Taiwan’s second-largest city is changing its industrial focus and emerging as a modern hub of entertainment and culture.
Taiwan’s largest port, Kaohsiung, is a well-planned city with an eclectic mix of beaches, trendy cafés and historic sites. Its wide streets and harbor-side parks make it feel less congested than the island's capital, enticing many travelers to stay for longer than they originally planned.
Take a leisurely walk along the Love River, a former open sewer that has been transformed into a promenade lined with trees and sidewalk cafés. Check out the stores in Dream Mall, the second-biggest shopping mall in Asia. With an eye-catching Ferris Wheel on its rooftop, this massive mall is visible from almost all areas of the city.
Catch a ferry to Cijin Island, a thin district projecting right into Kaohsiung Harbor. This area is home to a busy retail and dining strip, known for its fantastic seafood. Walk along the sandy shoreline, go for a swim and bike around the island. Don’t miss the views from the top of the lighthouse.
Save time for the remarkable collection of temples, pavilions and pagodas set on the edge of Lotus Pond. This man-made lake is surrounded by a group of brightly colored and unusual monuments, including the Dragon and Tiger pagodas. Visitors are advised to enter through the enormous dragon’s mouth on one side, and exit through the tiger mouth on the other in order to symbolically transform their bad luck into good.
Head to the Old British Consulate in the late afternoon to watch the sunset. Set on a hill overlooking Kaohsiung Harbor, this 19th-century mansion has been converted into a pleasant café and museum.
Travel just outside the city to Fo Guang Shan, one of Taiwan’s most beautiful Buddhist monasteries. This serene complex, perched on Fo Guang Mountain, is home to grottoes, gardens, pavilions and hundreds of Buddha statues.
Kaohsiung is 4 to 5 hours away from Taipei by bus or 1.5 to 2 hours by high-speed rail. Metro and bus systems are available within the city, but it can also be enjoyable to explore by bike, with many special lanes allocated for cyclists.
Kaohsiung Travel Guide Video
Where to stay in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung City Centre
4.5/5Wonderful!(276 area reviews)
Enjoy the popular shops in Kaohsiung City Centre. Liuhe Night Market is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Kaohsiung Formosa Boulevard Station or Sinyi Elementary School Station to see more of Kaohsiung.
Get to know Zuoying District and its many features like its mountain views and restaurants. You might want to explore sights like Lotus Pond and Love River, and you can jump on the metro at Ecological District Station or Xinzuoying Station to get around the city.
Noted for its art galleries and waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Yancheng District. Top attractions like Pier-2 Art Center and Love River are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Yanchengpu Station or Dayi Pier-2 to see more of the city.
Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Sinsing District. If sightseeing is on the list, Liuhe Night Market is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Kaohsiung Formosa Boulevard Station or Sinyi Elementary School Station to see more of the area.
Well-liked for its restaurants and museums, Xiaogang is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Kaohsiung Astronomical Museum and Jing Yuan Farm and Leisure, and jump on the metro at Siaogang Station to get around the city.
Noted for its shopping and waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Lingya District. Top attractions like 85 Sky Tower and Love River are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Culture Center Metro Station or Wukuaicuo Station to see more of the city.
Located in Kaohsiung City Centre, this hotel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Liuhe Night Market and within 3 mi (5 km) of Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and Pier-2 Art ...…Located in Kaohsiung City Centre, this hotel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Liuhe Night Market and within 3 mi (5 km) of Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and Pier-2 Art ...WWW…
4.6/5Exceptional! (2,199 reviews)
"great location, just in front of Kaohsiung station, 5mins by walk, lot of restaurant and convenient store around, highly recommend!"…""great location, just in front of Kaohsiung station, 5mins by walk, lot of restaurant and convenient store around, highly recommend!"WWW…"
Located in Kaohsiung City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Kaohsiung Museum of History, Kaohsiung City Music Hall, and Kaohsiung Film Archive. ...…Located in Kaohsiung City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Kaohsiung Museum of History, Kaohsiung City Music Hall, and Kaohsiung Film Archive. ...WWW…
4.5/5Wonderful! (2,317 reviews)
"Lovely and well kept property. Good location It was overall a great experience. Thank you."…""Lovely and well kept property. Good location It was overall a great experience. Thank you."WWW…"
Located in Sanmin, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Love River, Kaohsiung Arena, and Ruifeng Tourist Night Market. Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and Liuhe ...…Located in Sanmin, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Love River, Kaohsiung Arena, and Ruifeng Tourist Night Market. Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and Liuhe ...WWW…
4.2/5Excellent! (1,587 reviews)
"I definitely get more than I paid for. The hotel staff is nice and provides excellent service. Although the room is not very spacious, it does have everything needed. The room is hygienic as well. However, although the hotel only requires a 3-min walk from the nearest metro station (Houyi), the surrounding ..."…""I definitely get more than I paid for. The hotel staff is nice and provides excellent service. Although the room is not very spacious, it does have everything needed. The room is hygienic as well. However, although the hotel only requires a 3-min walk from the nearest metro station (Houyi), the surrounding ..."WWW…"
Find out about the history of Kaohsiung when you spend time at Former British Consulate at Takao. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.
Enjoy the excitement at E-DA Themepark and see why people love this amusement park in Kaohsiung. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.
[GoWiFi] Taiwan Travel 4G Pocket WiFi Pick Up at KHH airport
￥342
Data usage : Unlimited data in 4G speed Two-way translate, support Chinese, English, Japanese, …over 22 languages Battery capacity : 12 hours battery life (5350mAh) It's also a power bank Shareable : Connect up to 5 devices Contents : The package con
Kaohsiung City Love River Tour [Indonesian Speaking Guide]
￥4,000
Join this romantic Taiwan tour that will start by spend a time at the famous Love River. At Love River, you can choose to take a boat (at night) or just relax by the side of the river.
Private Cijin Island Kaohsiung Tour [Indonesian Guide]
￥4,000
If you are on vacation to Taiwan, especially in the city of Kaohsiung - where you often spend time in the city with the crowd. It would be better for you to take the Cijin Island Tour to unwind in the city of Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung Customized City Tour [Indonesian Speaking Guide]
￥4,324
Kaohsiung is the largest city and has the second most population in Taiwan. This city is a port city that serves as a gateway for goods entering or leaving the country. As a tropical part of Taiwan, this city has a variety of tourist attractions from lakes, beaches, hot springs and has a variety of local fruits.
Private day tour: Learn cultural and History in Tainan
￥24,159
8:30AM meet your tour guide at your Tainan hotel lobby. Tainan is the old capital in Taiwan where you can find several important historical sites. During this one-day tour, Anping Old Street is the beginning of everything.
People are nice. Easy to travel with transportation and taxi
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Dec 30, 2019
Pier 2 art area is a great idea and example for attracting tourist visit.
4/5 - Good
Italianfamily
Nov 18, 2019
Visit by reaching it via ferry boat the Cijin island and rent an electrical motorcycle or similar and go along the seaside.
Lotus pond and Dragon tiger towers
Visit the Pier 2 Art district
Eat at a noodle or dumplings street restaurant
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveler
Oct 30, 2019
Very easy to find and nice accomodation
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Oct 26, 2019
You can take subway & light rail around the city, most area is within 15-20 mins walk. High Speed Rail service from Taipei airport is NT$1290 withOut reserve seat, it takes almost two hrs to Kaohsiung Zuying terminal in the southern end
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Sep 25, 2019
A lot of places to visit but the weather was super hot and humid during our stay which was mid Sept.
