting about 34 km from Douliu City, it’s a place where seafood farming, traditional temples, and a touch of Japanese-era history all meet against a backdrop of wetlands and seabirds.
Taixi’s flat, low-lying land has shaped its economy for generations. The township is famous for aquaculture, producing fresh clams, oysters, milkfish, and other seafood that end up on tables across Taiwan. If you wander near the coast, you’ll see tidal ponds, fishing boats, and the rhythm of daily life tied closely to the sea.
The township covers 54 km² and is home to about 21,000 residents (2025). Interestingly, a large portion share the Ding surname, with some tracing their roots back to Hui (Muslim) ancestry.
Historically, this area was known as Haikou, officially established as Haikou Village during Japanese rule in 1920. In 1946, after administrative restructuring, it became Taixi Township. Today, the town is made up of 15 villages — each with its own unique feel but connected by fishing traditions and community ties.
While Taixi is best known for its harbor and wetlands, it also hides two beautifully preserved Japanese-era buildings that speak to its past.
Built in 1931, this was once the highest public security authority in Haikou Village during Japanese rule, staffed by a small but vital team. In a time when most homes were simple thatched or earthen structures, the police station’s brick architecture stood out as a symbol of authority and modernity.
In the 1940s, after World War II, administrative changes reshaped the region. When Haikou was divided into Dongshi Township and Taixi Township in August 1946, the Taixi Police Substation was officially established. At that time, most houses in the area were built with thatch or earthen walls, so the well-constructed police station — with its mix of colonial and traditional features — stood out as an architectural gem admired by locals.
In June 2000, during reconstruction of the new Taixi Substation, the old Haikou building was moved about 20 meters. Shortly after, Yunlin Deputy County Magistrate Kao Meng-ting suggested that since the building was under 100 years old and built with common materials, there was “no need to preserve it.” His remarks, made on February 5, 2001, sparked public outrage.
After months of debate, the Yunlin County Government finally decided to preserve the building. Yet, the process was far from smooth. During renovations, the red brick walls were covered with cement — a decision that frustrated preservationists like Professor Liu Chuan-chih, who had worked closely on the revitalization efforts. On February 10, 2002, he and volunteers from the Taixi Coastal Vitality Center took matters into their own hands and began removing the cement layer to restore the building’s original look.
Further restoration work faced bureaucratic hurdles — the township office failed to follow proper administrative procedures to change the land use classification, making it impossible to pass inspection or obtain a usage license. The building also suffered from severe water leakage over time.
Finally, in June 2006, the Yunlin County Historic Sites and Historic Buildings Review Committee officially listed it as a historic building under the name “Haikou Village Police Station.” Thanks to the persistence of local cultural advocates and support from successive county magistrates Su Chih-fen and Lee Chin-yung, the building underwent comprehensive restoration beginning on March 15, 2016, with funding from the Ministry of Culture.
Today, the Haikou Village Police Station stands not just as a relic of Taiwan’s Japanese-era policing system, but also as a symbol of community-driven heritage preservation. Its red brick walls and modest façade remind visitors that even small buildings can hold big stories — stories of resistance, pride, and the struggle to protect history in the face of modernization.
Haikou Village Chief’s Residence (海口庄長官舍)
Tucked away on Minquan Road in Taixi Township, Yunlin County, the Haikou Village Chief’s Residence (海口庄長官舍) — also known as the Taixi Township Magistrate’s Residence — is one of the best-preserved examples of Japanese-era official housing in the area. Built in 1937 from fragrant cypress wood, this elegant single-story structure has weathered decades of change and now serves as the Taixi Haikou Story House, welcoming visitors free of charge.
Designated as a registered historic building on June 20, 2006, the residence is managed and owned by the Taixi Township Office and stands as both a cultural landmark and a symbol of local revitalization.
Completed on August 14, 1937, the house originally served as the residence of Isaku Aimoto (相本伊作), the third Japanese mayor of Haikou Village during the Shōwa era. With its classic Japanese architectural layout, wooden structure, and two large banyan trees gracing the front yard, the residence reflected the simple yet refined aesthetic typical of official homes from that period.
