kaohsiung day trip from taipei

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8D Taiwan Itinerary: Insider’s Guide to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung via THSR

First published: 9 Nov 2017

From trendy shopping districts to vibrant streets lined with mouth-watering local delicacies, I thought I’d seen and experienced all Taiwan could offer. While these parts of Taiwan are still enjoyable (even after being back for the seventh time), boy was I wrong about how much I knew.

In this eight-day Taiwan Itinerary, not only will we cover some of the best, most well-known sights along the west coast of Taiwan (Taipei to Kaohsiung), we’ve also thrown in a couple of off-the-beaten-path experiences that will definitely re-ignite your interest in Taiwan whether it’s your second or seventh time.

Pre-trip Essentials

SIM Card: ~S$21 for 10 days unlimited data or purchase an eSIM (from ~S$10.60 for 5 days, 1GB/day) if you have a compatible device — no physical card is required!

Airport to City Transport: From Taoyuan International Airport, you can take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to Taipei Main Station in 20 minutes. But if your flight arrives late at night when the train services have halted, the car transfer service (~S$47) is the next best option. Not only does it bring you to your doorstep in comfort, it’s also cheaper than regular taxis and operates 24/7.

Psst. From now till 31 May 2024, enjoy a Buy 1 Get 1 Free promo on the THSR pass when you book via Klook!

Intercity Transport:  For fuss-free travelling through different cities in Taiwan, the THSR pass is essential. We purchased the 5-Day Joint Train Standard Pass which includes unlimited use of the THSR on any 2 days + unlimited use of the Taiwan Railway (TR) for five consecutive days.

For transport within cities like Taipei or Kaohsiung, you will need the  EasyCard 悠遊卡 or iPass 一卡通 , which can be purchased   from convenience stores.

*Pro-tip: Use code <THETRAVELINTERN> on Klook to get 5% off all items * with a min. spend of S$50 (discount cap at S$15). Apply the promo code at checkout. One-time use only. (* – see list of excluded activities )

Travel Insurance: With all the extreme activities and eating you’ll be doing in this itinerary, it’s important to get a policy in case of anything that arises during or after the trip. Don’t forget to ensure that your travel insurance includes Covid-19 coverage too!

Check Flights to Taipei

We excluded flights from our budget since it varies depending on the season and airline. Check flight prices for your dates of travel .

Despite being a metropolitan city, there are still many things you can eat and do at relatively low prices.

Breakfast at Fu Hang Soy Milk (阜杭豆漿)

First up, eat like a local. Get up early (and we mean, REALLY early) for breakfast at Fu Hang Soy Milk . Its unique salty soybean curd melts in your mouth and makes the perfect breakfast combi with youtiao 油条 (fried dough sticks). Queues can get really long (and we mean, REALLY long) but it moves along quite quickly.

Address : Level 2, No. 108, Zhongxiao East Road, Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan [台北市中正區忠孝東路一段108號2樓] Opening hours : 05:30AM – 12:30PM, closed on Mon Cost: ~NT$25-60

Zen out at Maokong 猫空

Maokong used to be the biggest tea growing area in Taipei and is now a popular place for tea culture. The premium Oolong variety, Tie Guan Yin 鐵觀音, is still being produced at Maokong.

Photo credit: 4travel.jp

Spend a relaxing afternoon in Maokong sipping tea while overlooking the lush tea plantation fields. Get to the top via a gondola service from Taipei Zoo.

Directions: MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line) 文湖線 to Taipei Zoo → follow signs leading to Gondola → 3 stops to Maokong Stn. Gondola fee: NT$120/trip (EasyCard holders entitled to 20% discount on weekdays, or enjoy a discounted rate with the Klook Pass Taipei starting from ~S$23 for 2 attractions)

The icon of Taiwan, Taipei 101 stands out kinda like a sore thumb in the day being the only tall building around the area. But come nightfall, the 101-storeyed building lights up and sure is a beautiful sight to look at against the dark sky.

Did you know? The building is lit up according to the colours of the rainbow each night of the week. Mon , Tue , Wed , Thu , Fri , Sat , and Sun .

Can you tell which day of the week this was taken?

*Pro-tip: Pre-book your admission ticket via Klook (from ~S$26) to skip the queue at the ticketing counter! You can enter directly with the QR code on your voucher.

Accommodation: Meander Taipei Hostel from NT$580/night

Read also: 4D3N Taipei Itinerary for more local finds in and around Taipei

D2: Day Trip to Jiufen 九份 & Shifen 十分

How to get there:  Take a bus (Bus 965) which travels from Banqiao and stops at Jiufen Old Street. Or alternatively, take a private city transfer instead.

Located just outside of Taipei City, Jiufen and Shifen are popular day-trips for its extremely scenic views and great food; probably why I keep coming back too.

Problem is, it can take a while to get there via public transport. During our trip, we took a shuttle bus service (which has since then been discontinued). The bus picked us from Ximen and we arrived in Shifen within an hour. Ultra-convenient!

If you’re looking for convenience and want to arrive there quickly, hiring a private car transfer is what you may need. Some day tours also like this one will just require you to meet at the Taipei Main Station, and they’ll guide you along Jiufen and Shifen. The choice is yours!

Shifen has been popularised in recent years and many specially visit the quaint old town to light up sky lanterns on the old (and still functioning!) rail tracks.

Write your wishes on the paper lanterns and light them up, sending your wishes to the heavens.

Besides lighting up the sky lanterns, another charm of Shifen I love is the old-school vibes. Buy a glass-bottled marble soda to feel really transported back in time!

A-Mei Tea House, the inspiration behind Hayao Miyazaki’s award-winning Spirited Away.

Jiufen seems like an unassuming laid-back town amongst the mountainous regions, but on closer inspection, it’s really an energetic and bustling food paradise filled with endless surprises from beginning till end.

When the stall owner is as unforgettable as the yummy Taiwanese sausage she’s selling.

The tour lasts around eight hours and you can either pick the morning slot, which leaves at 9:30AM, or the afternoon slot, which leaves at 1:30PM.

After the eating spree in Jiufen , head back to Taipei and explore the fast-paced and everchanging Ximending.

Streets of Ximending. Photo credit: Wikipedia

If Taipei 101 is the icon of metropolitan Taipei, then Ximending can be considered the cultural icon of Taiwan. Popular among the youth and tourists, the bustling streets of Ximending hosts not only apparel shops, but also eateries, cinemas, and scores and scores of budget hotels.

