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Cijin Islan Aerial View.Author Cmglee.

Top 10 Amazing Facts About Cijin Island

Cijin (also often spelled Qijin and Chijin) is a beautiful little island known for its black sand beach, modern art, and fresh seafood. It is a popular day trip for both locals and tourists in Kaohsiung.

Situated a short 5-minute ferry ride from Kaohsiung鈥檚 harbor, Taiwan, Cijin is the second smallest district in Kaohsiung. The long narrow island acts as a natural buffer to the city鈥檚 port and extends 15km down the city coastline.

 Cijin is reached via ferry from Gushan Pier. From Sizihwan metro station, it鈥檚 an easy ten-minute walk then a five-minute ride to the island. Once on the island, you can either walk or take a bike or scooter 鈥� many stores on Cijin rent them out at reasonable rates, and there are 15 kilometers (9 miles) of cycle paths to take advantage of.

1. It Is known For Its Laid-Back Beachy Lifestyle

Cijin island is enriched with a mixture of temples, quirky art, a lively old street, and sweeping views over the harbor, island, and Kaohsiung City in the distance. It is known less for specific attractions and more for its laid-back, beachy vibe.

Besides Zuoying, this is Kaohsiung鈥檚 oldest neighborhood, and it shows in the atmospheric ruins of Cihou Village and the presence of Tianhou, Kaohsiung鈥檚 oldest temple.

2. Taiwanese Consider It The Home For seafood

Dried Fish. Author Steven Byles.

It鈥檚 well known among Taiwanese that Miaocian Road (otherwise known as 鈥淪eafood Street鈥�) has the best seafood in Kaohsiung and possibly in the country. It doesn鈥檛 get going until the afternoon, but once it does, you can chow down on all the shrimp, fish, squid, and clams you can eat.

Here, food is more expensive than on the mainland but worth it for both the taste and the spectacle of vendors using giant paintbrushes to baste skewers of sizzling squid in sticky soy marinade. If you鈥檙e after something sweet, there are also stalls selling steaming bowls of red beans and a taro dessert.

 Qihou Market further east is known to offer a Taiwanese specialty: dried fish. Be warned, though: the smell can be overpowering.

3. A Temple Dedicated To The Chinese Sea Goddess Is Found There

Though it now looks old and ragged due to centuries of incense smoke, Tianhou is Kaohsiung鈥檚 oldest temple. It was built in 1673 and is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. It is said that a fisherman established the temple here as a symbol of gratitude after a chance landing on the island saved him from a typhoon.

Its exquisite interior houses wooden relief sculptures, mosaics, and decorative paintings by 20th-century realist Chen Yu-Feng. Outside, a pair of dragons form a protective arch over the temple, while two diminutive stone lions guard the door.

The culture and beliefs of the local people are clearly shown in the Tianhou Temple of Cijin Island. The temple is beautiful with many ornaments and colorful carvings, and it is worth visiting during the time on Cijin Island.

4. The Stark White Baroque Cihou offers fabulous views over Kaohsiung Harbor

The stark white Baroque Cihou Lighthouse stand which is at the highland鈥檚 highest point offers fabulous views over Kaohsiung Harbor. It was built by the British in 1883. It was also augmented several times by the Japanese during their occupation, most notably by the octagonal tower that now stands next to it.

The Cijin Fort is also a historical site on the island. A few hundred meters south is the handsome red-brick Cihou Fort, built in 1720 to defend Kaohsiung Harbor and rebuilt in 1991 after its partial destruction in World War II. Look closely to see Chinese characters and depictions of bats on its surface. that must be on the itinerary.

Since it was destroyed in the war, the fort was reconstructed in 1991 and is now one of the most famous attractions on Cijin Island offers a magnificent 360 view.

5. It is Fun To Walk Through The Cijin Star Tunnel

Passing under Cihou Mountain, the Cijin Star Tunnel began as a military tunnel dug by Japanese colonists. it鈥檚 now been refurbished for tourists with a wooden-plank path and glow-in-the-dark constellation paintings.

From Cijin Beach, it鈥檚 a two-minute walk through the tunnel to the pier and beautiful views across the ocean.

6. It Is A Popular Escape for Urbanites

Cijin Beach is a popular escape for city dwellers. The grey-black sand is soft to the touch, and strong waves provide good surf (check out the Cijin Surfer Inn for lessons). If you鈥檙e going for a swim, pay attention to safety notices 鈥� there can be dangerous riptides here.

7. Has Some Of The Best-Shaved ice

The island also has some of the best-shaved ice in all of Taiwan. Shaved ice is a very popular Taiwanese dessert made of ice, condensed milk, and mangos. It is delicious and incredibly refreshing in the Taiwan humidity.

There are several shaved ice stores along the main road near the ferry, and I highly recommend you stop in for a snack before heading back to Kaohsiung.

8. It is home to the Shell Museum

One of Cijin鈥檚 weirder attractions, the Shell Museum houses around 2,000 shellfish in total, including 200 types of crab. After going through the exhibition, check out the enormous, oyster-like 鈥淪ea Pearl鈥� outside, a photogenic installation that reflects one鈥檚 voice at them.

9. The Turbine Park is one of its Star Attractions

At the Turbine Park, a row of seven wind turbines is promoted as one of Cijin鈥檚 star attractions, but if you鈥檝e already witnessed the strangeness of the Rainbow Church and Shell Museum, we recommend just going along with it. It鈥檚 all about the vibe, after all.

The turbines power the lights of the surrounding park, and there鈥檚 a sea-viewing platform and a collection of cute mosaic sea critters to take photos with. Popular with the Instagram crowd, the Rainbow Church and Rainbow Arch on Cijin鈥檚 south side make for wonderful photos with their bold colors and harmonious geometry.

10. It has Huge Mosaic Trumpets that amplify the sound of the Ocean

Farther down the shore is a sculpture of comically huge mosaic trumpets. Put your ear up against them to hear the ocean amplified.