Discover Cijin Island’s Hidden Gems: A Complete Day Trip Guide

Published on September 22, 2025

Cijin Island lies a breezy fifteen-minute ferry hop from Kaohsiung, making it a go-to getaway for anyone craving that blend of old-meets-new Taiwan charm. It lures visitors pinch glistening achromatic sand, century-old temples, and markets bursting pinch sizzling seafood. That laid-back land tone feels a world distant from Kaohsiung’s neon skyline, yet it’s correct successful view. Rent a colourful bicycle, trace nan lapping coastline, driblet successful connected a quiet shrine, past headdress nan time chewing connected grilled squid and pineapples. Whatever you consciousness like, nan land serves it up pinch a broadside of water breeze.

How to Get to Cijin Island from Kaohsiung

Travelling to Cijin Island is straightforward and convenient for visitors to Kaohsiung. The astir communal way is via ferry from Gushan Ferry Pier Station. Located conscionable a short locomotion from Sizihwan MRT Station, nan pier offers predominant ferry services to nan island. The ferry thrust takes astir 10 minutes and provides stunning views of nan Kaohsiung harbour, making it an enjoyable portion of nan journey.

Ferries depart regularly passim nan day, pinch much predominant services during highest hours. The schedule includes a first ferry astatine 5:00 AM and nan past ferry astatine midnight. Visitors tin besides bring bicycles connected nan ferry for a mini further fee, a celebrated prime for those wanting to research nan land astatine their ain pace.

In summation to Gushan, different ferry routes astir Kaohsiung Harbour are available, pinch services ramped up during weekends aliases holidays to cater to larger crowds. It’s recommended to cheque nan schedule up of clip during Taiwan’s typhoon play (May to November), arsenic ferry services whitethorn beryllium impacted by upwind conditions.

Exploring Cijin Island

Once connected nan island, travellers tin easy get astir by renting a bicycle aliases scooter, aliases simply by walking. The island’s compact size makes it perfect for cycling, and respective rental shops adjacent nan ferry terminal connection bikes starting astatine astir NTD 100-200 per day. For those looking to research nan island’s landmarks quickly, scooters are disposable for rent astatine NTD 300-400 per day. Golf carts are besides an action for those who for illustration a much relaxed exploration method.

Cijin Island is known for its black soil beaches, which are cleanable for swimming, sunbathing, aliases simply enjoying nan view. Cijin Beach, located connected nan occidental coast, is nan astir celebrated spot, while Black Sand Beach astatine nan confederate extremity of nan land offers a quieter alternative. The acheronian volcanic soil gives nan beaches a unsocial charm, and visitors tin rent umbrellas and chairs to heighten their formation experience.

Must-See Attractions connected Cijin Island

Cijin Island is filled pinch attractions that bespeak some its earthy beauty and rich | history. Here are immoderate of nan apical sights to spot during your visit:

• Cijin Lighthouse: Standing gangly astatine nan highest constituent of nan island, nan Cijin Lighthouse offers breathtaking panoramic views of Kaohsiung Harbour. Recently renovated and reopened, it now has a café astatine its guidelines for visitors to bask refreshments pinch a view.
• Cihou Fort: Built successful 1875, Cihou Fort is simply a coastal defense building that erstwhile protected Kaohsiung Harbour. The fort features awesome chromatic walls, cannons, and underground tunnels, making it a fascinating extremity for history lovers.
• Tianhou Temple: This temple honours Mazu, nan oversea goddess, and is an important tract for nan island’s sportfishing community. Visitors tin respect nan vibrant architecture and observe section customs.
• Rainbow Church: A celebrated photograph stop, nan Rainbow Church is simply a brightly coloured, geometric building connected nan beach. It’s peculiarly stunning astatine sunset erstwhile nan ray creates a beautiful opposition pinch nan water and sky.

Enjoying Local Delicacies and Street Food

One of nan highlights of visiting Cijin Island is nan food. Cijin Old Street is lined pinch nutrient vendors offering caller seafood and accepted Taiwanese snacks. Popular dishes see oyster omelettes, grilled squid, and fish balls. Don’t hide to effort nan section specialty, black pearl crystal cream, made pinch squid ink for a unsocial and unique flavour.

For a much casual meal, Cijin Old Street besides offers a wide scope of Taiwanese snacks, including bubble tea, shrimp rolls, and fried snacks. The nutrient stalls are affordable, and astir vendors for illustration rate payment, though immoderate newer shops judge Taiwan’s Easy Card for added convenience.

Cijin Island’s Unique Museums and Cultural Stops

Cijin Island besides offers respective acquisition and taste experiences. The Cijin Shell Museum is 1 of nan island’s astir absorbing attractions, pinch thousands of shells from astir nan world connected display. The depository is simply a awesome extremity for families and marine life enthusiasts, showcasing Taiwan’s coastal biodiversity.

Additionally, nan Cijin Marine Life exhibits supply accusation connected nan island’s marine ecosystem, conservation efforts, and accepted sportfishing techniques. These stops thief visitors amended admit nan island’s domiciled successful Taiwan’s maritime heritage.

Ideal Itinerary for a Day Trip

To make nan astir of a time connected Cijin Island, commencement early to debar crowds. The first ferry departs astir 8 AM, allowing you to sojourn Cijin Lighthouse for greeting views. Afterward, caput to Cijin Old Street for luncheon and to shop for section souvenirs. In nan afternoon, relax astatine Cijin Beach aliases research Cihou Fort and its surroundings. End your time pinch a sunset portion astatine Cijin Sunset Bar, offering stunning views of nan harbour and nan metropolis skyline.

Cijin Island – The Perfect Day Trip from Kaohsiung

Cijin Island makes for an perfect time travel from Kaohsiung, fusing Taiwan’s coastal splendour pinch deep-rooted taste charm and mouthwatering thoroughfare food. You mightiness for illustration to unwind connected shimmering achromatic sands, rotation done centuries-old forts, aliases feast connected just-caught seafood; immoderate your pace, nan mini yet vibrant isle offers thing for each visitor. The ten-minute ferry leaves Kaohsiung’s engaged harbour each half hour, and an easy day’s worthy of adventures and meals connected nan h2o intends nan land is simply unmissable for anyone heading to confederate Taiwan.