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Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Destination Guide

Kaohsiung

Taiwan

Best things to do in Kaohsiung

60 curated attractions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

October - April

Average temp

25°C/77°F

Budget

Mid-range

Safety

Very safe

About Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is Taiwan's largest port city and has transformed from a shipping hub into a cultural center. The waterfront area near the Pier2 Art Center showcases an eclectic mix of art installations and lively markets, while the 85 Sky Tower provides a new skyline silhouette that could make you question your sense of direction. The city is home to a population that reflects its growing status, with artists, expats, and local vendors coexisting amid the night markets. Many visitors arrive drawn by the famous Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, a monumental site that attracts not only tourists but also Buddhist pilgrims from afar. However, venture too far from the port and you may wonder where all the tourists went.

Who it's for

Great for those who enjoy a lively mix of culture and coastal scenery. Art lovers and food enthusiasts will find plenty to do, while those seeking a more historical or traditional experience might feel out of place. Be prepared for crowds, especially during night market hours.

Getting around

Public transport: Good

  • The city center is walkable, but expect to cover more ground than you think
  • The MRT is efficient and connects major attractions fairly well
  • High speed rail from Taipei takes around 90 minutes, landing you right in the city
  • Cijin Island is a short ferry ride away, popular for fresh seafood
Cijin Island

Cijin Island

Islands
Sizihwan Bay

Sizihwan Bay

Beaches
Meinong Hakka Cultural Museum

Meinong Hakka Cultural Museum

History museums
Cijin Night Market

Cijin Night Market

Street food & night markets
Former British Consulate at Takao

Former British Consulate at Takao

Historic houses & mansions
Tainan Old Streets

Tainan Old Streets

Streets & neighbourhoods
Kaohsiung City Center

Kaohsiung City Center

Streets & neighbourhoods
Kaohsiung Night Market

Kaohsiung Night Market

Street food & night markets
Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Monasteries
美濃客家文化中心

美濃客家文化中心

Specialty & quirky museums
Taiwan Sugar Museum Restaurant

Taiwan Sugar Museum Restaurant

Food and Drink Destinations
Taiwan Sugar Museum

Taiwan Sugar Museum

Specialty & quirky museums
Kaohsiung Station

Kaohsiung Station

Architecture
Cijin Fisherman’s Wharf

Cijin Fisherman’s Wharf

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
Dihua Street

Dihua Street

Streets & neighbourhoods
Jianjun Road

Jianjun Road

Urban Attractions
Sunfong Temple

Sunfong Temple

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Tianliao Moon World

Tianliao Moon World

Nature
Kaohsiung Music Center

Kaohsiung Music Center

Concert halls
Beiji Xuantian Shangdi Pavilion

Beiji Xuantian Shangdi Pavilion

Religious Sites
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Great Harbor Bridge

Great Harbor Bridge

Bridges
Kaohsiung Main Public Library

Kaohsiung Main Public Library

Urban Attractions
Qijin Lighthouse

Qijin Lighthouse

Monuments & memorials
Weiwuying Metropolitan Park

Weiwuying Metropolitan Park

Urban Attractions
Totoro Tunnel

Totoro Tunnel

Nature
Kaohsiung National Stadium

Kaohsiung National Stadium

Stadiums & sports venues
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

Art museums & galleries
Dream Mall

Dream Mall

Malls & department stores
Ciji Temple

Ciji Temple

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Shoushan Mountain

Shoushan Mountain

Mountains & volcanoes
Wugang Village

Wugang Village

Traditional villages
Taiwan Dadong

Taiwan Dadong

Street food & night markets
Yancheng First Public Retail Market

Yancheng First Public Retail Market

Shopping and Markets
Cheng Ching Lake

Cheng Ching Lake

Lakes
Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine

Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine

Monuments & memorials
Love River

Love River

Rivers, canyons & gorges
Dome of Light

Dome of Light

Fountains, statues & public art
The Pier2 Art Center

The Pier2 Art Center

Art museums & galleries
Kaohsiung Exhibition Center

Kaohsiung Exhibition Center

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Hamasen Railway Cultural Park

Hamasen Railway Cultural Park

Cultural
Lotus Pond

Lotus Pond

Lakes
Spring and Autumn Pavilions

Spring and Autumn Pavilions

Cultural
DA Theme Park

DA Theme Park

Theme parks
E-da Mall

E-da Mall

Shopping and Markets
Dragon & Tiger Pagoda

Dragon & Tiger Pagoda

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal

Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal

Beach & Coastal Attractions
Singuang Ferry Wharf

Singuang Ferry Wharf

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
Cijin Beach

Cijin Beach

Beaches
Kaohsiung Eye Ferris Wheel

Kaohsiung Eye Ferris Wheel

Observation decks & city views
Cijin Windmill Park

Cijin Windmill Park

City parks
Ruifeng Night Market

Ruifeng Night Market

Street food & night markets
Kaohsiung Aquarium

Kaohsiung Aquarium

Aquariums
Cijin Seafood Street

Cijin Seafood Street

Street food & night markets
Cijin Island Ferry

Cijin Island Ferry

Scenic trains, cable cars & ferries
Urban Spotlight Arcade

Urban Spotlight Arcade

Streets & neighbourhoods
85 Sky Tower

85 Sky Tower

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Cijin Rainbow Church

Cijin Rainbow Church

Religious
Meinong Folk Village

Meinong Folk Village

Traditional villages

Where to eat in Kaohsiung

The places worth planning a meal around.

Wang Steak Kaohsiung

Wang Steak Kaohsiung

Steakhouse · $$$$

★ 4.8 · 12,857 reviews

Old New Taiwanese Cuisine (Jiuru 2nd Road)

Old New Taiwanese Cuisine (Jiuru 2nd Road)

Taiwanese · $$$

★ 4.7 · 9,196 reviews

Lao Chiang Nan Tai

Lao Chiang Nan Tai

Taiwanese · $10–$20

★ 4.0 · 7,120 reviews

BeiGang Tube Rice

BeiGang Tube Rice

Taiwanese · $$

★ 4.4 · 6,336 reviews

DAISY VILLA

DAISY VILLA

Italian, Pizza · $$

★ 4.7 · 5,819 reviews

Ding Fu Fa

Ding Fu Fa

★ 4.1 · 5,561 reviews

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