Things to Do in Kaohsiung: A Complete Travel Guide

Are you planning a trip to Kaohsiung, Taiwan soon or wondering if it’s worth a visit? From lively night markets and scenic harbor views to exciting island adventures, this travel guide highlights the top things to do in Kaohsiung for an unforgettable experience.

Kaohsiung is the second-largest city in Taiwan, located in the southern part of the country. You can either fly directly to Kaohsiung or take the high-speed rail if you’re coming from Taipei. If you’re flying from Manila, both Cebu Pacific and AirAsia offer direct flights that take approximately 1.5 hours.

Pre-Departure & Arrival Tips

Before heading to Kaohsiung and upon arrival at Kaohsiung International Airport, here are some handy tips to keep in mind.

Taiwan Arrival Card – All foreign visitors to Taiwan are required to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card. You can fill out the form online before your flight, or choose to submit the paper version instead. The flight staff on your airline will provide you with the paper form before landing. As for us, we opted to do it online, and I suggest doing the same since it’s less hassle. If you’d like to fill out the Taiwan Arrival Card online, you can do so through this link.

Join the Lucky Land – Try your luck to win 5,000 NTD upon arrival at the airport. To participate, you’ll need to register first on the Lucky Land website. We didn’t get lucky during our visit, but you might have better luck than us, so it’s definitely something worth trying!

Withdraw money from the ATM – There are plenty of ATM machines available at the airport, and it’s best to withdraw cash upon arrival rather than searching for one while exploring the city. I withdrew from Bank of Taiwan after reading good reviews, but in my experience, the fees were higher. I would recommend Union Bank of Taiwan instead.

Family Mart convenience store with items on the shelves

Purchase EasyCard – EasyCard is Taiwan’s public transport card that can also be used for retail payments, such as in convenience stores. Another good thing about EasyCard is that it doesn’t expire, so if you travel back to Taiwan, you can just reload your card. I bought mine in 2019 when I visited Taipei, so I only needed to top it up in Kaohsiung.

Rent a pocket Wi-Fi – To explore and navigate the city with ease, having a pocket Wi-Fi is definitely a must. You also have the option to buy a tourist SIM or pre-book an eSIM before your arrival. While those are good options, I personally prefer using a pocket Wi-Fi, as I find it more reliable. I booked mine on Klook and conveniently picked it up at Kaohsiung International Airport.

If you want to know more about the essential things to prepare and bring on your trip, check out my post on travel planning tips for stress-free trips.

Getting around Kaohsiung

Let’s start with how to get from Kaohsiung International Airport to the city center. The metro line from the airport can take you directly into the city, often without any transfers, depending on where your hotel is located. It’s especially convenient if your accommodation is near a metro station — preferably on the Red Line, since the airport is located along that route.

Even if you need to transfer to a different line, Kaohsiung’s metro system is still easy to navigate. During our visit, we traveled from Kaohsiung International Airport and stopped at Formosa Boulevard Station, then transferred to the Orange Line to get off at Yanchengpu Station, where our hotel was located.

For more details on Kaohsiung’s metro and station info, check out the official website here.

The metro is not only the best way to reach the city from Kaohsiung International Airport, but also the easiest way to get around while exploring the city’s top attractions. It’s incredibly convenient, especially if your hotel is just a few steps away from a station.

Best Areas to Stay in Kaohsiung

The best areas to stay are Sinsing, Cianjin, and Yancheng Districts. Many of the city’s notable attractions are located in or near these districts. Formosa Boulevard Station, known for the Dome of Light, is in Sinsing District and easily accessible from Kaohsiung International Airport via a direct metro line. Liuhe Night Market is also in Sinsing District, near the neighboring Cianjin District, where you’ll find Central Park—a peaceful green space with lake views. Meanwhile, the Pier-2 Art Center is in Yancheng District, just one train stop away from Gushan Ferry Pier, which takes you to Cijin Island.

Either of these three districts is a good starting point for your Kaohsiung trip. During our visit, we stayed at Tenz Go Hotel, located in Yancheng District. It was quite convenient, as it was within walking distance of the Pier-2 Art Center. The Yancheng metro station was also just two stops away from Formosa Boulevard Station, making it easy to explore the city. Similarly, Cianjin and Central Park Stations are both just one stop away from Formosa Boulevard. Even if you don’t stay in one of these districts, a hotel with direct access to Formosa Boulevard Station would still be a convenient choice.