Dinner at San Wei Dining Hall 三味食堂

These fist-sized salmon nigiri rolls attract hordes of sushi lovers daily, and queue-time may take up to an hour! Sushi and sashimi plates range from NT$70–580 (~S$3–26).

Address : 116, Guiyang St Sec 2, Taipei City [台北市貴陽街二段116號] Opening Hours: 11:20AM – 2:30PM, 5:10PM – 10PM (Last orders 9:30PM). Closed first two Mondays & last two Sundays of every month

For more awesome possum local finds in Taipei, check out our 4D3N Taipei Itinerary .

D3: Taichung (via the THSR)

The easiest and fastest way to get from Taipei to Taichung is via the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) — within an hour for NT$700 (single ticket). As we’d pre-purchased the 5-Day Joint Train Pass (THSR+TRA) before our trip, we had to activate the pass at the THSR ticketing counter at Taipei Main Station.

Do note that when activating the 5-Day Joint Pass, the THSR staff will require you to choose the two dates you want to take the THSR. This is so that they can make seat reservations for you on the THSR.

The journey southwards from Taipei to Taichung took approx. 50 mins for us. However, there are various trains with different timings and stops, so yours might take a little longer. Refer to THSR’s official website for detailed train timings.

Arrival in Taichung

Since we’ll be covering quite a few places within Taichung (also note that Taichung has no MRT system), we rented a car for convenience. We rented a simple sedan car online and collected the car from Taichung THSR station upon arrival. Easy breezy.

Photo credit: Cavin Teo

Yizhong Street 一中街 is a shopping street in Taichung not unlike the usual night markets of Taiwan. However, some shops are open from as early as 10AM in the morning. Prices of food and things are slightly cheaper in Taichung as compared to Taipei, so guilt-free eating and shopping can begin here!

After an afternoon in Yizhong Street, we drove to Nantou 南投, where our accommodation for the night is at, ready to welcome the next day we packed with adventures.

Our cosy bedroom for the night at a local homestay

Accommodation: Stay with the locals at a rustic Airbnb from ~S$23 per night

Read also: Taipei Day Trip: Jiufen & Shifen

D4: Endless Adventures Among the Most Stunning Sceneries in Taichung/Nantou

Standup paddleboarding (sup) 立槳體驗.

Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 is one of Taiwan’s largest freshwater lakes, and also arguably the most beautiful natural attraction. We got up super early so as to reach Sun Moon Lake by 5:30AM for our sunrise Standup Paddleboarding experience.

The waters of Sun Moon Lake are very calm, first-timers like me will have no problems learning how to control the paddleboard.

Our jovial instructor even brought along the famous Nantou Jinpen “Ah Mah” Braised Tea Egg 金盤阿嬤茶葉蛋 and bottled Black Tea 紅茶 for us to have during breakfast. When else can one have breakfast on a paddleboard on a lake with superb views! Coach OA even doubled as a photographer and sent us our standup paddleboarding photos after the activity.

Price: From ~S$66/pax (3 hours) . A similar SUP activity in Singapore would cost ~S$100. Location: Sun Moon Lake

Brunch at Itashao 伊達邵

Small sausage in big sausage 大腸包小腸, a Taiwanese snack.

Thereafter, we headed to the nearby Itashao 伊達邵 (Ita Thao) for some locally-loved Taiwanese snacks. Taiwanese sausage 香腸, braised pork bun 豆干扣肉總匯刈包, and millet mochi 小米麻糬 were some local snacks we couldn’t resist not buying.

Taiwanese braised pork bun 刈包 .

We could understand why these snacks 小吃 are so well-loved by locals and tourists, because not only are they big in portion with generous fillings, they are very reasonably priced too!

Millet mochi on stick 小米麻糬 .

Brunch settled, munching from the beginning to the end of Itashao 😂

Paragliding 飛行傘

Around Nantou, you can also try paragliding ! We met some paragliders who even brought their own paragliding gears along with them from Hong Kong.

While in the air, we were blown away by Puli ‘s superb views. Mountains, lakes, and acres and acres of vast green lands that seem endless. Breathtaking indeed! No wonder Puli is a popular spot for paragliding.

Our paragliding operator was excellent, even repeating flight twice was for one of us when the first flight time was too short.

Price: ~S$127/pax  (Min. 10 mins flight time guaranteed + video footage provided) Location:  Puli, Hu-Toushan in Nantou county of Taiwan (虎頭山)

Cingjing Farm 清境農場

It’s another hour drive to our third and last destination of the day: CingJing Farm . Free-roaming woolly sheep grace pass visitors nonchalantly, granting lots of selfie opportunities with them!

Location: No. 170, Renhe Road, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, 546 [南投縣仁愛鄉仁和路170號] Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM Entrance fee: NT$160/pax (Mon – Fri) , NT$200 (Sat – Sun)

Night falls, but that’s when Taichung becomes even more energetic and alive! We headed to Taichung’s most famous night market, Feng Chia Night Market 逢甲夜市 for dinner.

It’s insane how many times we had to stop and reach for our wallets just stepping into the market for ten minutes. All my senses were being attacked! It was involuntary and uncontrollable, and we succumbed to all the awesome-smelling/looking/tasting foods.

Location: Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 [台中市西屯區文華路] Opening hours: 4PM – 2AM (Tue – Sun), 4PM – 1AM (Mon)

Read also: The Ultimate Taiwan Food Guide

D5: Exploring the Locals’ Taichung

After a day of nonstop activities in Nantou, we focused on Taichung City the next day. First up, we headed to Rainbow Village 彩虹眷村 .

Rainbow Village 彩虹眷村

How many silly interns do you spot? 😂

Rainbow Village is a cluster of small houses painted in the wildest, most colourful motifs. Do be there earlier as it will get crowded later on in the day.

Address: No.56, Chun’an Road, Nantun District , Taichung, Taiwan [春安路56巷] Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM

*Pro-tip: Travelling on public buses in Taichung is the way to go! Any rides below 10km are FREE.

Second Market 臺中第二市場

Located just a 15min walk away from the Taichung Railway Station, we had lunch at Second Market 臺中第二市場 , an old market the locals frequent.

This old market is one that’s easily missed if not for the creeping long line that stretches out from the market to the main road. We were curious to see what locals are so patiently waiting for, so we joined the crowd.

