Southwest Coast

Southwest Coast National Scenic Area (Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Coastal) was set up in 2003 and spans coast in Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan, from Provincial Highway 17 out to the 20 m sea depth line^[1]. Its headquarters is in Beimen District, Tainan^[2].

Wetlands are the main ecosystem, and the area includes the main winter habitat of the endangered black-faced spoonbill^[2]. Qigu Lagoon is the centrepiece, surrounded by salt fields, mangroves and aquaculture ponds^[1].

Mangroves grow around Qigu Lagoon^[1].

The area lies on the coastal Chianan Plain, with sandbars, lagoons, tidal flats, estuarine marshes, salt pans and ponds^[1].

Southwestern Taiwan has hot, wet summers and a dry winter.

The coast holds remnants of Taiwan's now-defunct salt industry, including Qigu Salt Fields, Beimen Salt Works, Budai Salt Works and the Taiwan Salt Museum^[1].

The headquarters was set up in 2003 under the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, with two management stations^[1].

Sights include Beimen Lagoon, Liukong Wharf, Koxinga Memorial Park, Budai Tourist Fish Market and Sicao Dazhong Temple. Others are Chenglong Wetland, Waisanding Sandbar, Aogu Wetland and the High-Heeled Shoe Church^[3][1].

Visitor centers operate at Beimen and Qigu in Tainan and Kouhu in Yunlin County, generally open 09:00 to 17:30. A Beimen bike tour route and seafood dining are among the visitor activities^[3].

The Sicao Wildlife Conservation Area lies within the scenic area, and its wetlands are the winter habitat of the black-faced spoonbill^[1][2].