Houbihu Beach (aka Zhongzhou Beach or Daguang Beach) is a long coral beach between Houbihu Harbor and the No. 3 Nuclear plant in Taiwan. It features shallow water and great snorkeling. Also due to its location and lack of facilities there are usually not many people here.
Background: Houbihu beach was originally closed to the public until recently. Now that it has opened up, it has become a popular location for snorkeling, surfing, and using SUPs. There are no bathrooms or showers at the beach. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from two words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pioneers of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After you pass Hengchun, take a right onto Longguang Road and keep left toward Houbihu Harbor. The beach is to the north of the fishing harbor. There is free parking on the side of the road. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Hengchun Bus Station, and then take the 102 shuttle Bus to the Houbihu stop and walk about 15 minutes to the beach. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsiung's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below:
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Green Island is a paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Once a prison for political enemies of the KMT, it is now a tourist hot spot. It is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in Taiwan, one of only three salt water hot springs in the world, and it also includes amazing volcanic rock formations and scenery all around the island.
Background: Green Island is the remnant of a volcano that formed millions of years ago and is part of the Luzon Volcanic Arc. Today you can see lots of volcanic rock all along the shoreline. Green Island is the seventh largest Island in Taiwan. Green Island became inhabited hundreds of years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, and then to Orchid Island. It was called Jitanasey by the Tao people. It was also known to be inhabited by the Amis Tribe (阿美族) which reside today in Taitung. It was known as the Amis people as Samasana Island. The Island was first settled by Han Chinese fisherman from Xiaoliuqiu Island in 1813, who called the island Huoshandao (火燒島) or Bonfire Island. More Han settlers from Donggang arrived in 1850. In 1937 the American Steamship SS President Hoover ran ground at Green Island and all aboard were saved. To thank the people of Green Island, the US donated to build the Green Island Lighthouse which was designed by the Japanese and finished in 1938, at 33.3 meters or 109 feet high. Green Island also served as a penal colony for political prisoners' during the martial law era of Taiwan, which lasted from the late 9140s to late 1980s. Some prisoners went on to help form the Democratic Progressive Party. The prison is now open to the public. Currently the Island is powered by one deisel generator. It also includes an airport. Currently about 4500 people live on the island, and the main industries are tourism and fishing. Weather and Climate: The island has a tropical rain forest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island. When to go: The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island. Typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. Rules to Consider:
How to get there: By Plane: The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. From Taipei, there are daily flights from Songshan Airport to Taitung, where you can switch to Saily Air which will take you the rest of the way to Green Island. Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day by Daily Air Corporation from about 8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Green Island takes about 15 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be cancelled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island. You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as My Taiwan Tour or a similar website. By Boat: There are two places that offer ferry rides to Green Island: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). However, to get there from Houbihu you need to stop in Lanyu, so I will focus this blog on hust Fugang Harbor. There are also about three ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the about same times for the same prices (1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip). Ferry Boat costs: 1200 NT per person round trip (600 NT per single trip) from Taitung. Ferry companies have roughly the same price. Ferry Boat Times*: 7:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 8:20 AM arrival to Green Island. 8:30 AM departure from Green Island, 9:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. 9:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 10:20 AM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time) 10:30 AM departure from Green Island, 11:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time) 11:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 12:20 PM arrival to Green Island. 12:30 PM departure from Green Island, 9:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. 13:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 14:20 PM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time) 14:30 PM departure from Green Island, 15:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time) 15:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 16:20 PM arrival to Green Island. 16:30 PM departure from Green Island, 17:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. *Note: the above times change according to the seasons. There may only be one boat per day during winter, while all the boat times may be available during summer break and weekends. Please double check which times are available before you go. You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as My Taiwan Tour or a similar website. Getting around the island: Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours. Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance. Scooter Rental: Price: expect 400 NT per day. It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however they may ask for an international license (but I'm fairly sure they will let you rent without one). Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it's still the law. Also be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please. There is only one gas station next to Nanliao Fishing Harbor. Car Rental: Price: expect 2000 NT per day. Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers. Accommodation: Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in summer months and on weekends, when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. AirBnb has the most choices, however there is also a nice selection on Booking.com. My hostel did not require that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (as was the case on Lanyu), but they required me to pay in cash. Expect to pay 2000 - 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Green Island. Map: Please see a map of all the locations covered in this blog below: 
Lovers Beach is a small secret beach behind the Youth Activity Center in Kenting. It is small but usually free of crowds, and has calm, clear water. If you have time, you should check out this secret beach paradise.
