Ticket prices rise at Southern Taiwan scenic spots: Cat’s Head Islet to start charging, British Consulate ticket price doubles

▲ Although Kenting Eluanbi Park already charges an entrance fee, discussions are underway recently regarding the possibility of raising prices. (Photo / Courtesy of Kenting National Park official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

It’s going up again. As the weather gradually warms up and the upcoming Children’s Day holiday break begins next week, Southern Taiwan is about to welcome another tourism peak season. But now many southern tourist attractions have decided to raise prices starting in April or begin considering implementing entrance fees, leaving many members of the public sighing, “I might as well just stay home and do virtual travel on my keyboard.”

The Takao British Consular Residence Cultural Park, which attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually, was the first to raise its ticket prices on the 11th. The full-price ticket has gone up from the original NT$30 to NT$66, while the senior and child tickets have risen from NT$20 to NT$39, and group tickets have also increased to NT$49.

Kaohsiung’s Chengcing Lake has confirmed that fees will be raised starting in April. Chengcing Lake, which attracts about one million visitors per year, is managed by the Seventh Management Office of Taiwan Water Corporation. On the 27th, the office announced that starting April 1st, the parking fee for small cars will increase from the original NT$40 to NT$60 on weekdays and NT$100 on holidays.

The 7th Management Office said parking fees will also rise on April 1 (right photo), and Chengcing Lake (left photo) will follow suit. (Photos / Courtesy of Chengcing Lake Scenic Area official website; provided by Kaohsiung City Government)

The Seventh Management Office stated that since the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2013, when Kaohsiung residents were allowed free entry upon presenting identification, the number of park visitors increased significantly. The five nearby parking lots are often full, and many vehicles frequently drive through the park, affecting the experience of local residents exercising there. Therefore, after evaluation, they decided to raise the parking fees, hoping to keep the number of vehicles within around 70% to maintain the recreational quality of the park.

The long-popular Kenting Eluanbi National Park, which has always charged an entrance fee, has also been confirmed by the management office to be considering raising ticket prices. Meanwhile, the previously free Cat’s Head Islet Scenic Area will also begin charging admission in the future. Although these plans are still under discussion, the news that fees will be implemented has left many people lamenting, “Everything is going up—staying home is the only way to save money.”

Kenting Eluanbi National Park, a longstanding favorite destination for domestic travelers, has always charged an entrance fee. However, the management office recently confirmed that it is studying the possibility of increasing ticket prices. Additionally, the Cat’s Head Islet Scenic Area, which was previously free to visit, will also begin charging admission in the future. Although these measures are still under consideration, the news that fees will be applied has led many to lament, “Everything is getting more expensive—I can only save money by staying home.”