Kaohsiung is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Taiwan. There are countless attractions in Kaohsiung you can visit, and it can be difficult to choose what to do in the city when you only have a limited time. Wondering what are the top things to do in Kaohsiung? Read on.
As I mentioned above, there are tons of Kaohsiung attractions that are worth visiting if you have the time, but there are 6 that you simply cannot miss when you’re in Kaohsiung!
Even if you’re only in Kaohsiung for a weekend getaway, you need to make sure you have room in your schedule to enjoy these attractions in Kaohsiung.
It would be a shame to visit Kaohsiung and leave without seeing its top sights!
Where to Stay In Kaohsiung
Formosa Boulevard station is the only metro station in Kaohsiung where the Red and Orange lines intersect. I always recommend that people stay near Formosa Boulevard Station because it makes getting around Kaohsiung fast and easy.
Kindness Hotel Shinkuchan is my favorite hotel in Kaohsiung. It is very affordable but doesn’t feel like a budget hotel. Plus they have complimentary ice cream. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat after a long day in the Taiwan heat?!
If you’re looking for something more upscale, I recommend Hotel Indigo Kaohsiung Central Park. It has an incredible rooftop bar and sleek, modern rooms.
Booking.comPro Tips: Things to know before you Visit Kaohsiung
- The smog in Kaohsiung is a lot worse than in Taipei. Bring something to cover your mouth if you are sensitive to pollution.
- Get a T-Money card at a convenience store, so you don’t have to pay for each metro and bus ride individually.
- The heat and humidity in Kaohsiung are present all year round, and there aren’t many places to escape into air conditioning. You’ll want to bring a fan to help stay cool!
I would also suggest getting the Lonely Planet Taiwan Country Guidebook as a resource before traveling to Taiwan.
Kaohsiung Tourist Spots: Best Attractions in Kaohsiung
1. Fo Guang Shan Monastery
Most people know Kaohsiung for the Dragon and Tiger Pagoda, but Fo Guang Shan Monastery is the real star of Kaohsiung.
Fo Guang Shan Monastery is the birth place of a humanistic form of Buddhism called Fo Guang Shan. Its aim is to modernize Chinese Buddhism and is famous for its use of modern technology and stunningly beautiful temples.
The monastery is a short bus ride from Kaohsiung and is free to visit.
There are two sections to Fo Guang Shan: the monastery and the museum. Most people only visit the museum, but that is a mistake! The monastery is beautiful, and it gives you a better idea of what this modern form of Buddhism looks like in practice.
The monastery also allows you to see the temples the religion is so well known for. You’re not allowed in the temples unless you’re there to pray, but they are worth viewing from the outside.
The Fo Guang Shan museum is by far the most popular area for people to visit. It has a number of different exhibits that explain the history of the religion, Buddhists festivals around the world, and has rooms full of artwork and artifacts.
Behind the museum is the Big Buddha. It is the largest bronze sitting Buddha statue in the world!
The statue is 108 meters tall and took over a year to build. It is breathtaking and one of the most incredible sights you’ll ever see.
You should dedicate at least half a day to visiting Fo Guang Shan Monastery and closer of a full day if you want to visit the whole museum and the monastery.
Fo Guang Shan is not only one of the best Kaohsiung attractions, but it is one of the best attractions in all of Taiwan. You don’t want to miss it!
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2. Cijin Island
Cijin Island is another one of Kaohsiung’s most popular attractions, and no trip to Kaohsiung is complete without visiting the island. It is just a five-minute ferry ride from Kaohsiung, so there is no excuse not to visit!
You can rent a power bike to scoot around the island or walk. I chose to walk, and, frankly, it isn’t for everybody! The island is quite large, and you can get tired pretty quickly in the Taiwan heat and humidity.
The most popular attractions on Cijin Island are the fortress and lighthouse (which were both built in 1883 by the British) and Rainbow Church. Rainbow Church isn’t a religious church, and I’m not quite sure where it got its name from. It is a collection of colorful structures near the water where you can take gorgeous photos.
There is even a tunnel through a hill that takes you right out to the ocean. You can watch the waves, and if you follow the walking path for a little while, you will come across a beach that is always really quiet. Cijin Island is also home to the most delicious shaved ice I ate in Taiwan.
Shaved ice is a popular Taiwanese dessert that is made of shaved ice, condensed milk, and mango (you can get other fruit as a topping if you prefer). It is so simple yet so delicious, and somehow the shaved ice shops in Kaohsiung make it better than anywhere else in the country.
3. Lotus Pond
Lotus Pond is home to the most famous Kaohsiung attractions. Pictures of Lotus Pond are the first images that pop up when you Google Kaohsiung, and it is the most visited tourist attraction in the city.
Lotus Pond is home to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. The pagodas are said to bring you good luck if you enter through the dragon and exit through the tiger!
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas is the most famous sight at Lotus Pond, but there are actually 13 different temples and pagodas you can visit!
They are spread out along the pond, and you can visit one after another as you walk around the pond.
All the attractions are free to enter (donations are accepted), and they’re all unique. Each temple is dedicated to a different god and is built in a different style.
My two favorite temples besides the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are the Spring and Autumn Pavilion and Pei Chi Pavilion.