Surprisingly, the queue moves really fast, but the line is always that long because people keep coming! Everyone was apparently queuing up for a cup of Iced Black Milk Tea.

We were also informed by our friendly cab driver that the braised minced pork rice 肉燥飯 is the best in Taichung, of course, we had to try it as well.

The famous minced braised pork rice in Taichung’s Second Market

Address: No. 87, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 [台中市中區三民路二段87號] Opening Hours: 7AM – 8PM (Closed on Mon)

I’m Talato 我是塔拉朵，愛台灣的義式冰淇淋

Although it was already autumn when we visited Taiwan in October, the sun was still pretty unforgiving and it felt no different from all-year-summer Singapore. A quick search on desserts in Taichung brought us to I’m Talato , an ice cream parlour all decked in pink. We couldn’t resist going in for some ice cream to cool down.

No visit to I’m Talato is complete without a check-in pic at their iconic bed of ice-cream. There, my lifelong dream to live in a pool of ice cream, fulfilled.

Address: No. 451, Yingcai Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403  [台中市西區英才路451號] Opening hours: 11:30AM – 7:30PM

Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地

A lesser-known gem in Taichung, Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地 is a sunset paradise for avid photographers. Rows of windmills line the beach and cast perfect silhouettes against the setting sun. Everything becomes even more breathtaking when the sea acts as a giant mirror reflecting all above the horizon.

Sunset timings vary throughout the year, but our advice is to be at Gaomei at least an hour earlier to walk around when there’s still sufficient sunlight.

Address: Meidi Street, Qingshui District, Taichung City, Taiwan 436

*Pro-tip: If you are planning to visit Rainbow Village and Gaomei Wetlands on the same day, choose a weekend to do so, as there’s a Bus Service #655 that operates only on weekends between these two places.

After Gaomei Wetlands, we boarded the last bus back to Taichung Train Station where we began the next leg of our journey: Tainan . If Taichung and Nantou showed us how we could play in Taiwan, Tainan would show us the cultural sides of Taiwan.

We chose the Taiwan Rail, the older train system, to get from Taichung to Tainan. It was a slow ride taking about 3 hours, but it didn’t matter as long as we got to our destination before the last check-in time.

Accommodation: MyDeer Backpacker Hostel , from ~S$35 per night

D6: Tainan on Two Wheels!

We started our day in Tainan with some morning exercise — cycling. The hostel we stayed at has three bicycles available for guests to use, and we decided to make use of them, as Tainan’s streets are relatively easy to navigate with places of interest situated not far from one another.

Anping Tree House 安平樹屋

The first pit stop we made was the Anping Tree House 安平樹屋 , a dilapidated warehouse of the ’40s that has since been consumed by a huge Banyan tree. A must-see for those who are into urban exploration!

Entrance fee: NT$50 Opening hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM Address: No.108, Gubao St, Anping District, Tainan City [台南市安平區古堡街108號]

*Pro-tip: If you are planning to visit three or more of the below attractions, getting the Tainan City (4+1) Monument Pass at NT$150 is a better deal. Passes can be purchased from ticketing counters found in any of the below:

– Anping Tree House 安平樹屋 – Chihkan Tower 赤崁樓 – Anping Fort 安平古堡 – Eternal Golden Castle 億載金城 – 1661 Taiwan Warship Museum 1661臺灣船園區

Tianhou Temple 安平開臺天后宮

After exploring the Tree House, we continued exploring the Old Streets of Anping, which are kept alive by the constant stream of visitors — many of whom are there to pay the famous   Tianhou Temple 安平開臺天后宮 around the corner a visit.

Anping Old Street

Dayou Xingyi Noodle Shop 大佑興意麵店 is an ordinary noodle stall selling what locals love, the “古早味” (gǔ zǎo wèi), or “tastes of yesteryears”. A bowl dry-tossed noodles with assorted braised meats make a simple yet hearty lunch.

Along the crowded Old Street, we also spotted a small coffee pushcart stall that had a unique coffee-brewing apparatus. Upon asking, we learnt that it’s the Vacuum Coffee Maker 虹吸式咖啡 , also known as Syphon Coffee . We couldn’t resist and bought ourselves a bottle of coffee and milk tea.

Quan Mei Movie Theatre 全美戲院

Check out the hand-painted movie posters!

Thereafter, we continued cycling eastwards towards the city centre where we chanced upon the coolest movie theatre. If Tainan is known for her vintagey vibes, then Quan Mei Movie Theatre 全美戲院 is the epitome of all things vintage. Large hand-painted movie posters decorate the building’s facade, and what’s particularly fascinating is that the posters are those of recent movies!

We understood from locals that the movie theatre only shows reruns. Check out Quan Mei’s website to see what’s showing!

Cost: NT$140/pax Opening Hours: 12:30PM – 11PM (weekdays), 10:30AM – 11PM (weekends) Address: No. 187, Section 2, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City, Taiwan 700 ［台南市永福路二段187號］

When in Tainan, be sure to visit Blueprint Culture & Creative Park 藍晒圖文創園區 .

Blueprint Culture & Creative Park 藍晒圖文創園區

Formerly a Japanese Government Dormitory ( gasp , that’s how old it is!), it has been reimagined, refurbished, and re-introduced to visitors as the new cultural playground of Tainan.

Ice cream smoothie from Our Bar at Blueprint Culture & Creative Park

Within the blue walls, there are indie shops and cafes started up by locals, displaying and selling local crafts and reinvented local delicacies.

Address: Ln. 689, Sec. 1, Ximen Rd., West Central District, Tainan City 700, Taiwan [台南市中西區西門路一段689巷］ Opening hours: 2PM – 9PM (Closed on Tue) Entrance fee: Free

Read also: 7 Underrated Things to Do in Tainan

Tainan showed us a side of Taiwan that foreign visitors know less of: the cultural, rustic, yet homey and flavourful one. Before long, it’s time we left Tainan for the second-most populous city of Taiwan after Taipei: Kaohsiung.

Again, we took the Taiwan Railway for this leg of the journey utilising our rail pass . Within an hour, we found ourselves in Kaohsiung, with our growling stomachs calling out to be filled. From Kaohsiung Train Station, we took the local MRT to Kaohsiung Arena Station.

In Kaohsiung, there are a couple of night markets, but the one we decided to head to was Ruifeng Night Market . It’s only a 5-minute walk from the Kaohsiung Arena Train station. Do note that night markets in Kaohsiung do not open every night, unlike those in Taipei.