Background: Lovers beach is a very small coral beach. The sand here is mostly rocky, but the water is clear. There is also a place to wash your feet nearby. The Youth Activity Center is the largest of its kind in Taiwan, and offers accommodation in the form of traditional Min style houses. There is also a restaurant on the site. If you book a room here you do not have to pay the price of admission. The entrance to the park also features hiking trails to Frog Rock and the surrounding area. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Hours: 6:30 AM - 5 PM Price: Entrance fee: 50 NT per person Parking: 50 NT per car When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Kenting Street. There is paid parking inside the youth activitity center. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Xiaowan Beach stop （小灣）. Map: Please see below: 
Manzhou Beach is a small sandy beach on the southeast coast of Kenting National Park. It features gold sand and warm year round temperatures. Seasonal winds also means there are usually waves here to surf on. Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, usually it is devoid of people.
Background: Manzhou Beach is a natural patch of sand among coral rocks on the southern tip of Manzhou Township. There is free parking here, but no showers, bathrooms, or other facilities. Because of the constant wind and large waves, usually you do not see many sunbathers or swimmers. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 26 on the east side of Kenting until you come to Manzhou on the side of the road. There is a large white pillar and small parking lot that is usually never full. By bus: From Hengchun, take bus 8249 to Shuiwaku and then walk about 30 minutes on the side of the road to get there. Map: Please see below: 
Shadao Beach in Kenting (aka Sand Island) is arguably the best beach in Taiwan, with excellent sand, warm clear water, pristine surroundings, warm temperatures year round, and no visitors. That's right, this beach is so great that it has been made into an environmentally protected area that no once can visit. Humans are banned.
Background: Shadao (literally meaning sand island) was originally named because the local residents thought the small bit of sand here looked like an island among the coral rocks. 98% of the sand on the beach is made of sea shells. Many of the sea shells that washed up on the beach were collected in the past and sent to other countries as precious ornaments. To protect the beach from disappearing, the government made the beach a protected area. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from two words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pioneers of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Kenting Street and on to Shadao. The parking for Shadao is on the ocean side of the road. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Shadao bus stop （砂島）. Map: Please see below: 
Gangkou Beach near Jialeshui Scenic Area in Kenting is one of the premier surfing beaches in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Gangkou Suspension Bridge which leads to the Diaoqiao Wetland area. Popular activities here include surfing, kite surfing, swimming, and hiking. It is a must see on your trip to Kenting. Due to its location there are rarely crowds here even on weekends.
Background: The area around Gangkou was originally inhabited by the Paiwan Tribe. Afterward, Chinese settlers started moving in to farm the area, and it remains mainly a rural area to this day, with about one fourth of the population being indiginous people. Gangkou suspension bridge is190 meters long and less than 10 meters high. The bridge was built to give passage to locals who in early times had to cross the Gangkou River during winter when it was cold and windy in order to leave town. Gangkou Beach is usually free of crowds due to its location, and there are multiple surf board rentals nearby. Strong winds year round mean there are always constant large waves coming into the bay. Hours: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Price: Gangkou Suspension Bridge: 20 NT Parking: Free How to get there: By Bus: Take bus 8247 from Hengchun about half an hour to Gangkou Village. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 26 to its easternmost point to enter Gangkou Village. There is a parking lot near the suspension bridge with free parking. Map: Please see below: 
Longpan Park is one of the most beautiful places in all of Kenting National Park. It features a large grassland that covers the southern tip of Taiwan. has great views of the shoreline on the east side of the peninsula, featuring a wind-cut sandy landscape and sea cliffs.
Background: The area that covers Longpan Park originally a coral reef that was elevated above the shoreline. Due to the easily eroding limestone leftover after the rocks were thrust upward, it created a large plateau on the southern tip of Taiwan. The plateau has a long grassy plain that is a unique feature in Taiwan. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 26 on the east side of Kenting until you come to Longpan Park on the right side of the road. There is parking on the side of the road. By bus: From Hengchun, take bus 8249 to Longpan Park bus stop. Map: Please see below: 
Fengchuisha is one of the most beautiful places in all of Kenting National Park. It has great views of the shoreline on the east side of the peninsula, featuring a wind-cut sandy landscape and sea cliffs. It is a must see on your trip to Kenting National Park.
