The Perfect Itinerary for Kaohsiung and Tainan (2023 Update)
Kaoshiung and Tainan, the principle cities within the southern area of Taiwan, have been getting fairly a little bit of consideration currently because of authorities efforts to advertise the area to abroad vacationers. The historic coronary heart of the island has seen loads of new inns in addition to redevelopment of current vacationer infrastructure in recent times. Being barely greater than a 3-hour excessive pace prepare journey from Taipei, it is smart to spend a few days within the southern cities. This is in spite of everything the place Taiwan’s capital was once. Those who make an effort to return listed below are finally rewarded with a distinct aspect to Taiwanese tradition. People have a tendency to talk Minnan (Hokkien) right here in comparison with Mandarin and the tropical local weather additionally means loads of sunshine as in comparison with the often dreary climate up north. If you’re pondering of visiting Kaohsiung and Tainan and do not know the place to go, this recommended itinerary can hopefully show you how to.
If you’re additionally heading up north, take a look at this Taipei itinerary
Day 1 – Kaohsiung
dome of sunshine at formosa boulevard station
The most typical entry factors to Kaohsiung are both through the Kaohsiung International Airport which is simply quarter-hour from city or the Zuo Ying High Speed Rail Station. If you’re arriving by the latter, you could be happy to notice that one among Kaohsiung’s prime points of interest – the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas – are located shut by. Chances are you’ll have your baggage in tow so it might be sensible to check-in to your resort first (take a look at my really helpful lodging beneath).
Tip: If you’re arriving through Kaohsiung International Airport, you could want to buy your 4G sim card beforehand as a way to keep away from potential queues and simply acquire when you arrive on the airport. Prices are additionally cheaper when you purchase on-line.
After acquiring your bearings, begin your day at Cijin (Qijin) District. Touted as one of many metropolis’s tourism hotspots, the elongated island by Kaohsiung harbour is nice for out of doors pursuits akin to biking. While right here, you’ll be able to take a look at the outlets by the seaside or head to Chihou Fort and Chihou Lighthouse. Both had been constructed by the British within the nineteenth century and marked the beginnings of town as a port. Entrance is free for each points of interest.
Afterwards, head again to the mainland and make a brief cease on the Former British Consulate at Takow. It’s perched on prime of a hill and is without doubt one of the oldest colonial mansions in Taiwan. Inside, guests can discover a museum in addition to a restaurant. The view over town and the harbor can be implausible.
scrumptious duck at Duck Zhen – be ready to queue!
Take an early lunch at Duck Zhen (鴨肉珍) at 258 Wufu 4th Road in Yanzheng District which is understood for its wonderful duck rice. What makes the dish particular is the sauce so make certain to order the duck rice which comes soaked in sauce reasonably than have the duck individually.
After grabbing a chew, it’s simply the appropriate time to make the quick stroll to Pier 2 Art District. The outlets will begin opening by this time. Taiwan has loads of cultural and artistic zones across the main cities and that is Kaohsiung’s reply to that. Inside, you’ll discover loads of small outlets promoting knick-knacks, the occasional artwork gallery in addition to loads of out of doors artwork works. If you’re on the lookout for a spot from the place to take good selfies, this place affords loads of potentialities.
Take the MRT and cease on the Formosa Boulevard Station to see the Dome of Light set up. This specific station often makes it to varied lists of probably the most stunning subway stations on this planet. The stained glass fixture is counted as among the many largest on this planet. The dome is available in 4 sections representing the varied parts: water, fireplace, earth and lightweight.
dragon and tiger pagodas in kaohsiung
Head out to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas within the metropolis outskirts. Kaohsiung’s most recognizable attraction is greatest visited within the afternoon simply when the solar is shining on the frontage.
Day 2 – Kaohsiung to Tainan
fo guang shan monastery in kaohsiung
Start the morning with an elective tour to the big Fo Guang Shang Monastery within the outskirts of Kaohsiung. There isn’t any scarcity of temples in Taiwan however to be frank, this is without doubt one of the grandest trendy temples I’ve ever seen. The most spectacular portion of the temple is the grand pathway with pagodas on both aspect that results in a large Buddha statue. The motive why I name this an elective journey is as a result of except you’ve got your personal automobile or e book a non-public tour, it might take you a little bit of time to get there and again. The quickest manner through public transport nonetheless takes 1.5 hours every manner. The #8501 bus which departs from the Zuoying THSR station will get you there. Alternatively, it’s 40 minutes away by automobile from Kaohsiung’s metropolis heart. If you’ve got your personal automobile, it could make sense to move to Tainan after visiting Fo Guang Shan attributable to its location within the northern outskirts of Kaohsiung.
