Kaohsiung Xiziwan to Cijin Harbor Loop: Southern Taiwan's Most Beautiful Coastal Ride

Route Overview

The Kaohsiung Harbor Loop is one of the most unique cycling experiences in southern Taiwan. It combines the modern feel of the urban harbor district, the fishing-village atmosphere of Cijin, and the sweeping sea views of Kaohsiung Harbor. What makes it truly special is that the route includes a ferry crossing — you and your bike cross the harbor together by boat.

Route Information

Route Breakdown

Pier-2 to Xiziwan (0-5km)

Start from the Pier-2 Art Center along the harborside bike path. This section passes through Kaohsiung Harbor’s old warehouse district, where you’ll see impressive views of large container ships and cranes.

Highlights along the way:

• The installation art at Pier-2 Art Center
• Large vessels docked along Kaohsiung Harbor
• The sunset at Xiziwan (the biggest reward on an evening ride)
• The campus of National Sun Yat-sen University

Xiziwan to Gushan Ferry Terminal (5-6km)

Ride along the coast from Xiziwan to the Gushan Ferry Terminal. This short stretch offers views of both Shoushan (Monkey Mountain) inland and the harbor at sea.

Ferry: Gushan to Cijin (10 minutes)

This is the most fun part of the whole route — taking your bike across the harbor by ferry!

Ferry Information:

• Frequent departures (roughly every 5-10 minutes)
• Bikes can be wheeled straight onto the boat
• Fares are extremely cheap
• The crossing takes about 10 minutes
• You can get a panoramic view of Kaohsiung Harbor from the deck

Circling Cijin (6-10km)

Cijin is a long, narrow sandbar island, and riding a full loop around it covers about 10km. Along the way you’ll find:

• Cijin Coastal Park: A beautiful black-sand beach
• Cijin Lighthouse: Reachable by a short climb up a small hill
• Cijin Old Street: The heart of the seafood dining scene
• Cijin Shell Museum
• Cihou Fort: A historic site and scenic viewpoint

Cijin to Kaohsiung Port Tunnel to Qianzhen (10-15km)

From the southern tip of Cijin, you can return to the main island of Kaohsiung via the Kaohsiung Port Tunnel (or by taking another ferry). The tunnel has a dedicated bike lane, and riding underneath the harbor is a genuinely unique experience.

Qianzhen to Pier-2 (15-20km)

Follow the bike path along the eastern side of Kaohsiung Harbor back to the starting point. This section passes:

• E-DA/Dream Mall (Kaohsiung’s Dream Mall)
• Kaohsiung Exhibition Center
• Guangrong Wharf
• The mouth of the Love River

Food Map

One of the biggest perks of the harbor loop is the food along the way:

Best Times to Ride

Evening Route (Recommended)

Set out around 3pm, watch the sunset at Xiziwan, eat seafood in Cijin after dark, and ride back to Pier-2 along the harbor lights in the evening. This is the classic itinerary.

Early Morning Route

Set out at 6am to enjoy the cool morning air and a quiet harbor district. You can have breakfast in Cijin before heading back.

Bike Rental Information

If you don’t have your own bike, Kaohsiung has an excellent public bike-share system:

• YouBike 2.0: Dense station coverage, ideal for short distances
• Private rental shops: Several shops near Pier-2 offer higher-quality bikes

Things to Note

• Kaohsiung summers are very hot — it’s best to avoid riding around midday
• Ferry lines can be long on weekends, so allow extra waiting time
• Cijin gets crowded with tourists on weekends — watch for pedestrians while riding
• Cycling is not allowed inside the Kaohsiung Port Tunnel — you must dismount and walk your bike through
• Bring sun protection and plenty of water

Conclusion

The Kaohsiung Harbor Loop is one of the most distinctive cycling experiences in Taiwan. A ferry crossing, coastline, harbor, and great food — all packed into just 30-40km. Whether you’re a local out for a weekend ride or a visiting cyclist experiencing Kaohsiung for the first time, this route will not disappoint.

Related Reading

• Kaohsiung Love River and Cijin Loop: Harbor-City Coastal Riding and Island-Hopping by Ferry
• Kaohsiung Shoushan-Xiziwan Bikeway: A Classic Short Coastal Ride in Southern Taiwan
• Kaohsiung Shoushan and Cijin Bike Paths: A Relaxed Urban Cycling Route Plan
• Kaohsiung Zuoying Old City to Cijin Ferry Route: Harbor-City Riding and the Cijin Ferry Experience