2015 South Taiwan Travel Passport: Hidden Gem Adventure

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team, compiled and reported
 
● Breathtaking South Taiwan: Journey into Pristine Hidden Gems
From the viewpoint of natural geographical landscapes, the southern Taiwan area features six national scenic areas — Alishan, Yunlin-Kaohsiung-Tainan Coastal, Siraya, Maolin, Dapeng Bay, and Penghu — along with five national parks such as Yushan, Kenting, Taijiang, Ocean, and Shoushan, plus two forest district management offices under the Forestry Bureau in Chiayi and Pingtung. The region is rich in ecological wonders and diverse natural resources, and also home to attractions brimming with ethnic culture, such as the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park and the Six Hakka Cultural Villages. The interplay of stunning mountains, seas, and natural beauty with deep cultural heritage makes travel in southern Taiwan a journey full of hidden gems and delightful surprises.

● Classic Southern Taiwan: Strolling Through Charming Corners

When divided by administrative regions, southern Taiwan includes seven major counties and cities — Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Penghu — each showcasing unique attractions, local characteristics, food products, and cultural features. There are majestic mountain and sea hidden gems, folk festivals that blend local customs and historical development, rich cultural diversity from indigenous peoples, Hakka, Hoklo, military dependents’ villages, and offshore islands, as well as century-old local snacks. It attracts travelers all year round.

● Savoring the Very South: Authentic Local Flavors

Yunlin, boasting the largest amount of farmland in Taiwan, is not only an agricultural powerhouse but also known as the “Kitchen of Taiwan.” Its natural ecology, historical culture, and cultural heritage are equally captivating. Chiayi County is the only county in Taiwan that encompasses three major national scenic areas — Alishan, Yunlin-Kaohsiung-Tainan Coastal, and Siraya — and offers magnificent mountain and sea views. Chiayi City is rich in historic sites, delicacies, pastry shops, temples, and crafts, with an enduringly charming arts and cultural scene. The Greater Tainan area has profound cultural roots, abundant natural resources, some of the most authentic and delicious cuisine, and a leisurely pace of life — making it suitable for immersive slow-living journeys all year round.

● When Sunshine Meets the Sea: A Sensory Feast
Love River and Sizihwan waterfront, the romantic fishing harbor of Qijin, the ancient charm of Fengshan and the rustic appeal of Meinong’s Hakka villages — the trendiest shopping centers and the tastiest harbor-town snacks are all found in vibrant Kaohsiung, this sunlit ocean city. Pingtung County lies entirely south of the Tropic of Cancer, where its spring-like climate year-round turns this fertile land into a kingdom of agricultural, fishing, and livestock abundance. It leads Asia in blackfin tuna catches annually and boasts great diversity in local environment, ecology, and ethnic groups. Then there’s the Penghu archipelago, made up of volcanic basalt islands, which offers not only delicious seafood, century-old bakeries, and local specialties but also charming old temples, traditional houses, and homestays full of local warmth.
 
Breathing in the mountain mist and sea breeze under the bright southern Taiwan sun, it’s hard not to fall in love with these small joys of life in the very south of the country. This “Amazing Southern Taiwan: A Leisurely Little Journey” guide not only covers the aforementioned mountain and sea hidden gems and introductions to counties and cities across southern Taiwan, but also provides practical accommodation recommendations, travel information, and over 170 exclusive deals from southern Taiwan shops — now is the perfect time to explore southern Taiwan.
 
To get a copy of “Amazing Southern Taiwan: A Leisurely Little Journey,” visit any freeway service area, train station, high-speed rail station, MRT station, post office, or tourism service center nationwide. You can also download the free e-book and app.