This guide will give you a list of things to do in Kaohsiung City — which some folks pronounce as “Gaoxiong.” Keep reading to learn more.
My wife and I went to Kaohsiung for our anniversary and had a pleasant time. I want to help you find the best things to do.
Is Kaohsiung Even Worth Visiting?
Kaohsiung is worth visiting if you’ve done everything you could in Taipei and New Taipei cities. It has an excellent waterfront lined with modern art. Fo Guang Shan is also one of the coolest places to visit in Taiwan.
I’d choose Kaohsiung over other cities like Taichung and Tainan. But if everything I listed in this guide doesn’t sound appealing, then it might not be the right city for you.
Depending on how deep you want to dive into the city, you could get away with spending a day and a half in Kaohsiung then heading back north. That’s what my wife and I did.
Within that time, we visited almost every destination on this list. Were we rushed? A bit. But we still enjoyed our trip.
You might want a way to commemorate your trip. Souvenirs are a great way to do that.
What Souvenirs Should You Get?
Here are specific souvenirs that I recommend from Kaohsiung:
- Fo Guang Shan items
- Kaohsiung MRT souvenirs
- Starbucks mugs
- Anything from Cijin Island
Here’s more information on souvenirs to get in a separate guide.
Aside from the KMRT and Fo Guang Shan souvenirs, Kaohsiung doesn’t have the “coolest” items to buy. But they’re items to consider.
You should also see what souvenirs to get from other cities before buying anything from Kaohsiung:
- Taiwan in general
- Supermarkets
- Food souvenirs
- Don Don Donki (Don Quijote)
Let’s get into things to do.
List of Things to Do in Kaohsiung
Here’s what I’ll cover with each spot:
- Basic info (hours, pricing, etc.)
- Who each spot is best for
- Other helpful info
- How to get there
Here’s a map of all these spots:
When in Kaohsiung, you’ll see a giant tower. That’s the 85 Sky Tower. Don’t visit it.
There’s nothing to do there nowadays because the observation deck is closed.
You could also visit the Shoushan Zoo, but some sources suggest that it’s the “worst government-run zoo in Taiwan” [1]. This report came out in 2007, though.
I didn’t care to go to this zoo to verify these claims. Because it’s inconvenient to reach.
Thus, I won’t make it a listed recommendation, but more so an “honorable” mention.
However. It gas pretty good reviews and could be a place to consider visiting.
KLOOK offers the Kaohsiung Pass, which gives you up to 30% off certain attractions — most of which I didn’t include in this list.
However:
You might like some of the places it offers discounted admission into. Check it out.
Most of Kaohsiung, from my experience, was easy to get around due to the MRT and LRT. Fo Guang Shan isn’t along any metro routes, but it’s a somewhat fast bus ride from the HSR station.
Let’s begin with the first attraction.
1. Fo Guang Shan
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Address | No. 153, Xingtian Rd., Xingtian Vil., Dashu Dist., Kaohsiung City |
| Average Time Spent Here | 2 – 3 hrs |
| Chinese Name | 佛光山; fó guāng shān |
Best for: Visitors interested in religion and culture.
Fo Guang Shan is a large Buddhist monastery in Kaohsiung. It has temples, statues, and a museum focused on Buddhism. The site is known for its massive Buddha statue. Visitors can learn about Buddhism and explore its peaceful grounds.
The Front Hall of the area has a large shopping area to snag a lot of souvenirs. It also has some vegetarian restaurants so you won’t have to shop on an empty stomach.
My wife and I came here on International Museum Day, which gave us an opportunity to do a “scavenger hunt” that resulted in us getting a free piece of cake.
Regardless of your views of Buddhism, this is a fantastic place to visit. Beautiful sights and architecture and a peaceful environment.
More on Fo Guang Shan in this piece.
2. Tour of Love River
Best for: Couples and casual tourists.
Love River runs through Kaohsiung and offers boat tours for sightseeing. The area is known for evening lights and riverside paths. It’s a nice spot for a relaxing stroll or boat ride, especially at night.
I really wanted to go on this tour with my wife during our anniversary, but I forgot.
Don’t make the same mistake.
3. Cijin Island
| Ferry Cost (One-Way) | NT$20 – NT$30 |
| Average Time Spent Here | Up to 5 hours |
| Chinese Name | 旗津島; qí jīndǎo |
Best for: Beachgoers and seafood lovers.
Cijin Island is a quick ferry ride from Kaohsiung. It has beaches, a lighthouse, and seafood restaurants on the Old Street. Visitors can spend the day at the beach, walk around, and try local seafood dishes.
You’ll take the Gushan – Cijin Ferry that’ll take about 10 minutes to reach the island.
I used an EasyCard to get on. I recommend doing the same. As you won’t have to go to a ticket booth.
Once you get to the island, you’ll walk through Qi Jin Old Street.
Plenty of street food and nothing special that I recommend. If you’re looking for souvenirs, my wife recommends the fish crackers. She bought a lot of them.
And after a 10 or so minute walk, you’ll reach the beach. It’s a sand beach that doesn’t have much to do.
I’m not a beachgoer, so I’m sure you’ll have an easier time finding something to do.
4. Dream Mall
| Address | No. 789號, Zhonghua 5th Rd, Cianjhen District, Kaohsiung City, 806 |
| Average Time Spent Here | Half a day |
| Chinese Name | 夢時代購物中心; mèngshídài gòuwù zhòngxīn |
Best for: Shoppers and families.
