Kaohsiung
On the southern edge of Lotus Pond are the red-and-yellow seven-storey Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, built in full-blown '70s flamboyance. They're connected…
Must-see attractions in Southern Taiwan
Tainan
A quiet temple hidden in an alleyway off Zhongshan Rd that worships Princess Seven Stars or Chiniangma (七娘媽), the protector of children, comes alive on…
Taiwan's Southwest Coast
This Japanese-built park commands clear, unspoiled views of Dadongshan and a sea of maples changing colour in winter. The most colourful time starts after…
Tainan
This antique arch used to be the outermost gateway to the Confucius Temple but became separated from the temple after Nanmen Rd was built in the Japanese…
Taiwan's Southwest Coast
This museum comprises two-dozen galleries and workshops housed in courtyard homes in Tugou village. Most are free to visit, but during special exhibitions…
Taiwan's Southwest Coast
If you are on the way to Meinong from Tainan, this geopark off Hwy 28 in Tianliao will give you a taste of a very different landscape. The strange-looking…
Southern Taiwan
This charming old street has tonnes of snack and dessert shops tucked into faux-baroque facades and crumbling Fujian-style courtyard houses, as well as…
Kaohsiung
A nonprofit striving to protect Kaohsiung's history and culture has taken over this century-old Japanese house. You'll see a small display on the historic…
Tainan
One of Tainan's two most ancient Buddhist temples, Fahua has clean lines and understated aesthetics. A simple gourd, exorcist of evil spirits, sits on the…
Tainan
This temple is one of many claiming status as the oldest in Taiwan. Its interior is more elaborately decorated than most in central Tainan, and features a…
Southern Taiwan
This Japanese western-style complex was a primary school for Japanese children built in 1912. The nicely restored classrooms and offices now house child…
Southern Taiwan
This handsome western-style building (1933) across from the old bridge used to be Meinong's political and financial centre. It's now run by Meinong Hakka…
Southern Taiwan
Using videos and displays of tools used by the Hakka, this museum helps you to understand the Hakka's migration from mainland China to Taiwan, and how…
Kaohsiung
The largest temple in Lotus Pond area began as an ancestral hall for the followers of Koxinga. It was restored and considerably expanded in 1980. The two…
Tainan
This gate (1835) was part of Tainan's outer city walls in the Qing dynasty. You can see the coral stones in the base and the red bricks making up the low…
Kaohsiung
A large temple in the Shoushan Scenic Area, Longquan evokes a set from a period movie. It's said that when a cement company was extracting limestone from…
Kenting National Park
The admission fee buys you a half-hour tour-bus ride (and back) along a 2.5km-long stretch of coral coastline, as the driver explains to you the monikers…
Southern Taiwan
The 14m-high Maolin Gorge Waterfall is the more attractive of the two waterfalls in the scenic area, the other being Lovers Gorge Waterfall. You'll see a…
Kaohsiung
Taiwan's largest Confucius temple complex (167 sq m) is a stately 1970s replica of a Song-dynasty temple and the famous Qufu Confucius Temple in Shandong…
Kaohsiung
Down by Pier 12 (the Love Pier), Gushan Ferry Terminal and Fisherman's Wharf you'll find walkways, bike paths, cafes and beer gardens. Check at the train…
Kaohsiung
A contrast to the eccentric religious structures around Lotus Pond, this 18th century temple has intricately carved vaulted ceilings, and sculpted dragons…
Formosa Boulevard KMRT Station
Kaohsiung
Stop to see the resplendent Dome of Light (光之穹頂; Guāngzhī Qióngdǐng) by Italian glass-artist Narcissus Quagliata. Formosa Blvd is south of the main train…
Kaohsiung
Shihzuwan Beach is smaller than Cijin Beach, but it's a calmer swimming beach and is an excellent place for hanging out and watching the sunset.
Kaohsiung
Just back from the Love River is the film archive, with daily screenings of works by acclaimed Taiwanese directors like Hou Hsiao-hsien and Edward Yang,…
Southern Taiwan
A delicious old bridge (c1930) straddling Meinong River that has retained many of its original structures, including two monkeys carved out of stone.
Kaohsiung
The lighthouse, built in the 19th century by British engineers and restored in 1918 by the Japanese, offers killer views of the Port of Kaohsiung.
Tainan
Artists, performers and cafe operators have moved into this village with giant banyans, shabby walls and vibrant art. Take a stroll along the tree-lined…
Tainan
For generations, women have come to this temple to ask Lady Linshui to protect their children. This is demanding work and the goddess employs 36…
Tainan
Dainty Wufei Temple was built in honour of the concubines of the Prince of Ningjing, Zhu Shugui, the last contender for the Ming throne. When Koxinga's…
Pingtung County
This historical site is a collective tomb of 54 sailors from Ryuku (today’s Okinawa), killed by indigenous Paiwan in 1871. The incident, which occurred at…
Tainan
Hidden inside a market named after itself, Shuixian Temple (literally 'Water Fairy Temple') is a far cry from the days when it was not only a place of…
Kaohsiung
At Lotus Pond, about 180m to the north of the Dragon & Tiger Pagodas are the fun and gaudy Spring & Autumn Pavilions. The two octagonal towers in green…
Kaohsiung
This gigantic statue at Lotus Pond is of a powerful Taoist deity whose name means God Almighty of the Mysterious Heavens. He is also known as Xuan Wu (玄武;…
Tainan
This museum makes for a nice diversion. The 1st floor has English interpretation signs, and there are several movies to watch. The 2nd-floor display of…
Kaohsiung
Not the place you want to be during an earthquake, this was the tallest building in Taiwan before Taipei 101. Its appearance was inspired by the Chinese…
Pingtung County
Located in the southwestern corner of the island, this attraction consists of a maze of lava rock formations threaded through by a walkway. It's dark and…
Kenting National Park
Just so you can say you've been to Taiwan's southernmost point, there's a stone marker showing exactly that. It's about 1.2km southeast of Eluanbi Park…
Southern Taiwan
The written word enjoyed such a sacred position in the world of the ancients that they built furnaces just for disposing of written paper. They're called …
Taiwan's Southwest Coast
Five kilometres southwest of the Guanziling hot-spring area is this natural oddity, a small grotto where fire and water really do mix – natural gas from…
Pingtung County
A series of moderately interesting caves in the northwestern corner of Little Liuchiu Island, some with narrow paths winding through and around them up a …
