The Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung (An Underrated City in Taiwan)

The riverside city of Kaohsiung (pronounced “Gao Shong“) is located in southern Taiwan, just a short high speed train ride away from Taipei. Though it has its own international airport, Kaohsiung is often overlooked and sees just a fraction of tourists when compared to the glitzy capital city.

Kaohsiung is a sprawling city offering quiet laneways, vibrant temples and night markets, and revitalized heritage buildings packed with street art.

The city also offers plenty of day trip options to warm beaches and lush forest trails in Kenting National Park, world-class snorkeling at Xiaoliuqiu Island, and is a short ferry ride away from the beach town of Cijin.

Here are some of the best things to do in Kaohsiung, where to stay and Taiwan travel tips to get you started with your travel planning.

Quick logistics tips for visiting Kaohsiung

✈️ Kaohsiung International Airport is located a quick 20-minute drive from the city (airport code KHH). There are direct flights to Kaohsiung from major cities in Asia like Bangkok, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur.

You can pre-book your private airport pick up or drop off here, take a metered taxi which should cost approximately 350-450 NTD (US$10-15) depending where you are located, or hop on the red MRT line.

If you are traveling from Taipei to Kaohsiung, the high speed rail will take you to Kaohsiung Zuoying HSR station in approximately 2 hours – the station is approximately 30 minutes by car outside of the city or you can take the red MRT subway line into the city.

🛂 Most visitors to Taiwan do not require a visa for entry. See here for more details. Save yourself some time and fill out the Taiwan arrival form ahead of time here, so you aren’t left scrambling filling in a paper version at the airport or on the plane.

💱 The local currency in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar, or NTD. The exchange rate hovers at around US$1 to NTD28, or 1 Euro to NTD34. Cash is king so you should withdraw or exchange some when you arrive in Kaohsiung.

📱 Buy a local SIM card to stay connected and to use Google Maps. The easiest way to buy a Taiwan SIM card is via Klook – you can get a Taiwan tourist SIM card and pick it up from the airport on arrival.

🌐 The main language spoken in Taiwan is Mandarin. If you do not speak Mandarin you may run into a language barrier when communicating with shopkeepers, taxi drivers, waiters in restaurants and people on the street. However, the language barrier should be minimal with anyone working in the hotel and hospitality industry.

🗓️ Wondering how many days is enough for Kaohsiung? For a first time visitor I would recommend spending no fewer than 2-3 days in Kaohsiung, add on a few more days if you plan on venturing further south to Kenting National Park.

🎟️ You can skip-the-line and pre-book most tours and tickets in Taiwan as most tour operators, car charters, spas and major attractions are listed on Klook. You can even pick and choose from more than a dozen activities to create your own combined Kaohsiung Pass. You can also explore all the other Kaohsiung experiences here or read more about how to use Klook to book travel experiences.

You might also like: The best things to do in Kenting in Taiwan

Where to stay in Kaohsiung in Taiwan

We absolutely loved our stay at the modern Greet Inn in Qianjin District. It is a short 5 minute walk away from Liuhe Night Market (or Liouhe Night Market), 15 minute walk across the river from Sanfong Temple and offers easy access to the orange MRT line (Cianjin or Formosa Boulevard stations) or red MRT line from Formosa Boulevard which will take you southbound to the airport, or northbound to the Zuoying HSR station.

The rooms are incredibly spacious and bright, and the property itself looks practically brand new. There is a small gym and laundry upstairs, and the on-site restaurant serves up an excellent breakfast buffet spread. There is also underground parking available if you are self-driving. We would very happily stay again on our next visit to Kaohsiung. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung!

We also considered booking our stay at these boutique hotels in Kaohsiung:

TAI Urban Resort: a sleek Kaohsiung boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and killer views of the city. Past guests love the luxury design and aesthetics, helpful staff and well-equipped gym. Click here to check availability at TAI Urban Resort.

Hotel Dua: this design hotel is conveniently located steps away from Kaohsiung’s Central Park and the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station. Reviewers love the rooftop bar/cafe and ultra sleek rooms. Click here to check availability at Hotel Dua.

Brio Hotel: this is one of the highest-rated Kaohsiung hotels. This city hotel offers guests spacious rooms, free snacks and an excellent breakfast buffet. Past guests rave about the helpful team of staff. Click here to check availability at Brio Hotel.

How to get around Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a sprawling city, but fairly well connected by its clean and efficient MRT subway and LRT (light rail – light green line on Google Maps) system.

I found it very easy to catch a taxi or private car using the Uber app, but the city is also very walkable so you can rack up your step count – we did nearly 15,000 steps one day!

