Bubble tea in one hand, sour plum chicken in the other—strolling past rows of souvenir stalls and eateries. Sounds like your kind of holiday? Kaohsiung is calling!
Kaohsiung, where rich cultural heritage meets modern urban charm, is one of the must-visit cities in Taiwan. From bustling night markets and unique temples to picturesque waterfronts and scenic day trips, there are countless things to do in Kaohsiung for every kind of traveller. Whether you’re visiting for a quick stopover or an extended stay, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of must-see attractions to help you plan your itinerary.
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Getting from Taipei to Kaohsiung
Wondering how to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung? The good news is that Taiwan’s efficient transportation network makes this journey a breeze. Here are the best options:
- Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR)
The fastest and most convenient way to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung is via the Taiwan High-Speed Rail. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and brings you to Zuoying Station in northern Kaohsiung. From there, you can easily connect to the city via the Kaohsiung MRT.
- Ticket Price: ~TWD 1,500 (~S$65) one-way
- Booking: Book tickets online in advance or purchase at the station
- Tip: Look out for THSR discounts when booking round trips!
- TRA Express Trains
If you prefer a more scenic journey, consider taking a regular express train (TRA) from Taipei Main Station to Kaohsiung Station. This trip takes around 4 to 5 hours but offers beautiful countryside views along the way.
- Ticket Price: ~TWD 845 (~S$36) one-way
- Booking: Tickets are available online or at TRA stations
- Domestic Flights
For those looking to fly, there are direct flights from Taipei Songshan Airport to Kaohsiung International Airport, taking just 1 hour.
- Airlines: Mandarin Airlines, UNI Air
- Ticket Price: From ~TWD 1,200 (~S$52) one-way
- Tip: Flights are ideal if you’re connecting internationally via Songshan Airport.
- Long-Distance Bus
Budget travellers can opt for a long-distance bus, which takes around 5 to 6 hours. Buses are comfortable and offer overnight options.
- Ticket Price: ~TWD 500 (~S$22) one-way
- Booking: Book online or at Taipei Bus Station
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Overview of the best things to do in Kaohsiung:
Image credits: KAYAK
We’ve curated a list of the best things to do in Kaohsiung, including must-visit attractions and local favourites.
- Pier-2 Art Centre
- Liuhe Night Market
- Shoushan (Monkey Mountain)
- Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station
- Ruifeng Night Market
- Tianliao Moon World
- Sanhe Tile Kiln
- Cijin Island
- Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
- British Consulate
- Meinong Folk Village
- Farewell 886 Military Veteran Village
- E-da Theme Park
- Baolai Hot Spring
- SKM Park
For more details, read on!
1. Pier-2 Art Centre
Image Credits: Get Me To Taiwan
Once an abandoned warehouse district, the Pier-2 Art Center is now a bustling art hub showcasing contemporary installations, galleries and cultural events. A testament to Kaohsiung’s thriving creative arts scene.
Address: No. 1, Dayong Rd, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM (Varies by exhibition)
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2. Liuhe Night Market
Image Credits: Taiwan Tourism Administration
There are tons of night markets all around town, but this one’s just for your stomach! Dive into a culinary adventure at the Liuhe Night Market and taste the most popular Taiwanese street food delicacies like stinky tofu, oyster omelettes and bubble tea. A treat for your bellies!
Address: Liuhe 2nd Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
Opening Hours: 6 PM – 12 AM
Address: 1955, Goyang-daero, Deogyang-gu 4F, Starfield Goyang, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do 10595 South Korea
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3. Shoushan (Monkey Mountain)
Image Credits: Taiwan Everything
Enjoy panoramic city views from the heights of Shoushan while burning off some calories from all the feasting! There are several trails suitable for all fitness levels, but the most difficult trails are pretty easy to scale.
And of course, true to its name, you will probably encounter some monkeys along the way. The Taiwanese Macaques are native to the area and you will usually encounter them in small groups. Be aware of your surroundings, but there’s nothing much to be afraid of.
Image Credits: Fabio Nodari
At the top of the trail, there is a small tea house with locals bringing supplies and water tanks to make tea for guests – an ode to Taiwanese culture and hospitali-tea!
Address: Shou Shan Hiking Area – South Entrance Changshou Rd, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 804
Opening Hours: 24 Hours
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4. Dome of Light
Image Credits: Josh Ellis Photography
This stunning stained-glass installation is so captivating, you won’t even realise that it’s a train station! Found at Formosa Boulevard Station, the Dome of Light is a captivating sight that’s worth a trip down to the station.
Address: Intersection of Zhongshan 1st Rd and Sanduo 1st Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 5:55 AM – 12 AM
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5. Ruifeng Night Market
Image Credits: Taiwan Tourism Administration
One of the local favourites, the Ruifeng Night Market has a good mix of activities and shops. There are street food stalls, games stalls and little souvenir stalls that make it a good well-rounded option for an authentic Taiwanese night market experience.
Address: Yucheng Rd, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813
Opening hours: 6 PM – 12 AM (Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays – Sundays)
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6. Tianliao Moon World
Image Credits: Taiwan Tourism Administration
This might be the closest you’ll ever get to the moon! Tianliao Moon World Park is a park in the Tianliao district with formations and badlands said to resemble the surface of the moon.