Ruifeng Night Market 瑞豐夜市

Bird’s eye view of Rui Feng Night Market, Kaohsiung

Giant Takoyaki balls at Rui Feng Night Market

That night, we checked in to the hostel we looked forward to the most, Single Inn because there’re hot tubs for guests!

Communal (same-sex) bath area in Single Inn Hostel.

Accommodation: Single Inn from ~S$19 per night

D7: Finding the Artistic Side of Kaohsiung

We started our day with breakfast at a fast-food chain. And nope, before you diss us for not being adventurous eaters overseas, we’d like to introduce Dandan Hamburger 丹丹漢堡 to you.

Dandan Hamburger 丹丹漢堡

Western fast-food chain with a local Taiwanese twist .

Opened in 1984, Dandan Hamburger is the pride of Kaohsiung’s locals. This burger chain specialises in Western-Taiwanese fusion food and can only be found in the southern cities — Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung.

Address: No. 224, Qixian 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801 [高雄市前金區七賢二路224號] Opening hours: 6AM – 9:30PM

Pier-2 Art Center 駁二藝術特區

Next, we explored a repurposed warehouse site that’s now used as an event venue for local artists to showcase their artworks, the Pier-2 Art Center .

Kaohsiung surprised us with the vibrant arts scene it quietly harbours.

Address: No.1, Dayong Rd., Yancheng Dist., Kaohsiung City 803, Taiwan [鹽埕區大勇路1號] Opening Hours: 10AM c 6PM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 8PM (Fri – Sun & PH)

Read more about Pier-2 Art Centre in our 7 Things to Do in Kaohsiung guide.

Dome of Light 光之穹頂

At the Formosa MRT station 捷運美麗島站 , there’s the Dome of Light 光之穹頂 , the largest glass work in the world, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata.

There are short light shows daily at 11AM, 3PM, and 8PM. As the Dome of Light is not within the paid premises of the train station, it’s literally free entertainment you should take note of in Kaohsiung 😉

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 龍虎塔

Next up, we headed to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 龍虎塔 . Folklore has it that walking through the dragon’s mouth and then exiting through the tiger’s will bring good luck and fortune.

Address: Liantan Rd., Zuoying Dist. , Kaohsiung, Taiwan [ 高雄市左營區蓮潭路與勝利路交叉口旁] Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM Entrance fee: Free (on a free-will donation basis)

Read also: Top 7 things to Do in and around Kaohsiung — Gateway to Taiwan’s laid back South

Before nightfall, we packed our belongings and boarded the Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus from Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR Station, towards our next destination — Pingtung 屏東 !

Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus Ticket

We booked our bus passes from Klook beforehand, and collected them from the bus pass counter at Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR. We recommend that you get both the Express Bus Return Pass and the Kenting Shuttle Bus Pass for convenience.

Kenting Shuttle Bus ticket

After a smooth and comfortable 1hr 35 min ride, followed by a hitch (’cause we missed the other transfer bus), we reached our accommodation for the night — National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) 國立海洋生物博物館 .

Yes, you read those two words right. Our “accommodation” for the night in Pingtung was an “aquarium”! 😁

First up, here’s how you can get to the aquarium if you are travelling via the Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus (without needing to hitch a ride like a hobo on the road):

Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR →(Kenting Express Bus)→ NMMBA Transfer Stn →(Kenting Shuttle Bus from across the road)→ Marine Biology Museum

Important timings to take note: – Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus from Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR: 8:30AM – 7:10PM (at 15–30min intervals. Refer to detailed timetable .) – Kenting Shuttle Bus from NMMBA Transfer Stn: 8:54AM to 3:54PM (at 30min intervals), with one last bus at 5:54PM (Refer to detailed timetable )

Upon arrival, visitors will be shown around the aquarium, staff areas, and out-of-bounds premises to day guests. Through this programme, we learnt more about how marine animals were being taken care of in aquariums, the different kinds of corals, anemones, and sea organisms. We even got to feed fish while we were here!

Dinner is provided in the aquarium sleepover package

Dinner, supper, and breakfast are also included in the sleepover package . The communal washrooms are clean and there are big lockers for guests to store their personal belongings.

Although we thought that this programme suits younger children, you’ll definitely still enjoy this if you’re a marine lover as well!

This extraordinary experience of sleeping amongst fish and other marine animals is probably the closest anyone can get to being a mermaid.

Address: 2 Houwan Rd. Checheng, Pingtung County, Taiwan [屏東縣車城鄉後灣村後灣路2號] Sleepover duration: 4PM – 10:30AM, the following day Regular opening hours: 9AM – 5:30PM daily Price: ~S$118/pax

*We did not include the aquarium sleepover in the budget as we feel that it’s an optional activity. Admission tickets are also available from ~S$18/pax for standard entry, or at a discounted rate with the Klook Pass Taipei (from ~S$23 for 2 attractions).

D8: Fun Under the Sun in Kenting

Watersports at nanwan.

Photo credit: Klook

After our first ever aquarium sleepover, we continued our journey southwards to Kenting. We boarded the Kenting Shuttle Bus from Marine Biology Museum 海洋生物博物館 stop just outside the aquarium and alighted at the Nanwan 南灣 stop for some water sports at the beach .

There are up to eight watersports available at Nanwan. This includes the banana boat, the flying bed, and jetskiing.

Cost: ~S$17 for the 2-in-1 Watersports Package Address: 154 Nanwan Road, Nanwan (South Bay), Hengchun, Pingtung County [屏東縣恆春鎮南灣里南灣路154號] Operating hours: 8AM – 6PM (be there at 3PM latest)

Kenting National Park

As we chose only two activities from eight, we finished watersports relatively quickly. But that’s all good because that means we have more time to explore Kenting. After a quick rinse, we boarded the shuttle bus again to our next destination: Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園 . Alight at Kenting stop.

Long Keng Cliff at Kenting

Kenting National Park is situated at the southernmost tip of Taiwan, famous for her stunning coastlines. Travelling on a scooter bike is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to explore Kenting if you are not staying overnight, like us. It’s not difficult to spot scooter bike rental shops here.

We rented our battery-operated scooter bikes from Kenting Starry Sky — Space Capsule Hotel for NT$700 per bike. We even managed to deposit our heavy baggage at Starry Night Capsule Hotel, a relief for us all as there are no luggage deposit areas or lockers available in the Kenting area 😅

From the starting point at Kenting stop, a bike ride upwards to Eluanbi Lighthouse will take approximately one hour.