If you are planning on traveling by public transportation, you can book this unlimited MRT and light rail ticket via Klook. You’ll be sent a QR code which you can scan to enter the MRT ticket gates, but it is not currently compatible with the LRT QR code readers – you can show it to the light rail staff upon request.

Alternatively, if you have a Taiwan EasyCard you can use it across public transportation in Kaohsiung, and the Kaohsiung MRT also accepts credit card contactless payment.

I wouldn’t recommend self-driving to get around Kaohsiung as parking can be a bit of a pain and it’s far easier to get around the city by public transportation and taxis, but if you are traveling onwards to Kenting or embarking on a south Taiwan road trip then I recommend renting a car via Klook from IWS, a local car rental company.

Their representative met us at Kaohsiung airport and then we returned the car at their office near the Zuoying HSR station on the way back. I usually use Rentalcars.com for international car rentals but in Taiwan we actually found Klook to be much better with far more car rental companies and vehicle options available. You drive on the right in Taiwan (the steering wheel is on the left) – same as in North America, opposite to the U.K. and Australia.

The best things to do in Kaohsiung

In general, I found Kaohsiung to be a very laid back city with plenty of greenery, open spaces and stunning views across the river and harbour. We only had 3 days in Kaohsiung (essentially only 2 days in the city as 1 day was spent out at Xiaoliuqiu Island) but covered most of the Kaohsiung attractions. Here is what you need to add to your Kaohsiung itinerary!

1. Visit the iconic Dragon Tiger Tower

Located in the Lotus Pond Scenic Area (Lianchihtan) in Zuoying District, the Dragon Tiger Tower (Longhu Tower) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Kaohsiung.

The twin seven-storey pagodas were constructed in 1976 featuring huge dragon and tiger statues at the entrance. You enter via the dragon’s mouth and exit from the tiger’s mouth: symbolic of transforming your bad fortune into good luck.

As of our visit to Kaohsiung in April 2024 the Dragon Tiger Tower Pagodas are still undergoing renovations and are covered in scaffolding, so we didn’t end up visiting the pagodas – they are temporarily still closed to the public.

If you have more time then you can walk around the rest of the lake and explore the other temples in the area such as the Spring and Autumn Pavilions.

Zuoying District is some ways away from Kaohsiung’s city center, so you may want to combine a trip to this area with a visit to the Military Veteran Village, Temple of Confucius or stop by at Ruifeng Night Market in the evening.

Where to stay in Kaohsiung: I personally highly recommend checking into Greet Inn, a new boutique hotel in the Cianjin district. The rooms are spacious, bright and modern, and there is a small gym and laundry facilities available as well. The location is fantastic – within walking distance from Liuhe Night Market as well as the Cianjin MRT station. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung!

You might also consider TAI Urban Resort (a sleek Kaohsiung boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and killer views of the city), Hotel Dua (design hotel steps away from Kaohsiung’s Central Park and the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station) or Brio Hotel (highly-rated hotel with spacious rooms, free snacks and an excellent breakfast buffet).

2. Check out the Dome of Light

Adorning the ceilings of the Formosa Boulevard MRT station is the multi-coloured art installation named the Dome of Light. Created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata over 4 and a half years, the art work resembles stained glass panels and represents the “birth, growth, glory and dimming of the cosmos”.

Get there easily within 15 minutes on foot from Greet Inn, an excellent boutique hotel in Kaohsiung. As the Dome of Light is in the public area of the MRT station you don’t need to purchase a ticket to enter in order to view it.

3. Explore Sanfeng Temple

Dedicated to Nezha, a deity also known as the “Third Prince” or the “Marshal of Zhongtan”, the Taoist Sanfeng (or Sunfong) Temple means “Three Phoenix Temple” in Mandarin.

Legend says that Nezha was born at six feet long, and had three heads, nine eyes and eight arms. He is able to control the weather and can fly in the clouds and ride on the mist.

Sanfeng Temple is approximately 300 years old, but was moved to its current location in 1971. Today, the main hall is filled with dancing wisps of incense smoke and rows upon rows of vibrant red lanterns line the courtyard roof.

This is one of the top tourist attractions in Kaohsiung, and welcomes visitors – the temple features several altar areas for other gods and deities, with a specific order in which devotees usually follow. For example, you usually begin on the ground level and worship Neizha at the middle altar, the God of Fortune on the left next, and finally the Empress Zhusheng on the right. Three incense sticks are placed in the incense burner. Read more here.

Best boutique hotel in Kaohsiung: We loved our stay at Greet Inn in the Cianjin district. The spacious Executive Suite was the perfect base for our city getaway. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung.

You might also consider TAI Urban Resort (a sleek Kaohsiung boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and killer views of the city), Hotel Dua (design hotel steps away from Kaohsiung’s Central Park and the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station) or Brio Hotel (highly-rated hotel with spacious rooms, free snacks and an excellent breakfast buffet).

