Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan, is located on the coast of Taiwan, near the Siaolin Rivers estuary. It is Taiwan’s second-largest city, after Taipei, and is known for its liveliness and excitement. Kaohsiung has a warm, subtropical climate. It provides a wide range of tourist attractions, including mountains, beaches, hot springs, museums, and more.
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Kaohsiung An Overview
Kaohsiung was formerly home to the Siraya Taiwanese aborigines, who called it Takow. The name lasted for centuries. In 1920, the Japanese occupiers picked the letters 高雄, named after the Takao area in Kyoto.
These characters are still used today but are pronounced “Gaoxiong” in Mandarin. The spelling “Kaohsiung” is based on the Wade-Giles romanization method, which was once popular in Taiwan.
Kaohsiung was centred at Fongshan during the Qing Dynasty, near today’s Lotus Pond and Zuoying HSR station, and some ruins of old city walls may still be seen today. The Kaohsiung Port was first opened in the 1680s, but the Japanese expanded it during their colonial occupation.
After the Japanese escaped and the KMT arrived, Kaohsiung City and County were established. This City and county were united in 2010, similar to Taoyuan, Taichung, and Tainan, so This city is now a wide territory that extends into the Central Mountain Range. It has 2.7 million residents, making it Taiwan’s third largest city after New Taipei City and Taichung.
Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail HSR line initially arrived at Zuoying Station in 2006. The KMRT began operations in 2008, followed by the Circular Light Rail LRT in 2015. When finished (which is quickly approaching), it will make a loop around the city centre.
Street painting has long been legal and promoted in this city. Amazing murals may be found everywhere, but some of the best are at Pier 2 Art Center which also includes many museums, refurbished port warehouses, stores, and art installations and Weiwuying, a mural-covered neighbourhood.
The waterfront has been rebuilt in recent years, particularly with the construction of the Light Rail and the best Music Center. These are some of the reasons Lonely Planet named it one of the world’s best cities to visit in 2024
Getting to Kaohsiung
A growing number of international Flights arrive at Kaohsiung International Airport, located south of Kaoshiung city centre. The airport is connected to the city via the red KMRT line. See my guide to getting the cheapest flights to Kaohsiung and other Taiwanese destinations, and check out the best airline prices here.
The High-Speed Rail HSR takes around 2 hours from Taipei to Zuoying Station, which is north of the city centre. It is also served by the KMRT red line, which runs through the city centre. Buy inexpensive HSR tickets on Klook and follow my step-by-step instructions to book them.
If you take the ordinary (TRA) train from Taipei, it can take anywhere from 3 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the train, but it will cost half as much as the HSR. You can get to Kaohsiung Station, which is conveniently located in the city core. For further details, check out my article on how to buy rail tickets in Taiwan.
Only the TRA train will take you to destinations on the East Coast, such as Taitung and Hualien.
Kenting National Park is accessible through the Kenting Express Line Bus, which departs from Zuoying HSR Station and takes approximately 2.5 hours. Purchase your tickets here.
Ferries depart from the Gushan Ferry Pier in Kaohsiung for Cijin Island. To reach Xiaoliuqiu Island in Pingtung County, take bus 9127D from Zuoying Station to Tungliu Line Terminal Liu Line Pier Station where you can board the ferry. You can also locate shared cabs on the south side of this Station, or you can take a taxi yourself (TWD 1,200).
It has two KMRT lines. The Red Line runs north-south, and the Orange Line runs east-west. They intersect at Formosa Boulevard Station, one stop south of Kaohsiung Station (where TRA trains stop. Formosa Boulevard Station also houses the iconic Dome of Light artwork, and Liuhe Night Market is nearby.
Swipe your EasyCard (buy online here) to take the Cijin boat or KMRT/Light Rail. Kaohsiung City has its iPass, which is essentially the same and may be used throughout the country.
Where to Stay in Kaohsiung
The most convenient places to stay in Kaohsiung are near this Station. I propose the Kindness Hotel which is located very adjacent to the station. Ahiruyah Guesthouse is the best-rated hostel in the area.
