Otherworld () 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.
Otherworld was developed over a period of approximately ten years by Taiwanese architect and designer Mao Rong-hai (), together with business partner Chiu Yu-yi (). 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.
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.
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.
Architectural and decorative elements incorporate regional symbolism, including motifs of rice, orchids, and plum blossomsâÂÂagricultural 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.
Otherworld covers an area of approximately and is divided into three main themed zones:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Hung Meng International Corporation (), 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.
Hung Meng International Chair Jian Ting denied these claims, stating that the company had no involvement in the design or construction of Otherworld. 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. As of January 2026, no formal legal action or confirmed infringement ruling had been announced.