Background: Fengchuisha 風吹砂 literally means "wind blows sand." You can see why it was named this because the wind is constantly blowing and there is sand everywhere, even up from the shore onto the plateu above. The lookout area at Fengchuisha is on the side of the road on top of a cliff, offering pristine views of the most southeast section of shoreline in Taiwan. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 26 on the east side of Kenting until you come to Fengchuisha on the side of the road. There is a small parking lot that is usually never full. By bus: From Hengchun, take bus 8249 to Shuiwaku and then walk about 15 minutes on the side of the road to get there. Map: Please see below: 
Nanliao Harbor (aka Hsinchu Fishing Harbor) along Taiwan's west coast in Hsnichu City includes includes a seafood market and a wide grassy area (International Kite Park 國際風箏場). There is also a long sandy intertidal area nearby. It is a popular location for its seafood, kite flying, and ocean scenery.
Background: The Hsinchu Fishing Harbor at Nanliao dates back to 1731 when the Qing Dynasty first built a harbor in Hsinchu at the head of the Touqian River to aid with international trade. Over the centuries, the harbor went through various changes which included silting in many times, until its current form which was completed in 1991, to combat silting that occurred before the 1980's. Currently the main purpose of the harbor is to dock fishing vessels. During Dragon Boat Festival, dragon boat races are also held here. Kite flying is also a popular activity at the park. There is an international kite flying competition every September at the grassy park next to the harbor. On weekends you can also find many people relaxing here. In August 2020, a three year old was caught in a kite and flow 30 feet into the air. Luckily no one was injured by the kite activities were suspended for the rest of the day and it became viral news. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car: From Taipei, take National Freeway 1 from Taipei and once in Hsinchu head west on expressway 68. The harbor is at the end of the road. Parking can be hard to find on weekends. By Scooter: From Hsinchu, drive along expressway 68 until you reach the harbor. By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Hsinchu Station, then switch to BL15 shuttle bus and take it to Nanliao Station. Map: Please see below: 
Wanlitong is one of the premier scuba diving and snorkeling spots in Taiwan, and sits inside Kenting National Park. The waters here are clear and full of coral and sea life. Other popular activities here are kayaking, SUPing and eating seafood.
Background: The waters of Wanlitong have one of the highest concentrations of coral and sea life in Kenting National Park. Underneath the water is its own underwater coral forest park. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Snorkeling: 300 NT per hour (or thereabouts). When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After you pass Hengchun, take a right onto Longguang Road and then turn right on Wanli Road. The village will be on your left. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Hengchun Bus Station, and then take the 101A to Xiaowanlitong bus station. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Xiaowan Beach in Kenting (aka Little Bay) features beautiful white sand and a long, flat beach, as well as clear water that is relatively warm year round. In addition, the beach has sunshine for most of the year. Popular activities include , surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. Located right next to the beach is Kenting Street, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Xiaowan include changing rooms, showers, toilets, rentals, and a parking on the side of the road. Hours: Nanwan Beach: 8:30 AM to 9 PM Kenting Street Night Market: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Kenting Street. There is parking next to the side of the road near the beach. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Xiaowan Beach stop （小灣）. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Jinshawan (aka Golden Bay) is one of the nicest beaches in northern Taiwan. The sand is golden, the water shallow (and warm in the summer), and it is relatively well kept and clean. Due to its lack of public transportation and small size, it sees not so many visitors compared to other beaches in the area. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and kite surfing are all popular activities at this beach.
Background: Jinshawan (literally Gold Sand Bay) was formed thousands years ago by the collision of the Philippine and Eurasian Plates. Because of its small size and with no other attractions nearby, it is often overlooked as a beach destination. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to Get There: By Bus: Take bus 1811 from Taipei bus station to Golden Bay stop. By Car: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Keelung to the northeast. The beach area is between Longdong and Ao'di. 
Nanya Rock (aka Nanya Peculiar Rock) is a layered sandtsone column on the shore of Ruifang District, New Taipei City. There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It is one of the most recognizable rock formations on the north coast and a popular location for, kayakers, snorkelers, and instagrammers.
