Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung Travel Guide

Southern Taiwan's largest port city, beloved for its mild climate and beautiful coastline. The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Pond, Cijin Island's seafood street, Pier-2 Art Center's creative spaces, and Formosa Boulevard Station - dubbed the world's most beautiful metro station - are the highlights. More relaxed and affordable than Taipei, with warm enough weather for short sleeves even in winter. Recommended for travelers who want beaches, culture, and seafood cuisine all in one place.

Essential Kaohsiung Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Kaohsiung

★ 4.3

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

Built in 1976, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are a signature sight at Lotus Pond, and tradition says that entering through the dragon's mouth and exiting through the tiger's mouth brings good fortune. The two 7-story pagodas are decorated inside with murals depicting Chinese legends and the Thirty-Six Filial Exemplars, accessed by crossing the zigzag Nine-Turns Bridge over the water. On clear days the pagodas' reflections in the pond are spectacular. Free admission. About a 15-minute walk from MRT Zuoying Station.

Hours08:00-17:00 daily (free admission)

LocationZuoying District, Kaohsiung

TipsBe sure to enter through the dragon and exit through the tiger (a feng shui tradition). Lakeside views at sunset are the most beautiful.

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★ 4.4

Cijin Island

Cijin is a small island at the mouth of Kaohsiung Harbor, just a 5-minute ferry ride from Gushan Ferry Terminal. The seafood street offers freshly caught seafood at reasonable prices, and the island has plenty of sights including Cijin Lighthouse, Cihou Fort, and a beach park. Views of Kaohsiung Harbor from the ferris wheel are also a popular draw. Ferry TWD 40 (round trip). A 10-minute walk from MRT Sizihwan Station to Gushan Ferry Terminal.

HoursFerries 05:00-02:00 (nearly 24/7); beach open 24 hours

LocationCijin District, Kaohsiung

TipsFerries depart from Gushan Ferry Terminal and take about 5 minutes. Don't miss the grilled squid and shrimp on the seafood street.

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★ 4.6

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Opened in 2011, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is the world's largest Buddhist memorial complex, dominated by a 108m-tall seated Amitabha Buddha statue. Buddhist relics and artworks gathered over more than 40 years by Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, are on display, while the main hall, eight pagodas, and broad plaza create a majestic atmosphere. Both admission and guided tours are free, making it easy to visit. Free admission. About 1 hour 30 minutes by Dashu Line bus from downtown Kaohsiung.

Hours09:00-17:00 (closed Tuesdays; free admission)

LocationDashu District, Kaohsiung

TipsAbout 1 hour 30 minutes by bus from downtown Kaohsiung. The on-site vegetarian buffet restaurant is well worth a meal.

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★ 4.7

Formosa Boulevard Station

Formosa Boulevard Station, opened in 2008, is a Kaohsiung MRT interchange ranked by Business Insider as one of the 'world's most beautiful subway stations.' The station's central concourse holds the 'Dome of Light' — a 30m-diameter, 4,500-panel stained glass work designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, making it the world's largest glass public artwork. Themed on water, earth, light, and fire, its dazzling stained glass comes alive in a 5-minute light show on the hour at 11:00, 15:00, 17:00, and 20:00. Free to visit. The interchange concourse at MRT Formosa Boulevard Station (Red and Orange Lines).

HoursMRT hours 06:00-24:00

LocationSinsing District, Kaohsiung

TipsTime your visit for the light show (11:00, 15:00, 17:00, 20:00 — 5 minutes each). Stand in the middle of the concourse and look up for the best photo.

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★ 4.5

Pier-2 Art Center

The Pier-2 Art Center is southern Taiwan's largest creative arts complex, converted from 1973 warehouses at Kaohsiung Harbor's Pier 2 starting in 2001. Around 25 warehouses now house galleries, design boutiques, cafes, workshops, and live-music venues, with giant sculptures (the yellow 'Big Yellow Duck' giant, 'Bruce Lee' and more) scattered throughout for a fun stroll. The mix of old harbor-industrial vibe with trendy art is refreshing, and the Kaohsiung Light Rail cuts through the complex for a unique experience. Weekends bring outdoor markets, live performances, and food trucks. Free entry (exhibitions extra). Directly at LRT Pier-2 Art Center Station or Yancheng District Station.

Hours10:00-18:00 (outdoor areas open 24 hours)

LocationYancheng District, Kaohsiung

TipsWeekend afternoons are most lively with outdoor markets. The Light Rail pass makes hopping between Pier-2 stops easy.

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★ 4.3

Liuhe Night Market

Liuhe Night Market is Kaohsiung's main night market, stretching about 600m and operating since the 1950s — around 70 years of history. About 138 stalls open daily from 5 PM, with the most famous specialties being grilled seafood (shrimp, lobster, oysters) fresh from Kaohsiung Harbor, Shaoxing wine chicken (shao xing ji), and the city's signature Dagang papaya milk. Direct access from MRT Formosa Boulevard Station makes it easy to reach, and stalls also serve Taiwanese desserts, lamb skewers, oyster omelets, pineapple cakes, and more. Many stalls provide English menus for international visitors. Free admission. Directly at MRT Formosa Boulevard Station, Exit 11.

HoursDaily 17:00-24:00

LocationSinsing District, Kaohsiung

TipsSeafood stall prices fluctuate by market — confirm the price before ordering. The Dagang Papaya Milk flagship is near the market entrance.

