Aogu Wetlands and Forest Park

Chiayi


The sprawling 15-sq-km wetland park includes mud beaches, marshes, lagoons, fish farms, beefwood forests and tracts of thick shrub. Dozens of bird species can be spotted here with nothing more than the naked eye. These include drongos, egrets, cranes, ducks, cormorants, hawks and eagles. In total, 245 species have been recorded in the wetlands, with the majority being migratory.

Aogu is easily reached off Hwy 17 if you have your own vehicle, but be aware that the reserve is a maze of dirt roads.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chiayi attractions

1. National Palace Museum Southern Branch

9.35 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…

2. Beigang Old Street

10.55 MILES

Beigang Old St is the long strip of Zhongshan Rd in front of Chaotian Temple. It's been a hub of commercial activity since the Qing dynasty, its…

3. Chaotian Temple

10.57 MILES

This temple was founded in 1694 when a monk brought a Mazu statue to the area. Like its neighbour, Fengtian Temple, Chaotian was at one time or another…

4. Wude Temple

10.63 MILES

Wude Temple is one of Taiwan's earliest and largest temples dedicated to the God of Wealth (財神), the folk deity whose bearded image graces doors and red…

5. Fengtian Temple

12.94 MILES

This temple, founded in 1622, claims to be the first Mazu temple on mainland Taiwan. The original temple is said to have collapsed, been rebuilt,…

6. Jingliao Old Street

14.84 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…

7. Saint Cross Church

15.08 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…

8. Togo Rural Village Art Museum

17.84 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…