Kaohsiung Travel Guide: What to See and Do
Everybody rushes to Taipei, and in doing so they skip the wonderful surprise that is Kaohsiung. Taiwan’s southern port city is bigger on space, gentler on the budget, and bursting with a creative energy I did not expect. After spending good time here, I want to tell everyone to give Kaohsiung more than a pass through. This guide covers how to make the most of it.
How to Get There
Getting to Kaohsiung is easy. The city has its own international airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, with regional flights from across Asia, and the high speed rail from Taipei reaches it in under two hours. The bullet train is the way most visitors arrive, dropping you at Zuoying station on the northern edge of the city. From there, the metro and taxis fan out across town. It is one of the simplest legs of travel I have done in Asia.
Getting Around the City
Kaohsiung is spread out but well connected, and the metro system is clean, cheap, and simple to navigate. The MRT lines cover the main sights, and buses and the light rail reach the rest. Bikeshare is popular, and the city is fairly flat in places, so renting a bike for an afternoon along the waterfront is a great move. I combined the metro with a good deal of walking and found the city easy to cover at a relaxed pace.
The Waterfront
Kaohsiung is built around its harbor, and the waterfront is my favorite part of the city. The area around the old port, known for its ship shaped building and the Ferris wheel, is lively day and night. Across the water, the Cijin island district is a short ferry ride away and offers a seafood market, a lighthouse, and a long stretch of seafront to wander. The harbor ferries pull the whole city together, and catching sunset from the water is a genuine highlight.
Night Markets
The food scene is where Kaohsiung truly shines. Liuhe Night Market is the most famous, a bustling lane of stalls, many run by friendly vendors who have been there for decades. Kaisyuan Night Market, the largest in Taiwan, sprawls with an enormous range of dishes. Between the two you can eat your way through grilled skewers, seafood, noodles, and sweet desserts for very little money. I made it a habit to end every day at one of them.
Temples and Culture
The city wears its history in its temples. The ornate Fo Guang Shan complex, Taiwan’s largest Buddhist temple compound, sits a little outside the city and is worth the trip for its sheer scale and calm. Closer in, older neighborhood temples hum with incense and daily life. There is also a vibrant art and design scene, with repurposed warehouses turned into galleries and creative spaces. The mix of old and new is very much part of Kaohsiung’s personality.
Food to Try
Kaohsiung, and Tainan to its south, sets the standard for Taiwan’s food. Be sure to try the local seafood, especially fresh along the Cijin ferry and in the market streets, along with the noodle and dumpling classics done beautifully here. The city is also known for its desserts and shaved ice, a perfect break from the humidity. Pull up a stool at a small stall, let the vendor decide, and trust the process. I never ate badly here.
Where to Stay
Base yourself near the metro and you are set. The area around the main station and the commercial districts places you close to shopping, food, and transport. The waterfront neighborhoods offer better views and a calmer feel, especially if you want the harbor at your doorstep. On the southern coast, a few hotels sit near the beaches. For first time visitors, staying central keeps the whole city within an easy ride.
Practical Notes
A few tips make the trip smoother. The weather in summer is hot and humid, with afternoon downpours common, so pack light and carry an umbrella. English is less widely spoken than in Taipei, though the metro and major sights are well signed. Carry cash for the markets, because not every stall takes cards. And give yourself more than a day, because the spread out layout and the waterfront deserve a slower schedule than most first time itineraries allow.
Budget and Pace
Kaohsiung is one of the easier big cities in Asia to visit without overspending. Meals at the markets are remarkably cheap, the metro fares are modest, and even the top sights rarely cost much. That affordability lets you slow down, which is the right way to see the city. I found that resisting the urge to tick off sights meant I actually saw more, lingering over food and sitting on the waterfront when the moment asked for it. Keep your schedule loose, and Kaohsiung will reward you with its easygoing rhythm.
Final Thoughts
Kaohsiung is the easy, affordable, character filled counterweight to Taipei. The harbor is lovely, the night markets are superb, and the pace is settled and friendly. It surprised me more than almost any city I visited in Asia, and I left wanting to come back. Give it a few days, ride the ferries, eat late, and find the version of the city that slows you down.
