This guide will help you choose the best souvenirs to get while in Kaohsiung.
During my wife and I’s trip to Kaohsiung City, I searched for souvenirs but found few options. I’ve written this guide to help you find anything worth buying.
6 Best Things to Buy for Souvenirs (in Kaohsiung)
Here are some of the best things to buy while in Kaohsiung.
I found a comment on Reddit recommending souvenirs from Lotus Lake (tourist spot). However, during my visit in May 2024, it was under renovation.
I couldn’t get into Lotus Lake and see any potential souvenirs for myself.
All I’ll do in this case, until I can get there, is to check out the spot.
Many souvenirs here aren’t unique to Kaohsiung. What you’ll want to get are mostly tied to specific tourist spots.
Still, there are some cool things to buy.
Let’s start with my favorite.
1. Fo Guang Shan Souvenirs
Fo Guang Shan is a Buddhist monastery with the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue.
Before seeing the statue, you’ll pass through many souvenir stores.
Buy your souvenirs before you leave, as you’ll exit through the same hall.
Here are souvenirs I found that’ll fit in most bag sizes:
- Starbucks mugs (I’ll return to this)
- Incense and incense holders
- Keychains
- Charms
- Pins
I won’t provide too much information here. Otherwise, I’ll regurgitate what I wrote in my Fo Guang Shan guide.
I’ll also explain how to get there, what to do, and other cool information.
Most of what you’ll buy here is cheap (around NT$100).
I bought one of these keychains:
I recommend you do the same.
There’s nothing superstitious about them. I recommend them because they’re affordable, look cool, and are lightweight.
Here’s something else you can only get from a tourist spot.
2. Snacks from Cijin Beach
Cijin Beach is near Qi Jin Old Street. The souvenirs here are spread between both places.
If you have seafood allergies, skip this section.
Throughout the old street, you’ll find A LOT of vendors selling seafood crackers and jerky like as shown in the pictures:
I don’t like any of these, but if seafood is something that you (or someone you know) likes, you (or them) might love these.
My wife (a local) loves them and it seems like a lot of other people do, too.
The problem with these bags is packing them into your luggage. They’re pretty large.
Thus, you might want to buy them to consume in Taiwan.
Once you’re done at the beach, head to a Starbucks.
3. Starbucks Mugs
Visit any Starbucks, grab a mug that says “Kaohsiung,” and buy it. That’s all there is to it.
However…
I’ve found “Kaohsiung” Starbucks mugs in New Taipei City. If you don’t want to carry around this mug and are heading to a different city in Taiwan, you could take the gamble and hope it’ll be there.
There’s one mug exclusive to Kaohsiung, and it’s from Fo Guang Shan:
Here’s something else that you might find throughout Taiwan and in Kaohsiung.
4. Unique iPASS Cards
The iPASS card has a 53% market share in southern Taiwan. It’s much higher than the north, where EasyCard is more common.
This has led to more stores selling unique iPASS cards.
You’ll find them at convenience stores, book stores, Kaohsiung MRT stations, and other spots.
When walking around the Kaohsiung HSR station, I found a Star Wars card:
Of course I bought this.
I wrote more about iPASS and cool unique card designs you can find.
All of them are limited edition.
And a lot of the time, scalpers/resellers will snag and resell them. I’ve seen a lot of resold cards at places like the underground mall in Taipei Main Station.
The prices can get pretty ridiculous.
5. Kaohsiung MRT Souvenirs
The Kaohsiung Metro has many cute anime waifus (and a cute cat operator). I talk about the anime girls in my Kaohsiung Metro guide.
And of course with cute mascots, you need to merchandise them.
I was dumb and didn’t think about Googling where the souvenir store was during my trip to Kaohsiung. Though, I kept asking my wife, “Where’s the souvenir store with all the anime girls?”
Thus, I couldn’t get any pictures.
However:
I found an image on Reddit of souvenirs that someone else bought:
The card (iPASS, I think) should easily be able to fit in your bags. Though, you should prepare for weird looks from the TSA if they search you at the airport.
And the cat is very lightweight.
Here’s the address for the gift shop: B1, No. 115, Zhongshan 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
You’d get off at the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station. The KRTC has more information regarding this store here.
6. Snacks
If Kaohsiung is your last stop and you haven’t bought snacks yet, here are my suggestions:
- Egg rolls (taquito-looking cookies)
- Pineapple cakes from SunnyHills
- Lemon cakes (my favorite)
- Mango or lychee pudding
- Nougats
Here’s a gallery with images of what these snacks look like:
That’s it for souvenirs.
Keep reading to find other helpful information.
Important Information
| How Much Cash to Carry | NT$3,000 |
| Are Branded Goods Cheaper? | No |
| Credit Cards Accepted | Most large stores, not all markets |
| Average Souvenir Cost | NT$100 – NT$1,000 |
| Can You Haggle? | Not recommended if you’re not fluent in Mandarin |
| Payment Methods | Most people use cash |
How to do Taiwan Tourist Tax Refund
Many places in Taiwan offer a 5% VAT refund for purchases over NT$2,000. You can claim this refund at a Tax Refund Service Counter or an E-VAT machine using your passport.
For more information on the refund process, check my separate guide.
Note that local shops, like those at Cijin Beach, usually don’t qualify for this refund.
Where to Buy Souvenirs in Kaohsiung
Here’s where to find souvenirs or pasalubong in Kaohsiung:
- Supermarkets or hypermarkets
- HSR station
- Tourist spots
- Gift or souvenir shops
- Boutique shops
- Convenience stores