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*

• 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*

• Enjoy beach & resort activities

• Kenting night market

Day 5 (Kenting)

• Breakfast @ resort

• Pool time @ resort

• Tour of scenic areas in Kenting:

  • Eluanbi Lighthouse

  • Longpan Park

  • Jialeshuei Scenic Area

  • Chuhuo Special Scenic Area

  • Hengchun Old Town

• Pingtung Tourist Night Market

• 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

• Kenting National Park