The “Southern Taiwan” includes seven cities and counties: Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Pingtung County.
Chiayi City (嘉義市)
Chiayi City is a friendly, mid-sized urban center that serves as the gateway to the Alishan National Scenic Area. Known for its relaxed pace and cultural warmth, Chiayi combines historical charm with local color. The city’s wide boulevards, colonial-era buildings, and vibrant night market scene create an inviting atmosphere that’s easy to explore on foot or by bike.
Historic sites like Hinoki Village, a preserved Japanese-era woodworking settlement, and the Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park showcase the city’s efforts to balance tradition with contemporary creativity. Street arts, pop-up shops, and cafés now fill once-old administrative buildings, reflecting Chiayi’s new cultural identity. Meanwhile, the iconic Chiayi Tower—a modern observation deck—offers panoramic views of downtown and the lush foothills that lead to Alishan.
Chiayi is also a food lover’s haven. Local specialties like Turkey rice (火雞肉飯), sticky rice balls, and 大香腸 (large Taiwanese sausages) feature heavily in the city’s renowned East Market and lively nighttime stalls. Chiayi provides a well-rounded southern Taiwan experience—history, creative culture, scenic entrance to the mountains, and mouthwatering street eats.
Highlights:
Hinoki Village – Japanese wood-art quarter turned cultural park
Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park – Museums, cafés, events
Alishan Forest Railway (departure point) – Scenic mountain train ride
Chiayi East Market & Night Market – Celebrated local food specialties
Chiayi Tower Sky Bridge – City views with mountain backdrop
Chiayi County (嘉義縣)
Encircling Chiayi City, Chiayi County is rich with rural and scenic attractions that complement the city’s cultural offerings. Its fertile plains and gentle foothills make it the perfect base to explore both agricultural life and mountain landscapes. From tea farms to indigenous culture, this county provides a step deeper into authentic Taiwan.
The iconic Alishan Forest National Scenic Area is the county’s crown jewel — ancient cypress forests, sunrise over the sea of clouds, and the legendary forest railway make it one of Taiwan’s most beloved natural wonders. But the county’s charm doesn’t end there: flower villages like Fongyuan, historical estates like Hinoki Village, and the tea terraces of Mount Ali provide immersion in rural life and heritage.
Local culture thrives in festivals and Hakka, indigenous, and Taiwanese folk traditions. Consider visiting during harvest season, when farm trails, orchard visits, and local festivals offer hands-on cultural immersion. Whether it’s birdwatching along rural paths or exploring quaint mountain villages, Chiayi County delivers scenic depth and cultural authenticity.
Highlights:
Alishan Forest Railway & Scenic Area – Historic mountain train & forests
Sacred Tree & Sisters Ponds – Iconic Alishan landmarks
Meishan Tea Plantations – Tea tasting and plantation walks
Hinoki Village (rural) – Woodcraft and cultural events
Taihe Village & Uyong Gorge – Hakka and indigenous villages
Tainan City (台南市)
Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city and former capital, celebrated as a cultural and culinary treasure chest. Its dense network of historic temples, forts, and narrow lanes embody centuries of Han Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, and local traditions. Despite its urban density, the city feels intimately human, with neighborhood alleyways and old storefronts offering stories at every turn.
Food is central to Tainan’s identity. As Taiwan’s culinary capital, it’s famed for dan zai noodles, coffin bread, and sweet mango shaved ice, often discovered in makeshift alley stalls and century-old eateries. Temple fairs, food trucks, and market stalls create authentic taste experiences that reflect Tainan’s rich heritage.
Tainan also offers cultural landmarks like Anping Old Fort, Chihkan Tower, and a multitude of historic Confucian and Taoist temples. Alongside these relics, the city’s creative revitalization has brought art districts, waterfront parks, and renovated warehouses into the fold. Tainan is a city deeply tied to history—but also evolving at its own unhurried pace.
Highlights:
Anping Old Fort & Anping Tree House – Dutch colonial and banyan architecture
Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia) – Historic Chinese/Taiwanese landmark
Confucius Temple & Historic District – Cultural deep dive in stationery-lined streets
Garden Night Market – Premier spot for Tainan street food
Shennong Street – Charming pedestrian lane with heritage buildings
Kaohsiung City (高雄市)
Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, stands proudly on the southern harbor and pulses with marine commerce, arts innovation, and pulsating nightlife. Once dominated by industry, the city has transformed into a modern cultural metropolis with waterfront promenades, sleek MRT lines, and a bold creative flair.
Scenic attractions include the Love River, lined with cafés and nightlife, and Pier-2 Art Center, a repurposed dockland turned arts hub. The colorful Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Pond offer pagoda-climbing fun, while the futuristic Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station inspires awe. Kaohsiung is a city with open canvas energy and approachable charm.
For those chasing sun and sand, the nearby Cijin Island provides ferry-accessible beach time with fresh seafood, lighthouse hikes, and old colonial structures. Whether you’re tea-sipping by the river, cycling along coastal paths, or exploring creative alleys, Kaohsiung is a multifaceted southern city on the rise.
Highlights:
Pier-2 Art Center – Hipster galleries and street art
Love River Cruise/Nightlife – Romantic evening ambiance
Cijin Island – Scenic island with beach, lighthouse, and seafood
Dome of Light at MRT – Public art wonder underground
Dragon & Tiger Pagodas, Lotus Pond – Colorful temple complex
Pingtung County (屏東縣)
Pingtung County stretches from urban suburbs into lush plains and tropical coastlines. Its warm climate supports a rich agricultural hinterland famous for mangoes, pineapples, and betel nuts. Here, rural rhythm and indigenous culture combine with outdoor adventure to create a layered travel experience.
The county’s coastal treasures include Kenting National Park, Taiwan’s most famous beach destination, as well as the tropical murals of Fangshan Fishing Port and birdwatching at Alleys in Chaozhou. Indigenous villages, tribal craft markets, and forest trails in the mountains offer glimpses into the lives of the Paiwan and Rukai people.
Pingtung offers adventure through rafting, cycling, snorkeling, and trail walking—both highland and coastal—making it ideal for eco-travelers. From underserved beaches to tribal arts, the county remains steeped in nature, community, and seasonal celebration.
Highlights:
Kenting National Park – Beaches, forest, and coral coastlines
Fangshan Fishing Port – Colorful fishing village atmosphere
Longluan Lake & Maobitou – Birdwatching and sea views
Sandimen & Wutai Villages – Indigenous culture and woodcraft
Checheng Railway Station – Nostalgic rural train heritage