Things To Do
in Dalin
Dalin (大林) is a quiet agricultural township in Chiayi County in southern Taiwan, known for its rice paddies, small-town streets and easy access to larger attractions like Chiayi City and Alishan. The town centers on a compact main street around Dalin Railway Station and small local markets where farmers sell fresh produce. Visitors come for relaxed rural scenery, local food, and as a gateway for mountain excursions and temple visits in the region.
Dalin offers an authentic, low-key Taiwanese experience away from major tourist hubs.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Dalin and check into your hotel. Take some time to freshen up and relax after your journey. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local café, savoring some traditional Taiwanese pastries.
Explore the vibrant streets of Dalin, visiting local shops and markets to get a feel for the town's culture. Stop by a historic temple that showcases exquisite architectural details and local religious practices. Capture the lively atmosphere and interact with locals to learn more about their daily lives.
Dine at a popular night market, where you can sample a variety of Taiwanese street foods. Experience the energetic ambiance as vendors call out to passersby and friends gather over food. Conclude your evening with a stroll along the riverbanks, enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of water.
Visit Dalin's historical museum to immerse yourself in the area's rich history. Engage with informative exhibits and artifacts that depict life in the past. Spend some time chatting with local historians or volunteering in preservation efforts.
Head to the nearby countryside to explore traditional farming practices. Participate in a workshop where you can learn about rice cultivation and even plant some seedlings. Relish the fresh air and picturesque views of rice paddies all around you.
Return to Dalin and enjoy dinner at a family-run restaurant renowned for its homemade noodles. Savor the flavors as you mingle with friendly locals before joining in on a local cultural performance. Experience traditional music and dance that highlight the region's rich artistic heritage.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍜Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-6 |
| ☕Coffee or tea at a café | $2-4 |
| 🏨Basic guesthouse / small hotel (per night) | $30-60 |
| 🚆Short train or bus ride | $0.5-2 |
| 🚕Taxi (short local trip) | $5-15 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Laid-back, authentic rural Taiwanese atmosphere
- Easy access to Alishan and other natural attractions
- Fresh local produce and simple, affordable food
- Good train connections for regional travel
- Limited nightlife and fewer tourist amenities in town
- Public transport options within rural areas can be sparse
- Seasonal weather (typhoons/heavy rain) can disrupt plans
- "你好" - Hello
- "謝謝" - Thank you
- "請問⋯在那裡？" - Excuse me, where is ...?
- "多少錢？" - How much is this?
- "我吃素" - I am vegetarian
Places to Visit in Dalin
Visit one of these nice places.
A classic Taiwanese rail station offering photos of trains, vintage signage and daily local comings-and-goings—best in soft morning or late-afternoon light.
Surrounding fields reflect colors and clouds in water-filled paddies—early morning offers fog and tranquil compositions.
Vibrant street scenes, colorful produce, and candid portraits of vendors and shoppers make for great documentary-style photography.
If you travel up to Alishan, sunrise, sea of clouds and old cypress forests provide iconic mountain photography opportunities within reach of Dalin.
Local temples and any seasonal festivals offer ornate decorations, lanterns and ritual performances—excellent for cultural photos.
Food in Dalin
Dalin Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A ubiquitous Taiwanese comfort food: minced braised pork over rice. Find excellent versions at local lunch shops and small restaurants in town.
Must-Try!
Seasonal fruits from surrounding farms served over shaved ice or as refreshing snacks at market stalls—perfect in summer.
Simple vegetable stir-fries, pickles and fresh rice reflecting local produce; commonly served at family eateries or bento shops.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A small local market where vendors sell fresh produce, breakfast items like soy milk and youtiao, and seasonal fruit; ideal for sampling daily goods and interacting with locals.
A few evening stalls and small food vendors near the train station offer snacks like fried dumplings, skewers and bubble tea—good for casual tastes.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Greet elders respectfully, use polite language and avoid loud or confrontational behavior. A slight bow or nod and saying '你好' is appreciated.
When visiting temples, be quiet and respectful—remove hats, avoid pointing, and photograph respectfully. Follow any signs about shoes or restricted areas.
Use both hands when offering or receiving items like gifts or packaged food; handing items single-handedly can be seen as less polite in formal situations.
Safety
Tipping in Dalin
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not common or expected in Taiwan; service charges may be included at tourist hotels and some restaurants. Small tips are appreciated but never required.
Cash (New Taiwan Dollar) is widely used in Dalin for markets and small shops. Credit cards are accepted at larger restaurants and hotels; contactless payments (EasyCard, LINE Pay, Apple/Google Pay) are increasingly common but bring cash for rural vendors. ATMs are available but may be limited—withdraw in Chiayi City if possible.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Mild temperatures and blossoming orchards make spring pleasant for outdoor walks and farm visits; occasional rainshowers begin to appear later in the season.
Hot, humid and often rainy—expect afternoon thunderstorms and the typhoon season (July–September) which can disrupt travel; enjoy fresh fruit and cold desserts to cool down.
Generally comfortable temperatures with clearer skies after the monsoon season—good for hiking and scenic trips to nearby mountains.
Mild winters with cooler nights; daytime temperatures are comfortable for exploration though mountains can be chilly—rain is still possible but less frequent than summer.
Dalin at Night
Hiking in Dalin
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A world-famous mountain area reachable as a day trip with forest trails, ancient cypress trees, sunrise viewpoints and cool mountain air—ideal for photography and longer hikes.
Scattered short trails around Dalin offer easy walking through farmland, irrigation ditches and low hills—great for morning walks and birdwatching.
Chiayi County maintains a network of rural trails and conservation areas—good options for quieter hikes and exploring local ecology; check local visitor centers for trail conditions.
Airports
How to reach Dalin by plane.
The closest regional airport with limited domestic flights; accessible by car or taxi from Dalin and convenient for regional connections.
About an hour's drive away (depending on traffic) and offering some domestic services; another option for reaching southern Taiwan.
Major international airport serving southern Taiwan, roughly 1.5–2 hours by car from Dalin; good for international arrivals and departures.
Taichung (RMQ) and Taoyuan (TPE) are farther but offer additional domestic and international flight options—best used if your itinerary combines multiple regions of Taiwan.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority of residents are Han Taiwanese, including Hoklo-speaking communities and some Hakka families reflecting Chiayi's regional composition.
There are smaller numbers of indigenous Taiwanese and migrant workers from Southeast Asia who contribute to local economies and communities.
As with many rural areas in Taiwan, there is an older demographic presence and multi-generational farming households.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Baseball is widely followed in Taiwan and enjoyed locally; catch community games and local school matches if available.
Basketball is popular among youth and community groups with outdoor courts in town and schools.
Cycling is very popular for both casual rides along country roads and longer organized routes through Chiayi County.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Dalin.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are available at small eateries and Buddhist-style restaurants in the region; communicate '我吃素' (I eat vegetarian) and confirm dishes may contain fish sauce. Markets and fruit stalls are easy to navigate for plant-based choices.
Rice-based dishes and fresh fruit are safe options, but many prepared foods use soy sauce or wheat-based ingredients—carry a translation card explaining your allergy and check with vendors.