A Quick Escape To The Beautiful Cijin Island

Want to escape the city and soak up the sun at the beach? Perhaps you should head to Cijin Island. Hop aboard a fast ferry and discover one of Taiwan’s most popular islands, just minutes from Kaohsiung!

Cijin Island is often visited on a day trip from the mainland. It offers a tranquil atmosphere, beautiful long stretches of sand and a lovely art scene. Since I didn’t want to rush, I decided to wander around the island and spend time at each spot, fully enjoying the experience. So, without further ado, here are my favorite spots!

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Kaohsiung Lighthouse

Address: 80541, Taiwan, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City

Since I love hiking and getting the best views of a place, I went straight to the top of Mount Cihou, where the Kaohsiung Lighthouse is located. Sure, it’s a bit of a climb, but the view of Kaohsiung harbor and the island was well worth it!

The peace and quiet, the absence of crowds and the beautiful panorama make this a must-see on Cijin Island. Oh, and there’s also a café for those who need a little caffeine or want to take a nice little rest.

Cijin Star Tunnel

Address: Lane 1, Miaoqian Rd, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City

Formerly a military tunnel, it’s now a work of art that gives you the impression of walking underwater, surrounded by marine animals on all sides.
In fact, I had the impression of entering a time tunnel and finding myself in another dimension/time once on the other side… Too much imagination, I suppose!

In any case, the constellation-like paintings and changing lights made the atmosphere quite magical, but another surprise awaited me, because as you exit the tunnel, you arrive on a cliff of coral reefs at the foot of Mount Cihou!

The view, the sea breeze and the sound of crashing waves make this the ideal spot for all ocean lovers!

Cijin Beach

Address: No. 1號, Miaoqian Rd, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City

Leave me here, I’ll build a hut on the beach and live on water and plankton! Joking aside, Taiwan has many beautiful beaches and I must say that this one is no exception.

The laid-back atmosphere, sunsets and artistic sculptures attract visitors from all over the country. There’s only one golden rule here: relax!

Did I tell you? Cijin beach is also famous for its black sand! In fact, there’s even a festival of the same name that takes place every year and involves creating sand sculptures according to a specific theme. So come and take a look if you’re in the area, and enjoy its wide range of activities too!

Cijin Coastal Park

Address: No. 990, Qijin 3rd Rd, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City

Stretching over several kilometers, this coastal park features a variety of eye-catching art installations that you’ll want to etch in your memory or on your camera.

Bear in mind that this is a popular attraction and you may have to queue to have your photo taken in front of some of them!

Cijin Old Street

Address: No. 40號, Miaoqian Rd, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City

This is the street par excellence if you’re craving something sweet, savory, or any kind of food to be honest! As Cijin is a mecca for seafood, you should try the delights to be found here. Whether you like fish, prawns, crab…, you’ll find something to fill your stomach.

Beware, however, that prices are a little higher than in Kaohsiung.

How to get to Cijin Island

It’s easy! Just take a 5-minute ferry ride to the island! All the more reason to explore this place even if you’re pressed for time.

From Sizihwan station (orange line), walk to Gushan Ferry Pier and board the ferry. The fare is NT$30 (less than a dollar) and you can pay directly in cash at the ferry pier or use your EasyCard.

How to get around the island

“You can choose the easy way or the hard way!” That’s what I’d like to say, but the truth is that it depends on what you want to see and how much time you can spend on the island!

The two preferred options are:

• To rent a bicycle: you can do this before boarding the ferry for NT$100 ($3) for the whole day, or rent one directly on the island. This is the best option if you’re an early riser and want to spend the whole day on Cijin Island.
• To walk around the island: to tell the truth, I’ve done a lot of cycling in Taiwan and was keen to take a break and relax at the beach. That’s why I decided to use my legs. It’s the right choice for those who want to relax and slow down their trip a bit.

So why Cijin Island?

Like any introvert, I often need to escape the city and its sometimes busy and noisy streets. That’s what I found on Cijin Island: a place where the calm atmosphere combined with the beauty of nature allowed me to recharge my batteries before resuming my journey through Taiwan!

Want to see my top 10 things to do in Kaohsiung? Here it is!

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