Introducing Southern Taiwan
In the south, people’s ties to rural folk culture are strongest. Local gods are more fervently worshipped, traditions more respected, and a clannish regard for kith and kin more obvious. And in a land of hospitable people, southerners shine as the most hospitable of all.
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Outside of Taipei, the only cities really worth visiting are in the south: ie Tainan and Kaohsiung. Tainan has a temple heritage second to none, and a great array of local foods to sample. Kaohsiung is a harbour city on a mad drive to make up for decades of lost development time. Ten years ago we could hardly stand to drive past it. But these days you can feel the buzz (much like Taipei a decade ago) and couple of days here soaking it in would be well spent.
For some of the best mountain scenery in the country head to the South Cross-Island Hwy. This route literally crosses the island, and can be used as a walking path, with side trips up to 3000m-plus mountains and down to beautiful natural hot springs in the river valleys.
In fact, the south pretty much has it wrapped up for the nature-lover. There are two butterfly valleys – one of which (in Maolin) has recently been put on equal footing with the Monarch Butterfly Valley in Mexico – and a winter resting ground for the rare black-faced spoonbill. The southern landscape also varies from coastal mud flats, to grassy headlands, to majestic cypress forests.
Weatherwise, the south is hot and sticky in summer and warm and dry in winter. If you want to swim in January, head south.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Taiwan 10 days trip in Oct 11 (Where are the must see places?)
by amilovesgreen 11 August 2011
I'm a Taiwanese American. I don't travel a lot in Taiwan but if you can squeeze it into your 10 day schedule, I say try the food. Bubble…
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Re: Southern Taiwan + Taipei in 15 days
by niquedejesus 24 July 2011
Here are nice places to go to in Taipei, and some tips on getting around the city conveniently, and where you can stay: http://www.moniqued…
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RE: accommodation in Kaohsiung
by galata 18 July 2011
Hello Yaofeng, thanks for writing. No, no business at all. I want to study Chinese a little bit, and I thought Kaohsiung would also be…
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Southern Taiwan
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Southern Taiwan Overview
- Places in Southern Taiwan
- Getting there & around
- Hotels
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Things to do
- All things to do (56)
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Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Southern Taiwan
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1 South Cross-Island Hwy
Hike ancient forests and soak in natural hot springs along the South Cross-Island Hwy
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2 Meinong
Bike through lush fields, eat traditional foods and shop at Meinong
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3 Tainan
Explore Taiwan’s temple heritage in the old capital of Tainan
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4 Kenting National Park
Swim or surf year-round in Kenting National Park
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5 Maolin
Visit the winter resting grounds of the purple butterfly in Maolin
Our favourite Southern Taiwan Blogs (beta)
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A Taiwanese Complete Breakfast
Blog: To China... and Beyond! - 30 November 2010
I wasn’t sure what to expect food-wise when I arrived in Taiwan. I knew whatever we found would be delicious — but what would we find? I’ve already regaled you with our day of eating in Tainan, but I left out the most intriguing part — breakfast!
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A Tainan Feast (Or Two… Or Three)
Blog: To China... and Beyond! - 16 November 2010
In Tainan, our last stop in Taiwan, we had the luckiest break of our trip: My roommate’s dad’s coworker’s brother (convoluted much?) is a Tainan native and quite a foodie, and he gave us an amazing 24-hour tour of the city’s cuisine.