When Taiwan came under the administration of the Republic of China in 1945, and local divisions were reorganized, the house was renamed the Haikou Township Mayor’s Residence. At that time, it lacked amenities such as a water tower, garage, and storage room, and the surrounding yard was nothing more than bare soil — quite different from the landscaped grounds visitors see today.
In 1950, when Haikou Township was split into Taixi Township and Dongshi Township, the building became the official residence of Taixi’s successive township mayors. However, since later mayors were all local residents who continued living in their own homes, the building gradually fell into disuse. For years, it was repurposed as a storage area for small garbage trucks and kitchen waste bins, its historic charm hidden beneath clutter and neglect.
Everything changed when Taiwan began promoting community development initiatives. The Taixi Township Office launched local cultural projects, and the long-forgotten residence found new purpose. It was once used by the Taixi Coastal Vitality Task Force and the Taixi Art Association, serving as a hub for community activities and creative projects.
Recognizing its cultural and architectural value, Yunlin County listed it as a cultural asset in 2006. Then, in 2015, the county government began major restoration work, aiming to transform the old building into a New Immigrant Story House — a community space celebrating diversity and local heritage.
To protect it from frequent flooding, engineers raised the entire structure by 70 centimeters using hydraulic jacks on September 19, 2015 — a remarkable engineering effort for a wooden heritage site.
After years of careful work, the house reopened on June 8, 2019, as the Taixi Haikou Story House. The opening event featured a doll and toy exhibition curated by local fashion designer Lin Guo-ji, breathing new life into the space and connecting the past with the present through art and storytelling.
The Haikou Village Chief’s Residence is a single-story cypress-wood house with a traditional Japanese tiled roof and a layout that reflects the elegance and order of pre-war Japanese domestic architecture. The wooden beams and sliding doors create a sense of warmth and harmony, while the surrounding banyan trees offer shade and a timeless sense of calm.
Other Notes
Beyond the town center, Taixi’s wetlands stretch along the coast, offering a sanctuary for migratory waterbirds. For birdwatchers, winter is the prime season to spot flocks of herons, egrets, and other species feeding in the shallows.
Taixi might not be Taiwan’s most famous destination, but for travelers who love coastal charm, local history, and authentic community life, it’s a place worth slowing down for. Whether you’re here for the seafood, the heritage buildings, or the sight of waterbirds at sunset, Taixi offers a quiet yet deeply textured slice of Yunlin’s story.
For our last day in Kumamoto, I hadn’t planned anything specific. There was an option to take the tram to explore other places around the city, but the weather was rainy - sometimes light, sometimes heavier, so we decided to spend the day shopping and exploring nearby arcades. Kumamoto city is fantastic for this, everything is conveniently located, and there are so many different stores to visit.
Since we didn’t have time the previous day to buy breakfast, we started with a food hunt. I really wanted to try ramen in Japan, and luckily we found Keika Honten Ramen in Tsuruya Department Store. Both the original and spicy flavors were delicious, though I must admit the “spicy” version wasn’t really spicy by my standards. One thing I loved was that you could choose how long the noodles were cooked, perfect for those who don’t like overly chewy noodles.
After breakfast, we explored the shopping arcades and tried some dango - a chewy, mochi-like treat. The ones we tried were filled with sweet potato and red bean paste, which I enjoyed, though I personally prefer mochi as they are softer. Some dango had even more elaborate fillings, like red bean paste with fruits such as strawberries or kiwis - looked delicious!
Next, we visited 3COINS, a shop recommended by many YouTubers. I was mainly looking for earrings, and the store didn’t disappoint - prices were about a third of what you’d pay in Taiwan for similar styles in Poya. The store wasn’t very large, but I still managed to buy a small frying pan and a bowl. Everything felt like good quality, and since most items are made in China anyway, there’s not much difference in purchasing here versus elsewhere.