Should you resolve to not do the journey to Fo Guang Shan, your morning must be spent touring to Tainan after having your fill of Kaohsiung. You can take the excessive pace prepare to get to Tainan from Kaohsiung. You should purchase discounted tickets HERE. Taiwan’s 4th largest metropolis and former capital, Tainan lies instantly north of Kaohsiung and since or urbanization, the 2 cities are nearly contiguous to one another. Tainan is Taiwan’s cultural coronary heart with loads of age-old forts, temples, museums, historic alleys in addition to good eats. As such, I like to recommend spending round 1.5 to 2 days on this metropolis to completely discover what it has to supply.
chihkan tower
The foremost station within the metropolis, Tainan Station, is conveniently positioned within the coronary heart of city and is round quarter-hour stroll to the vacationer points of interest. It is smart to remain across the space. I stayed on the Shangri-la’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Tainan which affords a free shuttle bus to the sights close by. You can begin off on the Chihkan Tower (also called Fort Provintia, Admission: 50 TWD). The website originates as a Dutch fort inbuilt 1653. It was later destroyed by an earthquake and needed to be rebuilt. This explains the Chinese facade. Inside, you’ll discover a museum in addition to a viewing deck which supplies you an outline of the encompassing gardens.
koxinga shrine
Afterwards, head out to the Confucius Temple which is a brief cab journey or a 13 minute stroll away from Chihkan Tower. The heart of studying dates again to the seventeenth century. Travelers round East and Southeast Asia can observe similarities in locations like Hanoi with its Temple of Literature. From right here, it’s additionally a brief stroll to the Koxinga Shrine a couple of blocks away. It’s a small household shrine erected to commemorate the ancestors of a noble man within the seventeenth century. It affords a great glimpse on the structure of the time.
It could be searing sizzling by this time within the afternoon, an ideal excuse to move over to the Hayashi Department Store. Much greater than a shopping mall, this business institution dates again from the colonial Japanese period and has a definite previous world attraction. From the tiled chessboard flooring to a perceptible artwork deco interiors, this division retailer at this time caters to well-heeled vacationers and you will discover loads of knick knacks inside in addition to a restaurant on the topmost flooring.
If you haven’t had sufficient of Taiwan’s “art districts,” you’ll be able to finish your day at Blueprint Cultural and Creative Park – Tainan’s very personal. It’s a procuring hub of quaint indie shops, artwork galleries in addition to loads of avenue artwork. It’s price a stroll even for simply an hour and is at its liveliest at evening.
End the day at one among Tainan’s vigorous evening markets. The Garden Night Market is the most important and is open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays whereas Dadong Night Market is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Those on the lookout for nightlife choices will likely be happy to notice that one of many native watering holes, TCRC (positioned close to the Matsu Temple) often makes it to the listing of Asia’s prime bars. It’s a bit troublesome to get a seat from 10pm onwards as was my expertise so do come earlier or no less than go away your title and quantity (ready time might be 2+ hours).
Day 3 – Tainan
anping fort
Spend the day exploring Tainan’s equally historic Anping District. While right here, the Anping Old Fort is a must-see. It’s a Dutch fortress that has been become a museum. It additionally boasts of good views of town particularly on clear days. Admission is TWD 50 (you should purchase discounted tickets right here). The dilapidated Anping Tree House close by has develop into considerably of an attraction attributable to social media. The website is crammed with the overgrowth coming from the banyan tree and has loads of “instagrammable” spots.
If you’re having lunch within the space, I might advocate making an attempt 周氏蝦捲 (#125 Anping Road) for its battered shrimp dish – akin to a Taiwanese type tempura.
sicao inexperienced tunnel
One of the extra surprising actions in Tainan is the mangrove swamp tour which might be accomplished on a ship. One journey on the Sicao Green Tunnel prices round TWD 200 per particular person. You’ll be on a raft together with roughly 14 different folks with the journey lasting half-hour. Although the river is sort of quick, it’s extremely scenic and in sure segments, you’ll see the mangroves from each side becoming a member of collectively to type an arch and create a pure shelter from the daylight. Do observe that the situation is a bit out of city so that you’ll want your personal transport to get right here.
chimei museum within the outskirts of tainan
Another elective tour you are able to do is go to the grandoise Chimei Museum (hours: 9:30AM to 17:30PM each day besides Wednesdays) positioned within the metropolis outskirts. Even if in case you have little interest in artwork reveals, the exteriors are fairly spectacular and isn’t dissimilar to the royal palaces in Europe with a big fountain and a bridge flanked by statues on each side lining the doorway to the museum.
To get to Chimei Museum from downtown Tainan, take the prepare from Tainan Station and alight at Bao’an Station. From Bao’an Station, the museum is a 10-minute stroll away.
Spend your final night in Tainan strolling by atmospheric Shennong Street. Here, you’ll discover quirky institutions akin to a namesake bar the place there aren’t any commonplace working hours, a restaurant crammed with dolls and classic sofas brushing elbows with stylish eating places. Add within the neighborhood shrine and temple and also you’ve obtained your self an ideal hangout for Taiwan’s hipsters.
How to Get From Kaohsiung Airport to Kaohsiung City Center and Tainan
From Kaohsiung Airport to Kaohsiung City Center – The Kaohsiung Airport MRT Station connects you to downtown through the crimson line. Alternatively, cab rides to city price about TWD 300 and take 10 to fifteen minutes or you’ll be able to e book a non-public automobile switch.
From Kaohsiung Airport to Tainan – Allow a forty five minute to 1 hour journey. You can both hail a taxi whenever you arrive or e book pre-arranged airport transfers.
Where to Stay in Kaohsiung and Tainan
In Tainan, I stayed in Shangri-la’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Tainan for its free shuttle bus to a number of vacationer points of interest and site near Tainan Station. For households, this resort affords household rooms that may simply match 4 folks. This can be among the many most inexpensive Shangri-la properties on this planet.
In Kaohsiung, I stayed within the ultra-chic Silks Club Kaohsiung. I notably liked its Japanese sensibilities and its designer paintings within the rooms and all through the general public areas. You can take a look at my full assessment right here. For a extra inexpensive possibility, you can too take a look at FX Inn Kaohsiung – Zhonghua Road which could be very near the evening market and MRT station.
