Private 3-Day Southern Taiwan Tour (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

Southern Taiwan packs Buddhist monuments, harbor art, tropical coast, old city walls, and Dutch-era ruins into a surprisingly short trip. This three-day private tour takes you from Taipei to Kaohsiung by high-speed rail, then links the south’s major sights by air-conditioned vehicle.

I like two things right away: the rail connection saves you a long overland ride from Taipei, and the private format lets your group move with one guide rather than a large bus. The Cijin ferry and rickshaw ride also add a local touch. The tradeoff is pace. You cover three major destinations in three days, so this is sightseeing with purpose, not a slow holiday.

Key points at a glance

• High-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung: The southbound trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with your driver meeting you at the station.
• Kaohsiung by ferry and rickshaw: Cijin Island brings together a ferry ride, old street, lighthouse, fortress, and a traditional pedicab outing.
• Kenting’s coastal sights: Maobitou, Eluanbi Lighthouse, and Longpan Park show off the far south’s unusual coral rock and sea-facing terrain.
• Tainan’s layered past: Chihkan Tower, Anping Fort, and Anping Tree House introduce you to Taiwan’s oldest city and its Dutch-era connections.
• Most major costs are bundled: Hotels, breakfasts, transport, guide service, listed admission fees, rail tickets, ferry, rickshaw, and insurance are included.
• A private but tightly scheduled trip: You get your own group and vehicle, yet the schedule leaves limited time for unplanned stops.

Why this southern Taiwan route works

Southern Taiwan is not difficult to visit, but arranging it yourself takes some work. Kaohsiung, Kenting, and Tainan each have a different character, and they are spread far enough apart that transport planning can eat into a short holiday.

This tour removes that problem. You begin with a standard-class high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung, then continue by private, air-conditioned vehicle. At the end, you take the high-speed train from Tainan back to Taipei. You do not have to work out station transfers, local connections, or how to fit Kenting into the route.

The cost is $1,095 per person, which is a serious sum. Still, it includes two nights of hotel accommodation, two breakfasts, both long-distance rail journeys, the private vehicle, guide, insurance, entrance fees listed in the schedule, the Cijin ferry, and the rickshaw ride. Lunches, dinners, drinks, souvenirs, tips, and other personal costs are extra.

I see the value mainly in time saved and in the private setup. If you are traveling with family or friends, the price may make more sense because the group shares the vehicle and guide. Solo visitors should look closely at the cost before booking.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from nine ratings, with especially strong praise for clear explanations of Buddhism and Taoism, as well as for the Kenting lighthouse walk and Cijin’s lighthouse visit. Those details point to one of the trip’s strengths: the guide is not just moving you from one photo stop to the next. Expect cultural and architectural context along the way.

Day one: Kaohsiung’s Buddha, art warehouses, and Cijin Island

Your first morning begins with the high-speed train from Taipei. The ride to Kaohsiung takes about 90 minutes, making this far more practical than starting the day with a long road journey. A driver meets you at the station and takes you to the first stop.

Fo Guang Shan

Fo Guang Shan is a large Buddhist monastery founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. Its most visible marker is the huge golden Amitabha Buddha statue, which can be seen from a considerable distance.

You have about an hour here. That is enough for a guided introduction and a look at the main setting, but not enough for a slow exploration of every corner. Wear shoes you can walk in, and treat this as a focused visit rather than a full religious retreat.

The stop also gives the guide a chance to explain Taiwan’s religious traditions. One particularly praised part of the guiding is the clear distinction between Buddhism and Taoism. If you have found those traditions confusing, this explanation can make the temples and statues you see later much easier to understand.

Pier-2 Art Center

Back in central Kaohsiung, the tour pauses at Pier-2 Art Center. The site once held abandoned pier warehouses and was later transformed by a local effort into an arts area.

You have about 30 minutes, so expect a quick walk and a taste of the district rather than a long gallery visit. The appeal is the change in mood. After the solemn scale of Fo Guang Shan, you get a modern, reused industrial space in the harbor area.

This is also a useful reminder that Kaohsiung is more than a transport hub. Its waterfront has been reshaped for public use, and the old warehouse setting gives the stop some texture without requiring a major detour.

Cijin Island by ferry and rickshaw

The next move is one of the trip’s most distinctive. You cross by ferry to Cijin Island, an offshore part of Kaohsiung, then take a traditional tricycle rickshaw through Cijin Old Street.