The southernmost point of Taiwan

Scenic spots along the way: – Sail Rock, or a.k.a “Richard Nixon’s Submerged Head” 船帆石 – Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔 (Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 4PM; Admission: NT$40) – Taiwan Southernmost Point 台灣最南點 – Longpan Park 龍磐公園 – the southernmost point of Taiwan – Sail Rock, or a.k.a “Richard Nixon’s Submerged Head” 船帆石 – Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔 (Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 4PM; Admission: NT$40) – Taiwan Southernmost Point 台灣最南點 – Longpan Park 龍磐公園

*Pro-tip: Do not be shy to ask shop owners if they allow bags storage for a couple of hours while you head out to explore Kenting National Park. Of course, it will be a lot easier if you ask the scooter rental shops you rent the bikes from.

Scooter bike rental/recommended accommodation: Kenting Starry Sky — Space Capsule Hotel , from S$44 per night

After the fun and carefree time we had biking around Kenting, it was time to get back to Kaohsiung then Taipei. First, we got onto the Express bus back to Kaohsiung (refer to bus timetable ). It’s a 2-hour bus ride back to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR Station, the best time to take forty winks.

Then, take the northwards HSR from Zuoying to Taipei HSR Station.

And with that, we conclude our 8-day roundabout Taiwan trip. We hope we’ve shown that it’s not difficult nor expensive to travel and experience the lesser-known gems of Taiwan.

Budget Breakdown for 8 Days

Planning to visit many attractions? Get a Klook Pass to get a discount, up to 41%!

Transport: S$250 Accommodation: S$141 Activities: S$216 Food: $100 SIM Card: $13.50 Total: S$720.50 ( excl. flights )

*Pro-tip: Use code <THETRAVELINTERN> on Klook to get 5% off all items * with a min. spend of S$50 (discount cap at S$15). Apply the promo code at checkout. One-time use only. (* – see list of excluded activities )

Kickstart your adventures to Taiwan now! We’ve got what you need: – 4D3N Taipei Itinerary – Ultimate Food Guide: All Around Taiwan – Taipei Day Trip: Jiufen & Shifen – Underrated Things to do in Tainan – Food Guide: Shilin Night Market

Click here to check flights from Singapore to Taipei !

This article was brought to you by  Klook . 

Follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  YouTube , and Telegram  for more travel updates!

  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Nov 6, 2017 at 7:10pm PST

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26 comments.

Hi, may i know which paragliding operator did you use in Puli? Planning to try out in a few weeks time. Did you book in advance? Thanks!

Here’s the operator we used. Very professional! https://www.klook.com/activity/703-nantou-paragliding-taichung/?aid=312

Love all your useful tips. Thank you!

Hello, is it possible to travel around Taichung, Nantou, and GaoMei Wetland without renting a car? Perhaps through public transportation or cabs?

Hi Charles, you can but there are limited timings. We went with a car rental because we wanted to be at the stand up boarding place very early. No busses run at that time and we didn’t want to incur a hefty taxi charge.

Wow! What a trip you’ve got here in Taiwan.=) Though I am curious, what’s your favorite city out of all?

Love them all!

Hi dear! Do you know if we can get to Hua Lien easily from Nantou/Tai Chung? 🙂 Thank you!

Hi Audrey, I think most trains will have to go back towards Taipei area before looping over to Hua Lien due to the mountains in the centre of Taiwan. If you want to go direct, your best bet is to either self drive or take a very expensive private car/cab.

Thank you for the informative entry, I could use this next time <3 I'm also an aspiring travel blogger and I often read your blog.. Keep inspiring people like me. 🙂 Love lots! – http://www.annebelo.com

All the best!

Hi! I’ll be visiting Taiwan for 10 days somewhere around the end of November. I’m planning to go for Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien. How do you think the flow should go? Should I visit from the northern side to the southern side? Or what else do you suggest? Other than that, how many days do you suggest on visiting each area I mentioned earlier (Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien)? Sorry for asking so much; I’m not quite a planner. Thanks in advance.

P.S. There’ll be two of us, so I guess buses and MRT are the best options for transport since that we have a budget.

Hi Alexandra, why not follow our plan and route?

Sorry to ask, where does the kenting express bus from Zuoying to Kenting ends at?

The last stop of the Kenting Express Bus is near Little Bay Beach 小灣沙灘 of Kenting.

The Kenting Express Bus route is as follows: Zuoying HSR 高鐵左營站 → Dapeng Bay 大鵬灣 → Fangliao 臺鐵枋寮站 → Checheng 車城 → South Baoli 南保力 → Hengchun Transfer Stn 恆春轉運站 → Nanwan 南灣 → Kenting 小灣(墾丁)

Hope this helps! 🙂 -Edelyn

Hi, What camera did you use? Planning to visit Taiwan Next Year.

Hi Niko! We used various cameras during this trip, from semi-pros to GoPro to mobile phones! Taiwan is beautiful no matter which device you capture moments on. We hope you’ll have a great time in Taiwan! 🙂 -Edelyn

it so nice to see the introduction about Taiwan.

Hi i really like your itinerary in taichung. Could you advise which car rental you have engage? And anyone that drives you around to all the places?

Hi Khoon, we rented our car from Chailease Car Rental (you can make your rental online: https://www.rentalcar.com.tw/ ) and picked up the car from Taichung THSR Station. It’s just a car rental so you’ll need an international driving license to drive in Taiwan.

Alternatively, you can book a private car charter service online: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/8325-private-sightseeing-car-charter-for-central-taiwan-taichung/?aid=312 Thank you!

HI, how easy it is to find parking for all those places of attractions? Like the markets etc. Thanks.

Hi Amelia, as far as we can remember, there are big open-space carparks near both Fengchia and Ruifeng night markets. The other attractions do have parking spaces nearby too, but you might have to walk around Tainan’s Anping Old Street as the alleys are tight and crowded!

Hi do you know of other operators for the stand up paddling activity in sun moon lake?

I follow your link to klook but they are unavailable for booking at all

Hi Audemars, Seems like the operator we went to is sold out for now! Here are other SUP activities around Taiwan if you don’t mind other areas other than Sun Moon Lake: Yilan Hualien 1 Hualien 2 Hualien 3 Taipei Taipei Shenao Taipei Fulong Beach Taipei Yehliu Thank you!

I am planning to Taiwan with kids in Dec. Any best itinerary for travelling with kids? What’s the accommodations would u recommend?

