Drive the Southern Cross-Island Highway from Kaohsiung into mist-tangled ridgelines, watch sunrise from Yakou, stroll a mahogany avenue and peer into the mirror-green Tianchi Lake. This accessible day tour mixes dramatic mountain weather with short walks and local culture.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Morning fog clings to the ridges as a 9-seat van threads the steep curves of the Nanheng (Southern Cross-Island) Highway, delivering you from Kaohsiung’s lowland heat into a world of cloud-sliced mountain roads.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people of most fitness levels; requires ability to walk short paved or gravel trails and handle altitude changes.
Wildlife
History
The Southern Cross-Island Highway was carved through difficult terrain in the mid-20th century; Changqing Temple honors the workers who lost their lives building the road.
Conservation
Roadside ecosystems are fragile—stay on trails, pack out trash, and avoid feeding wildlife; seasonal road maintenance and erosion control are ongoing concerns.
Reserve your spot on the Kaohsiung departure - Nanheng Adventure Day Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start before dawn
For the best chance at a sea of clouds and sunrise at Yakou, depart Kaohsiung early and be ready for a pre-dawn pickup.
Layer for fast temperature change
Temperatures can drop quickly above 2,000 m—pack a warm midlayer and a windproof shell.
Motion sickness prep
Roads are steep and winding; bring motion-sickness medication if you’re prone to nausea.
Respect fragile alpine plants
Stick to marked paths around Tianchi and avoid trampling arrow bamboo and other high-altitude vegetation.
Sturdy walking shoes
Supportive shoes for short trails, uneven lakeside steps and roadside viewpoints.
Insulating midlayer
Traps warmth at high elevations where wind and sun exposure can drop temperatures quickly.
fall
Waterproof shell
Light rain and mist are common; a packable shell keeps you dry during sharp afternoon showers.
summer
Sunscreen & hat
High-altitude UV is stronger even on overcast days—protect skin during exposed viewpoints.
spring