After a quick rest back at the hotel, the skies opened up with a heavy rain, so it was perfect timing to relax. My husband took a nap, as he isn’t used to walking long distances for work, unlike us, who are more active. Later in the afternoon, we went back out for more shopping at Sakuramachi Shopping Center. We shopped for shoes for our son, and I got a pair for myself. My husband even found a wallet at 50% off, and with the tax refund, it felt like an amazing deal. Japan is really generous with discounts - 30-50%, sometimes even 70% for seasonal items, unlike Taiwan, where discounts are usually much smaller.
After dropping our shopping bags at the hotel, we headed out again - my husband was hoping to have sushi once more. While shopping near Tsuruya Department Store, we spotted Kura Sushi, but unfortunately it wasn’t open yet - it was scheduled to open at the end of August.
So, we walked back to Sakuramachi Shopping Mall... yes, once again... and decided to dine at Amakusa Ushibukamaru SAKURA MACHI, the same sushi restaurant we visited on our first day. The quality was excellent, and it was a perfect way to enjoy fresh sushi before ending the day.
Back at the hotel around 9 PM, I spent the evening packing our luggage. What started as half-empty bags soon became fully packed with gifts and souvenirs from our trip.
The next morning, we woke up at 7 AM, tidied up, and checked out. Taking the bus from Sakuramachi to the airport was extremely convenient - the stop is on the first floor, and tickets can easily be purchased at the vending machine. Everything is in English and simple to use. Despite arriving two hours early, the airport was busy, and we barely had enough time after check-in and security before boarding.
Our flight back to Taiwan was smooth, and when we landed in the afternoon, the weather was hot and sunny - typhoon Podul was long gone, making our timing perfect.
One thing I have to mention is the amazing buns and breads in Japan. Whether from supermarkets or convenience stores, they are always packed with filling - over 50% in some cases! This is so different from Taiwan, where buns often have very little filling compared to the bread. During our stay, we tried over 10 different buns and several donuts, and I loved them all - especially honeydew-flavored buns. If you’re a dessert or snack lover, Japan is definitely a paradise for buns and pastries.
Summary
Our six-day adventure in Kumamoto, Japan was a mix of cultural exploration, natural beauty, and shopping delights. A little summary of our trip:
Day 1 – Arrival: Despite flying on the day of Typhoon Podul, our flight went smoothly. We stayed at Daiwa Roynet Hotel, conveniently located near Kumamoto Castle and shopping areas.
Day 2 – Kumamoto Castle & Jojuen Garden: We explored Kumamoto Castle, including exhibitions on its six floors, and visited Katō Shrine and Inari Shrine nearby. In the afternoon, we took a tram to Suizenji Jojuen Garden, a peaceful, well-maintained traditional Japanese garden with beautiful ponds and shrines.
Day 3 – Aso Volcano & Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine: We drove to Aso Volcano, enjoyed the crater views, and learned about its unique geology. Later, we visited Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, a hidden gem nestled in the forest with moss-covered lanterns and a long stairway, offering a magical, serene atmosphere.
Day 4 – Yamaga Lantern Festival: We drove to Yamaga, explored the Lantern Museum and historic streets, visited Kongōjō-ji and Omiya Shrine, and experienced the Thousand Lantern Dance (unfortunately interrupted by rain).
Day 5 – Shopping & Free Day: Rainy weather kept us indoors for a shopping spree. Highlights included trying Keika Honten Ramen, tasting dango, and visiting 3COINS for cute and affordable items. Discounts and tax-free shopping made this day a treat for all.
Day 6 – Return Home: We packed up and took the bus from Sakuramachi to the airport. The flight back to Taiwan was smooth, and the typhoon had passed, making for a perfect ending.
Hi! I'm Żaneta, a Polish girl living in Taiwan :) I love cooking and baking. I have both a travel blog and a cooking blog, as well as a YouTube channel. You're welcome to find me on my social media - feel free to ask questions or just chat! ~
