10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Pingtung

Located just outside the eastern gate of Hengchun Township, this area is a famous geological landscape on the Hengchun Peninsula. The flammable gases that erupt from the earth are not extinguished even when it rains, creating a unique combination of water and fire that attracts many visitors every year. The natural phenomenon of natural gas beneath the ground of the Hengchun Peninsula rising to the surface, escaping through fissures and igniting is called "Chuhuo" (fire from the ground). In fact, the first reference to "Chuhuo" was recorded in the Hengchun County Book of Mountains and Rivers during the Qing Dynasty: "There is fire five miles east of the city to the left of Santai Mountain." At that time, people were completely unfamiliar with natural phenomena such as natural gas, and the term originally coined to describe this feature is still used today. The fire that you see today is the result of CNPC drilling for natural gas in the area. Because the holes are large, the fires never extinguish, although they may vary in size depending on the season. If you want to see this natural spectacle, the best time to come is at night, when the blue and red flames perform an impressive dance together.

Shanchuan Glass Suspension Bridge is a beautiful suspension bridge that connects Sandi Village in Sandimen Township and Beiye Village in Majia Township. At 860 feet (262 metres) long and 147 feet (45 metres) above ground level, it's the longest suspension bridge in Taiwan. Standing on the suspension bridge, you can see the magnificent green mountains below. The white bridge piers create a skyline that resembles a smile stretching across the river valley. The bridge was designed by Paiwan artist Sakuliu Pavavalung and is decorated with the Paiwan Hundred-Pace Snake Totem and indigenous glass beads on both sides, hence the name "Shanchuan Glass Suspension Bridge". There are a total of 1,000 glass beads and 32 storyboards on the bridge, each with its own symbolic meaning, and each telling a moving story about the tribe. The bridge is lit up blue at night, creating a very different, but equally spectacular view.

The bridge, which took 21 months to complete, is 836 feet (254.7 metres) in length, with a light white body that spans Wannian Park and Labour Park in a curved shape. The gently sloping bicycle path on the bridge provides two-way pedestrian and bicycle access. The feature that makes the design of this bridge truly unique is its shade canopy. It looks like wings preparing to fly, but is actually designed to look like an ox-drawn cart. After the establishment of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation in Pingtung in 1908, migrant workers from Tainan City and Chiayi City came to work as labourers on various sugar cane plantations. At that time, a sickle and an ox were their tools for survival. Locals therefore came to recognise these workers from their ox-drawn carts. The shape of the bridge symbolises the hard work of Pingtung's ancestors as well as the city's high-flying ambition in the modern age. To make your visit to Pingtung even more memorable, come back at night when the lights on the bridge shine like stars, casting reflections in the water below.

Did you know that Pingtung also has a scenic spot to rival the world's top three night views? If you want to see it, head to Taiwu Bike Service Station in Taiwu Township. Known as the "Million Dollar Night View", it's the best viewpoint over the Gaoping River. To get there, follow Pingtung County Highway 102-1 from Wutan. This route is also popular with cyclists. The views from the station are incredible. At night, the entire Pingtung Plain is transformed into a galaxy on land, a sight that is stunning to behold. When the air is clear, you can see beyond Pingtung Plain towards the 85 Sky Tower, the Kaohsiung Eye Ferris Wheel, the Naner Gao stayed bridge and the Jiuru stayed bridge in Kaohsiung in the distance. If you're lucky, you might even be able to see Liuqiu Island, the pearl of the sea. The best months to see the night view are from April to June, and the ideal time to visit is one to two hours before sunset, when you can take in the sunset and the million dollar night view all at once.

Historic Pingtung Park has been an important green space in Pingtung since the time of Japanese rule, carrying the precious childhood memories of Pingtung locals. Following redevelopment of the park by the government in recent years, many new children’s amusement facilities have been added, including a rainbow slide, a 360-degree climbing net built on a hill and a train. There are also cafes and art installations in addition to the existing ponds, fountains, track and field facilities and tennis courts. The park is a popular destination with locals looking to enjoy a relaxing day out. Coming from Coconut Grove Avenue, you'll see a wide variety of green trees, the most eye-catching of which is the pink bougainvillea tunnel. There are also many historic buildings in the park, such as the Restoration Monument, Ahou City Gate and the remains of the sacred bridge. This charming park is well worth a visit, whether you want to explore its monuments or simply enjoy a stroll around the pond.

Little Bay Beach is located at the end of Kenting Street (across from the Caesar Park Hotel). It's one of the most popular beaches around thanks to its proximity to Kenting Street, attracting many foreign tourists who add a touch of exoticism to the area. Litter used to be a major problem here due to poor management. However, since being taken over by the Caesar Park Hotel, the beach is much cleaner. There are designated swimming and water sports areas to ensure a safe water environment for everyone. Umbrellas, beach chairs, swimming rings, bodyboards, beach volleyballs, dinghies and other equipment are available to rent. During the day, you can enjoy a variety of water sports, while in the evening you can sit on the beach with friends, watch the stars and listen to the sea, or have a drink at a nearby bar. People who live nearby like to come here for a night-time walk. If you're visiting Kenting, Little Bay Beach is a popular spot that you shouldn't miss.

Travelling to Donggang? Don't miss Donggang Night Market. Donggang Night Market is a straight-line traditional night market with stalls mainly located on Changchun No. 1 Road and Changchun No. 2 Road. The night market is open every Wednesday and Saturday, with Saturday being the most crowded. Unlike night markets in cities, stalls at Donggang Night Market offer all kinds of goods, including snacks, groceries, everyday essentials and the latest gadgets, thus attracting many locals. The southern part of the night market has a more cosy and nostalgic atmosphere. You can try the old-fashioned ice-cream and play the roulette game before eating it. There are also stalls selling retro sweets, which are guaranteed to bring back a few childhood memories. This a great place to try the local food and drink in Donggang.

Pingtung has two famous hot springs: Sichongxi Hot Spring and Xuhai Hot Spring. Xuhai Hot Spring was first recorded in the literature of British explorer George Taylor in 1877. It was the first hot spring in Pingtung to be legally licensed and authorised to use hot spring water. It was also the first public hot spring among all indigenous areas of Taiwan to be granted a hot spring business certificate. The weak alkaline carbonated hot spring with a temperature of around 45 °C and a pH value of 7.3 is clear, colourless and odourless. Hot spring water of this quality is said to be effective for the treatment of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases, arthritis and neuralgia. In 2013, Mudan Township Office renovated Xuhai Hot Spring and built five new 4-and 6-person hot spring bathhouses as well as foot baths, outdoor pools and public bathing facilities. If you're in Xuhai Village, why not stop for a break at the hot spring to relieve the fatigue of a long journey?