The Pei Chi Pavilion is the largest statue that sits on the water in Southeast Asia and is 72 meters tall! It is incredible and is one of the Kaohsiung attractions you can’t miss!
Everybody that visits Kaohsiung visits Lotus Pond for the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, but you should take the time to visit all 13 temples and pagodas around the pond.
They’re all stunning and full of history. Plus, you’re already there, so you should just see it all!
RECOMMENDED: Get to know Kaohsiung through the eyes of passionate locals by taking this local Tour of Kaohsiung.
4. Night Markets
Kaohsiung is home to three top quality night markets. They’re spread across the city, so no matter what area you’re in during the evening, you’re never far from a great street food meal!
The three major night markets in Kaohsiung are:
- Liuhe Tourist Night Market
- Ruifeng Night Market
- Ling Ya Night Market
There are many more night markets in Kaohsiung, but those are the most popular.
Every night market will sell basically the same food, so it doesn’t really matter which one you visit. They all sell traditional and popular Taiwanese dishes.
You should be sure to try a black pepper bun. It is the most popular Taiwan street food, and there is always a line to get one! It is a bun that is filled with either pork or beef that is cooked in a clay oven.
Some stalls have a vegetarian version filled with potatoes, but it is not very good. There are better vegetarian options available. The corn on the cob, vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes are all great options for vegetarians!
Night markets are a staple in Taiwan. Both tourists and locals visit them on a regular basis, and they’re the perfect place to grab dinner. You get to try a bunch of different food and typically spend less than if you went to a restaurant for dinner!
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5. Formosa Boulevard Station
Formosa Boulevard Station is one of the most unique Kaohsiung attractions. It is the main metro station in Kaohsiung (the only station where the two lines intersect), and it features one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
On the main level of Formosa Boulevard Station before you go through the turnstiles is the dome of light. It is the largest piece of glass art in the world and covers more the 2,000 square meters.
It is made of 4,500 panes of glass and is made of two large pillars with the rest of the glass mounted to the ceiling.
The dome of lights is absolutely incredible, and pictures don’t do it justice.
Liuhe Tourist Night Market is located just outside of Formosa Boulevard Station, so you can easily stop in to see the dome of lights before you visit the market.
6. Pier II Art District
Pier II Art District is one of the few Kaohsiung attractions that isn’t rooted in history and tradition. It is the place to go if you want to get a sense of modern Kaohsiung and the more hipster side of the city.
It is an old warehouse district that was taken over by artists and was eventually designated an arts zone.
There are art galleries, giant statues on the street, and tons of cafes and restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Pier II Art District is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon. You’ll be so busy seeing all the other Kaohsiung attractions on this list, so it is nice to have a more-laid place sight to visit and take a break.
The district is walking distance from the ferry terminal that takes you to and from Cijin Island, so it is the perfect place to go after exploring the island.
Bonus: Martyrs Shrine
If you have extra time in Kaohsiung and have visited all the other attractions on this list, you should head over to Martyrs Shrine.
The shrine was built by the Japanese when they occupied Taiwan. It’s original purpose was to serve as a place where people could worship Prince Yoshihisa.
When control of Taiwan was given over to the Chinese, the shrine was renovated and became Martyrs Shrine. Chinese and Japanese relations went downhill in 1972, and the shrine was demolished by the Chinese due to its Japanese roots.
In 1973, the mayor of Kaohsiung initiated the rebuilding of Martyrs Shrine, and it was fully rebuilt in 1978. It has remained as a symbol of the city ever since.
The shrine is beautiful with white pillars and a red and green tiling on the underside of the roof. It is a small complex that can easily be visited in less than half an hour.
But the real beauty of Martyrs Shrine is the hill it is built on and the view of Kaohsiung and Cijin Island you get from the hill.
It is the best bird’s eye view you’ll get of Kaohsiung!
Martyrs Shrine is within walking distance of the ferry that takes you to Cijin Island, so it is easy to stop in quickly before or after you visit the island.
You do have to walk up a hill to visit Martyrs Shrine if you don’t have a car. There isn’t a bus that takes you there. It isn’t a difficult walk but something you should keep in mind when planning your day.
I love visiting Martyrs Shrine, but it isn’t a must do when in Kaohsiung. I highly recommend it if you have the time, but you should prioritize the other Kaohsiung attractions on this list before visiting the shrine.
Conclusion
Kaohsiung is a beautiful city with so much to see and do. There are a lot of historical and religious sights to see, but there are also a number of Kaohsiung attractions that have a more laid back vibe.
The city has a nice balance between busy and relaxed sights, and the city truly has something for everybody! No matter what your interests, you’ll find a number of Kaohsiung attractions you love.
Want to know what the best part of all the Kaohsiung attractions on this list?! They’re all free! It doesn’t get better than that!
You get to visit world-class sights without spending a penny on entrance fees. If that doesn’t convince you to visit Kaohsiung, I don’t know what will.
This is a guest post by Erica from Travels with Erica.
Erica is an avid solo traveler who has been to over 40 countries. She loves spending long periods of time in each country to get a sense of the country and culture. Erica’s favorite travel activities include attending local theatre and dance performances, wandering through museums, eating way too much food, and riding every rollercoaster she comes across. You can follow her adventures on Facebook and Pinterest.
