"Place is very well managed. It is very well preserved and they have many belongings of the prisoners and historical structures preserved. One thing that could really improve the experience is adding English timelines and explanations for non mandarin speakers."

Dhaval Chheda

"I have not been to many places like this before! It’s very historical, only one of the two prisons of such kind, with another being in Japan. Definitely worth a visit if you want to know more about the grim history of Taiwan under Japanese occupation. The visiting route is easy to follow, lots of small details here and there. Most of the descriptions are in Chinese, but can be easily translated with Google Translate. It can be family friendly as well, as it’s not too spooky."

Vladislav Kashev

"We visited Chiayi Old Prison, and it was an unexpectedly good experience. The prison, built during the Japanese colonial period, offers a unique window into Taiwan’s history that’s both eerie and fascinating. Walking through the old cells and courtyards, you can almost feel the weight of the past.

The layout of the prison is unlike anything I’ve seen before, with its star-shaped design that allowed guards to keep an eye on multiple wings at once. It’s a reminder of the stark reality of life in a place like this, and it really hits home how different things were back then.

What made the visit even more interesting was learning about the different roles the prison has played throughout its history—first under the Japanese and later during other key periods in Taiwan’s development. The information panels were super helpful in explaining the prison’s past and the people who were incarcerated there.

Overall, Chiayi Old Prison is a must-see if you’re in the area and have an interest in history. It’s not the most typical tourist spot, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you want a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s past. It’s haunting in a way but also incredibly informative."

Robin Soon