Hi Care! We do general itineraries that are suitable for older children to active adults. Unfortunately we don’t have any in Taiwan (so far) for young children!

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Taiwan’s First-Rate Second City

December 26, 2022 by Robert Schrader Leave a Comment

Finding a Kaohsiung itinerary can be a somewhat daunting task, in spite of how much the internet seems to love Taiwan’s second city. That’s the first reason I’m glad you’re here—I know how frustrating it can be to want to plan a trip somewhere, but to lack the resources to create an actionable (or even meaningful) outline.

Of course, part of the reason that information can be so difficult to come by is that Kaohsiung things to do are neither as numerous nor as conspicuous as the attractions that comprise the average Taipei itinerary . Here’s how to make the most of your Kaohsiung trip, no matter how many days you have available or how you’d like to spend them.

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung

If you’re looking for a Kaohsiung hotel that rocks your socks, you might be out of luck. While there’s no shortage of quality lodging in the city, from boutique-ish properties such as  Kindness Hotel to the budget-friendly  Pathways Hostel , there are very few places to stay in Kaohsiung that embody luxury, opulence or even excellence, really.

One Kaohsiung accommodation that’s something of an exception to this rule is  Silks Club Kaohsiung , which is among the few true five-star hotels in Kaohsiung. Alternatively, an increasing number of travelers are choosing apartments, though these can have as many drawbacks as benefits, unless you plan to stay for a week or longer and “live” in Kaohsiung during that time.

Top Kaohsiung Attractions

Tiger and dragon pagodas.

Probably the most famous (and certainly, the most photographed) of all Kaohsiung attractions, the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas are the first place in the city I’d head if I were you. Many of the other attractions in Kaohsiung Lotus Pond are also attractive, however, and the second floor of the pavilion that juts into the middle of the lake is a great spot to watch sunset. Moreover, a street food market sets up on the main pond-side road in the afternoon and evening.

Cijin Old Town

Need a little history? Ride the metro to Kaohsiung Port ( Sizihawn station of the Kaohsiung MRT ) and take a quick ferry over to Cijin island. But rather than ticking items off the limited list of attractions here, the most notable of which is the Cijin Shell Museum , focus your energy on getting lost in this decidedly local part of town. This was one of the highlights not only of this Kaohsiung attraction blog, but of my Taiwan trip in general if I’m completely honest.

The path that leads up to the top of this Kaohsiung mountain is just a few minutes by foot from the port, which makes it the perfect follow-up activity to an afternoon on Cijin. Known in Chinese as Shoushan and in English as Monkey Mountain , it’s the perfect spot to get a panorama of Kaohsiung’s CBD and its glittering harbor. You can even look back on Cijin and the ships just off its shore, which is an awesome shot to get indeed. On your way back to the city center you could stop at the Love River , though I find this waterway pretty forgettable, and worth skipping unless you have a long trip such as a Kaohsiung itinerary, 5 days (or longer).

Liuhe Tourist Night Market

Fair warning: Many a local person will say the best Kaohsiung night market is Ruifang , and not the Liuhe Tourist Night Market . I prefer the latter, not only because I love the fried dumplings you find here, but because it’s convenient—it’s just a few minutes’ walk from Formosa Boulevard , the central station of the Kaohsiung MRT. It also offers a larger variety of food than Ruifang, which compensates for the number of tourists here, at least for the purposes of this Kaohsiung blog.

Day Trips from Kaohsiung

If you’ve explored the city center but haven’t gotten your Kaohsiung temple fix, the most obvious choice is to visit Fo Guang Shan monastery. Accessible via the 8501 Bus from Zuoying HSR Station , this is an appealing day trip in one sense, but can be frustrating if you’re a photographer. Reason being, the viewing deck seems to be off-limits except for during major Buddhist holidays, which makes it near-impossible to get the “money shot.”

If you aren’t taking a trip all the way around Taiwan, but want to enjoy some beach time during your Kaohsiung itinerary, you’ll also head to Zuoying Kaohsiung train station. The most effective thing to do is rent a car here, so you can drive not only to Kenting National Park , but to superior beaches farther north such as Taimali . However, you can also take a direct bus from Zuoying to Kenting National Park, and just chill out in and around town for the day. For an urban day trip from Kaohsiung, make the short train journey northward to Tainan , Taiwan’s original capital city.

How Many Days Do You Need in Kaohsiung?

Although there’s not as much Kaohsiung sightseeing as you would find in, say, Taipei, there’s still enough to spend two full days in the city center. You could condense this to one, if you’re comfortable leaving a few things out, though I wouldn’t recommend a day trip to Kaohsiung from Taipei—the city is large and rich enough in activities that you really owe yourself at least one sleep here. When it comes to Kaohsiung, how many days you spend should be “as many as possible.”

Ideally, you’d plan a Kaohsiung 3 days itinerary, which would give you two full days in the city center, plus a day for an excursion to somewhere outside. While Fo Guang Shan will be the Kaohsiung day trip choice of most travelers, you could head north to Tainan for an urban adventure, or even rent a car and drive to Kenting and back as described two paragraphs up in this Kaohsiung travel blog.

Other FAQ About Planning a Trip to Kaohsiung

Is kaohsiung worth visiting.

Kaohsiung is absolutely worth visiting, regardless of why you come and for how long. Some travelers will head down for the day from Taipei, doing a (very long) day trip assisted by Taiwan’s excellent high-speed rail network. For others, a few days in Kaohsiung comes after driving down Taiwan’s East Coast scenic route, and for still others it’s a standalone trip.

Is Kaohsiung better than Taipei?

Although I love Kaohsiung, it’s difficult for me to think of a way in which Kaohsiung might be considered “better” than Taipei. In addition to being larger and more cosmopolitan than Kaohsiung, Taipei simply offers more opportunities for day trips and other exploration. With this being said, you should definitely visit both cities if you get a chance.

How long is the high speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung?

The high-speed train journey from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes between 1.5-2 hours, depending upon which departure you take and where else it stops. With this in mind, it’s very easy to see Kaohsiung on a day trip from Taipei, assuming you board one of the morning’s first outbound trains and return as late at night as possible.