Background: The sandstone and sedimentary that forms Nanya Rock formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The Rock was formed by easily eroding sandstone, with the area underneath being eroded away by the sea and waves. Nanya Rock is so named because it lies near Nanya Fishing Harbor in Ruifang. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 east about 20 KM until you reach Nanya harbor, and there is some free parking near the rock. By Bus: From Taipei bus station, take bus 1811 to Nanya Nanxin Temple station. Map: Please see below: 
Jialeshui Scenic Area is one of the most famous geological parks in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Shanhai Waterfall which flows into the ocean. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever!
Background: Jialeshui's original name was Gaoluoshui (高落水) meaning water falling from a high place, referring to Jialeshui Waterfall. Later when president Chiang Jingkuo visited the place, he renamed it Jialeshui (佳樂水), meaning a peaceful and happy place, and named the waterfall Shanhai Waterfall (山海瀑). The sandstone that forms the rocks in Jialeshui were created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with southern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The many rocks along the shore are thought to look like animals and have varying names as such. Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Price: Entrance fee: 80 NT per person (includes bus ride) Parking: 50 NT per car ro 30 NT per scooter Can I touch the rocks? Don't you dare touch the rocks! How to get there: By Bus: Take bus 8247 from Hengchun about half an hour to Jialeshui. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 26 to its easternmost point to enter Jialeshui. There is a parking lot at the end of the road with paid parking. Map: Please see below: 
Badouzi is a rocky area along Taiwan's north coast in Keelung. It includes a seafood market, marine science museum, and a wide grassy area (Chaojing Park). There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It is a popular location for its seafood, flying kites, hiking, and enjoying the ocean scenery.
Background: The sandstone and sedimentary that forms the Badouzi formations were created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The rock formations formed by easily eroding sandstone, by the sea and waves. The area around Chaojing Park was a protected military base and garbage dunmp, after which civilians were allowed to freely visit. Kite flying is also a popular activity at the park. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Marine Science Museum: 200 NT How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 east about 10 KM until you reach the the turnoff to Chaojing Park, and there is some paid parking if you drive to the very end, which will put you closest to the park. By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Badouzi (八斗子） station, then walk about 1 KM northwest until you reach the Chaojing Park. Map: Please see below: 
Taiwan's northern coast is an amazing, beautiful area with unique geology and rocks, lots of sandy beaches, amazing mountain views and hikes, old streets, night markets, historical sites, and much more to discover. Don't not come here.
Here is a map of the locations we will cover in this blog: 
Sail Rock Beach in Kenting is a small beach near Sail Rock, a large piece of coral rock that broke off the mainland. It features short yellow sandy beach and long, as well as clear water that is relatively warm year round. In addition, the beach has sunshine for most of the year. Popular activities include jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. It has everything you would want from a Kenting beach but it is smaller and there are less people than Nanwan Beach.
Background: Sail Rock is 18 meters tall, and was formed with the upheavel of the Taiwanese mainland, until it broke off from the main limestone shelf that forms the Hengchun Peninsula. Its name comes from its shape which looks similar to a ship's sail. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Sail Rock include showers, toilets, rentals, and a parking lot. Hours: Showers and Rentals: about 9 AM to 6 PM Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going pastHengchun into Kenting National Park. Continue past Kenting Street until you see sail rock on the shore. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at Middle Chuanfanshi stop （中船帆石）. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Located right next to the beach is Kenting Street, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping. It is the main street in Kenting, and at night both sides come alive to become a tourist night market in Taiwan. It may be the most pure tourist night market in Taiwan, with most visitors coming from out of town to enjoy Kenting's warm weather and beautiful beaches.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Popular treats at Kenting Street Night Market include seafood, and there are many international restaurants on the street, as well as swimming gear. Because most customers are tourists from out of town, prices at this night market are a bit higher than other more localized markets in Taiwan. Hours: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. The night market will appear after you reach the Mcdonlads, and there is paid parking nearby. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Kenting Bus stop. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Kenting Dawan Beach (aka Kenting Beach Swimming Area) is a premier beach destination on the Taiwan mainland, and attracts a fair amount of visitors, especially those that stay at the Kenting Chateu Beach resort that sits right on the beach. It features beautiful yellow sand and the longest beach in Kenting. In addition, the beach is right next to Kenting Street Night Market, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Kenting Beach include a foot wash, and swimming is actually technically prohibited. Therefore usually you will not see many people on the beach. Hours: Kenting Beach: 24/7 Kenting Street Night Market: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. The beach will be on your right as you pass the a 7-11. There is a parking lot next to the beach. