Top Things to Do In Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Complete Travel Guide 2020
The City of Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Kaohsiung, located in South-Western Taiwan, is Taiwan’s largest city by area. Here, you can experience Taiwan’s city-vibe, without the hustling lifestyle of Taipei.
Jump To:
? Taiwan Pre-Travel Guide
? Taiwan Visa Info for U.S. Citizens
As a U.S. Citizen, you can enter Taiwan visa-exempt for up to 90 Days at a time.
- Passports must be valid during the entire duration of your stay.
➡️ See here for the full info: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Taiwan.html
? Taiwan's Currency & Exchange Rate
Taiwan's official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) or often abbreviated as NT$. One U.S. Dollar is approximately NT$31.
? Taiwan Sim Cards
One of the best things about Taiwan is the fast internet. It's the only country in Asia I've found that provides true unlimited data and hotspot! I have a whole blog post about Taiwan's Sim Cards and where you can get the BEST Discounts. This can be pre-ordered online and picked up at any Taiwan airport!
? Getting Around Taiwan
Taiwan has a really convenient public transportation system. I've written a full guide on getting around, so I won't explain too much here. ➡️ See: Getting Around Taiwan: A Guide to Transportation for Foreign & Solo-Travelers
In general, getting around is very simple using Taiwan's ➡️ EasyCard or ➡️ IPass. Both of these cards work for all public transportation around the entire island. You can even use them to pay for items at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, HiMart, etc.
If you plan to visit Taiwan often and have the U.S. Global Entry, you can also consider signing up for Taiwan's E-Gate program. ➡️ See: How to Skip the Lines at Taiwan's Airports with U.S. Global Entry
✈️ Where to Get the Best Flight Deals?
The websites I use to search for the best flight deals are Google Flights and Skyscanner. I use them both in conjunction with each other. Google Flights is good to get a snapshot of the best dates to fly, while Skyscanner is where I book the flights through. You can also book through the airline's website directly.
☀️ Kaohsiung Lifestyle & Culture
ENVIRONMENT. Kaohsiung is a modern city but with less skyscrapers and tall office buildings as Taipei.
COST OF LIVING. Things in Kaohsiung tend to be 50% cheaper than Taipei. A meal that costs NT$120 (~$4 USD) in Taipei will cost around NT$60 (~$2 USD) in Kaohsiung. Hostels and AirBnb‘s in Kaohsiung are roughly the same price as those in Taipei. But you can generally get a nicer AirBnB in Kaohsiung for the same budget as Taipei’s.
THE PEOPLE. If you think Taipei locals are nice, Kaohsiung locals are even nicer! They tend to be more laid back and down to earth. The downside of traveling to Kaohsiung as a foreigner is that not as many people can speak English. A lot more people can speak Taiwanese, so you get to experience a more traditional culture.
? Transportation in Kaohsiung
Transportation in Kaohsiung is as convenient as Taipei’s. Kaohsiung has its own MRT System, and public buses can pretty much take you anywhere you need to go. I have never seen traffic congestion out of the few months I’ve stayed in Kaohsiung. I recommend getting the Taiwan Easy Card, which allows you to take all of Taiwan’s public transportation as well as pay for purchases at convenience stores.
Getting to Kaohsiung: From the Airport
Kaohsiung is home to Kaohsiung International Airport, Taiwan’s second largest airport. However, if you are flying in from the States, it is usually cheaper to just fly into Taipei first.
From Kaohsiung International Airport, you can take the MRT to the city.
Getting to Kaohsiung: From Taipei
From Taipei, you can take the Taiwan High Speed Rail from the Taipei Main Station down to Kaohsiung’s Xin Zuoying Station. From there, if you want to head into the city center, you can take the MRT from the Zuoying Station, which is a 2 minute walk away from the High Speed Rail Station.
? High Speed Rail Discounts to Kaohsiung
High speed rail tickets cost NT$1490 (~$50 USD). However, foreigners get discounted tickets and save 20% with my guide :
➡️ READ: Taiwan High Speed Rail Discounts for Foreigners
? Kaohsiung Car Rental Discounts
If you have an International Driver’s License/Permit and want to drive around instead, you can rent a car at one of Taiwan’s many car rental companies.
? Budget
- ➡️ Klook: Economical Car Rental (Kaohsiung Stations Pick Up)
- ➡️ KKDay: Budget Car Rental Service in Taiwan
?? Medium
- ➡️ Klook: Taiwan Car Rental (KHH Airport or Zuoying HSR Station Pick Up)
- ➡️ KKDay: Taiwan Car Rental Service: Ford Kuga
??? Premium
➡️ Top Places to Visit in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung has many beautiful places to visit, and a lot of places are Instagram-Worthy!
Dragon & Tiger Pagodas @ The Lotus Lake
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, located at the Lotus Lake, is one of the top must-sees in Kaohsiung. The entire lake is massive, and there are plenty of spots to take scenic photos.
