Otherworld (theme park)

Otherworld
歐樂沃築夢城堡
Interactive map of Otherworld
歐樂沃築夢城堡
LocationNo. 18, Jiulu Road, Dapumei Precision Machinery Park, Dalin, Chiayi County, Taiwan
Coordinates23°35′24″N 120°31′32″E / 23.59000°N 120.52556°E / 23.59000; 120.52556
StatusOperating
OpenedAugust 2025
Area1.35 ha (3.3 acres)
Websitewww.otherworld.com.tw

Otherworld (Chinese: 歐樂沃築夢城堡; Tongyong Pinyin: Ōu Lè Wò Jhú Mòng Chéngbǎo) is a theme park located in Dalin, Chiayi, Taiwan. The park combines architectural design, sculpture, and chocolate-related cultural exhibitions, and is situated within the Dapumei Precision Machinery Park. It began trial operations on 1 August 2025.[1]

History

Otherworld was developed over a period of approximately ten years by Taiwanese architect and designer Mao Rong-hai (毛榮海), together with business partner Chiu Yu-yi (邱郁宜). The project was conceived as a personal and cultural endeavor inspired by childhood memories of play, imagination, and creativity, as well as a desire to contribute to the founder's hometown of Dalin.[2]

Planning began with hand-crafted clay models, followed by detailed architectural drawings and sculptural work completed by Mao and the Otherworld team. Mao Rong-hai has previously participated in large-scale themed projects, including work related to Shanghai Disney Resort, Janfusun Fancyworld, and E-DA Theme Park, though Otherworld is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company.[3]

Architecture and design

The park's central structure is a castle-style building characterized by light-colored exterior walls, blue roofs, and gold-tipped spires. The main building features 18 spires, with the tallest tower designed around an orchid motif. The tower is covered with approximately 29,000 pieces of gold leaf, a number representing the population of Dalin Township and intended as a symbolic tribute to the local community.[4]

Architectural and decorative elements incorporate regional symbolism, including motifs of rice, orchids, and plum blossoms—agricultural and cultural markers associated with Dalin and nearby Meishan Township. Some spires and ornamentation also reference patterns inspired by the Tsou people of the Alishan National Scenic Area. Due to its visual style, the castle has been informally referred to in media and by visitors as resembling European fairy-tale castles. The operators have stated that the design is an original work and not connected to any foreign theme park brands.[5]

Park layout

Otherworld covers an area of approximately 13,500 m2 (145,000 sq ft) and is divided into three main themed zones:

  • Maya Story (瑪雅物語): This zone introduces visitors to the historical and mythological origins of cacao, drawing inspiration from Mesoamerican cultures. It includes displays explaining the cacao bean-to-bar production process, live demonstrations by chocolatiers, and hands-on workshops where visitors can participate in chocolate-making activities.[6]
  • Dream Castle (築夢城堡): Located at the center of the park, the castle houses retail spaces, dining facilities, banquet halls, children's interactive play areas, and themed restaurants spread across multiple floors. A prominent interior feature is a 10 m (33 ft)-tall "Golden Cacao Tree", designed as a symbolic centerpiece. Interactive digital installations allow visitors to access narrative content related to the park's themes.[7]
  • Provence Town (普羅旺斯小鎮): This area is designed as a leisure and dining zone with colorful, village-style buildings arranged around water features and walking paths. It includes cafés, dessert shops, and restaurants offering park-exclusive sweets and chocolate products.[8]

Tourism and reception

Since opening for trial operations, Otherworld has attracted attention as a new tourism site in Chiayi County, particularly for its architectural design and photo-friendly environment. It forms part of a broader trend in the region that includes other castle-themed and garden-style attractions developed to promote local tourism and regional revitalization.[9]

The park positions itself as a chocolate-themed cultural destination rather than a traditional amusement park, with an emphasis on exhibitions, food experiences, and architectural aesthetics rather than mechanical rides.[10]

Transportation

Otherworld is located at No. 18, Jiulu Road, Dapumei Precision Machinery Park, Dalin Township, Chiayi County. The park can be reached by car via National Freeway 3, exiting at the Meishan Interchange and following local roads toward the Dapumei industrial area. Paid underground parking is available on site, with additional cooperative parking areas nearby.[11]

For public transportation, visitors arriving by Taiwan High Speed Rail may travel from Chiayi HSR station or Yunlin HSR station by taxi, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes. From Taiwan Railways Administration Dalin railway station, the park is reachable by taxi in about 15 minutes. Several bus routes also serve the surrounding area, including routes connecting Dalin Township, Chiayi HSR Station, and the Dapumei industrial zone, with stops within walking distance of the park.

