Five kilometres southwest of the Guanziling hot-spring area is this natural oddity, a small grotto where fire and water really do mix – natural gas from underground bubbles up through a pool of water and ignites spontaneously on the surface. The result is a surreal dance of flames atop pure water.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.43 MILES
This lively temple once served as the palace of Ning Jin, the last king of the Ming dynasty. If you wish to confirm visually that a king's status is lower…
Alishan Forest Recreation Area
19.02 MILES
Visiting Alishan may almost feel like a cliche, but do not lose heart. There may be equally beautiful and less-visited places in Taiwan, but Alishan, with…
National Palace Museum Southern Branch
16.69 MILES
Fans of historical art and antiques will have a field day here: there is exquisite Buddhist art from Asia's oldest civilisations, excellent displays on…
27.35 MILES
When you enter the temple, look up for the two large abacuses used to calculate whether you have done more good than bad in life; check out the most…
25.97 MILES
This horticultural Eden is a home with a fantastical garden overrun with plants, and seeds, seeds, seeds – some 500 species, most endemic to southern…
12.01 MILES
Ming Yuan was a pharmacy; now it's a shrine to Taiwan's indigenous flora. Owner Mr Tsai has managed to cram every corner of the tiny shop with unusual…
National Museum of Taiwan Literature
27.55 MILES
This serious and excellent museum details the development of Taiwanese literature from the time of the pre-Han indigenous peoples to the modern era…
12.22 MILES
This is the spiritual centre of Chiayi and is dedicated to the City God. First constructed in 1715, many of the best parts of the temple hail from a 1941…
Nearby attractions
3.28 MILES
This Japanese-built park commands clear, unspoiled views of Dadongshan and a sea of maples changing colour in winter. The most colourful time starts after…
2. Togo Rural Village Art Museum
7.5 MILES
This museum comprises two-dozen galleries and workshops housed in courtyard homes in Tugou village. Most are free to visit, but during special exhibitions…
10.21 MILES
The unmissable Saint Cross Church, a Roman Catholic church designed by German architect Gottfried Boehm in the 1950s, is the highlight of a walk around…
10.47 MILES
The brief but charming Jingliao Old Street has an old clock shop, wooden houses, vintage hair salons and a handsome pharmacy, all built in a rural style…
5. Liu Chi-hsiang Former Residence
10.82 MILES
The former residence of renowned Taiwanese painter Liu Chi-hsiang (1910–98) has been restored and turned into a museum on his life and works. Liu was…
12.01 MILES
Ming Yuan was a pharmacy; now it's a shrine to Taiwan's indigenous flora. Owner Mr Tsai has managed to cram every corner of the tiny shop with unusual…
12.22 MILES
This is the spiritual centre of Chiayi and is dedicated to the City God. First constructed in 1715, many of the best parts of the temple hail from a 1941…
12.51 MILES
This huge park is a repository of the natural and urban history of the city, offering old trees, landscaped hills, a moat, Qing-dynasty stelae, a…