The Bottom Line

This Kaohsiung itinerary is a lifesaver, whether you come on an excursion from Taipei, stop during a comprehensive Taiwan itinerary or visit the city on a standalone basis. From must-see Kaohsiung attractions like the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas, to interesting day trips like Fo Guang Shan Monastery, to the underrated Cijin historical district, my itinerary for Taiwan’s second city is first-rate. Make sure to leave a comment below if my itinerary helped you plan you trip!

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• Taipei Kaohsiung itinerary — How to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung?

If you have an opportunity to travel to Taiwan, do not forget Kaohsiung city. You will not be too worried because Living Nomads will give you a guide to move from Taipei to Kaohsiung by specific and detailed ways. This is the Taipei Kaohsiung itinerary (suggested itinerary Kaohsiung) guide on how to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung for self-planned tourists with Kaohsiung 2 day itinerary details.

• Kaohsiung itinerary 2 days — How to spend 2 days in Kaohsiung, Taiwan?
• Top night markets in Taiwan — 11 most famous, must-go & best night markets in Taiwan
• Where to shop in Kaohsiung?— 10 best night markets, shopping malls & best shopping places in Kaohsiung
• Kaohsiung itinerary — Suggested Kaohsiung itinerary 3 days & how to spend 3 days in Kaohsiung?
• How to get around Taiwan & how to travel around Taiwan? — 5 best way to get around Taiwan

While Taipei is very crowded and busy, Kaohsiung- a port city has its own attractive features (It is the 4th largest port city in the world). The climate here is more temperate (especially it is not too cold in winter), the street is spacious, people are friendly. This city is located in the south of Taiwan. To come here, you can use a few of the following ways below.

How to get from Kaohsiung to Taipei?

There are 3 ways to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung

Option 1: Travel by normal train

It takes about 5-6 hours to move from Taipei to Kaohsiung by normal train. Meanwhile, if you go from Taichung, it just takes about 3 hours. You can book tickets in advance on the railway website or directly at the train station. The train moves quite smoothly but it takes more time.

The price of a ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 600 NTD (~ 21 USD). For Taichung or shorter stages, to know the price and time exactly, you just need to calculate according to the distance.

Option 2: Travel by bus

Buses are the most popular means of transport in Taiwan. Travelling by bus is a little faster than by train. It will take about 5 hours to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in case of no traffic jam. Taipei-Kaohsiung bus ticket price is about 500 NTD – 700 NTD (~17 – 24 USD) depending on each kind of bus. You can directly buy tickets at the counter or at Ibon seven. The big bus companies you can trust and use are Ubus, King bus or Aloha and Ho-Hsin.

Option 3: Travel by the express train – HSR

This is the most time-saving way to move from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Going by this train just takes one and half hours. The train runs with the speed of up to 300km/h. The train running on the high way so you can go sightseeing comfortably. And especially the seats on the HSR are very comfortable; however, the price of HSR train is more expensive than that of the normal train. It costs about 1400 NTD (~48 USD) or more.

Taipei Kaohsiung itinerary: Where to go in Kaohsiung?

2 days in kaohsiung — day 1: fo guang shan buddha temple and eda world – ruifeng night market.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha is a famous temple with the highest Buddha statue in the world. In the middle of the land, people build a 108-meter-high bronze cast statue and there are 8 stupas 8 stupas on either side of the statue. Especially, the atmosphere here is very quiet, although there are many people to visit but absolutely no noise.

The reason you should come here is that these places are not located in the center of Kaohsiung city, but the distance between them is quite close. Thus you should combine the three ways in order not to waste time, health as well as cost.

EDA World is a metropolitan area with everything from entertainment, sports to shopping. As arriving here, people often enjoy the moment when sitting in giant circles to see the entire kingdom of Eda. You can also go to the extremely gorgeous and luxurious shopping mall or the large skating rink.

2 days in Kaohsiung — Day 2: Pier 2 Art Center and Sun Yat-Sen University

The first place for day 2 is Pier 2 Art Center. This is a place rebuilt on the substructure of the warehouse next to the seaport. It was considered as a cute art center from the installation of the microarchitecture to the way of painting on the wall outside the warehouse. Depending on each time, there will be exhibitions with different themes, but whatever the themes are also extremely attractive. Especially for young people who like to take photos magically or have a selfie, this place is a true paradise for them.

Sun Yat-sen is a famous University in Taiwan. Its location is also beautiful. One side is the mountain and the other side is the sea. You can rent a green Ubik bike at the Mass Rapid Transit station or MRT and ride the bike around the Xi Zi bay. You can also have a ride around the campus of the university. If you want to enjoy food at the roadside restaurants, let’s try Bingsoo restaurant (famous for ground ice with fruit) near the ferry boat.

Moreover, in “Guide to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung for self-planned tourist” Living Nomads will introduce you a “maze” for shopping. That is an amazing Xin Jue Jiang night market .

Although this little market has little food, it is a heaven for shopping. In each corner you come across, there are many stores of clothing, shoes as well as beautiful accessories and jewelry. The way of decorating in the shop here is very eye-catching, which makes you not want to leave. Especially their price is worth and propositional to the quality so you do not worry about the challenging price. If you fall in this situation, let’s bargain to reduce about 50 ~ 60TWD (~1.7 – 2 USD) for fun. When leaving this shopping mall, it’s very pity that you do not buy any items here.

The above article is a guide on how to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung for self-planned tourists. If you need any further information, let’s support and follow us as well as do not hesitate to contact with Living Nomads!

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• Day trips out of Taipei — Top 8 best day trips from Taipei you definitely should not miss.
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Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei travel blog — The fullest Taipei city guide for a wonderful trip to Taipei for the first-timers.

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Taiwanese Secrets Travel Guide

Travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung City

Traveling from Taipei to Kaohsiung City in the southern part of Taiwan is really easy.

The 2 main questions you should ask yourself when considering transportation between Taipei and Kaohsiung are where do you want to arrive, and how fast you need to get there.

Table of Contents

Where do you want to arrive in Kaohsiung?

The High Speed Rail Station (HSR) is located in Zuoying , in the northern part of the city. If you must connect to a different train, you’ll have to take the KRT (Kaohsiung Rapid Transit) subway all the way to the main train station downtown .

How fast do you want to go?

The fastest way to travel along the west coast of Taiwan is by HSR . Second fastest is the normal train . Slowest is the bus. (Actually slowest would be to ride your scooter or cycle – I’ll cover those in another article…)

Taipei to Kaohsiung by HSR

The HSR high-speed rail  will get you there in no time! It only takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to connect Taipei to Kaohsiung City by High-Speed Train, and cost 1490NT$ for standard seat and 2195NT$ for business class. You can take the high-speed train at Taipei Main Station.

