Kaohsiung

Travel Guide

Kaohsiung which includes a city
Beiji Xuantian Shangdi showing a sunset and a statue or sculpture
Dragon Tiger Tower featuring a statue or sculpture
Dragon Tiger Tower showing a temple or place of worship
Central Park showing 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 showing a city, night scenes and markets

Kaohsiung City Centre

4.5/5(294 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 Formosa Boulevard Station or Sinyi Elementary School Station to see more of Kaohsiung.

Kaohsiung City Centre
Spring and Autumn Pavillions featuring a sunset, a lake or waterhole and a temple or place of worship

Zuoying District

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

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
Dome of Light featuring interior views

Sinsing District

Spend some time visiting places like Dome of Light while getting to know Sinsing District, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard 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

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

You might enjoy the shopping while in Gushan District. Shou Shan Zoo is a notable sight, and you can get around town at TRA Museum of Fine Arts Station Station or Hamasen Station to see more of the city.

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

Cianjin District

Shopping and coffeehouses are highlights of Cianjin District. Make a stop by Liuhe Night Market or Central Park while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Cianjin Station to get around town.

Cianjin District
Chateau de Chine Hotel Kaohsiung

Chateau de Chine Hotel Kaohsiung

4 out of 5
No.43, Daren Rd., Yancheng District, Kaohsiung
The price is NT$2,190 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
NT$2,190
NT$2,530 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Love the place excellent service, great employess"

Reviewed on 2025/7/29

Chateau de Chine Hotel Kaohsiung
TAI Urban Resort

TAI Urban Resort

4.5 out of 5
Qianzhen District Linsen 4th Rd 189, Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung City
The price is NT$5,062 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
NT$5,062
NT$5,846 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Liuhe Night Market and Love River are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (176 reviews)
"Very Special stay. An exceptional interior design and the tea set (including a tea table ) in the room is a much valued plus."

Reviewed on 2025/6/9

TAI Urban Resort
HOTEL COZZI Zhongshan Kaohsiung

HOTEL COZZI Zhongshan Kaohsiung

4 out of 5
No. 260, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung
The price is NT$2,909 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
NT$2,909
NT$3,360 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Nice bedding, good internet access and just 30s to metro station."

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

HOTEL COZZI Zhongshan Kaohsiung
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.
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 ...
"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 2021/1/12

The Tale of Butterfly
Travelhome Service Apartment

Travelhome Service Apartment

4 out of 5
No.21, Xinguang Rd, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Love River and Central Park are ...
"Good Location, free wifi, great pricing, air conditioning, fridge/freezer and quiet rooms"

Reviewed on 2019/12/6

Travelhome Service Apartment
Statt de Vallee - Campsite

Statt de Vallee - Campsite

2 out of 5
No. 130-72, Heping Rd., Liouguei District, Kaohsiung
Stay at this campground in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free parking, a conference center, and an airport shuttle (surcharge).
Statt de Vallee - Campsite
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

Cities near Kaohsiung