# Kaohsiung travel guide (高雄) Taiwan Region · South China, China · 14 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/taiwan-region/kaohsiung ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Takao British Consulate → Sizihwan → Pier-2 Art Center → Formosa Boulevard Station - **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. ## The feel of the place ### 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. ## 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** — (No. 2, Zhongshan 4th Road, Xiaogang District, Kaohsiung City, 00886-7-8011111) - **Kaohsiung Station** — Connects the Western Trunk Line, the Pingtung Line, the Kaohsiung Harbor Line and the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line. (No. 318, Jianguo 2nd Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, 00886-7-2371507) - **Kaohsiung: Southernmost Station on Taiwan's High-Speed Rail** — Taking the high-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes only 2 hours. (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. (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. (Along Yucheng Road and Nanping Road in Zuoying District, near Sanmin Commercial High School) ## 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. ## Where to stay Guesthouses and backpacker hostels in Kaohsiung are very affordable, making them ideal for independent travellers. - **Backpack 41 Youth Hostel** — A detached building with a Japanese-style sundries aesthetic, located in the city centre of Kaohsiung with convenient transport. (No. 41, Lane 261, Siwei 3rd Road, Lingya District, 00886-9-52612212) - **85 Sky Tower** — Colorful Nest themed suite with 180-degree city and sea views. The room is very spacious and decorated with many cartoon dolls and stickers. (No. 3, Ziqiang 3rd Road, Lingya District) - **Kaohsiung Guobin Hotel** — Located on the banks of the Love River, with lovely views all around. (No. 202, Minsheng 2nd Road, 00886-7-2115211) ## Things to see - **Love River** (★★★): Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/love-river - **Kaohsiung Eye Ferris Wheel** (★★★★): Admission NT$150; Opening hours 10：30—22：30; Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/kaohsiung-eye-ferris-wheel - **Sizihwan** (★★★★): Admission Sizihwan is free; full ticket to the beach is NT$70; Opening hours 10：00—16：00; Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/sizihwan - **Lotus Pond** (★★★): Admission Free; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lotus-pond - **Cijin Island** (★★★★): Admission Ferry NT$25; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/cijin-island - **Takao British Consulate** (★★★): Admission NT$50; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/takao-british-consulate - **Formosa Boulevard Station** (★★★): Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/formosa-boulevard-station - **Pier-2 Art Center** (★★★★): Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/pier-2-art-center - **Tuntex Sky Tower (85 Sky Tower)** (★★★★): Admission Observatory ticket NT$180; Opening hours 11:00–23:00 (building) 12:00–22:00 (observatory); Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tuntex-sky-tower-85-sky-tower - **Moon World Landscape Park** (★★★): Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/moon-world-landscape-park ## Day trips & beyond - **Cheng Ching Lake** (★★★): Admission NT$100; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/cheng-ching-lake - **Meinong Hakka Town** (★★★★): Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/meinong-hakka-town - **Kenting National Park** (★★★★): Opening hours 8：00—17：00; Time needed 1–3 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/kenting-national-park - **Hengchun Ancient Town** (★★★★): Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hengchun-ancient-town --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2710–2723. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.