Itineraries · 3 days
Three days in the south: Tainan & Kaohsiung
Old streets, harbour light and the best food on the island.
Classic
3 days · Tainan & Kaohsiung
Numbers follow the order of the trip. Open a destination for the full guide.
Day by day
The plan
This is a gentle three-day route with time to eat, linger and change plans. It works equally well as the southern half of a longer trip.
If you have an extra day, add the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum or continue south to Kenting.
Day 1
Tainan: forts and old streets
Start with the city's layered history, then spend the afternoon eating your way through the old town.
Anping Fort
The Dutch fort and its museum set the scene for Tainan's colonial past. Walk the old Anping lanes afterwards.
Anping snacks
Oyster rolls, shrimp crackers and tofu pudding in the streets around the fort.
Chihkan Tower
The red pavilions and stone turtles of Fort Provintia, in the heart of the old city.
Tainan Art Museum
Two buildings of Taiwanese art; a cool, calm break from the afternoon heat.
Shennong Street
Wander the lantern-lit lane as the shops open for the evening.
Garden Night Market
Dinner at Tainan's beloved night market, open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Day 2
Tainan mornings, Kaohsiung evenings
A slow morning in the temples, then the train south for a harbour sunset.
Confucius Temple
The oldest Confucian temple in Taiwan, set in a quiet courtyard of banyans.
Blueprint Culture & Creative Park
A former naval dormitory turned design and manga hub; good for a short wander.
Danzai noodles
One last iconic Tainan meal before the train.
Train to Kaohsiung
Local trains take about 35 minutes. Check in and head to the harbour.
Pier-2 Art Center
Warehouse galleries, public art and the harbour promenade. Rent a bike if you have energy.
Liuhe Night Market
Papaya milk, grilled squid and a relaxed end to the day.
Day 3
Kaohsiung: temples, island and art
Lotus Pond in the morning, Cijin Island at lunch and a big architectural finale.
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Walk through the dragon's mouth and out of the tiger's at Lotus Pond, then explore the surrounding temples.
Ferry to Cijin
A five-minute crossing to the island. Rent a bike and ride to the beach and lighthouse.
Seafood lunch on Cijin
Fresh squid, shrimp and fish at the market near the ferry pier.
Weiwuying
The vast white performing-arts centre and its park, with a rooftop view over the city.
Kaohsiung Music Center
Watch the harbour lights come on from the waterfront plaza, then head back for dinner.
More itineraries
More itineraries
1 day
Classic
Taipei
Taipei in one day
Temples, dumplings, a skyline hike and the city after dark.
2 days
Classic
Taipei
Two days: Taipei & Jiufen
A city day, then lanterns in the mountains.
3 days
Classic
Taipei & Taichung
Three days: Taipei, Taichung & Sun Moon Lake
From the capital to the lake, by high-speed rail.