Kaohsiung travel guide
高雄
Whenever an entertainer promotes in Taiwan and performs at Taipei Arena, the second stop is almost always Kaohsiung. Taipei has Taipei 101, and Kaohsiung has the 85 Sky Tower. With its thriving commerce,…
14 places · In the guidebook: pages 2710–2723
Kaohsiung, Taiwan Region · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Kaohsiung in 2 days
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Moon World Landscape Park→
- Love River→
- Liuho Night Market
The feel of the place
- “Another Taipei”
- Whenever an entertainer promotes in Taiwan and performs at Taipei Arena, the second stop is almost always Kaohsiung. Taipei has Taipei 101, and Kaohsiung has the 85 Sky Tower. With its thriving commerce, Kaohsiung shares with Taipei the economy of the island's northern and southern ends. Seen this way, Taipei is like the big brother and Kaohsiung like the younger brother, looking up to the elder's halo, perhaps with a hint of envy. Or, you could say, Kaohsiung is more like “another Taipei.” But in the eyes of Hou Hsiao-hsien, Kaohsiung is a different sight altogether. In *The Boys from Fengkuei*, the boy from Penghu and his friends look out from an unfinished high-rise at a Kaohsiung that is young, quiet and graceful. Rows upon rows of tall buildings rise like fresh bamboo shoots, the fields beyond are open and vast, and the sound of cruise ships still drifts over Kaohsiung Harbor. It has even more vitality than Taipei.
Beware of Typhoons
Typhoons frequently strike the area between July and September each year, so if you plan to visit Kaohsiung during this period, be sure to check the weather forecast in advance to avoid disrupting your itinerary.
Kaohsiung Bus Schedules
Buses from Kaohsiung to Taipei run frequently. The fare is about NT$500 and the journey takes about 5 hours.
Kaohsiung to Taichung costs about NT$250 and takes around 3 hours 10 minutes in total.
A full-fare ticket from Kaohsiung to Taitung costs about NT$455 and the journey takes about 4 hours.
Helpful Tips
Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets show no train number and no seat number. You may ride at any time within the High Speed Rail's operating hours of 6:00–23:30.
Preparation and Information
Language
Speaking Mandarin causes no problems at all when travelling in Kaohsiung.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Kaohsiung sits at the southern mouth of the Taiwan Strait. It has a long summer all year round, with no real winter and a tropical atmosphere, so it is suitable for travel in all four seasons.
Things to see
Cijin Island
2–3 hours · Ferry NT$25
Cijin Island lies at the southwestern tip of Kaohsiung. It is a narrow sandbar island running northwest to southeast. Its best-known sights are the Cijin ferry, the lighthouse, Tianhou Temple and the coastal park.
Pier-2 Art Center
2–3 hours
This was once a rundown port warehouse, later redeveloped into an art zone similar to Beijing's 798. Its walls and sculptures are full of playful, inventive graffiti and installations. The bold, individual artworks draw many visitors, making it a must-see for art lovers.
Kaohsiung Eye Ferris Wheel
Kaohsiung Eye is a giant seaside Ferris wheel in Taiwan, located on the top floor of the Dream Mall shopping centre in Kaohsiung. Its gondolas are decorated with artwork, and from inside you can take in views of the city, Sizihwan and Kaohsiung Harbor. At night the wheel lights up with neon, shining like a brilliant pearl of Kaohsiung.
1 hour · NT$150
Sizihwan
The sunset at Sizihwan is one of the Eight Views of Kaohsiung. Sun Yat-sen University sits within the bay area, so at dusk you will often see couples sharing quiet, romantic moments here. The area is also a popular beach, and in summer crowds flock here to swim and celebrate. You can enter Sizihwan Beach through the visitor service centre to the left of Sun Yat-sen University.
1–3 hours · Sizihwan is free; full ticket to the beach is NT$70
Tuntex Sky Tower (85 Sky Tower)
Kaohsiung 85 Sky Tower, also known as the Tuntex 85 International Plaza, has a silhouette resembling the Chinese character “高” (gao, meaning high). The 74th-floor observatory offers 360-degree views of Kaohsiung Harbor and the cityscape, while the 85th-floor observatory provides some of the finest views of the port city.