Address:
No. 9號, Liantan Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813
813高雄市左營區蓮潭路9號
The Autumn and Spring Pavilion, Zuoying Yuandi Temple, and Kaohsiung Confucius Temple are also nearby. I spent a few hours here enjoying the view and snapping photos.
⭐ Tour to Consider: Kaohsiung Classic Attractions Day Tour
➡️ Also Consider: Zuoying Lotus Pond
Dome of Light – Formosa Boulevard MRT Station
The Dome of Light is the easiest to get to since it’s located at Kaohsiung’s Formosa Boulevard MRT Station. This piece contains 4,500 panels of stained glass, and is the World’s Largest public art masterpiece.
Address:
800, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Xinxing District, 中山一路115號
800高雄市新興區中山一路115號
Fo Guang Shan Monastery
Fo Guang Shan, the biggest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, takes most of the day to get there and explore. You can take an express bus there from the Zuoying Station for NT$70 (~$2 USD). The trip there takes between 70-90 mins.
There are two monasteries at Fo Guang Shan. The newer one, completed in 2011, contains the main attraction: The Giant Buddha. Here, you can learn about Buddhist history, take part in a meditation ritual, and hear wisdom from a monk.
KKDay
⭐ Tour to Consider: Kaohsiung Private Tour: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Cijin Harbor & Ruifeng Night Market
➡️ Also Consider: Day Tour from Kaohsiung: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Lotus Pond
Klook
⭐ Tour to Consider: Kaohsiung Classic Attractions Day Tour
➡️ Also Consider: Fo Guang Shan and Cheng Ching Lake
Pier 2 Art Center & The Takao Railway Museum
The Pier 2 Art Center is one of my favorite places for Instagram photos. This revived warehouse district houses many different pieces of fine art. The Takao Railway Museum nearby has an entire field where old trains used to run through. A lot of the art pieces there are made from old railway parts.
⭐ Tour to Consider: Kaohsiung Classic Attractions Day Tour
Love River (Ai He)
The Love River runs through Kaohsiung, and there are many shops and coffee shops along the river that you can check out. During they day, it’s a great place to go jogging or cycling. At night, the area comes alive with bars, boat rides, and beautiful lights.
Cijin Island (QiJin Island)
Cijin Island is off the coast of Kaohsiung, and you can spend a day here away from the city. Visit their Black Sand Beach, Kaohsiung Lighthouse, Old Fort, and the Sea Shell Museum. There are also various art installations scattered the island.
To get there, take the Orange Line MRT down to SiZihWan Station, and then take the ferry across. The ferry takes around 5-10 mins to get you across and costs $NT 40 (~$1.33 USD). It takes both passengers, bikes, and scooters at the same time.
⭐Tour to Consider: Kaohsiung Private Tour: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Cijin Harbor & Ruifeng Night Market
Siaogangshan Skywalk Park 岡山之眼
Siaogangshan Skywalk Park is a bit further away from the city. You can still take public transportation there, but I recommend taking Uber as it saves a lot of time. You can come here to enjoy a view of the city and take some amazing photos. If you are visiting Gang Shan, then you should also make a trip to the next place:
Tianliao Moon World (田寮月世界)
Tianliao Moon World is a stretch of badlands – Hills made of eroding material. This gives the area a very unique look, like you are on the moon, hence the name, Moon World.. There is also a really good chicken place up there that only the locals know about.
Address:
No. 34, Yueqiu Road, Tianliao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 823
823高雄市田寮區月球路34號
➡️ Tour to Consider: Kaohsiung Classic Attractions Day Tour
Da Gang Shan 大岡山 Tea House (竹村庭園茶藝)
After your visit to the previous two locations, stop at this Da Gang Shan 大岡山 Tea House to enjoy some tea with this dreamy night view. It’s one of my favorite spots that not many people know about.
Address:
822, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Alian District, 復安里大岡山215-9號
822高雄市阿蓮區復安里大岡山215-9號
? Optional Places to Visit
Sanfeng Temple (三鳳宮)
Sanfeng Temple (三鳳宮) is by far my favorite place to take photos at night. I mean, just look at these lanterns, right? I haven’t seen a location that has so many lanterns packed together in one place.
Address:
No. 134, Hebei 2nd Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 807
807高雄市三民區河北二路134號
While you’re at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, drop by Pier 22 at night. There are a few good bars and restaurants here. It’s a great place to relax by the water and unwind.
Address:
No. 39-2, Chenggong 2nd Road, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 806
806高雄市前鎮區成功二路39-2號
? Kaohsiung Tour & Travel Packages
KKDay
⭐Popular: 1-Day Chartered Tour to Kaohsiung City
⭐Popular: Kaohsiung Private Tour: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Cijin Harbor & Ruifeng Night Market
➡️ Day Tour from Kaohsiung: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Lotus Pond
Klook
⭐Popular: Kaohsiung Classic Attractions Day Tour
➡️ Fo Guang Shan and Cheng Ching Lake
Overall
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