Controversies

Following the opening of Otherworld, The Walt Disney Company initiated a copyright investigation concerning the park's castle structure. Media reports described the attraction as a "Disney-style" theme park due to its large fantasy castle featuring pastel-colored walls and blue rooftops, prompting public discussion over possible similarities to Disney castles.[12]

According to reports, Disney's inquiry focused on whether design elements or construction materials associated with the castle might resemble those used in Disney theme parks, particularly Shanghai Disneyland.[13] Hung Meng International Corporation (豪門國際), a construction company that has participated in the development of Disney parks in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and California, was rumored in some media coverage to have been involved in the Chiayi project.[14]

Hung Meng International Chair Jian Ting denied these claims, stating that the company had no involvement in the design or construction of Otherworld.[15] He emphasized that there is no connection between Disney's theme parks and the Chiayi attraction, and noted that Hung Meng and the foreign design teams it has worked with on Disney projects are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.[16] As of January 2026, no formal legal action or confirmed infringement ruling had been announced.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ 蔡炆璇 (2025-06-28). "真的要來了！嘉義「台版迪士尼」歐樂沃築夢城堡即將開幕，園區地圖、票價亮點搶先看". Global Views Magazine (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  2. ^ 宋健生 (2025-08-01). "嘉義新景點！「台版迪士尼城堡」歐樂沃築夢城堡試營運". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  3. ^ 王善嬿 (2025-10-13). "被稱「台版迪士尼」引發外界聯想 嘉義歐樂沃城堡回應了". Liberty Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  4. ^ 宋健生 (2025-08-01). "嘉義新景點！「台版迪士尼城堡」歐樂沃築夢城堡試營運". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  5. ^ 葉盛耀 (2025-07-25). "嘉義最狂新景點來了！台版迪士尼城堡8/1試營運　門票、交通一覽". NOW News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  6. ^ 許夷雯 (2025-10-17). "歐樂沃築夢城堡打造屬於台灣的文化地標". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  7. ^ 蔡玟君 (2025-10-26). "嘉義今年新開幕5景點！打卡童話城堡、農場　還有2000坪親子樂園". ETtoday (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  8. ^ Hsiao, Kelly (2025-07-02). "「台版迪士尼」嘉義新景點！歐樂沃築夢城堡開幕時間、門票、參觀資訊一次看". Harper's Bazaar (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  9. ^ Lin, Amber (2025-08-04). "嘉義新景點！「台版迪士尼」歐樂沃築夢城堡8/1開幕！嘉義最狂親子景點票價、地址公開！". Cosmopolitan (magazine) (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  10. ^ Leskovsky, Filip (October 15, 2025). "WATCH: 'Taiwan's Disney' Dream Castle brings crowds to Chiayi chocolate factory". Radio Taiwan International. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  11. ^ "嘉義「台版迪士尼城堡」即將登場！門票資訊＆活動體驗搶先看". ETtoday (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  12. ^ DeAeth, Duncan (October 13, 2025). "Taiwan's Otherworld castle prompts Disney copyright probe". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  13. ^ "嘉義「台版迪士尼」被官方盯上？歐樂沃築夢城堡回應：絕對原創". Taiwan Television (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2025-10-13. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  14. ^ 陳政錄 (2025-10-12). "嘉義「台版迪士尼」引美方關切 豪門國際澄清與其無關". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  15. ^ 林奇樺 (2025-10-12). "嘉義「台版迪士尼」引官方關切！豪門國際大動作澄清：與我們無關". SET News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  16. ^ "嘉義「台版迪士尼」引美方關切 合作台灣建商：無關聯". EBC News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2025-10-13. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  17. ^ 呂妍庭 (2025-10-13). "台版迪士尼？歐樂沃築夢城堡秀手稿澄清：原創設計". China Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
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