Pingtung

Understand

Not a main tourist destination, but its subtropical climate makes Pingtung a city one could spend a night and see the essence of Taiwan on the way through Taiwan.

Getting there

By train Pingtung is easily accessible by train from Kaohsiung or Tainan. You can connect to the TRA train from the High Speed Rail (HSR) station at Zuoying. You can also connect to the Kaohsiung KRT, which serves Kaohsiung International Airport.

1 Pingtung railway station. The main station for the city which connects to the West Coast line of the TRA network. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Guilai railway station. A smaller local station on the Pingtung line. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Liukuaicuo railway station. A newer local station on the Pingtung line. (updated Dec 2019)

By bus

Most long-distance bus companies have Pingtung on their schedule. You can get there from Taipei or the international Airport in Taoyuan within a few hours. It is cheaper than the HSR but still comfortable hence you usually need to change the bus only once.

4 Pingtung Bus Station. Busses from Pingtung Bus, UBus and Kuo-Kuang Bus companies operate from this station. (updated Dec 2019)

Getting around

Taxi service is available at the Pingtung train station. Although bus service is available, most people commute by car, scooter or bicycle.

See

Pingtung City is not typically on tourist itineraries. However, people are friendly and foreign nationals will appreciate unique aspects of southern Taiwanese life, such as robust night markets, bright neon lights and numerous Buddhist temples. Streets are lined with palm trees. In the center of town is Zhongshan park, which has a soccer field, pond, fountains and playground.

Culture and history

1 Chonglan Xiao Family Ancestral Temple, ☏ +886 8 733 0924. 09:00-17:00. Built in the 19th century, this scenic temple is a popular, architecturally notable landmark. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Zhong-Sheng-Gong Memorial, ☏ +886 8 751 2267. 09:00-17:00. The memorial was constructed in 1929 by the Zhen clan family members who moved to Taiwan from Guangdong during the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. 3 Pingtung Tutorial Academy, No. 38, Shengli Rd, ☏ +886 8 736 1544. 08:00-17:30. A former tutorial academy in Taiping Village, built in 1815. 4 Pingtung Martyrs' Shrine. A memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers erected in 1967. (updated Dec 2019) 5 Ahou City Gate. A brick and cobblestone city gate built in the 19th century. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Former Pingtung Tobacco Factory, No. 57-5, Minsheng Road, ☏ +886 8 721 3635. The site of the former state tobacco factory which closed down after the government lifted its monopoly control over tobacco production. (updated Dec 2019)

Museums 7 Pingtung Art Museum, No. 74, Zhongzheng Road, ☏ +886 8 738 0728. 09:00-17:30 (closed Mon). 8 Pingtung Taiwanese Aborigines Museum, No. 7, Lane 50, Fengrong Street, ☏ +886 8 738 1479. 08:00-17:30. (updated Dec 2019)

Temples 9 Cihfong Temple, No. 39, Zhongshan Road, ☏ +886 8 732 2967. A highly decorative temple built in 1775. (updated Dec 2019) 10 Limtsiinui Three Mountains King Temple, No. 43, Hengyang Street, ☏ +886 8 732 7236. (updated Dec 2019) 11 Du Chenghuang Temple, No. 12, Nanchang Street, ☏ +886 8 732 4051. A multi-storey temple painted in gold. (updated Dec 2019) 12 Haifeng Sanshan Guowang Temple, No. 28, Haifeng Street, ☏ +886 8 736 7727. An ornate temple complex on the outskirts of the city. (updated Dec 2019)

Do

The top tourist attraction in Pingtung County is Kenting National Park. The government is investing in developing tourism in Dapeng Bay, which is much closer to Pingtung City. Since the city does not cater to tourists, life typically revolves around the extended family and friends. Kaohsiung is close enough to serve as an anchor for most tourist activities. The Pacific SOGO department in central Pingtung has a Starbucks, food court, small market, cafe and a bookstore that sells a few English language books.

1 Pingtung Performing Arts Center, No. 4-17, Minsheng Road, ☏ +886 8 722 7288. The arts center consists of music hall, multipurpose theater and open air plaza. 2 Pingtung Baseball Field, No. 1, Bangqiu Road, ☏ +886 8 752 5482. The county's main sports stadium which can seat up to 10,000 people. While mostly used for baseball, there are occasionally also cricket matches held here. 3 Pingtung Extreme Sports Ground, No. 69, Zhongshan Road. Despite the name, the area is largely a skating park. (updated Dec 2019)

Buy

Pingtung has a 70-year-old night market near the train station. During the day, vendors offer a wide variety of products. The Pacific SOGO department store (one of 9 in Taiwan) is the most upscale shopping option. There is a large Carrefour supermarket.

1 Pingtung Night Market, No. 36, Minzu Road. The city's main night market, filled with a variety of stalls selling snacks and an assortment of small items. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Zhongshan Huanghun Market, No. 65, Zhongshan Road, ☏ +886 988 878 973. 14:00-17:00. An indoor market selling a variety of food and homewares. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Central Traditional Market, Xiamen Street, ☏ +886 8 732 0415. 06:00-15:30. A large, circular market building with stalls inside and around the outside. The market sells a variety of food and lifestyle necessities. (updated Dec 2019) 4 Ruiguang Night Market, Section 3, Ruiguang Road. 18:00-01:00. A typical Taiwanese night market full of snacks and other assorted items. (updated Dec 2019)

Eat

Pingtung has numerous dining options that tend to be inexpensive by North American or European standards. There are restaurants, noodle stands, tea and juice shops and night markets. There are a few Western chains such as McDonald's, KFC and Domino's pizza. Stores that specialize in inexpensive Bento boxes for takeout are ample.

Drink & nightlife

Bars include the Steelskin Bar, the G.D. Pub, Duckie's, Jimmie's, and Hunters. You can enjoy Asian and Western music at these venues.

Sleep

Pingtung City does not have any international level hotels. However, there are some hostels and independently operated motels. There are certainly well regarded hotels in Kaohsuing that are within 25 km of Pingtung City.