Kaohsiung

Travel Guide
Beiji Xuantian Shangdi showing a statue or sculpture and a sunset

Kaohsiung Travel Guide Video

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.

Where to stay in Kaohsiung

Liuhe Night Market which includes a city, night scenes and markets

Kaohsiung City Centre

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

Travellers love Kaohsiung City Centre for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kaohsiung by jumping on the metro at Formosa Boulevard Station or Sinyi Elementary School Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Liuhe Night Market and Pier-2 Art Center.

Kaohsiung City Centre
Spring and Autumn Pavillions which includes a sunset, a temple or place of worship and a city

Zuoying District

4/5(1 area review)

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 Hanshin Arena Shopping Plaza, and you can jump on the metro at Ecological District Station or Zuoying High Speed Rail Station to get around the city.

Zuoying District
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Sanmin

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

Well liked for its museums and art galleries, Sanmin is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like National Science and Technology Museum and Love River, and jump on the metro at Houyi Station to get around the city.

Sanmin
Dome of Light which includes interior views

Sinsing District

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Sinsing District. If sightseeing is on the list, Xinkujiang Shopping District is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Sinyi Elementary School Station or Formosa Boulevard Station to see more of the area.

Sinsing District
Caishan Natural Park which includes a city

Gushan District

5/5(1 area review)

Gushan District is a destination travellers like for its shopping, and you might hop aboard the metro at TRA Museum of Fine Arts Station Station or Hamasen Station to explore sights like Shou Shan Zoo.

Gushan District
Pier-2 Art Center featuring outdoor art and a statue or sculpture as well as a small group of people

Yancheng District

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 Penglai Pier-2 Station to see more of the city.

Yancheng District
Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
3.5 out of 5
No.33, Jianguo 3rd Rd., Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung
The price is HK$356 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
HK$356
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful staffs both at the front desk and the breakfast room. The place has character"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
Harbour 10 Hotel
Harbour 10 Hotel
4 out of 5
No. 10, Hedong Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung
The price is HK$457 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
HK$457
per night
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (960 reviews)
"Cleanliness and quiet"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Harbour 10 Hotel
Kung Shang Design Hotel
Kung Shang Design Hotel
4 out of 5
No. 237 Linsen 1st Road, Sinsing District, Kaohsiung
The price is HK$524 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
HK$524
per night
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Hotel location is very good and walkable distance to Liuhe night market. The free tea and snack during the noon is good. There is a nice noodle shop beside the hotel that guest should try if they don’t want to walk too far. will recommend to my friends and family.☺️"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Kung Shang Design Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Chic Studio With Everything You Need
Chic Studio With Everything You Need
Kaohsiung City
Stay at this condo in Kaohsiung. Enjoy WiFi, a balcony, and a TV. Popular attractions Pier-2 Art Center and 85 Sky Tower are located nearby. Discover genuine ...
Chic Studio With Everything You Need
The Tale of Butterfly
The Tale of Butterfly
2 out of 5
No.92-5, Chaoyuan, Meinong District, Kaohsiung
Stay at this campground in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Jian Shan and Jiuxionglin Shan are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"去的時候剛好遇到寒流,但熱水溫度與水量相當充足。 自助吧結合當地食材做創意料理,也相當美味。 環境舒適貼心,也有免費出借桌遊供消遣。"

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2021

The Tale of Butterfly
Luxury Studio in the vibrant Kaohsiung Arena Area
Luxury Studio in the vibrant Kaohsiung Arena Area
Zuoying Dist
Stay at this apartment in Kaohsiung. Enjoy WiFi, a fitness center, and a balcony. Popular attractions Pier-2 Art Center and Ruifeng Tourist Night Market are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Propriétaires sympathiques et attentionnés, appartement bien équipé et très bien situé, à proximité des transports et des commerces, nombreux restaurants aux alentours."

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2023

Luxury Studio in the vibrant Kaohsiung Arena Area
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kaohsiung

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 28.571428571428573%
4 - Good
12
" "4 - Good 57.142857142857146%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Nov 2019

A great place to visit, friendly, safe and amazing food.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 May 2019

hot weather but a lot of place for sighseeing and good food

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Apr 2019

Go to Cijin Island.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Apr 2019

Although the government is clearly trying very hard to improve English proficiency and accessibility (you will find that public museums etc. generally have highly proficient staff), speaking some Mandarin will improve your experience.