My Life Abroad

Travel Date: 2026/01/24

It’s been almost eight years since our last visit to Baguashan Buddha in Changhua. To be honest, Changhua is not a place we go to often—mainly because parking is always a challenge. This time, even though we managed to find a spot, it was so far away that visiting multiple attractions felt unrealistic. In the end, our trip both started and ended at just one place: Baguashan Buddha.

As Lunar New Year is approaching, there are already some decorations for the Lantern Festival. However, we only experienced them during the day.

Baguashan Buddha (八卦山大佛)

The Great Buddha stands on Baguashan Hill, 74 meters above sea level, quietly overlooking Changhua City. Gautama Buddha sits on a 4-meter-tall lotus base, with the statue reaching a total height of 24 meters. When it was completed in 1961, it was one of the largest Buddha statues in Asia.

The statue itself is divided into six floors, which visitors can climb. Inside, a series of sculptures tells the story of Buddha’s life, creating a calm and contemplative atmosphere as you move upward.

Behind the statue stands the Great Buddha Temple, built in 1972. Designed in the style of an ornate palace, the temple is especially fascinating because it blends Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian beliefs—a combination that’s quite rare in Taiwan.

The first floor is dedicated to Confucius, honored as the greatest sage and teacher.

The second floor is home to Guan Yu, the Taoist God of War. Visitors can even try lifting his weapon, which weighs an impressive 64 kilograms.

The third floor returns to Buddhism, with Gautama Buddha as the primary deity.

On both sides of the temple stand two nine-floor pagodas, which serve as columbaria, adding to the solemn and spiritual feeling of the site.

Baguashan isn’t only a religious landmark—it’s also deeply tied to Taiwan’s history. For a long time, the hill was used for military purposes. In 1895, the largest battle in Taiwan’s history took place here. Around 5,000 Taiwanese soldiers—many of them newly recruited locals from Changhua—fought against a Japanese force of 15,000. The battle ended in a Japanese victory.

Originally, a pavilion stood on the hill, but it was destroyed during the war. It was later renovated during the Jiaqing Period, and a village gradually formed around it. However, in 1914, the Japanese authorities completely destroyed the village, leaving only a single wall standing as a silent witness to the past.

Travel Date: 2026/01/17

It’s been three years since our last visit to Meishan, and with plum blossom season arriving, we decided it was the perfect time to come back and check it out again.

We visited in mid-January, and at that time only about 30% of the plum trees were in bloom. While it was still nice to walk around, I’d honestly recommend waiting a little longer if you want to see the park at its most beautiful. The blossoms weren’t quite at their peak yet — but that didn’t stop the crowds. There were plenty of visitors, and finding a parking space was a bit of a challenge. It took us a while, so coming early or being prepared to wait is a good idea.

As every year, the entrance to the park was lively with vendors selling fresh local produce and street food. Inside, there were also stalls offering plum-related products, such as pickled plums and dried plums in a variety of flavors — always tempting and perfect as souvenirs.

One pleasant surprise was the weather. A recent cold front had finally eased, and the temperature reached around 25°C, which felt like a huge change after days of temperatures below 10°C. Walking through the park in warm sunshine made the visit much more enjoyable.

Meishan Park (梅山公園)

Meishan Park is located in the urban area of Meishan Township, Chiayi, and covers approximately 6 hectares. It was once known as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Chiayi. The park was originally developed during the Japanese occupation period, when the first plum trees were planted. Over the years, the number of plum trees has grown to around 3,000, making it one of the most popular places in the region for plum blossom viewing.

Built on a hillside, the park features children’s play areas, flower terraces, walking trails, and landscaped viewpoints, making it a great place for relaxation and outdoor activities. It’s also a favorite spot for locals to exercise and spend time with family.

There is also a memorial dedicated to 74 national army soldiers who tragically lost their lives due to natural disasters. From the monument, you can continue walking uphill to the park’s highest point, Jieshou Pavilion, where you’ll find more shops selling snacks, plum products, and various preserves — a rewarding stop before heading back down.