Exterior of Tenz Go Hotel with a gray car parked outside

Lounge area with pink, light green and gray sofas with book shelves

If you want to check out Tenz Go Hotel for your Kaohsiung trip, you can click the link here.

With that said, let’s dive into the top things to do in Kaohsiung, whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or with friends. So if you’re planning your trip to Kaohsiung, this blog post is for you.

Cijin Island

Visiting Cijin Island was the highlight of our Kaohsiung trip, so it’s number one on my list of things to do in the city. From riding the ferry to tasting street food and taking in scenic beach views, the island has it all. What makes it even more enjoyable is biking around the area and stopping at some spectacular spots along the way to take photos or simply soak in the surroundings.

By the beach with surf board as a signage

I recommend renting an e-bike for 3-4 hours to explore at a relaxed pace and have some time to chill at a cafe. You can also visit the Kaohsiung Lighthouse and enjoy panoramic views of the city, but be prepared for a bit of hiking. The view is definitely worth the hike, but I recommend going around 4-5 pm to avoid the intense heat.

Kaohsiung city view showing skyline and vibrant houses

Two structures with lips pouting toward each other with the beach view

How to get to Cijin Island: From Formosa Blvd. Station, transfer to the orange line and head to Hamasen Station (Exit 1). From there, walk to Gushan Ferry Pier. The ferry ride to Cijin takes about 5 minutes.

Lotus Pond

Lotus Pond is one of the iconic attractions in Kaohsiung that you shouldn’t miss, especially the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Aside from the beautiful scenery, you can also appreciate the cultural and historical value of this place. When you explore the pagodas, make sure to enter through the dragon’s mouth and exit through the tiger’s mouth. It is believed to drive away bad luck and bring good fortune.

Temple gazebo by the lake with buildings in the background

The best time to visit Lotus Pond is close to sunset for a more picturesque view. However, make sure to check the opening hours, as when we visited around 6:15 p.m. on a Sunday, the Dragon & Tiger Pagodas were already closed. Still, the pagodas looked lovely with the night lights. It’s quite relaxing to sit by the pond too, just watch out for the mosquitoe bites.

Pagoda by the lake with buildings in the back

How to get to Lotus Pond:
From Kaohsiung Main Station, take the train to Zuoying Station. Then about a 25-minute walk according to Google Maps (We took Uber instead)

Pier-2 Art Center

Pier-2 Art Center is an open space featuring various exhibitions, creative murals, and quirky installations, including robot sculptures and the like. It has a lively vibe, especially on weekends when pop-up markets and food and souvenir kiosks fill the area. During our visit, there was even an acoustic live performance, which added to the fun atmosphere. Walking around and watching the train pass by was a memorable experience in itself.

Aside from the art scene at Pier-2 Art Center, you’ll also get to enjoy a great view of Kaohsiung Harbor, including the Great Harbor Bridge. This bridge is Taiwan’s first rotating bridge and connects Pier-2 Art Center to Kaohsiung Port Depot. Just like Pier-2, the Port Depot is filled with shops ranging from clothing stores to restaurants. I’d suggest adding it to your travel itinerary as you can also get a better view of Pier-2 and the harbor from there.

View of Kaohsing harbor with modern skyline

Catching the sunset and taking in the harbor views from either Pier-2 Art Center or Kaohsiung Port Depot is the perfect way to end your day in the area. Don’t forget to grab a bite while you’re there as both spots have plenty of food choices. You can try Freen Burger if you’re craving some good old-fashioned burgers and fries.

How to get to Pier-2 Art Center: From Formosa Blvd Station, transfer to the orange line and head to Yangchengpu Station (2 stops from Formosa Blvd Station). Follow the exit sign to Pier-2 Art Center.

Night Markets

A visit to Taiwan isn’t complete without experiencing one of its vibrant night markets. In Kaohsiung, the two most popular ones are Liuhe and Ruifeng. We had the chance to visit Ruifeng, which offered a wide variety of street food options, from torched beef and noodles to sweet desserts. However, since we went on a Sunday, the place was quite packed, and it was difficult to find a seating area. Most of the available seats were managed by specific vendors, so unless you ordered from them, there really wasn’t anywhere to sit.

Ruifeng night market with differnet stalls

Aside from the food section, there were also clothing and souvenir stalls available. If you prefer a more spacious layout, Liuhe might be the better option. We’ll definitely choose to visit Liuhe on our next Kaohsiung trip. But if you have time, consider visiting both night markets. That way, you can experience them for yourself and compare which one suits you more. Don’t rely solely on articles that say one is better than the other, as it all comes down to your personal preferences.

