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 secure strolling and biking trails.
Getting there’s a low cost and brief ferry journey from the mainland, you may spot some enjoyable artwork installations alongside the coast, go to temples, bike by way of a tunnel, and hike as much as a lighthouse overlooking the town.
For non-bikers, the principle 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 below are some ideas I can share from my go to in March 2025.
get to Cijin Island
The simplest strategy 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 value NTD$30 for those who’re paying with money or you need to use an Simple Card or Ipass. You gained’t get change for those who’re paying with money however can get cash from the merchandising machines earlier than driving.
Journeys take 5 minutes and depart at frequent intervals, so it’s very straightforward to get to the island. The decrease part even permits bikers and bike riders to convey their rides with them from the mainland for a barely greater price 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 can too get to Cijin Island by way 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 quite than passenger ferries.
At any charge, for those who’re already right here, you may seize some meals and drinks, or take a look at the souvenirs. This space accommodates the KW2 Hostel with container-van fashion rooms overlooking the ocean if you wish to keep in a single day close to the port. You don’t must, because the trains and ferries run repeatedly 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 guide bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, bicycles constructed for 2, and quad bikes for as much as 4 individuals with considerably cartoony designs superb for households or for those who’re in a bunch with a non-biker. Ask across the retailers to discover a good value earlier than you hire.
Many of the ones close to the port will say guide bikes begin at NTD$200 and e-bikes and scooters cost by the hour (NTD$300-400 an hour) in order that they’re costlier. However for those who stroll to the suitable aspect of the market going in direction of the temple, you’ll discover that bikes there value solely NTD $100 for the entire day.
I rented a easy guide bike with a basket, which got here with a motorbike lock. Because the terrain is generally flat, you don’t want a high-speed bike. Helmets aren’t obligatory both.
Bike route
When you get a motorbike, 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 backwards and forwards 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 once 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 one of the crucial scenic sections of the path going again in direction of the port, so you may loop right here a number of occasions for some additional kilometers if you would like.
Anyway, the wonderful thing about being on a motorbike 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 individuals 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 into an emblem of Kaohsiung. That is the tallest level on Cijin and directs ships to the doorway of Kaohsiung Port. The lighthouse accommodates a mini-museum, plus you may get one of the best views of Kaoshiung from the highest.
The trail going as much as the lighthouse is best finished on foot quite than by bike. Indicators posted within the space present that cyclists need to stroll their bikes on this part and utilizing a guide pedal bike with no gear shifts will make it very arduous to pedal up with the steepness. There’s an space to park bikes under and stairs close to the dock space for simpler climbs.
Apart from having access to one of the best views right here, you may get pleasure from iced espresso and pastries from the trendy 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 affords panoramic views of the ocean and island. There’s a stairway resulting in the parking space under close to the doorway to the Cijin Star Tunnel.
The Cijin Star Tunnel
The Cijin Star Tunnel, which passes by way of Cihou Mountain, was initially a navy tunnel that now affords 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 individuals had been passing by way of it.
Rainbow Church
Whereas biking across the trails of Cijin Seaside, you’ll come throughout varied artwork installations. The Rainbow Church refers to a number of architectural options at Cijin Seaside Park the place individuals can pose for photographs.
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. After 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 nearly 3000 sorts of seashells. Should you’re into seashells, you may have a look inside. I used to be extra all in favour of biking open air, so I didn’t go in anymore, however primarily based on different evaluations, it’ll value 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 huge tunnel-like clamshell often known as the Cijin Sea Pearl that makes one other attention-grabbing photograph backdrop for the gram.
You’ll be able to stroll proper into the big shell’s shiny inside and listen to echoes of waves from the ocean. Nonetheless, bicycles are usually not allowed on the platform and there have been individuals recording movies once I handed by so I simply snapped photographs 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 attention-grabbing artwork set up offering shade.
Based mostly on indicators posted, bikers are usually not allowed on the principle roads – and penalties/fines could also be imposed, so for those who’re a vacationer, follow 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 road stalls there for reasonable eats and a comfort retailer to purchase snacks. For espresso lovers, the Shoreline Espresso & Roaster at Kaoshiung Lighthouse affords a scenic spot to get pleasure from espresso and pastries.
Should you’re a beer drinker, you may sit back and have drinks at Sundown Bar overlooking Cijin Seaside within the late afternoons. I had a taco and joyful hour beer right here (surprisingly they served San Mig Mild).
Although this was pricier than native meals, I needed to drink right here because it appeared to be the one bar on the seashore.
If you wish to avoid wasting money, it’s higher to convey snacks and drinks and have a picnic alongside the seashore to benefit from the view.
Strava route
Observe me on Strava to see the precise route. I used to be aiming for not less than 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 secure, organized, and tourist-friendly. It’s straightforward to bike round solo or for those who’re with household and youngsters.
- 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. Nonetheless, these are additionally the occasions 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 strategy to pedestrians and decelerate when driving previous them. Bikers ought to ring their bells or get consideration by well mannered vocal warnings earlier than overtaking them.
- Bikers must decelerate when driving downhill, and mustn’t speed up or hustle pedestrians away from the trail.
