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Photo: Missvain Original author User:Hughon-zxl, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Taiwan is the most southern region in Taiwan.
The southernmost region of Taiwan reaching down to its extreme southern tip. Beyond the popular Kenting National Park and its capital Pingtung there is not much relevant here.
A region mostly determined by the second largest city of Taiwan, Kaohsiung. However, also the impressive Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Memorial Building can be found in this region.
Not just the oldest city of Taiwan but also the popular hot spring town, Guanziling, can be found here.
Comprising Chiayi County, which also includes the mountainous area of Alishan, as well as its largest city: Chiayi.
One of the country's least developed regions. However, Yunlin is on the usual itinerary for cyclists going around Taiwan. Chinese mandarin or Taiwanese (relatively widely spoken) are a must as virtually no one speaks English.
By train
Southern Taiwan has numerous train stations (including high-speed rail (THSR / 高鐵)).
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tainan (Rende) · International · TNN
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Chiayi (嘉義), also spelled Jiayi, is the main city of the Chiayi region, southern Taiwan. It is surrounded by Chiayi County.
Kaohsiung (高雄; Ko-hiông in Taiwanese, Gāoxióng in Mandarin), with 2.73 million inhabitants in October 2023, is the third most populated city in Taiwan after New Taipei and Taichung. It is located in the south of the island on the west coast.
Pingtung City is the county seat and largest city in Pingtung County with a population of about 194,000 (2024). Weather is subtropical.
Tainan (臺南; Tâi-lâm in Taiwanese, Táinán in Mandarin), in Southern Taiwan, is the oldest city in Taiwan. Tainan is famous for its temples, historic buildings and snack food, and is well worth a visit for a quintessentially Taiwanese experience for both stomach and soul.
Douliu (斗六) is a city of 108,000 people (2022) that is the county seat of Yunlin County.
Alishan National Scenic Area (阿里山國家風景區 Ālǐshān guójiā fēngjǐng qū) is a national park in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan. Located high up in Taiwan's mountainous spine, Alishan — "Mount Ali" — is Taiwan's most-visited national park.
Kaohsiung (高雄; Ko-hiông in Taiwanese, Gāoxióng in Mandarin), with 2.73 million inhabitants in October 2023, is the third most populated city in Taiwan after New Taipei and Taichung. It is located in the south of the island on the west coast.
Guanzihling (關子嶺) is a hot spring resort in Tainan, Taiwan.
Articles and travel topics about Southern Taiwan and Taiwan.
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Culture & historyPrior to large-scale Han Chinese settlement during the Qing Dynasty, Taiwan was primarily inhabited by various Austronesian peoples.
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