Kaohsiung

Travel Guide
Beiji Xuantian Shangdi featuring 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(65 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

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(2 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(11 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
Harbour 10 Hotel
Harbour 10 Hotel
4 out of 5
No. 10, Hedong Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung
The price is CA $79 per night from Apr. 22 to Apr. 23
CA $79
CA $92 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 22 - Apr 23
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 Mar. 25, 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 CA $91 per night from Apr. 17 to Apr. 18
CA $91
CA $105 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 17 - Apr 18
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! (1,010 reviews)
"Good location, easy to access. rooms spacious, decent breakfast, friendly and helpful staffs."

Reviewed on Mar. 21, 2024

Kung Shang Design Hotel
Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
3.5 out of 5
No.33, Jianguo 3rd Rd., Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung
The price is CA $62 per night from Apr. 21 to Apr. 22
CA $62
CA $71 total
includes taxes & fees
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 Mar. 24, 2024

Airline Inn - Kaohsiung Station
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 Jan. 12, 2021

The Tale of Butterfly
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 Sanduo Shopping District are located nearby. Discover ...
Chic Studio With Everything You Need
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 Oct. 5, 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

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
15
" "5 - Excellent 31.914893617021278%
4 - Good
29
" "4 - Good 61.702127659574465%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 6.382978723404255%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Kim
Feb. 16, 2020

Must visit the main library!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Dec. 7, 2019

I enjoyed my stay at Kaohsiung, convenient to go to Tainan which I recommend as well.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Nov. 21, 2019

Super friendly people and we felt safe everywhere. Amazing temples and delicious food!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Nov. 18, 2019

Got both the busier areas and relaxing areas, quite nice. More tourists than expected.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Nov. 13, 2019

I love this city very much...

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Oct. 7, 2019

Not much to do other than going to a night market every evening.

Cities near Kaohsiung