4. Wander through the Pier 2 Art Center

This happening district spanning from about the honeycomb-esque Kaohsiung Music Center down to Hamasen Cultural Park is one of the top Kaohsiung tourist spots and a must-visit in the city.

The revitalized former warehouse and port district is known as “Pier 2 Art Center“, featuring vibrant street art and sculptures, markets, restaurants and boutiques.

We loved wandering through the area and checking out the various art pieces dotted along the harbourfront, and stopped at Now&Then cafe for a quick lunch and coffee.

To get here take either the orange Daliao – Sizihwan line and get off at Yanchengpu or Hamasen, or the light rail line which stretches along the entire district. If you’re wondering what to do in Kaohsiung, make sure you spend an afternoon at Pier 2 Art District!

Train aficionados will also love a quick stop by the nearby Hamasen Railway Cultural Park which has a number of decommissioned trains on display. This is also a fantastic place to visit with kids in Kaohsiung – I’ll talk a little more about this later on in this Kaohsiung city guide!

5. Stop at KW2

Just a short walk away from the Pier 2 Art Center is KW2, a former port warehouse which has since been transformed into a complex with a food court and shops from local designers.

The warehouse is also a functioning port, offering an alternative ferry port taking passengers from KW2 to Cijin Island in under just 10 minutes.

6. Take a ferry to Cijin Island

Visiting Cijin Island (or Qijin Island) is one of the easiest Kaohsiung daytrips. This little islet located off Kaohsiung city is home to an iconic lighthouse (with an on-site picturesque cafe), beach bars, pedestrian night market, art installations and seafood restaurants.

Don’t miss the dramatic waterfront “Rainbow Church” archway and the gigantic shell sculpture at the shell museum, both of which are among the top-visited attractions in Kaohsiung.

You can also spot the “Burano of Taiwan” from the waterfront. It is a small island so you can easily get around on rental bicycle, or for something more fun rent an electric rickshaw!

We rented an e-rickshaw from Pinky Pig Bike Rentals just steps away from the ferry port – it costs NTD600 per hour and you’ll need to leave some form of ID behind as collateral. The shopkeeper will hand you a map so you know which roads you’re allowed to go on.

You can either take the ferry from Gushan to Cijin or from KW2 to Cijin (certain times in the afternoon and evenings only). Bookings are not needed though you should arrive early to queue up, especially if you are visiting over the weekend or on a public holiday. The ferry takes cash (no change is given), or pay by EasyCard. Children under 6 ride for free.

Ready to book your stay in Kaohsiung? Look no further than the incredible Greet Inn in the Cianjin district. The boutique hotel is modern and extremely comfortable, and we found the staff to be very helpful and attentive. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung.

You might also consider TAI Urban Resort (a sleek Kaohsiung boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and killer views of the city), Hotel Dua (design hotel steps away from Kaohsiung’s Central Park) or Brio Hotel (highly-rated hotel with spacious rooms, free snacks and an excellent breakfast buffet).

7. Stroll along Love River

The Love River divides Kaohsiung city in two, previously being used for shipping and transportation. You can even kayak or SUP on the river! There are also boat tours available along the Love River which you can book via the combined Kaohsiung Pass here.

We loved the view of the Kaohsiung Music Center from the Whale Promenade and Glory Pier (stop at little lil chamb coffee for a pick-me-up), or you can walk along the riverbank to take in the cityscape.

8. Eat street food at Liuhe Night Market

Perhaps the most well known tourist night market in Kaohsiung, Liuhe (or Liouhe) stretches down around two blocks in the city center. It is a fantastic destination once the sun starts to set and the stalls open up for business.

With plenty of classic Taiwanese street food dishes on offer, there are also a number of pinball and game stalls to keep the little ones entertained. We loved the steamed soup dumplings, herbal grass jelly drink and scallion pancakes. I also highly recommend this nearby xiaolongbao store – 老正興金牌蔥油餅.

Get there easily on foot when you stay at Greet Inn, or take the MRT to either Formosa Boulevard or the Cianjin station.

More Kaohsiung attractions

If you are looking for even more places to visit in Kaohsiung here are some additional ideas for your Kaohsiung itinerary.

Fo Guang Shan: This humongous Buddhist monastery in Taiwan is home to the largest copper-cast Buddha statue in the world, and is located about 30 minutes by car outside of Kaohsiung city.

Shoushan: Also known as “Monkey Mountain”, this is one of the most popular sunset spots in Kaohsiung. There is a hiking trail that will take you to the iconic “LOVE” lookout point.

