10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Pingtung

Wanlitong is a small coastal village on the west side of Hengchun Township in Pingtung County. With a coastline of around 0.62 miles (1 km), it's one of the most popular diving spots in Kenting. It's also a favourite haunt of celebrity worshippers since being used as a filming location for the movie "Cape No. 7". The area stretching from Xiashuiku to Wanlitong has been designated as a marine ecological reserve. This area is blessed with abundant marine ecosystems and habitats, including stony corals, soft corals and sponges in shallow water, and sea fans in deep water. Despite the rich marine ecosystems, there are only a few scuba dive shops, guesthouses and cafes on the shore, making it less crowded than bustling Kenting. Wanlitong is thus able to keep its dazzling blue crystal water pristine. You can see the varying colours from dark blue in the distance to blue-green, light blue, and finally transparent at your feet. So, what are you waiting for? Come and experience the unspoilt scenery and simple lifestyle.

Xing Sha Wan, also known as Star Sand Bay, is located outside Houbihu Fishing Port & Marina. It's a small beach with a small lighthouse on one side. Given its location next to the conservation area, the seawater here is clean. Looking around, you notice the colour of the sea gradually changing from blue to green, like a dazzling blue-green gem glistening under the sun. The constantly changing colours are simply beautiful, making it one of Kenting's best-kept secrets. Take a close look at the beach, and you'll see that it's actually made of seashells and coral fragments rather than sand. If you're lucky, you might even find star sand. In the early days, star sand could be seen everywhere on the beach. However, these days it's rare because too many people have taken it away as souvenirs. If you're lucky enough to see it, please don’t take it home. You'll find fewer tourists here compared with other places. Xing Sha Wan is a great place to visit when you want to escape the crowds. You can stroll along the water's edge, feel the sea breeze and enjoy the calm sea.

Jiupeng Desert, also known as Gangzai Desert, is located at the estuary of Jiupeng River. Due to the northeast monsoon and topography of the coastal sand dunes, there are dune faults as high as five-storey buildings. It's the largest desert in Taiwan, covering an area of more than 494 acres (200 hectares). Desert terrain is very rare in Taiwan due to the typical island climate and abundant rainfall brought by typhoons, so such a vast desert is a pretty amazing sight. As you walk through it, you can feel its wilderness. The most popular activity here is desert safari. To give visitors a chance to experience the unique terrain of Jiupeng Desert, local providers have organised a series of routes for riding across the desert on specially modified quad bikes. Keep your safety in mind while having fun. Next time you're going diving in Kenting, don't forget to stop by Jiupeng Desert. When the weather's fine, there's nothing more romantic than lying on the sand dunes, gazing up at the stars and the moon overhead.

Gaoshi Shrine is located in Mudan Township, Pingtung County. It was built in 1939, during the Japanese rule of Taiwan, to worship Amaterasu Ō(mi)kami, a god in Japanese mythology. It was the place where the "Mudan Incident" took place. During World War II, many indigenous people were recruited into the Japanese army. Before they went to the front, they made a deal with their family: "If I can't come back alive, come to see me at the shrine." After the war, the shrine was destroyed and abandoned. It was not until 2015 that Ken'ichi Satō (佐藤建一) raised funds for reconstruction. In the following year, a torii (shrine gate) was erected. The new shrine now serves as a memorial for the soldiers of the Gaoshi tribe who were killed in the war. In addition to the shrine and the torii, there's an elevated watchtower on one side. Standing on the tower, you can look down over the entire park, the shrine and the torii. When the sky is clear, you can see the famous Mudan Bay as you look out across the Pacific Ocean. The image of the white torii standing against the backdrop of blue sky and clouds is solemn and at the same time romantic. Few tourists visit here, so it's worth taking the opportunity to enjoy a rare moment of peace.

Syuhai Grassland Recreation Area is located in Xuhai Village, Mudan Township, Pingtung County. It's famous for the beauty of the sun rising above the sea in the east. Its position close to the Pacific Ocean means that you get expansive views, making it one of the best places to watch the sunrise on the Hengchun Peninsula. You'll be impressed by the magnificent views of Pingtung's two well-known scenic spots, "Sunrise over Syuhai" and "Sunset at Guanshan". The park is well equipped, with facilities including tourist information stations, grassland trail, Mudanbi Mountain trail, natural trail and viewing pavilions. The trails have varying levels of difficulty. You can hike the entire trail or take a stroll around the grassland, which takes about 40 minutes, or choose another route that best suits your schedule. You can have a relaxing time walking along the trail, enjoying the vast prairie and coastal scenery, and feeling the gentle sea breeze. When the weather is clear, you can even see as far as Orchid Island and Green Island. If you have the time, a trip to Syuhai to enjoy the green sea, blue sky, sunrise and green landscape is well worth the effort.

South Bay Recreation Area is built at a bay located in the south of Kenting National Park. It is also named Blue Bay after its blue water. The fine white sand beach is about 656 yards (600 metres) long, the largest beach in Kenting National Park. It was once listed as one of the top eight scenic spots in Hengchun, known for its golden sands and white waves. Today, it is still one of the most popular destinations for water activities. In summer, there are sunshades and crowds everywhere. You can choose from a wide range of exciting and fun water activities, including surfing, sailing, banana boat, jet skiing and snorkelling. If you just want to relax and enjoy the holiday atmosphere, you'll find bars and small restaurants across from the beach, where you can sit and eat while taking in the ocean view. On weekends, there are live music performances. There's plenty to enjoy at the beach by day and by night. Whatever the season, South Bay is a lively resort with lots to see and do.

Saijia Aviation Sports Park covers an area of 5,342 acres (2,162 hectares). Its accessible flight height is as high as 3,280 feet (1,000 metres), which is known as the highest take-off point in Taiwan. It's also a multi-functional flight park. There are stable rising air currents thanks to the barrier of the Central Mountain Range. The broad visibility and open terrain make it an excellent place for hot air balloons, hang gliding, paragliding, light aircraft and other activities. It's also the first aviation park in China. Even in winter, Taiwan still has great flying conditions. It's a mecca for flying enthusiasts, attracting large numbers of visitors from Japan and South Korea every year. There's an observation deck in the park. You can climb up to the deck to view the surrounding natural landscape and beautiful scenery of Pingtung as you enjoy the spectacle of flight. Next time you visit Pingtung, don't miss the chance to experience the excitement of flying high in the sky at Saijia Aviation Sports Park. It's a day out that's well worth the price.

The Old Railway Bridge over the Lower Tamsui River, also known as the Gaoping Old Railway Bridge, is located between Jiuqutang Station and Liukuaicuo Station of Taiwan Railways. In 1911, in order to smoothly deliver supplies such as sugar in Pingtung Plain, the Japanese decided to build a bridge across the Lower Tamsui River. The project was planned and designed by Iida Toyoji, the then engineer of Taiwan Government House. With a total length of 5,007 feet (1,526 metres), it took three years to complete, being the longest bridge in Taiwan at that time. It is now listed as a Class 2 National Monument. If you want to learn more about the history and ecology of the Old Railway Bridge over the Lower Tamsui River, you can go to the five old train carriages set up around it. There, you can fully appreciate the history of the old bridge and the ecology of the surrounding wetland. The Old Railway Bridge over the Lower Tamsui River connects the sky bridge of the Dashu Old Railway Bridge at Kaohsiung and the pristine fields of Pingtung. From the sky bridge, you can admire the natural vista of the Gaoping River Wetland and appreciate the beauty of the architecture of the Old Railway Bridge up close.