Southern Taiwan

5D4N:  Similar to how the New Yorkers escape to Florida in the winter, if you need a break from Taipei for some sunshine, hop on the High-speed rail (HSR) and you will find yourself surrounded by friendly locals in about 90 mins.  It is advisable to rent a car to explore this part of Taiwan.

*Highly Recommended food & drinks

Day 1 (Kaohsiung):

• HSR from Taipei or Taichung to Kaohsiung (Zuoying stop)

• Lotus Pond and Dragon Tiger Tower (suggested duration 1.5 hr)

• Check-in @ Hotel Dua, InterContinental Kaohsiung, or Hub Hotel - Kaohsiung

• Lunch @ Hawker*

• Formosa Boulevard Station

• Central Park

• Shop & Dine @ Hanshin Arena

• Speakeasy @ Lil Gaz*

Day 2 (Kaohsiung):

• Breakfast @ hotel

• MRT to Sizihwan

• Catch a ferry to ChiChin Island (suggested duration 1.5 hr)

  • Cijin Seaside Park

  • Cijin Old Street

• Ferry back to Kaohsiung Sinbin Pier

• Coffee @ 新濱·駅前* (A former bank turned coffee shop)

• Takao Railway Museum

• Pier 2 Art Center (suggested duration 2 hr)

  • Sunny Hills pineapple cake & tea* (free pineapple cake & tea)

  • Kakukow Kitchen (Plastic fabrication)

  • Pacini Gelato

  • Taiwanese Menneken Pis Art Work

  • Grab a beer at one of the shops

• Hongmaogang Cultural Park

• Dinner @ Daimatsu Japanese* (Omakase) or HATA 烏克蘭廚房* (Ukrainian Restaurant)

• Love Boat to tour around Love River (~45 mins)

• Foot massage @ 豪功夫足體養生會館

• Speakeasy @ Gallery 20.5* or Bar Dip*

Day 3 (Tainan):

• Early morning drive to Tainan

• Fish congee @ A Tang Salty Rice Congee* 阿堂鹹粥 (a long line, so you have to arrive before 7 am)

• Confucius Temple

• Chihkan Tower

• Anping Fort

• Anping Tree House

• Drive to Guanziling Hot Spring (1hr)

• Enjoy Mud Spa facility @ Kings Garden Villa* (bring a towel; suggested duration 3 hrs) & stay overnight if needed

Day 4 (Kenting):

• Drive to Kenting

• Check-in @ Chateau Beach Resort* (beachfront resort) or Gold Sandy Beach*

• Enjoy beach & resort activities

• Enjoy local attractions:

  • Baishawan Beach

  • Maobitou Observation Deck

  • Snorkeling @ 小巴里島岩

• Dinner @ Kenting night market

Day 5 (Kenting/Hengchun)

• Breakfast @ resort or 7-ELEVEN or 木可晨食 KO Brunch

• Pick-up scooter rental @ Rental Motorcycle/Electric Scooter

• Tour of scenic areas in Kenting:

  • Chuanfan Rock

  • Shell & Coral Museum (砂島貝殼砂展示館)

  • Taiwan Southern Most Point

  • Eluanbi Lighthouse

  • Longpan Park

  • Fongchuisha (風吹砂)

  • Coffee @ 追浪咖啡Catch wave x 啞口海*

  • Lunch @ 恆春陳海鮮餐廳-墾丁店 |海鮮、台菜、熱炒、生魚片 | 墾丁大街美食 Chen.Seafood (amazing sashimi)*

  • Jialeshui Falls

• Hengchun:

  • Chuhuo Special Scenic Area

  • Hengchun Old Town

• South Bay 南灣:

  • 果然桑雅 (Sunya)*

• Dinner @ 巷子內海鮮熱炒*

Day 6 (Kenting)

• Picture @ Kenting Arch

• Kenting National Forest Recreation Area (8 am-5 pm; weekday NT100 & weekend/holiday NT150; suggested duration ~2 hrs):

  • Furong Trail

    • Looking-glass Mangrove

  • Sea Viewing Platform

  • Fairy Cave

  • Silver Dragon Cave

  • Seaview Tower

  • Flower Pavilion Path

    • Green House

  • Forest Bath Trail

• Back to Kaohsiung

Other points of interest

Kaohsiung:

• Caishan Natural Park

• National Science and Technology Museum

Tainan:

• Chimei Museum

Kenting:

• Day trip to Xiao Liu Qiu

• White Banyan Tree Park (the scene of Life of Pi)

• Pingtung Tourist Night Market

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Formosa Blvd.

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Taiwanese Menneken Pis

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Guanziling Hot Spring

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Kenting beach