The full stop lasts about 90 minutes and includes the ferry and rickshaw experience. You also have a chance to see the island’s historic fortress, lighthouse, and other harbor sights. One rating specifically highlights the lighthouse visit here, along with the short hike near the lighthouse in Kenting on the next day.

The rickshaw ride is not a substitute for a long island walk, but it gives you a pleasant way to get your bearings. It is especially useful if your group includes people who prefer not to walk long distances. Still, the tour notes that some walking is involved, so comfortable shoes remain a good idea.

Liuhe Tourist Night Market

The day ends at Liuhe Tourist Night Market, described as Kaohsiung’s oldest and most typical night market. You have about 90 minutes to look around and buy food.

This is where you pay for your own dinner. Lunch and dinner are not included, so carry enough cash for food, drinks, small purchases, and tips. Convenience stores and many eateries in Taiwan do not accept credit cards, making cash a practical part of your packing list.

The market stop gives you some freedom after a structured day. You can sample local food at your own pace, though 90 minutes passes quickly if you want to compare many stalls.

Day two: Kenting’s coral coast and the Hengchun walls

Day two heads toward Kenting National Park after breakfast. Kenting is Taiwan’s first national park and is known for coastal rock formations and sea views. It is also associated with surfing and diving, though this tour focuses on scenery and sightseeing rather than water activities.

The day includes four coastal or park stops, followed by Hengchun Old Town. This is the most nature-focused part of the trip, but the schedule is made up of short visits. You will see a broad sample of the area instead of spending hours at one beach or trail.

Maobitou Park

Maobitou means cat’s nose, referring to a natural rock formation that resembles a crouching cat when viewed from a distance. You have about 20 minutes here.

That is enough for a look and photographs, but it is a brief stop. If you want long walks, quiet time by the sea, or a detailed look at the geology, this itinerary will feel too quick. Its purpose is to give you one clear view of Kenting’s unusual coastal rock before moving on.

Eluanbi Lighthouse

Eluanbi Lighthouse was built during the Qing Dynasty and was later listed among Taiwan’s Eight Views during the Japanese colonial period. The visit lasts about 40 minutes and includes the entrance fee.

This is one of the stronger stops for people who like a clear sense of place. The lighthouse connects Taiwan’s maritime setting with its political and colonial past, while the surrounding area gives you a chance to walk a little. The trip’s short hike near the lighthouse is worth noting for anyone who wants some movement rather than only roadside viewpoints.

Longpan Park

Longpan Park sits on a coral limestone tableland facing the Pacific Ocean. Rainwater has shaped the rock over time, producing the open coastal terrain you see today.

You get about 30 minutes here. The visit is primarily about the view and the exposed rock, not a long hike. Weather can affect how pleasant this stop feels, so bring sun protection and comfortable shoes. The tour does not promise extended trail time, and you should not plan on a full park exploration within this schedule.

Hengchun Old Town

On the way back toward Kaohsiung, you stop at Hengchun Ancient City Gate. Hengchun is known for its old walls, which surround the town and have survived for more than a century.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. It is short, but it breaks up the coastal sightseeing with a look at a historic town center. The gate and walls help show how southern Taiwan’s towns were once shaped for protection and controlled entry.

Because the tour returns to Kaohsiung after Kenting, day two is a full day of movement. You will appreciate the private vehicle here, since public transport would make this combination of sites harder to manage in one day.

Day three: Tainan’s temples, Dutch fort, and banyan-covered warehouse

After breakfast, the route turns to Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city. Tainan is the cultural history day of the tour, with temples, colonial-era buildings, and sites connected to the Dutch East India Company.

The three stops are close enough in theme to make a coherent final day. They also show why Tainan deserves more than a quick meal stop on a trip around Taiwan. The limitation is time: each visit lasts about 40 minutes.

Chihkan Tower, or Fort Provintia

Chihkan Tower, also called Fort Provintia, is the first Tainan stop. It introduces you to the city’s long political and architectural story.

You have 40 minutes, including admission. The site is best approached with the guide’s explanation, since the meaning of the structures and their changes over time are easy to miss if you only take photographs. This is a compact visit, but it gives you an anchor for understanding Tainan as Taiwan’s old capital.

Anping Fort

The route continues to Anping Fort, also known as Fort Zeelandia. The Dutch East India Company built it during its 38-year rule over western Taiwan. Much of the original fortress was later destroyed by the British, so you are seeing a site shaped by both construction and loss.

