Want to See a Different Side of Taiwan? Here Are 10 Ways to Explore Pingtung County

There’s so much more to Taiwan than the popular spots you’ve seen all over your feed.

Travelers are now on the hunt for destinations where they can unwind while immersing themselves in the local culture and experiences. If Taiwan is on your travel bucket list, Pingtung County is worth adding to your itinerary.

Just a quick trip from Kaohsiung, Pingtung County is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re after scenic coastal views, delicious food, or a vibrant art scene, this destination has something for you. Getting there is also more convenient, thanks to AirAsia Philippines increasing its Manila–Kaohsiung services from four to seven flights per week starting October 2026.

Curious about what Pingtung County has to offer? We’re sharing a guide to where to go and what to do so you can make the most of your trip!

Sleep with the fishes at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

Yes, you read that right! You can spend the night at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, sharing the space with stingrays, beluga whales, and various other marine species.

The idea may seem daunting at first, especially when you realize you’ll be sleeping alongside strangers inside a public aquarium. But that’s also part of its charm! Upon arrival, your guide will walk you through a set of instructions, including where to store your luggage, where to find the shower and changing facilities, and how the sleepover will unfold.

Honestly, the experience felt like a college retreat, except there’s a world of marine life hovering above you as the lights go out. After exploring the aquariums, feeding the fish at a designated spot, and playing with clay at the aquarium, falling asleep that night was a breeze.

Tip: While there are designated charging spots in the locker area, don’t forget to bring a fully charged power bank in case you want to check your socials before going to sleep.

Learn more about Taiwan’s rich culture at Taiwan Indigenous Culture Park

Located about 24 kilometers from Pingtung City, Taiwan Indigenous Culture Park transports you back in time. Spanning 80 hectares, this outdoor cultural park offers a glimpse into the traditions and daily lives of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a blessing ritual. You can then learn more about Indigenous culture by exploring the Indigenous Cultural Museum, watching multiethnic cultural dances and rituals at the indoor theater, observing artisans fire glass beads, trying on traditional attire, and more.

A day may not be enough to fully immerse yourself in a culture, but it’s a meaningful way to deepen your appreciation of the destination you’re visiting.

Tip: There will be plenty of walking, so don’t forget to wear a comfortable pair of shoes!

Enjoy the coastal views at Kenting National Park

Covering more than 30,000 hectares of land and marine areas, Kenting National Park is the place to go if you want to slow down, reconnect with nature, and take in picturesque coastal views.

A day is certainly not enough to explore the entire park. But if you have only a full day (or even just an afternoon) to discover the area, we highly recommend visiting Eluanbi Park. This scenic outdoor destination is home to the Eluanbi Lighthouse, as well as picturesque walking paths overlooking Taiwan’s southernmost point and the surrounding waters, including the Bashi Channel, which lies between Taiwan and the northern Philippines.

Immerse yourself in art exhibitions and installations

Taiwan’s art scene is definitely bustling! Whether you’re exploring the city or venturing into lesser-known destinations, there’s always an art exhibition to visit, where you can appreciate works by both local and international artists.

If you want to discover unique art installations while enjoying a leisurely stroll with views of the water, head to Luo Shan Feng Recreation Area! If you’re interested in learning about the history and artistry of traditional music, visit Hengchun Cultural Center Folk Songs Museum. Here, you’ll find interactive exhibits where you can try playing the yueqin, a traditional two-stringed instrument, as well as a spacious library upstairs.

Feed capybaras and enjoy the views at Chaozhou Railway Park

There’s a reason why you shouldn’t skip a visit to Chaozhou Railway Park!

This railway museum offers a glimpse into train maintenance, railway equipment, and historical artifacts. But there’s more to explore beyond its exhibits: the sprawling grounds offer plenty of fun for families, children, and the young at heart!

Beyond exploring the railway park, you can visit its converted train carriages, where you can eat lunch, get a haircut, unwind with a spa treatment, or take photos with your family and loved ones. You can also feed and spend time with goats, pigs, and capybaras. With so much to see and do, you might not even realize how much time has passed!