SKM Park

SKM Park is both an outlet mall and an outdoor theme park. It’s a great place to shop and a fun spot for kids. While there are only a few ride options, it’s still a worthwhile stop, especially if you’re traveling with children.

SKM Park is also home to the Suzuka Circuit Park, a rental go-kart course modeled after the one in Japan. It’s also very accessible, as it’s on the metro line, with the station located just in front of SKM Park.

Monitor or screen of the white storage lockers

If you have time during the day before your evening flight from Kaohsiung International Airport, I highly recommend visiting the park. It’s just one station away, making it the perfect stop before heading to the airport. Plus, there are lockers where you can store your luggage while you explore the park.

How to get to SKM Park:

From Formosa Blvd Station on the same line, head to Caoya Station (Exit 2).

Shinkuchan Shopping Street

There’s no shortage of shopping areas in Kaohsiung. Aside from huge shopping malls, there are also shopping streets that feature trendy shops and street food. One shopping street you might want to check out is Shinkuchan Shopping Street, where you’ll find youth fashion for both men and women.

White women store with various clothes on display

Shops start to open at 4 p.m., which makes it the ideal time to explore and shop, especially since the area is outdoors. If you’re into themed 7-Eleven convenience stores, you might want to check out Yurotto Marche in Shinkuchan. It’s super cute, but expect it to be crowded.

How to get to Shinkuchan Shopping Street: From Kaohsiung Main Station or Formosa Blvd Station on the same line (Red), stop at Central Park Station (Exit 2)

Kaohsiung Music Center & Love River

Kaohsiung Music Center is located at Love River Bay, where Kaohsiung Harbor meets the Love River. You can see the music center up close by taking the LRT, which also passes by the Pier-2 Art Center. For a relaxing and romantic evening, consider riding a boat that cruises along the Love River.

Getting a glimpse of Love River, especially at night, is such a beautiful experience. I also really admire the design of the Kaohsiung Music Center. If you have extra time, definitely include it in your itinerary. It’s a simple yet enjoyable way to experience this part of the city.

That wraps up my list of things to do in Kaohsiung. I’ve also prepared some frequently asked questions to help you further plan your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

When’s the best time to visit Kaohsiung?

The best time to visit Kaohsiung is from November to February when the weather is cooler. Definitely the ideal time for exploring the city. We visited from late February to early March, and the temperature was around 27 to 29°C. It was sunny and hot, but bearable because it wasn’t humid. Of course, it depends on your preference. I personally enjoy traveling when it’s cool or a bit chilly, as exploring is more comfortable during that kind of weather.

How many days should I spend in Kaohsiung?

I highly recommend spending at least four days in Kaohsiung for a more relaxed travel experience, especially for first-time visitors. This allows you to enjoy each attraction at a leisurely pace without rushing from one place to another. We spent three days in Kaohsiung during our visit, and although we managed to see most of the tourist attractions, I believe four days is the ideal duration.

Is it expensive to visit Kaohsiung?

Since I’m from the Philippines, flights to Kaohsiung are generally affordable because it’s only about an hour and a half away. Airlines like Cebu Pacific also often offer airfare promos. Accommodation ranges from mid to high, depending on the area and season, but there are also budget-friendly options available. Public transport is quite affordable, and there are plenty of food choices that fit any budget. In the end, it’s up to you whether you want to set a budget limit or splurge a little.

Do I need to speak Mandarin to travel around Kaohsiung?

It would be ideal if you can speak or understand Mandarin, but it’s not a must and won’t be a problem if you don’t speak the language. However, compared to Taipei, English is less commonly spoken or understood by locals. Even at the hotel we stayed in, the staff spoke minimal English. Still, we got by just fine with English and a little help from Google Translate.

Do ride-hailing apps work in Kaohsiung?

Yes, ride-hailing apps like Uber are available in Kaohsiung. In fact, I highly recommend downloading Uber if you’re traveling to the city. While public transportation in Kaohsiung is reliable, especially the metro, there may be times when you’ll need to book an Uber. On our third day in the city, our itinerary was packed, and it included some hiking. We were too tired to take the train, especially with transfers involved, so booking an Uber definitely saved the day!

I hope this guide has been helpful in planning your trip to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. If you found these post useful, feel free to share and let me know in the comments if you have any questions.

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