Tianliao Moon World: The Tianliao Moon World badlands is home to over 20 mud volcanos, the otherworldly topography can be reached by a 1-hour car ride from the city.

Day trips from Kaohsiung

Kenting: Located about 2 hours south from Kaohsiung, Kenting National Park stretches almost along the entire beach-filled southern peninsula of Taiwan. It received national park status in the mid-1980s, and is best known for its tropical climate, string of beaches and stunning coastline stretching from Baishawan Beach in the west and Cape Eluanbi in the east.

Though it’s best to spend at least 3-4 days in Kenting, there are day trip tours that cover a few of the main Kenting attractions from Kaohsiung. You can check Klook for some highly rated Kenting day tours or rent a car and drive down yourself.

Xiaoliuqiu (Lambai Island): Xiaoliuqiu (小琉球) or Lambai Island, is a small island off the west coast of Taiwan. It is one of the best Kaohsiung day trips as it offers some world-class snorkeling opportunities.

The ferry terminal serving Xiaoliuqiu is located in Donggang, around 45 minutes by taxi from Kaohsiung (expect to pay around 1000-1200 NTD for the tax) or 1.5 hours from Kenting, and the ferry ride itself takes no more than 25-30 minutes. You can book your Xiaoliuqiu ferry tickets here, we went with Taifu Express. If your child is under 3 years old just purchase the insurance ticket at the counter directly instead of online.

We absolutely loved our action-packed day at Xiaoliuqiu – I highly recommend renting an electric bicycle (or scooter, if you have the correct motorcycle license) to get around the island – they even have child seats that you can add on. We rented from Jgogo which is just a 3-minute walk from the main pier – rates were incredible reasonable and all their bikes were in great condition.

Some must-see spots include the iconic Vase Rock, Lobster Rock, Secret Beach, Venice Beach and my personal favorite – Beauty Beach. Xiaoliuqiu is a snorkeling paradise and home to hundreds of sea turtles. You don’t even have to venture far or join a tour to spot them in the wild.

When we visited we rented a pair of snorkels and took turns swimming out – although at Beauty Beach we spotted no less than half a dozen, all while just standing on the beach. Read my guide to planning a day trip to Xiaoliuqiu here.

Ready to book your stay in Kaohsiung? Look no further than the incredible Greet Inn in the Cianjin district. The boutique hotel is modern and extremely comfortable, and we found the staff to be very helpful and attentive. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung.

You might also consider TAI Urban Resort (a sleek Kaohsiung boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and killer views of the city), Hotel Dua (design hotel steps away from Kaohsiung’s Central Park) or Brio Hotel (highly-rated hotel with spacious rooms, free snacks and an excellent breakfast buffet).

Things to do in Kaohsiung with kids

Taiwan in general is one of the best family-friendly destinations in Asia, and Kaohsiung is no exception. My only observation is that Kaohsiung feels a few degrees warmer than Taipei, and many of the public parks that we visited were unshaded which means that you will need to be sun-smart and prepared for the heat. Here are some of the best things to do with kids in Kaohsiung if you only have a few days in the city:

Ride the miniature train at Hamasen Railway Cultural Park: The open-air park features a number of decommissioned trains, a small train museum and also a cute miniature train that kids can go for a short ride on. This is extremely popular so make sure you book ahead here.

Central Park: This sprawling green city park has a huge outdoor children’s playground complete with sand play area and huge slides. It’s completely free and a great place for kids to run around.

Tom’s World: One of the best things to do with kids when it’s raining in Kaohsiung is to head to an indoor play area. There are a few branches of this indoor playroom chain, we went to the 大立 branch on the 12th floor just next to Central Park which was perfect on a steaming hot day. The play area is suitable for children under 10 years old/under 140 cm tall, or there is also an arcade next door for older kids.

If you have more time, families also love the Suzuka Circuit Park amusement park and E-DA Theme Park.

I hope this Kaohsiung travel guide helps you plan your trip to this underrated city in Taiwan!

Looking for more Taiwan destination guides and travel tips?

• Venturing further south to Kenting National Park? Here is my guide to the best things to do in Kenting and my recommendation for the best luxury hotel in Kenting National Park.
• Looking for an underrated day trip from Taipei to get away from the crowds? Visit the Shiding Thousand Island Lake, about an hour from Taipei
• Travel down the coastal road from Taipei to Hualien and visit Taroko National Park on the east coast of Taiwan – another must-visit destination to add to your Taiwan itinerary. Here is my guide to visiting Hualien
• Plan a trip to the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains. Click here for my Sun Moon Lake slow travel guide
• Taiwan night markets are in a league of their own, read on for why you need to add this to your Taiwan itinerary
• Get ready to indulge in mouth-watering street food unlike any other – here are some must-try Taiwanese food dishes

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