Wake up early and explore your neighborhood

Exploring your neighborhood during the quiet hours of the morning is a nice way to soak in the views and stay grounded.

For those checking in at Weifeng Boutique Business Hotel, there’s a running track right in front of the hotel to get your daily steps in. A two-minute walk would lead you to Chongqing Road, where there is a 24-hour supermarket where you can buy all kinds of essentials and pasalubong. Furthermore, a seven-minute walk would take you to 悟 Coffee, a quaint café where you can enjoy pour-over coffee and delicious breakfast sets.

Meanwhile, those staying at River Inn Kenting can explore rows of food stalls, milk tea shops, bars, and groceries—all within walking distance!

Feel the evening breeze and slow down at Chuhuo Geological Park

Another interesting tourist attraction in Pingtung is Chuhuo Geological Park. At night, you’ll get to quietly enjoy the evening breeze, watch the natural gas emerge and ignite from the ground, or go stargazing!

Beyond this, the park is also a one-stop shop where you can dine, sip coffee, enjoy art, and buy more pasalubong.

Try different food stalls at Pingtung Night Market

While eating at big chains or popular food destinations is a way to enjoy a new country’s food scene, exploring a local market is a sure way to meet new locals and try different kinds of street food, bowls of hot soup, and desserts to your heart’s content!

Tip: most night markets prefer cash on hand as payment.

Never leave Taiwan without having milk tea

If you’re someone who loves a sweet treat, Taiwan is the place to go!

You’ll never run out of milk tea shops to try! If you’re staying at Weifeng Boutique Business Hotel, try out Tea & Magic Hand (our personal favorite)! A few minutes’ walk will lead you to 50嵐 near Pingtung Night Market. Finally, those checked in at River Inn Kenting can try out milk tea shops like Oolong Project and Macu.

Do floral arrangements at Zhutian Dunwu Tang (and make a wish)

Zhutian Dunwu Tang was our last stop on our Pingtung County adventure, and it capped our trip beautifully.

Here, you can make colorful floral arrangements while enjoying local Hakka tea soft-serve ice cream on the side. Once you’re done with your floral arrangement, you’ll be offering it to a shrine, where you have to quietly state your name, birthday, full address, and your wish. Yes, you have to state your full address so the wish will be granted and find its way to you.

The solemn act felt like a fitting way to end our five-day trip! Prior to and during the trip, we anticipated the storm, keeping our expectations to a minimum, as we expected that our activities would be canceled and we would be staying in our hotels for the rest of our stay. While some of our activities were eventually suspended, the redirection led us to a deeper appreciation of Pingtung County. Indeed, it’s the views, the people you meet, and the memories you make along the way that are reminders of wishes being granted; it’s the kind of magic that keeps you believing as you finally fly home.

Good news: Traveling to Pingtung County has never been easier!

Wondering how you can visit Pingtung County? The answer is simple: book a trip to Taiwan with AirAsia Philippines!

With Taiwan ranking among the top three overseas destinations for Filipinos in 2026, according to the Taiwan Tourism Administration, AirAsia Philippines is banking on this growing travel interest by giving tourists more opportunities to fly to and from the country without breaking the bank. In October 2026, the low-cost carrier increased its Manila-Kaohsiung service from four to seven flights weekly!

Beyond affordable flight options, you can also enjoy familiar and comforting ASEAN flavors while up in the air! We happily indulged in Santan meals on board, including JT’s flavorful beef tapa for dinner. We also tried their pain au chocolat, which paired perfectly with a cup of Americano.

Lastly, if you’re worried about your baggage allowance, there’s no need to skip the shopping spree or worry about squeezing all your pasalubong into a single suitcase. The low-cost carrier offers a no-limit baggage policy, allowing passengers to check in multiple bags as long as their combined weight stays within their purchased baggage allowance of 20 kg to 60 kg.

As we left Kaohsiung with plenty of pasalubong for our family and loved ones back home, it was reassuring to know that our checked-in bags were well taken care of, making our journey hassle-free and worry-free!

ALSO READ: The Only Taipei Layover Guide You’ll Need: Experience the City in a Day

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