The park is a little out of the way via public transport, so it might be worth going on a day tour to hit some of the more popular sights all at once! Plus, enjoy up to 10% cashback when you book your Klook tour under YouTrip Perks.
Address: No. 34, Yueqiu Rd, Tianliao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 823
Opening Hours: 24 Hours
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7. Sanhe Tile Kiln
Image Credits: Wikipedia
The last remaining brick factory dating all the way back to the Qing Dynasty, the Sanhe Tile Kiln offers an interesting piece of history brick by brick! Learn more about Kaohsiung’s industrial past through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities like tile making and painting.
Address: No. 130, Benguan Rd, Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 825
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM (Saturdays & Sundays only)
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8. Cijin Islands
Image Credits: @cktravels.com on Pinterest
A short 10-minute ferry ride takes you to the coastal gem of Cijin island, known for its fresh seafood, black sand beaches and historic sites like the Cihou Fort. Once you get off the ferry, bikes and scooters are available for rent to get you around the island. Be sure to check out the Cijin Windmill Park, the Cijin Old Street, and of course, the Cijin Beach where you can even choose to catch some waves!
Hop on a ferry from the Gushan Ferry Pier, with ferries departing every 10 minutes from 5 AM in the morning till 2 AM at night.
Address: Gushan Ferry Pier, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 5 AM – 2 AM
Cost: TW$30 (~S$1.20) each way
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9. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Image Credits: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is home to one of the world’s largest Buddha statues with serene gardens and enlightening exhibitions. Definitely one of the top places to visit to learn more about the country’s religious history and its main religion.
Address: No. 153, Xingtian Rd, Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 840
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM (Weekdays) 9 AM – 8 PM (Weekends)
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10. The British Consulate
Image Credits: Klook
Constructed back in 1879, the old British Consulate is now a historic building that is part of the rich cultural history in Kaohsiung. The building has been preserved through the years with glimpses back into life back then. The consulate also offers some of the best views of the city overlooking the harbour and the city.
Be sure to check out the cafe within the consulate for some good old English tea!
Address: No. 20, Lianhai Rd, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 804
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM (Weekdays) 9 AM – 7 PM (Weekends)
Admission Costs: TWD$99 (~S$4)
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11. Meinong Folk Village
Image Credits: Get Me To Taiwan
One of the popular dialect groups in Taiwan is the Hakka group and the Meinong Folk Village is a cultural centre with bits of Hakka culture to discover and appreciate. Explore different traditional handicrafts and check out exhibits on toys of the olden days and how umbrellas were made, and try some traditional Hakka lei cha for a taste of the past.
Address: No. 80, Lane 421, Section 2, Zhongshan Rd, Meinong District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 843
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Weekdays), 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Weekends)
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12. Farewell, 886 – Taiwan Military Veteran Village Cultural Park
Image Credits: Taiwan Tourism
A little off the beaten track, the largest navy veteran village was preserved by the Kaohsiung City Government and is now a cultural heritage site. Step into the lives of the families of soldiers during the war and see what it was like to live in those days of uncertainty.
The whole village is made up of the Veteren Village Museum, Veteran Village Club, Veteren Village Trends and Veteren Village Base – each showcasing a different aspect of veteran communities.
Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM (Tuesdays – Fridays), 10 AM – 6 PM (Sundays and Public Holidays)
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13. E-Da Theme Park
Image Credits: Klook
One of the largest theme parks in Taiwan, the E-DA Theme Park is home to over 47 attractions spread across three Greek-themed sections. Enjoy thrilling rides, live performances and a variety of dining options – perfect for the little ones and thrill-seekers alike!
Address: No. 10, Section 1, Xuecheng Rd, Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Cost: TW$1080 (~S$44) for Adults, TW$880 (~S$36) for Teens (13-19 years old), TW$680 (~S$28) for Children (6-13 years old), TW$520 (~S$21) for Toddlers (3-6 years old)
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14. Baolai Hot Springs
Image Credits: The Map Room
Escape the busyness of the city and have a peaceful, soothing time away at the Baolai Hot Springs against the backdrop of forested mountains. The hot springs are known to be good for your complexion and joints and are just relaxing to take a dip in, especially during the colder months.
Besides the hot springs, there’s so much more to explore in the Liugui District too. You can go camping, fishing, river rafting and more by the Laonong River, the getaway you never knew you needed!
Address: Liugui District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 844
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM (Wednesdays – Mondays), 11 AM – 5 PM (Tuesdays)
Admission Costs: TW$250 (~S$14) for adults and TW$250 (~S$10) for children
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15. SKM Park Outlets
Image Credits: Zeek Magazine
Formerly known as Taroko Park, the SKM Park combines shopping, dining and entertainment in a sprawling complex. Shop til you drop with the selection of local and international brands, treat your tastebuds to tantalising culinary options and have fun at the SKM Park amusement park with rides and attractions for the little ones. It’s a great spot for shopping and entertainment without having to travel around too much.
Address: No. 1, Zhong’an Rd, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 9:30 PM (Weekdays), 10:30 AM – 10 PM (Weekends)
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Plan your Kaohsiung adventure with the best TWD rates
There’s plenty to do for all sorts of travellers while in Kaohsiung. If you need a sign to book your next trip to Taiwan, this is it! Don’t forget to bring your YouTrip card for the best Taiwan Dollar exchange rates!
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Stay safe and happy camping!
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