1–3 hours · Observatory ticket NT$180
Love River
No matter how artificial this attraction may be, its theme of “love” is something few people can resist. The most beautiful stretch of Love River is the riverside park on both banks between Kaohsiung Bridge and Qixian Bridge. After dark, the street lamps along both banks create an elegant, enchanting atmosphere, and couples stroll here with great charm. On the river you can ride sightseeing boats named after Cupid and seven internationally famous couples. Many stops along the route let you get on and off to enjoy the riverside views, coffee and food.
2–3 hours
Lotus Pond
Lotus Pond, originally called Lotus Flower Pond, lies on the east side of Zuoying District. More than 20 temples stand around it, the most famous being the Kaohsiung Confucius Temple, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, and the Beiji Xuantian Shangdi Temple. The annual Lotus Pond Wannian Ceremony, held around October, makes the area a popular destination rich in traditional culture and religious atmosphere.
2–3 hours · Free
Takao British Consulate
The building is in a late Renaissance-influenced Baroque style with a strong British flavour. It is the oldest surviving modern Western-style building in Taiwan.
2–3 hours · NT$50
Formosa Boulevard Station
Formosa Boulevard Station is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Its roof is made entirely of mosaic stained glass, and the colourful, dazzling “Dome of Light” is sure to amaze you. Many films have also been shot here.
1 hour
Moon World Landscape Park
Moon World is located on Yueqiu Road in Tianliao District, Kaohsiung. The name refers to a rugged landform with a greyish-white surface and a desert-like landscape, preserved in its original state. Because the ground contains a mineral that glows faintly under moonlight, it is said to shimmer with tiny points of light, which gave it the name “Moon World.” It is also a popular spot for locals to take wedding photos and portraits.
2–3 hours
Getting there & around
Arrival and Departure
Kaohsiung is the second-largest city in Taiwan, and its transport links are very convenient.
By Air
Kaohsiung International Airport (Xiaogang Airport) handles passenger traffic second only to Taoyuan International Airport. It currently operates scheduled flights to Tokyo, Nagoya, Seoul, Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Guam and other destinations.
By Rail
High-Speed Rail
By Road
Taiqi Bus (台汽客运) connects Kaohsiung with all major towns in western Taiwan. Tonglian Bus (统联客运) also serves Taipei, Taichung, Yunlin and Tainan. Buses from the townships of Kaohsiung County connect to the city centre via Kaohsiung Bus.
By Sea
Four ferry routes link the coast around Kaohsiung Harbor: Qijin → Gushan, Qianzhen → Zhongzhou, Xiaogang → Hongmao Port, and Zhongzhou → Hongmao Port. Of these, the Qijin → Gushan route runs most frequently and is a very famous sightseeing route. On holidays, harbour cruise ferries also run one afternoon and one evening service.
Getting Around the City
Metro (Subway)
Kaohsiung is the second city in Taiwan to have a metro system. The Kaohsiung MRT has elevated, underground and at-grade sections. The Red Line and Orange Line are currently in operation, from 6:00 to 24:00. Travellers can take the Kaohsiung MRT directly from Kaohsiung International Airport into the city centre.
Taxis
Kaohsiung city taxi flag fall is NT$85 for the first 1.5 km, then NT$5 for every additional 0.3 km. A taxi from the city centre to Xiaogang Airport costs about NT$300.
Kaohsiung International Airport
By Air- Address:
- No. 2, Zhongshan 4th Road, Xiaogang District, Kaohsiung City
- Phone:
- 00886-7-8011111
Kaohsiung Station
By RailConnects the Western Trunk Line, the Pingtung Line, the Kaohsiung Harbor Line and the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line.
- Address:
- No. 318, Jianguo 2nd Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
- Phone:
- 00886-7-2371507
Kaohsiung: Southernmost Station on Taiwan's High-Speed Rail
High-Speed RailTaking the high-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes only 2 hours.
- Address:
- No. 105, Gaotie Road, Kaohsiung City
Eat & drink
As an international port, Kaohsiung naturally gathers cuisines from around the world, from Italian pasta and Indian curry to Japanese food, you'll find it all. But Kaohsiung's local snacks still centre mainly on night markets, such as Liuho Night Market, Qingnian Night Market and Xinxing Night Market. The most famous local specialties include papaya milk, salt-steamed shrimp, Kaohsiung Milk King and sticky rice cake (mi gao).