The visit lasts about 40 minutes and includes admission. This is a good stop for anyone interested in trade, foreign rule, military history, or the way Tainan connects Taiwan to wider regional events.

Do not expect a complete account of every period in Tainan’s past during one short visit. The value lies in seeing the site directly and getting a concise explanation before moving on.

Anping Tree House

Anping Tree House is near Anping Fort. It was once a warehouse connected to the former Tait & Co. Merchant House. After years of neglect, banyan trees took over the abandoned structure.

You have another 40 minutes here. The unusual sight is the building itself, where architecture and mature tree growth have become hard to separate. It is a memorable final stop because it is neither a conventional temple nor a standard fortress. It gives the day a visual twist.

From here, you take the high-speed train from Tainan back to Taipei. The return rail ticket is included in standard class, so the trip ends with the same efficient northbound connection that began it.

Hotels, meals, and the private format

Two nights of hotel accommodation are included. Standard rooms in Taiwan contain either two single beds or one double bed for two people. Twin-share accommodation puts two people in one standard room, while private accommodation provides one person with a standard room.

Odd-numbered groups need to pay attention to room arrangements. Depending on availability, three people may share a triple room, or one person may receive a private room at an additional cost. Confirm the arrangement before you go if your party does not divide evenly into pairs.

Two breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not, which is reasonable for a route that includes a night market and several local areas, but you need to budget for them. Keep cash available for meals, drinks, tips, and souvenirs.

The private format means only your group participates. That can make a big difference during a packed route. You avoid waiting for a large coach group, and your guide can keep explanations focused on your interests. The data does not provide a guide’s name, so you should not expect to select a particular guide in advance.

Who should book this three-day tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Taipei but want a quick, organized look at the south without changing hotels and transport on your own. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Kaohsiung, Kenting, and Tainan in one trip.

It also works well for families, couples, and small groups that value a private vehicle and clear logistics. The ferry, rickshaw, high-speed rail, night market, coastal parks, and historic sites give the trip good variety.

I would think twice if you prefer slow travel. The schedule allows roughly 20 to 40 minutes at several major sights, with only about 90 minutes at Cijin Island and the night market. You will see a lot, but you will not have much spare time for wandering, shopping, swimming, or long museum visits.

The $1,095 price is easiest to justify when several people share the private service and you value convenience. Solo visitors or budget travelers may find it costly, especially after adding two dinners, three lunches, drinks, and personal spending.

Book at least six days before departure if you want the full refund option. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, and the tour is often reserved well ahead, with average bookings made 36 days before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this southern Taiwan tour if your priority is seeing the main sights efficiently, with rail tickets, a private vehicle, a guide, hotels, and listed activities handled for you. The strongest moments are the clear cultural explanations at Fo Guang Shan, the ferry and rickshaw outing on Cijin, Kenting’s lighthouse and rock formations, and Tainan’s compact run of historic sites.

Skip it if you want long walks, beach time, independent meals, or a relaxed stay in each city. This is a well-packed introduction, not an unhurried regional holiday. For the right group, it offers a practical way to reach southern Taiwan from Taipei and return without wasting precious vacation hours on planning.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Taipei, with a morning high-speed train to Kaohsiung. The tour information also lists Taichung as the location, so confirm the exact pickup and meeting details before booking.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days and includes two nights of hotel accommodation.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a one-way high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung, a one-way high-speed train from Tainan to Taipei, the Cijin ferry, and the tricycle rickshaw ride.

Are meals included?

Two breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not included.

Which destinations does the tour visit?

The route visits Kaohsiung, Kenting, Hengchun, and Tainan. Stops include Fo Guang Shan, Pier-2 Art Center, Cijin Island, Liuhe Tourist Night Market, Maobitou Park, Eluanbi Lighthouse, Longpan Park, Chihkan Tower, Anping Fort, and Anping Tree House.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What type of hotel room is provided?

Standard rooms have either two single beds or one double bed for two people. Twin-share accommodation is for two people in one room, while private accommodation is for one person in a standard room. Odd-numbered groups may receive a triple room or require a private single room at an additional cost, depending on availability.

How much walking is involved?

A small amount of walking is involved. Comfortable shoes are recommended, particularly for the lighthouse and park visits.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least six full days before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellation two to six full days before departure receives a 50 percent refund. Cancellations less than two full days before departure are not refunded.