Kaohsiung

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

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
Sanmin District

Sanmin

4.5/5(17 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 featuring interior views

Sinsing District

Spend some time visiting places like Xinkujiang Shopping District 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 featuring 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
Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
3.5 out of 5
No.33, Jianguo 3rd Rd., Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung
The price is NT$1,455 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$1,455
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
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 2024/3/24

Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
Harbour 10 Hotel
Harbour 10 Hotel
4 out of 5
No. 10, Hedong Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung
The price is NT$2,078 per night from Apr 8 to Apr 9
NT$2,078
per night
Apr 8 - Apr 9
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 2024/3/25

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 NT$2,381 per night from Apr 8 to Apr 9
NT$2,381
per night
Apr 8 - Apr 9
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 2024/3/26

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.
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 2021/1/12

The Tale of Butterfly
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. Discover genuine guest reviews for Statt de Vallee - Campsite, ...
Statt de Vallee - Campsite
Travelhome Service Apartment
Travelhome Service Apartment
3 out of 5
No.21, Xinguang Rd, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Kaohsiung. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Pier-2 Art Center and 85 Sky Tower are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (260 reviews)
"Good Location, free wifi, great pricing, air conditioning, fridge/freezer and quiet rooms"

Reviewed on 2019/12/6

Travelhome Service Apartment
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

Reviews of Kaohsiung

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
110
" "5 - Excellent 48.67256637168141%
4 - Good
95
" "4 - Good 42.0353982300885%
3 - Okay
19
" "3 - Okay 8.4070796460177%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.8849557522123894%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 22, 2020

Kaohsiung is nice. There’s a lot of western amenities. The Love River is nice. Cijin Beach is a fun family place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 8, 2020

Rueifong Night Market is great and accessible via MRT

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 11, 2020

Layback

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 9, 2020

spacious, nice infrastructures.

4/5 - Good

Stephany
Jan 18, 2020

People are nice. Easy to travel with transportation and taxi

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 30, 2019

Pier 2 art area is a great idea and example for attracting tourist visit.

Cities near Kaohsiung