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Kenting Arch Stop (墾丁牌樓). By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Nanwan Beach in Kenting (aka South Bay) is the premier beach destination on the Taiwan mainland, and attracts more visitors than any other beach on the island. It features beautiful white sand and long, flat beaches, as well as clear water that is relatively warm year round. In addition, the beach has sunshine for most of the year. Popular activities include jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. Located right next to the beach is Kenting Street, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Nanwan include changing rooms, showers, toilets, rentals, and a parking lot. Hours: Nanwan Beach: 8:30 AM to 9 PM Kenting Street Night Market: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. The beach will be on your right as you pass the a 7-11. There is a parking lot next to the beach. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Nanwan Beach stop （南灣）. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
People often don’t realize that Kaohsiung has a lot to offer to tourists. There are many amazing historical and natural sites to see, as well as amazing food, shopping, and an interesting culture. Many of the places down south aren’t represented as well in English as other sites in Taipei, which is why we want to help everyone realize what a great place it is. I lived in Kaohsiung for three years and it was like living in paradise every day (I wish I still lived there).
Below I will list out some of the best places in Kaohsiung that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places (and take more photos) later. How to get around in Kaohsiung? As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. However, you can also a great deal of Kaohsiung by taking the MRT, light rail, train, inter city bus, local bus, taxi, or bicycle (U-bike rental). When to go? Kaohsiung is great year round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and Typhoon season and heavy rain season lasts from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is dryer. Map: 
The Xingda Seafood Market (aka Xingda Tourist Fish Market, Hsinta Harbor Fish Market or Qieding Fish Market) is a large seafood market in Qieding District of Kaohsiung. You can find just about any kind of fresh seafood here, including sashimi, whole fish, shellfish, squid, etc., along with other traditional Taiwanese snacks. Also, the market is known for high quality knives. It is definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.
Background: Xingda Seafood is often called Qieding Fish Market because it is located in Qieding District of Kaohsiung, which is not very large and only covers a small area near the harbor. This area has been a delta for rivers and since the Qing Dynasty has served as the border between Tainan and Kaohsiung, which has changed with the Erren River. Xingda Harbor was built in 1997 and consists of four parts: a yacht tourism and business area, ocean business development zone, Fuli harbor living zone, and themed relaxation zone. There is also a fish market here. In the future, there are plans to expand capacity for the harbor. Hours: 11 AM to 6 PM (opens one hour earlier and closes one hour later on weekends) Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 17 north from Kaohsiung or South from Tainan and stop at Xingda Harbor. There is free parking on the side of the road. By bus: From Tainan Train Station, you can take Tainan bus 1 south to Xingda Harbor Station. The whole trip will take about an hour and a half. Map: Please see below: 
Qijin Island (aka Cijin Island or Chijin Island) has one of the most accessible sandy beaches to any urban area in Taiwan. Besides the nearly 10 Km stretch of sandy shores, the island also has an old street with tasty snacks, a seafood market, a lighthouse, an ancient fort, a star tunnel, a shell museum, and much more. It is one of the most popular destinations in Kaohsiung and definitely worth a trip.
Background: Qijin Island was first settled by a Chinese fisherman named Hsu Ah-hua (徐阿華) in the 1600's, discovered after he took shelter there during a typhoon. He brought many families with him from Fujian to settle there. They created the first Mazu temple there, Chi Jin Mazu Temple in 1673. The lighthouse dates from 1883 and was built in the English style. The fort on the hill to the north of the Island was completed in 1875 during the Qing dynasty. After WWII, Qijin was made a district of Kaohsiung City. In 1979, Taiping Island and Dongsha Island were added under the district's administration. Qijin Island used to be a sandbar peninsula, but was separated from mainland Taiwan at its southern tip to make a second entrance into Kaohsiung Harbor in 1967. There were plans for a cross harbor gondola but they were scrapped due to the height needed to cover the harbor. How to get there: By Passenger Ferry: Ferry's leave from Gushan near Xiziwan MRT station about every 10 minutes 24/7 (every half hour at after midnight). Or there is also another passenger ferry in Qianzhen that connects with Zhong Zhou Ferry Terminal. By Car/Scooter: Take the underwater tunnel on the south side of the island. Scooters can cross, but not bicycles. Price: Passenger ferry crossing: 40 NT Bicycle ferry crossing: 50 NT Motorcycle ferry crossing: 80 NT Showers: Free! Hours: 24/7 Map: Please see below for the places we will cover in this blog: 
The Wanli UFO Houses (aka Futuros) are a neighborhood of abandoned futuristic houses near Wanli Beach (aka Emerald Bay, Green Bay, or Feicuiwan) in Wanli District of New Taipei, and are some of the most popular urban exploration and Instagram destinations in northern Taiwan.
