Cijin Island in Kaohsiung

Part of the Kaohsiung travel guide — see every topic in All Kaohsiung Guides.

Cijin is a long, narrow island that protects Kaohsiung harbour from the open sea. It is only a few minutes from the city by ferry, but it feels like a seaside town. There is a black-sand beach, a lighthouse on a green hill, long coastal bike paths and a busy seafood street. Most people come for an afternoon and stay for the sunset. It is one of the easiest and most enjoyable half-day trips in Kaohsiung.

The ferry crossing

The main ferry leaves from Gushan Ferry Pier, a short walk from Sizihwan MRT station at the end of the Orange Line. Ferries run often through the day, and the crossing takes only a few minutes. You can pay with an iPASS or EasyCard. Bicycles and scooters can go on board. The short ride gives good views of the harbour entrance, the ships and the hills behind the city. On weekend afternoons the queue can be long, so go earlier in the day if you can. A road tunnel at the south end of the island also links Cijin to the mainland.

Beach and coast

On the sea side of the island is Cijin Beach, a wide strip of dark volcanic sand. The waves can be strong, so swim only where it is allowed and follow the lifeguards' signs. Many people come simply to walk, fly kites and watch the sunset over the Taiwan Strait. A long coastal path runs south from the beach. Along the way you pass a wind turbine park, a shell museum and quiet stretches of shore. The views are open and wide, and the sea breeze makes the island cooler than the city.

Lighthouse hill

At the north end of the island a small hill rises over the harbour entrance. Steps lead up to the Cijin Lighthouse, a white tower that still guides ships into port. From the top of the hill you can see the whole harbour, the city skyline, Shoushan and the open sea. An old coastal fort sits on the same hill, and a short tunnel cut through the rock leads to the sea side. The climb takes about fifteen minutes and is steep in places. Go in the late afternoon for softer light and cooler air.

Cycling the island

Cijin is flat and has good bike paths, so cycling is the best way to get around. Rental shops near the ferry pier rent bicycles, tandem bikes and small electric carts. Public bikes are also available. A loop from the ferry pier, along the beach, down to the wind turbine park and back takes one to two hours at an easy pace. The path is mostly separated from cars. Bring sun cream and water, as there is little shade. Return bikes before dark, when many shops close.

Seafood street

The main street from the ferry pier is lined with seafood restaurants. Fresh fish, prawns, crabs, squid and shellfish are shown on ice at the front. You choose what you want, and the kitchen cooks it in your preferred style, such as steamed, fried or grilled. Prices are usually set by weight, so ask before ordering to avoid surprises. There are also snack stalls selling grilled squid, seafood pancakes and fresh fruit drinks. Weekends are busy, so eat a little early or late if you want a table quickly.

Cijin Island at a glance

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