Yancheng District, particularly the area surrounding Yanchengpu KMRT station, is my favourite place to stay in Kaohsiung. This allows you easy access to the Pier 2 Art Center, which is particularly cool at night. It is also close to sights such as Shoushan Love Lookout, Siziwan Beach, the British Consulate in Takow, and the ferry to Cijin Island.
Best Things to do in Kaohsiung
Lotus Pond
The Lotus Pond, located on the east side of Kaohsiung’s Zuoying District, maybe the city’s most interesting sight. The man-made lake is surrounded by several odd Buddhist temples and monuments.
You can easily walk around the lake. You can also rent a bicycle to explore the sites surrounding Lotus Pond.
Spring and Autumn Pavilions
The Spring and Autumn Pavilions, located next to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, is another fantasy temple.
Built in 1953, the Taoist temple features two Chinese palace-style pavilions. They are both four stories tall and in the shape of an octagon.
The Spring and Autumn Pavilions, like the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, feature a vivid statue in front of them. Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and two other religious figures ride the dragon.
Museum of Fine Arts
The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is located in a stunning contemporary four-story edifice on a 34-hectare site. There are 18 galleries with about 2,700 permanent items of Taiwanese fine art, including Chinese calligraphy and works of art.
While walking through each room of the museum, pay attention to the architecture; it is pretty impressive.
After seeing the exhibitions, take a walk around the museum to observe all of the flora. Also, follow the walkway that leads to various public sculptures.
The Dome of the Light
Don’t miss out on seeing one of Kaohsiung’s most beautiful subway stations. When taking the subway to Formosa Boulevard Station, look for the huge light installation in the station’s centre on the B1 basement level.
It is the world’s largest glass art piece, measuring 30 meters in circumference and featuring over 4,500 glass panels. The Dome of the Light, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, is themed around love and tolerance and represents the beginning of democracy in Taiwan.
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Ziquang Night Market
Ziquang Night Market is a renowned night market among locals. The night market food is great and more affordable than at other night markets.
The night market comes alive as the sun goes down. Food vendors set up their carts along Linya 2nd Rd, in front of the existing establishments, while scooters continue to whizz through the street. Yes, pedestrians and motorbikes use the same road, so watch where you walk.
If you want to eat like the locals, you must visit this overlooked night market. In my opinion, this city has the best night market.
Glory Pier
Originally known as Pier 13, the pier was previously a key hub for national security and shipping logistics. Today, the pier is known as the Glory Pier.
Glory Pier, located at the east end of the Love River, stands out from the rest of this place. The 500-meter beautiful walking avenue is surrounded by contemporary structures and modern landscapes. If you stick around in the evening, you can see a laser light show.
How to plan your Kaohsiung itinerary
I recommend at least two full days to visit Kaohsiung. Day 1: Spend half a day on Cijin Island and half a day exploring Yancheng, Gushan, and Kaohsiung Station. Visit Liuhe Night Market at night.
On Day 2, visit the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in the morning, Lotus Pond in the afternoon, and Ruifeng Night Market for dinner.
If you have more time in Kaohsiung, try spending a day or even 1-2 nights on Xiaoliuqiu Island or visiting the beaches of Kenting National Park in surrounding Pingtung.
Final thought
Kaohsiung encourages it with its unique mix of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. This travel guide has supplied the conclusion on the term “A Travel Guide to Kaohsiung,” ensuring that your tour through this Taiwanese jewel is nothing short of wonderful.
FAQs About Kaohsiung
Q1. What is Kaohsiung known for?
This is a major port city in Taiwan known for its vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary offerings, and modern architecture
Q2. How do I travel to Kaohsiung from Taipei?
Travelling from Taipei to this place is convenient and can be done by high-speed rail, regular train, bus, or domestic flights.
Q3. What are the must-visit attractions in Kaohsiung?
Some of the must-visit attractions in this city include the Lotus Pond, Cijin Island, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Pier-2 Art Center, and the Love River.
Q4. What is the weather like in Kaohsiung throughout the year?
Kaohsiung experiences a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The summer months (June to September) are typically the warmest, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F), while winter temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
Q5. Are there any special events or festivals in Kaohsiung that I should be aware of?
This city has hosted several festivals and events throughout the year. The Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and include the Film Festival are popular events.