If you are looking for the Sanzhi UFO houses (三芝飛碟屋), stop looking; the Sanzhi UFO houses were destroyed in 2010. There are UFO houses all around Taiwan, but Wanli has the largest group of these houses. Go see them soon before they are demolished too! Background: The UFO house village was created in the 1970s by a Taiwan construction company. At the time during martial law, Wanli beach (Feitsui Bay) was one of the few places that American servicemen could enjoy a beach vacation, as most beaches were closed off at the time. These UFO houses had these servicemen in mind. However, a slowing economy and the severing of official diplomatic ties with the USA prevented the area from taking off, and the UFO resort town fell into decay. For a more complete historical background on this area, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. Common Courtesy When Visiting:
Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Bus: There are many buses that pass the area. You'll want to get off at Green Bay (翡翠灣). By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach the Howard Green Bay Resort. Map: Please see below: 
The Caoling Old Trail (aka Caoling Historic Trail) is a section of the Danlan Old Trail connecting Gongliao District of New Taipei to Dali District of Toucheng Township in Yilan. In the past it was an important shipping route for goods from Yilan to Tamsui. Now it is a popular and family friendly hiking route due to its convenient public transportation, slow elevation gain, grassy mountain hills, and great views of the surrounding area.
Background: The name Caoling comes from the mang grass (silver Miscanthus flowers 芒草) that grows on the top of the ridge on the east border of Yilan and New Taipei where there are almost no trees. The trail is said to first be made by the Plains Aboriginies to connect their tribes in the mountains of New Taipei. During the Qing Dynasty, the Caoling Old trail was an important part of the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道 which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and the Caoling Old Trail was on the Northern Path. The Northern Path was the first path created between Yilan and Tamsui, and winded from Mengjia Old Street to Nuannuan, then to Ruifang, and onto Jiufen and Houtong. From Houtong, the road then went to Mudan and then Shuangxi, then went over the Caoling pass to Yilan. During this time, most of the things traded were tea leaves and agricultural goods. Also, it was the main route for Han Chinese immigrants to come to Yilan. In 1867 Liu Mingdeng, the commander general of Taiwan at the time, walked along the Caoling Old Trail and ran into thick fog and evil spirits. Therefore he made two stone tablets: the "tiger" tablet and the Xiongzhenbianyan Tablet to ward off evil sprits and bring good luck. Before the old Caoling Railway tunnel was completed, the last train along the Yilan Railway line stopped at Fulong, and people then walked along the Caoling Old Trail to Yilan. This is part of the reason why the trail is still preserved today. However after the tunnel was completed, people were able to travel to Yilan by train and the trail lost its importance. Later on, provincial highway 2. Now the trail see a fair amount of tourists, especially during mang grass season (from September to November). Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Difficulty: Easy but long. Length: 9.5 KM Elevation Gain: 500 meters Time Needed: Roughly 4-6 hour round trip When to go: If you don't mind the crowds, the best time to go is in Autumn during the Mang Grass season from September to November. Spring will also have nice temperatures but fewer people and no Mang Grass. Other than that, in the summer it can get really hot because there is little shade on the grassy mountain top, and in the winter it can get really cold and windy. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Fulong Station (or Dali Station), the old trail starts from each station. By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, on provincial highway 5 until you reach Keelung, then take provincial highway 2B to Gongliao. If you want to shorten the hike, you can park at Yuanwangkeng Park (遠望坑親水公園), but you will have to turn around once you reach the top. If you start from either of the train stations, you can walk the full 9.5 KM loop and get back to where you started by train. Map: Please see below (the trail is the path on the left): |
Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
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