10 Best Budget Things to Do in Pingtung

Wanchin Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Wanjin Catholic Church, has a history stretching back more than 150 years. It is the oldest church in Taiwan and a Grade III historic site. Its history can be traced back to 1861, when the Spanish priest Fernando Sainz came from Kaohsiung to Pingtung to preach, and the church was built 2 years later. In 1874, Emperor Tongzhi personally gifted the church "Imperial Decree" and "Catholic Church" plaques. In 1984, the church was conferred the title "Basilica of the Immaculate Conception" by the Pope John Paul II, making it second only in status to the Vatican in Rome. Wanchin Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has a large church bell from Spain and looks like an old Spanish castle. The building was constructed using local gravel, lime, brown sugar, kapok, brick and other materials, making it a unique structure combining both Chinese and Western styles. Arrange a tour to learn more about the influence and importance of religion in local life in Pingtung.

Longpan Park, an elevated limestone platform, is located in the south-east of Hengchun. Because limestone is easily dissolved by water, the park has an array of strange and interesting landscapes, including limestone caves, sinkholes and cliffs. There are many grassland plants in the area. Take some time out to stroll on the extensive grassland, gaze out over the vast coastline and admire the magnificent beauty of the sea and sky. The natural and primitive landscape and endless views of Longpan Park make it one of the best places to watch sunrise and sunset. Because there's no light pollution, on a clear night at any time of year you'll be able to see the beautiful starry sky just by looking up. You can also see the rarely visible Southern Cross at night from April to June each year. From the gorgeous golden light of sunrise to the soft glow of sunset and the dazzling starry sky at night, this unparalleled beauty is intoxicating to anyone who has lived in the city for a long time.

White Sand Bay is located in Kenting National Park in Hengchun, Pingtung. The bay's long beach has a high shell content, making the sand fine and white. White Sand Bay has always been famous for its white sand and clear water, and is one of the most popular beaches in Kenting. It was used as a filming location for the movies "Cape No. 7" as well as "Life of Pi", directed by Ang Lee. In addition to the fine, soft shell sand, White Sand Bay also offers a variety of water sport activities for visitors to enjoy, such as banana boating, jet-skiing and sailboarding, among others. If you like diving, the rich ecology of the waters at White Sand Bay make it a must-see attraction. You can also barbecue, camp or go for a bike ride here. Or you may decide that simply lying on the beach while listening to the waves is the best way to enjoy life. So, what are you waiting for? Come and visit in summer and enjoy the endless sunshine, white sand and blue sky.

Alangyi Historic Trail was a section of the Langjiao-Beinan route during the Qing Dynasty. It is the last remaining stretch of coastline in Taiwan that hasn't yet been paved by roads. This 4.9-mile-long (8 kilometres) path is now a part of the Xuhai Guanyinbi Nature Reserve. Alangyi Historic Trail was once used by hunters and pioneers, and is therefore of important historical and cultural value in the context of the development of eastern Taiwan. Because there's no public road here, it has been possible to preserve the primitive natural landscape. You can admire the beautiful blue coastline and the green forest along this historic trail. You'll find many endemic plant and animal species of the Hengchun Peninsula here, such as Asian bayberry, Garcinia multiflora, coconut crabs and green sea turtles, as well as 31 different species of land crab. If you want to explore the secret lands of Taiwan and enjoy the exhilarating experience of hiking where the mountains meet the sea, Alangyi Historic Trail is a great place to visit.

Liangshan Waterfall is located in the Liangshan Recreation Area of Majia Township, and has a trail about 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometres) long. The water volume of the waterfall area varies depending on the time of year, with the wet season running from April to October and the dry season from October to March. Liangshan Waterfall is divided into three tiers. The first tier has a gentle water flow with a recreation area, and takes 5 to 10 minutes to reach on foot. Access to the second and the third tiers is more challenging. The momentum of the water of these two tiers is incomparable to the first. The second tier is about 32 feet (10 metres) tall. After navigating some steep steps, you have to grab a rope to descend a 3-storey-high rock face to reach the second tier. The pool here is extremely deep, so swimming is prohibited. The highest tier of the waterfall is by far the most majestic. You can hear the waterfall roar from a distance. To reach this tier, you need to climb some rocks and wade through a stream, which adds to the sense of adventure. If you visit in summer, you'll see plenty of birds and colourful butterflies dancing around you, and schools of small fish swimming in the stream. It's an ideal destination for a half-day tour.

Pingtung Tutorial Academy has a history stretching back more than 200 years, and is the only academic building in Pingtung County. The academy was built in 1815 by Wu Xingcheng, the District Magistrate of Fengshan District, among others. In 1895, the Qing Dynasty education and imperial examination system was abolished when Taiwan became a dependency of Japan. The Japanese then turned the academy into a Confucian temple for the veneration of Confucius as well as other sages and disciples. At various points throughout its history, the building was reconstructed, relocated and abandoned ‒ a symbol of how an important historical town became a forgotten place. In 1977, the building was restored, rebuilt and transformed into a Confucian temple until it was renamed "Pingtung Tutorial Academy" in 1988. Outside the gate of the academy stands a tall screen wall bearing the four Chinese characters "九仞宮牆 (Jiu Ren Gong Qiang)", indicating that Confucianism is extremely advanced, and that in order to learn Confucianism, one must do so in the proper way. These characters reflect the spirit of this traditional academy. Although not big, Pingtung Tutorial Academy is a symmetrical quadrangular building. Whether you're interested in its history as an academy or a Confucian temple, this Grade II historic site is an important piece of Taiwan's cultural heritage and well worth a visit.

Linhousilin Forest Park is one of the three largest flatland forest parks in Taiwan. This huge park covers an area of about 2,483 acres (1,005 hectares), with a tree planting area of 1,976 acres (800 hectares). It is home to more than 20 tree species, including flamegold rain tree, big-leaf mahogany, chinaberry, and Formosan ash. Upon entering the park, you'll first go through the long, straight Madagascar almond trail, after which you'll see all kinds of colourful art installations on the hillside, including small mosaic animals and hand-painted pieces of wood produced by local residents, which symbolise the origin of their settlement. If you want to learn more about the recycling of forest resources and the multiethnic culture, you can visit the exhibition area in the visitor centre. You can rent a bike from the visitor centre or explore the endless green forest on foot. Whichever method you choose to get around, you'll be supporting the energy-saving and carbon-reducing goals promoted by the park.