Biking round Cijin Island was one of many highlights of my current solo journey to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. For first-time vacationers who’ve half or an entire day to spare, this small island is one place you may simply go to for seashore breaks with protected strolling and biking trails.
Getting there’s a low-cost and quick ferry experience from the mainland, you may spot some enjoyable artwork installations alongside the coast, go to temples, bike by means of a tunnel, and hike as much as a lighthouse overlooking the town.
For non-bikers, the primary sights (together with the seashore and lighthouse) are fully walkable. However those that wish to discover sooner can simply hire bikes or e-scooters. If you wish to attempt biking round Cijin Island for your self, listed here are some ideas I can share from my go to in March 2025.
Easy methods to get to Cijin Island
The simplest technique to get to Cijin Island is to take the ferry from Gushan Ferry Port to the northern finish of Cijin. Gushan Ferry Port is an 8-minute stroll from the Hamasen (previously known as Sizihwan) station on the orange line of the KMRT, or a 10-minute stroll from Hamasen Station on the brand new LRT inexperienced line.
As of March 2025, ferry rides from Gushan price NTD$30 if you happen to’re paying with money or you should use an Straightforward Card or Ipass. You gained’t get change if you happen to’re paying with money however can get cash from the merchandising machines earlier than using.
Journeys take 5 minutes and depart at frequent intervals, so it’s very simple to get to the island. The decrease part even permits bikers and motorbike riders to carry their rides with them from the mainland for a barely greater charge of $NTD50.
I made the error of strolling to the Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 (KW2) first, the place some cruises and cultural yachts depart. Technically you may also get to Cijin Island by means of right here, however boats don’t depart as typically (solely from 1:30-4:30) and value extra at NTD $80. The boats right here appear to be extra for scenic cruises somewhat than passenger ferries.
At any price, if you happen to’re already right here, you may seize some meals and drinks, or try the souvenirs. This space comprises the KW2 Hostel with container-van type rooms overlooking the ocean if you wish to keep in a single day close to the port. You don’t must, for the reason that trains and ferries run commonly from the town.
The place to hire bikes on Cijin Island
As quickly as you dock, you’ll see bikes for hire throughout the pier in entrance of 7-11. There are a row of rental retailers right here, all providing handbook bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, bicycles constructed for 2, and quad bikes for as much as 4 folks with considerably cartoony designs preferrred for households or if you happen to’re in a gaggle with a non-biker. Ask across the retailers to discover a good value earlier than you hire.
A lot of the ones close to the port will say handbook bikes begin at NTD$200 and e-bikes and scooters cost by the hour (NTD$300-400 an hour) so that they’re dearer. However if you happen to stroll to the appropriate aspect of the market going in direction of the temple, you’ll discover that bikes there price solely NTD $100 for the entire day.
I rented a easy handbook bike with a basket, which got here with a motorcycle lock. For the reason that terrain is usually flat, you don’t want a high-speed bike. Helmets aren’t crucial both.
Bike route
When you get a motorcycle, you’re free to discover Cijin Island’s path, which is able to simply take you 1-2 hours. Should you go to all of the spots, the bikeable space is roughly about 17km forwards and backwards to the port.
The Kaohsiung Lighthouse, Fort, and Tunnel of Stars are nearer the port space, however I saved these for final as a result of it was too sizzling to climb the lighthouse at midday after I began.
I biked the flat route first by the seashore to succeed in the tip and checked out the Tunnel of Stars and Kaoshiung Lighthouse on the best way again. The tunnel results in probably the most scenic sections of the path going again in direction of the port, so you may loop right here a number of instances for some additional kilometers if you would like.
Anyway, the beauty of being on a motorcycle is you may determine the place to go first and the way a lot time to spend in every spot. I appreciated the general public areas the place folks can park bikes, sit on benches within the shade, and use clear restrooms and gazebos with seashore views.
Listed below are the landmarks and artwork installations you’ll encounter on Cijin Island.
Kaohsiung Lighthouse
Kaohsiung Lighthouse, which sits atop Cihou Mountain, is a stately white construction that’s turn out to be an emblem of Kaohsiung. That is the tallest level on Cijin and directs ships to the doorway of Kaohsiung Port. The lighthouse comprises a mini-museum, plus you will get the perfect views of Kaoshiung from the highest.
The trail going as much as the lighthouse is healthier carried out on foot somewhat than by bike. Indicators posted within the space present that cyclists must stroll their bikes on this part and utilizing a handbook pedal bike with no gear shifts will make it very arduous to pedal up with the steepness. There’s an space to park bikes beneath and stairs close to the dock space for simpler climbs.