Jinzuan Night Market
With hundreds of stalls and a huge variety of food, foodies are sure to find their own favourite here. Oyster omelette is recommended.
Liuho Night Market
Kaohsiung's flavourful street snacks draw on cuisines from all over China, and Liuho Night Market is the best place to taste them. Recommended stalls include the Jianzai sticky rice cake and the BBQ House in front of Liuho Grand Hotel; the original Du Xiao Yue in front of No. 42; the old Huang-brand shoulder-pole noodles in front of No. 66; the fish soup at No. 82; the eel noodles in front of No. 85; the peanut zongzi in front of No. 87; and the salty rice-ball soup and seafood congee in front of No. 110, among others.
- Address:
- Liuho Night Market is about ten-odd minutes' walk from Kaohsiung Station. Head straight along Zhongshan Road, then turn right onto Liuho Road.
Ruifeng Night Market
Ruifeng is not included in tour group itineraries, so most of the people eating and shopping here are Kaohsiung locals. Even so, there is plenty of good food. Recommended dishes include stinky tofu, pan-fried quail eggs, iron-plate beef steak and Italian pasta.
- Address:
- Along Yucheng Road and Nanping Road in Zuoying District, near Sanmin Commercial High School
Where to stay
Guesthouses and backpacker hostels in Kaohsiung are very affordable, making them ideal for independent travellers.
Backpack 41 Youth Hostel
Recommended AccommodationA detached building with a Japanese-style sundries aesthetic, located in the city centre of Kaohsiung with convenient transport.
- Address:
- No. 41, Lane 261, Siwei 3rd Road, Lingya District
- Phone:
- 00886-9-52612212
85 Sky Tower
Recommended AccommodationColorful Nest themed suite with 180-degree city and sea views. The room is very spacious and decorated with many cartoon dolls and stickers.
- Address:
- No. 3, Ziqiang 3rd Road, Lingya District
Kaohsiung Guobin Hotel
Recommended AccommodationLocated on the banks of the Love River, with lovely views all around.
- Address:
- No. 202, Minsheng 2nd Road
- Phone:
- 00886-7-2115211
Shopping
Several themed streets are worth exploring, such as the furniture street on Qingnian Road, the telecom street on Qixian Road, the computer street on Jianguo Road and the flower market on Xingzhong Road. You can also head to the antique flea market on Shiquan Road, the Japanese goods of Xinkujiang, or the second-hand shops on Sanduo Road to rummage through. These are all must-visit treasure-hunting spots in Kaohsiung and will satisfy hunters of every level.
Day trips & beyond
Meinong Hakka Town
Since 1736, Hakka settlers have established the village of "Mi-nong Zhuang" here, and it has preserved the traditions and essence of Hakka culture to this day. It is one of the best-preserved Hakka towns in Taiwan. Meinong was once known as the "Tobacco Kingdom." Although the tobacco industry has gradually declined, the town continues to attract visitors with its distinctive Hakka character.
1–2 days
Kenting National Park
Kenting Park takes its name from the strong young men who came here to reclaim the land. The park has many exquisite and varied scenic spots, including Nanren Lake, Longluan Pond and Dajianshi Mountain. Its undersea coral landscapes are especially colourful and dazzling, well worth a visit. The park is also home to numerous wild animals, including sika deer, Formosan rock macaques and grey-faced buzzards, and more than 1,000 species of tropical trees. This makes Kenting Park Taiwan's first large-scale forest park, Taiwan's first tropical plant forest, and one of the world's eight major experimental forests.
1–3 days
Hengchun Ancient Town
Hengchun Ancient Town became well known through the film *Cape No. 7*. The town was named "Hengchun" ("Eternal Spring") because of its mild climate, which stays warm and springlike throughout the year. Construction of Hengchun Ancient Town began in 1875. It is one of the most completely preserved ancient towns in Taiwan, and it still has four city gates: east, south, west and north.
1–2 hours
Cheng Ching Lake
Cheng Ching Lake is the largest lake in Kaohsiung, and its scenery rivals that of Hangzhou's West Lake. Its famous highlights are the “Three Bridges, Six Victories and Eight Scenes.” An island in the lake holds the Zhongxing Tower; climb the spiral staircase inside to the top for a panoramic view of Cheng Ching Lake.
1–2 hours
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2710–2723. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version