Dream Mall is Taiwan’s largest mall. It has a wide range of stores, restaurants, and a rooftop Ferris wheel. Visitors can shop or take in the view from the Ferris wheel.
I kept calling it the “Miramar of Kaohsiung” since it also has a Ferris wheel on top. This one isn’t as cool as Taipei’s, though. Because it doesn’t have as much of a view to look at as the Miramar Ferris Wheel.
The top floor is a fantastic area for families since it has a bunch of games for kids.
Then there’s the largest concentration of gashapons that I’ve seen in Taiwan. I recommend digging through these.
Otherwise, Dream Mall is like any other mall. It has a lot of shops and is a perfect way to escape the heat or rain.
5. Formosa Boulevard Station
| Address | 800, Kaohsiung City, Sinsing District, Zhongshan 1st Rd, 115號地下一樓 |
| Average Time Spent Here | 15 – 20 min |
| Chinese Name | 美麗島站; měilì dǎo zhàn |
Best for: Travelers and photographers.
Formosa Boulevard is a metro station known for the “Dome of Light,” a large glass artwork. The dome covers much of the station’s ceiling. Visitors often stop to take photos of the colorful display. It’s a popular spot for quick sightseeing.
I didn’t explore much around here because it didn’t seem that appealing other than the Dome of Light.
If you like anime, or want cute souvenirs, check out the KRTC souvenir shop inside the station.
Get here by taking either Kaohsiung MRT line to the Formosa Boulevard Station.
If you just want a picture of the dome of light, you could snap a photo of it from behind the MRT gate.
Here’s the address: B1, No. 115, Zhongshan 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
6. Pier 2 Art Center
| Address | No. 1號, Dayong Rd, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, 803 |
| Average Time Spent Here | 2 – 3 hrs |
| Chinese Name | 駁二藝術特區; bó èr yìshù tèqū |
Best for: Art lovers and casual tourists.
Pier 2 Art Center is a former warehouse area turned into an art space. Visitors can explore outdoor installations, galleries, and exhibitions.
It’s a popular spot for seeing modern art and street art in Kaohsiung.
I recommend visiting when the sun’s about to set. The weather isn’t too hot and you’ll get a better view of some art installations:
There are many smaller shops around this area to check out (which I didn’t).
7. Kaohsiung Music Center
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Address | 802, Kaohsiung City, Lingya Distric |
| Average Time Spent Here | <1 hr |
| Chinese Name | 高雄流行音樂中心; gāoxióng liúxíng yīnyuè zhōngxīn |
Best for: Music fans and event-goers.
Kaohsiung Music Center is a waterfront venue for concerts and events. It hosts both local and international performances. Visitors can attend live shows or explore the area, which is designed to highlight Taiwan’s music scene.
Unless there’s a concert, there’s nothing to do here.
I’d recommend just snapping pictures of it from the outside and exploring the adjacent waterfront if you’re in the area.
8. Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Address | No. 9號, Liantan Rd, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, 813 |
| Average Time Spent Here | ~2 hrs |
| Chinese Name | 龍虎塔; lónghǔ Tǎ |
Best for: Culture enthusiasts and sightseers.
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are closed for renovations until mid 2025.
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas is located at Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung. Visitors enter through the dragon’s mouth and exit through the tiger’s. The pagoda offers views of the pond and nearby temples. It’s a notable spot for local religious culture.
9. National Science & Technology Center Museum
| Entry Fee | NT$100 |
| Students and/or groups: NT$70 per person | |
| Address | No. 720號, Jiuru 1st Rd, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, 807 |
| Average Time Spent Here | 2 – 3 hrs |
| Chinese Name | 國立科學工藝博物館; guólì kēxué gōngyì bówùguǎn |
Best for: Families and science enthusiasts.
This museum focuses on science, technology, and industry in Taiwan. It offers interactive exhibits and educational displays. Visitors can learn about Taiwan’s technological advancements and explore hands-on exhibits suitable for all ages.
10. Central Park
| Address | 801, Kaohsiung City, Qianjin District |
| Average Time Spent Here | 30 min |
| Chinese Name | 中央公園; zhōngyāng gōngyuán |
Best for: Nature lovers and casual visitors.
Central Park is a large green space in downtown Kaohsiung. It has walking paths, ponds, and open areas for relaxation. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll or take a break from the busy city in a natural setting.
There’s nothing special here, but it’s a neat place to walk around to get fresh air.
How to Get to Kaohsiung
The quickest (and most expensive way) to reach Kaohsiung is by taking the High Speed Rail. It’ll only take 1.5 – 2 hours to reach Kaohsiung from Taipei City. Otherwise, you’ll spend 2 hours on the TRA (slow train) coming from Taipei.
Or up to 6 hours by bus.
If you’re strapped for time, take the HSR. My wife and I took it and managed to have a full day of activities in Kaohsiung.
If you book the HSR ahead of time, you can get an early bird discount. See my guide on booking a ticket for more information.
I don’t recommend flying from Taipei or Taoyuan to Kaosiung. It’ll cost more, take more time, and is unnecessary. Because think about it. You’ll have to go through customs and such, which could take an hour.
Then, you’ll need to go through the process of getting on and off the flight.
Accommodation in Kaohsiung
Sources
- Crocodile attacks shed light on “disastrous” conditions. National Geographic. 5/18/2007. WARNING, GRAPHIC.