Other than gaining access to the perfect views right here, you may get pleasure from iced espresso and pastries from the fashionable cafe beside the lighthouse. There’s additionally a postal store and stamping space.
Cihou Fort
About 5 minutes from Kaoshiung Lighthouse is Cihou Fort, a historic red-bricked gate that previously guarded the northern entrance to Kaohsiung Harbor. Just like the lighthouse, it sits atop the hill and gives panoramic views of the ocean and island. There’s a stairway resulting in the parking space beneath close to the doorway to the Cijin Star Tunnel.
The Cijin Star Tunnel
The Cijin Star Tunnel, which passes by means of Cihou Mountain, was initially a army tunnel that now gives a scenic part to a wood plank with seashore views. The tunnel itself has been adorned with lights and glow-in-the-dark work.
The opposite finish of the tunnel results in a scenic tree-lined path with a view of Cihou Mountain. This jogged my memory of Corregidor’s Malinta Tunnel, besides it’s a lot shorter and narrower. Greater than the tunnel, I loved the path from right here main out to the docks, so I circled it twice when fewer folks have been passing by means of it.
Rainbow Church
Whereas biking across the trails of Cijin Seaside, you’ll come throughout numerous artwork installations. The Rainbow Church refers to a number of architectural options at Cijin Seaside Park the place folks can pose for images.
The Rainbow Arch constructed over a pool of shallow water with the ocean within the background is situated at Part 3, Qijin Highway by the Customer Info Heart in Qijin Coastal Park. It’s a colourful Insta-famous set up that’s a lot smaller than it seems to be. Once I visited there was a warning tape in entrance of it so you may’t go in anymore.
Cijin Shell Museum
Close by is the small Cijin Shell Museum, which shows virtually 3000 varieties of seashells. Should you’re into seashells, you may have a look inside. I used to be extra concerned with biking outside, so I didn’t go in anymore, however based mostly on different opinions, it’ll price you an additional $NTD 30 to enter. There’s a cute artwork set up on the coast by the museum known as Double Snail Platform.
Sea Pearl
Additional down the bike path is a big tunnel-like clamshell often known as the Cijin Sea Pearl that makes one other fascinating photograph backdrop for the gram.
You possibly can stroll proper into the massive shell’s shiny inside and listen to echoes of waves from the ocean. Nevertheless, bicycles are usually not allowed on the platform and there have been folks recording movies after I handed by so I simply snapped images from afar.
Windmill Park
The Cijin Windmill Park is the furthest south on the path the place most guests to Cijin go by bike. The park is known as after the row of windmill towers alongside the seashore. I discovered it peaceable and windy right here, with an fascinating artwork set up offering shade.
Based mostly on indicators posted, bikers are usually not allowed on the primary roads – and penalties/fines could also be imposed, so if you happen to’re a vacationer, persist with the route.
I doubled again utilizing completely different paths on the path, stopping by for photograph ops at a pleasant temple, and a forested strolling path earlier than reaching the seashore once more.
The place to eat in Cijin Island
For reasonably priced full meals, the best choice is the market close to the port the place you get the rental bikes. There are many avenue stalls there for reasonable eats and a comfort retailer to purchase snacks. For espresso lovers, the Shoreline Espresso & Roaster at Kaoshiung Lighthouse gives a scenic spot to get pleasure from espresso and pastries.
Should you’re a beer drinker, you may relax and have drinks at Sundown Bar overlooking Cijin Seaside within the late afternoons. I had a taco and pleased hour beer right here (surprisingly they served San Mig Gentle).
Although this was pricier than native meals, I needed to drink right here because it gave the impression to be the one bar on the seashore.
If you wish to avoid wasting money, it’s higher to carry snacks and drinks and have a picnic alongside the seashore to benefit from the view.
Strava route
Comply with me on Strava to see the precise route. I used to be aiming for at the very least 20km, however my smartwatch died on me earlier than I biked again to the port to return the bike.
Journey ideas
- Cijin Island is fairly small, so that you solely want a few hours or half a day to discover the entire island. If you’d like a extra chill expertise, you may spend the entire day.
- It’s very protected, organized, and tourist-friendly. It’s simple to bike round solo or if you happen to’re with household and children.
- One of the best time to bike could be within the morning when it’s not too sizzling or within the mid-afternoon till sundown. Nevertheless, these are additionally the instances when spots and landmarks get extra crowded.
- Should you don’t thoughts the warmth, you may nonetheless bike round midday and early afternoon.
- Based mostly on the native tips, bikers ought to give technique to pedestrians and decelerate when using previous them. Bikers ought to ring their bells or get consideration by well mannered vocal warnings earlier than overtaking them.
- Bikers must decelerate when using downhill, and mustn’t speed up or hustle pedestrians away from the trail.
Associated