🌊 Qijin Island: The Slice of Paradise Just a Ferry Ride Away
If you’re in Kaohsiung and looking for a quick beach escape, let me introduce you to a little gem across the water — Qijin Island (旗津島)! It’s the place where you can ride a ferry, eat your weight in seafood 😂, visit a lighthouse, and chase sunsets — all in one chill afternoon. Visit Qijin through our Kaohsiung City Tour!
Let’s dive in (not literally, unless you packed your swimsuit)!
🛳️ Getting There: The 5-Minute Ocean Adventure
First of all, getting to Qijin is already a part of the fun. You hop on a ferry from Gushan Ferry Pier in Kaohsiung, and in just 5 minutes, you’re on the island. Yup, just enough time to take a few selfies with the seagulls and pretend you’re on a luxury cruise.
🐟 Qijin Old Street: Come Hungry, Leave Heavier
Now, let’s talk about what really matters — food. 😂
Qijin Old Street is your first stop after getting off the boat, and OH MY FISH. It’s heaven for seafood lovers. You’ll find:
+ Grilled squid the size of your face
+ Oyster omelets (crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside)
+ Seafood skewers in every shape and flavor
+ Shrimp rolls so crunchy, you’ll hear them from across the street
+ And let’s not forget the black sugar shaved ice, because it’s not a Taiwanese day trip without dessert!
Warning: Don’t eat too fast or you’ll miss the chance to take those “food in hand, ocean in background” influencer photos. Priorities, people.
🏖️ Qijin Beach: Sand, Surf, and Selfies
After stuffing your belly, walk a few minutes and — tada — you’re at Qijin Beach. It’s long, breezy, and has perfect waves for relaxing, not surfing (sorry, surfers). You’ll find families flying kites, couples holding hands like a K-drama, and maybe someone trying to do yoga on the sand (good luck with that).
💡 Bonus: The sunsets here are chef’s kiss. Golden hour is your best friend. Get your phone ready — this is where your new profile picture is born.
🦑 Qijin Shell Museum: A Weirdly Awesome Surprise
Time to walk off that grilled squid by learning something! (Yes, learning on vacation. It’s fun, I promise.)
Qijin Shell Museum is filled with seashells from around the world. Some are so big you’ll wonder if they were home to a sea monster. Others are so tiny you’ll feel like a giant.
It’s a small museum, but hey, air conditioning + cool shells = perfect break from the sun. And it’s totally kid-friendly… or adult-who-refuses-to-grow-up-friendly.
🏰 Qihou Fort: The Selfie Castle
If you’re feeling brave (and not too full), climb up the hill to Qihou Fort. It’s an old fort built in the Qing Dynasty, and the views from the top are amazing. You’ll see the harbor, the ocean, the beach… and probably a bunch of people posing dramatically like they’re in a historical drama.
There’s also a cute white lighthouse nearby — also a great photo spot. Some people come just for that Instagram moment where they pretend to be a lonely lighthouse keeper. No judgment here.
🎨 Qijin Rainbow Church & Shell Wall: Where Love Lives (on Instagram)
Qijin is full of photo zones, but two stand out:
1.Rainbow Church – Not a real church, but a colorful art installation that looks like a wedding arch from a unicorn’s dream. Everyone takes romantic or goofy photos here.
2.Shell Mosaic Wall – A huge wall decorated with real seashells arranged into sea creatures and beach scenes. Touch it, take pictures, and pretend you’re inside an undersea fairy tale.
Pro Tip: Go early or late to avoid the crowds. Or photobomb other people — that works too.
🛍️ Don’t Forget the Souvenirs!
Before you leave, stop by the small shops selling cute handmade stuff like:
+ Shell necklaces (gift for grandma ✅)
+ Dried seafood (gift for dad ✅)
+ Crabby fridge magnets (gift for yourself ✅)
Also, look for fish-shaped pastries filled with red bean or taro. They’re almost too cute to eat. Almost.
🧭 So… Is Qijin Worth It?
HECK YES!
It’s one of the easiest and most fun day trips from Kaohsiung. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, a selfie addict, or someone who just loves a good ocean breeze, Qijin delivers the goods. Cheap ferry ride, tasty seafood, pretty sunsets, and photo ops around every corner — what more do you need?
So next time you’re in southern Taiwan, don’t just stay on the mainland. Hop on that boat, chase the squid, and let Qijin Island show you what island life is all about — one grilled shrimp at a time.
And that’s the tea. Follow our Facebook & Instagram for more amazing Taiwan. #DiscoverTaiwan
Justaiwantour can also customize a private tour for you based on your preference. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a customized tour!