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★ 4.4

Sizihwan Sunset

Sizihwan is an 800m natural sandy bay on Kaohsiung's west coast, listed among the 'Eight Views of Taiwan' for its sunsets. At the north end stands the former British Consulate at Takow (built 1865), where you can admire colonial-era architecture alongside the sunset, and the National Sun Yat-sen University campus sits nearby. Sipping fresh mango shaved ice or cocktails at beachfront cafes while watching the sun drop below the horizon is the highlight of any Sizihwan visit. Sunset is around 6:30-7 PM in summer and 5:30-6 PM in winter. Free beach access; consulate residence TWD 99. A 10-minute walk from MRT Sizihwan Station.

HoursBeach 24 hours (consulate 09:00-19:00)

LocationGushan District, Kaohsiung

TipsArrive 30 minutes before sunset to claim a good spot. The cocktail bars along Sizihwan's cafe row are popular.

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Things to Do in Kaohsiung

Adventure

Cijin Island Beach Cycling

Rent a bike on Cijin Island and ride the coastal bike path past Cijin Lighthouse, Cihou Fort, the beach park, and the seafood street with harbour views.

Price TWD 50-100 bike rentalDuration About 1.5-2 hours

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Shopping

Liuhe Night Market Food Crawl

Feast at Kaohsiung biggest night market on seafood, danzai noodles, papaya milk, and steak. Seafood BBQ and tropical fruit juice are standout picks.

Price TWD 50-200 per itemDuration About 2-3 hours

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Culture

Fo Guang Shan Temple Experience

Visit the world largest Buddhist memorial for the awe-inspiring 108m Buddha statue, free guided tours, and an on-site vegetarian buffet.

Price Free admission (vegetarian buffet about TWD 100)Duration About 3-4 hours

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Culture

Pier-2 Art District Walk

Stroll the warehouse-turned-arts complex Pier-2, exploring giant sculptures, galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Hop on the Light Rail for easy hopping. Free entry

Price FreeDuration About 2-3 hours

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Culture

Formosa Boulevard Dome of Light Show

Watch the Dome of Light show at Formosa Boulevard Station — the world's most beautiful metro station. The 5-minute color spectacle plays at 11:00, 15:00, 17:00, and 20:00. Free viewing

Price FreeDuration About 30 minutes

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Nightlife

Sizihwan Sunset Cocktail

Sip cocktails at Sizihwan Bay's beach cafes while watching one of Taiwan's '8 great scenic views' at sunset. Arrive an hour early to enjoy both the golden hour and the night scene. Cocktails about TWD 250-400

Price Cocktails about TWD 250-400Duration About 1.5-2 hours

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Must-Try Food in Kaohsiung

Seafood

🍱 Traditional

Kaohsiung's pride - fresh, affordable seafood best enjoyed on Cijin Island. About TWD 100-300 per serving. Try freshly caught grilled shrimp, squid, and clams on Cijin's seafood street.

Papaya Milk

🍵 Drink

A Kaohsiung classic of fresh papaya blended with milk. About TWD 40-60 per cup. The Dagang Papaya Milk original shop and Ruifeng Night Market are popular spots.

Danzai Noodles

🍱 Traditional

Danzai Noodles: a southern Taiwanese noodle dish in shrimp broth, served in small portions. About TWD 50-80 per bowl. Try it at Liuhe Night Market alongside other street food.

Shao Xing Ji (Drunken Chicken)

🍱 Traditional

Shao Xing Ji: chicken marinated cold in Shaoxing wine, a Kaohsiung specialty. The wine's gentle aroma soaks into tender chicken meat. About TWD 150-250 per serving. The Shao Xing Ji stall at Liuhe Night Market is the most famous.

Fresh Mango Shaved Ice

🍰 Dessert

Fresh Mango Shaved Ice: heaps of southern Taiwan's prized Pingtung mangoes piled over shaved ice — a summer treat. About TWD 180-250 per bowl (serves 2-3). Liuhe Night Market and Sizihwan's cafe row serve the freshest mangoes.

Oa Mua (Oyster Vermicelli)

🍢 Street Food

Oa Mua: a Kaohsiung-style oyster vermicelli — fresh oysters, fine noodles, and vegetables in a rich brown broth. About TWD 50-80 per bowl. Available at stalls in Liuhe Night Market and around Yancheng.

Shui Jian Bao (Pan-Fried Buns)

🍢 Street Food

Shui Jian Bao: Taiwanese pan-fried buns filled with pork and chives — crispy bottoms and juicy insides. About TWD 15-25 each. Find them freshly griddled at breakfast spots and night markets across Kaohsiung.

Kaohsiung Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Kaohsiung?

Winter (November-March) is ideal, with warm and pleasant weather. Summer is very hot and falls within the typhoon season.

How much does it cost to travel in Kaohsiung?

Daily budget approx. $30-70 (lodging $15-35, food $7-15, transport and sightseeing $7-15)

How do I get around in Kaohsiung?

About 15 minutes by MRT from Kaohsiung International Airport to downtown. Roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from Taipei by high-speed rail (THSR). The MRT and light rail make city travel easy. SIM cards available at the airport (about TWD 300-500/week). EasyCard works on MRT, buses, and convenience stores; bring cash for night markets and seafood streets. Tipping is not customary.

Do I need a visa to visit Kaohsiung?

Korean passport holders may enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

Is Kaohsiung safe for tourists?

A very safe city with friendly locals. Be mindful of strong UV rays in summer.

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