From Fish to Fairy Tales: Chiayi County, Part 5

TaiwanPlus News

Our journey through Chiayi County wraps up with two unforgettable stops that showcase the region’s resilience, creativity and surprising charm.  First, Andrew Ryan dives into the world of milkfish farming on Chiayi’s short but bountiful coastline. Join him as he wades through ponds, learns the secrets of eco-friendly aquaculture and samples the dried version of this local catch. From pond to plate, discover how young entrepreneurs are turning tradition into immersive, sustainable tourism.  Then, we visit one of Taiwan’s most unexpected landmarks: a 17-meter-tall glass high heel that holds a Guinness World Record. Inspired by a bittersweet local legend, this structure is more than just a quirky photo op—it’s a nod to Chiayi County’s history and spirit.  WATCH more episodes here. https://www.taiwanplus.com/news/taiwan-news/wheres-the-mayor-taking-us  [Taiwan’s Mayors and County Chiefs] Taiwan is home to 13 county chiefs, six mayors of special municipalities (New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung) and three mayors of provincial cities. These elected officials serve a maximum four-year term and can be re-elected for one additional term. The first episodes of the series aired prior to the local elections in 2022.

Transcript

00:00Our trip to Chiayi County is nearing the end, and just when I think I've seen it all,

00:09they serve up the world's largest high-heeled shoe.

00:13But before we find out what it's doing in southern Taiwan, I've got a date with some

00:17milkfish.

00:22Chiayi County has one of the shortest coastlines in all of Taiwan, and yet it's known for its

00:28seafood, like oysters, and over 60% of the nation's milkfish products come from Chiayi.

00:36These days, farms like this one are catching tourists too, with the lure of immersive aquaculture

00:42experiences.

00:43And by immersive, I mean actually getting in the water, up to your waist.

00:47Twenty-nine-year-old Zhang Boru returned to his hometown of Dongshi on the Chiayi Coast

01:14six years ago.

01:16It's a big change for him after getting a law degree.

01:19In recent years, more and more young people like Zhang have begun running eco-friendly

01:24fish farms, and they're looking to offer more than just fish.

01:45Also on the itinerary, learning how to transform freshly caught milkfish into overnight dried

01:51fish.

01:53And more importantly, how to enjoy it.

02:16That's amazing.

02:18Just by drying the fish, it makes it much meatier, almost like chicken.

02:22The best part about it is it's super fresh.

02:26From pond to plate, experiences like this one are not only offering a taste of Chiayi

02:31County, but also a new way for visitors to experience this rural community.

02:39There's one final stop in our trip to Chiayi, and it's one of the most unexpected landmarks

02:43in the country.

02:45A massive glass high hill.

02:48So what's it doing serving looks in rural Taiwan?

02:51Well, the county chief says there's a connection to Chiayi's past.

03:15Inspired by the legend, they built a 17-meter tall landmark which can be used for weddings.

03:24It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest structure shaped like a high-heeled

03:29shoe.

03:30If you ask people in Taiwan about Chiayi County, most people will tell you about the mountains

03:35of Alishan.

03:37But this trip has shown me so much more.

03:39There's this entrepreneurial spirit.

03:42People are returning to their roots, they're sharing their stories, and they're creating

03:46a future that past generations could never have imagined.

03:53Devin Tsai, Joseph Wu, Peachy Zhuang, and Andrew Ryan for Taiwan Plus.

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