Travel by Normal Train

The normal train from the TRA (Taiwan Railway Administration) takes much longer to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung – it can take between 03h 30m and 05h 30m by Tze-Chiang Limited Express train, and cost 843NT$. You should know that it is quite difficult to reserve a seat for the TRA trains from Taipei to Kaohsiung on weekends and holidays. Book ahead if possible.

Taipei to Kaohsiung by Public Bus

Taking the bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung City should really be a last resort option as traffic can be really bad on the highways at any time of the day, week, or year. Buses are uncomfortable and cold – bring a warm sweater on board. If you must take the bus, you can get on at Taipei Bus Station, just behind Taipei Main Station.

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An Insider’s Kaohsiung Itinerary | Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung

Asia , Itinerary , Kaohsiung , Taiwan

I have called Kaohsiung home for the past three years. After living here and hosting many out-of-town guests, I’m excited to show how you, too, can spend four perfect days in Kaohsiung. My 4-day Kaohsiung itinerary includes things to do in Kaohsiung and useful insider tips you should know before visiting the city.

Kaohsiung ( 高雄 ; Gāoxióng) is the second-largest city in Taiwan. Located in the southern part of the island, it is historically a port city. Through the colonization of the Dutch, Japanese and Chinese, the area’s culture and development were influenced by many foreign cultures. Visitors can still find the remains of such influence throughout the city.

Ready to explore this charming southern city? Let’s go!

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Disclosure : This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase by clicking some of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you . Click here to read full disclaimer. 

>> For your Kaohsiung Trip Planning: First, read my Taiwan Travel Tips with everything you need to know plan your perfect Taiwan trip. If you are a foodie, you will appreciate my recommendations for Kaohsiung food and restaurants only locals know and best milk tea shops in Kaohsiung . Also, learn more about Kaohsiung transportation system . 

What to Do in Kaohsiung in 4 Days

Day 1: Sizihwan Taroko Railway Museum – Pier-2 Art Center – SunnyHills Kaohsiung – Sunset at the Love Hill – (option) Former British consulate at Takao, or 85 Sky Tower   Day 2: Cijin island & Ruifeng Night Market Gushan Ferry Terminal – Cijin Seaside Park – Rainbow Church -Cijin Windmill Park – Seafood for lunch – Tianhoou Temple – Cihou Frt – Cijin Tunnel – Kaohsiung Lighthouse – Ruifeng Night Market   Day 3: Fo Guang Shan & Lotus Pond Hai Lai Restaurant – Fo Guang Monastery – Lotus Pond   Day 4: Monkey Mountain & Love River Shoushan Hiking – Yan Cheng Pu – (option) nap – Love River

Heading to Taipei?

My Taipei Guide includes an itinerary to see the highlights in just three days – including six historical places in Taipei, best pineapple cake shops in Taipei, and a day trip idea.

Kaohsiung Itinerary Day 1: Sizihwan

Sizihwan( 西子灣 ; Xīzǐwān) is a must for all visitors to Kaohsiung. This bay area has everything for children, singles, couples, and families to enjoy the best of Kaohsiung. You can spend days here if you’d like.

Getting Around

Sizihwan is easy to get to and around. You can reach via MRT, light rails or bus. For more information, read my other post: Getting Around in Kaohsiung: Transportation Guide . 

Around the MRT Sizihwan station exit 1, you will easily spot bicycle and scooter rentals . Although Sizihwan is considered to be a pedestrian-friendly area, given Kaohsiung’s tropical weather, it might be a good idea to rent one. Plus, it’s fun and cheap. Why not?

1. Takao Railway Museum

Sizihwan’s other name is Hamasen ( 哈瑪星 ), literally means “the coastal railroad line” in Japanese. During the Japanese Colonial era, the railroad line between Tainan and Takao (today’s Kaohsiung) opened. The first train station in Kaohsiung once played an important role in the Hamasen’s industrial development as a land and sea transportation hub.

The station has recently been turned into a museum to exhibit the scenes of Taiwan Railway Cargo operations in its golden days . We took a friend’s family one time. Their young boy loved to get on a train and play around the outdoor area. He was too young to care about the indoor exhibit, but adults enjoyed.

Location : MRT Sizihwan station exit 2 [ Open Google Map] Hours : 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

Although this colorful upside-down house has been torn down, Pier 2 Art District has no shortage of Instagram-worthy artworks.

2. Pier-2 Art Center

Right behind the Takao Railway Museum is a park. You can still see the old railways on the green-grassed playground. This is a popular spot both for local families and tourists on the weekends to go picnic or fly a kite.

Riding a mini train is more fun than you think!

The most popular activity among families here seems to be a miniature train ride. When my family visited, we rode this train. It was for my niece and nephew, but adults equally had fun! We bought Pier-2 Pass at the Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway located in the park. The Pass included admissions to special exhibits and came with a passport. The kids had lots of fun collecting stamps on the passport from various locations in the area. (Pass fares: 199 NT for adult and 149 for children under 12.)

In its industrial days, this area used to be a warehouse cluster, storing fish powder and sugar supplies for the ships at the port. These warehouses were renovated to serve as a home for local artists. Some art studios are open to the public to craft their own jewelry, key chains, and leather goods.

I really like the look and feel of the district. While keeping its original structure and distressed red bricks, the renovated warehouses are quite artsy and modern, accompanied by contemporary sculptures and artworks. In between the rows of buildings, you will find graffiti-style artworks on the wall, offering plenty of photo opportunities for photographers and Instagram enthusiasts.

Exploring little boutique shops in the area is also fun. Every Saturday, local artists, and crafters host a flea market. If you are looking for unique souvenirs and gifts to bring back home, this is THE place to find those.

When you see this statue and light rail from Pier 2 Art Center, cross the street to explore further.

Pro Tips: A lot of first-time visitors miss out on the “other side” of the Art District. Walk outside of the main warehouse area. You will want to cross Penglai Road ( 蓬萊路 ) and walk alongside the Light Rail track. (See photo above.) There is a whole another area to explore!

Location : MRT Sizihwan station exit 2 [ Open Google Map] Hours : Open area. The museum opens 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.

3. SunnyHills Kaohsiung ( 微熱山丘 )

After exploring the area, I highly recommend stopping by SunnyHills. It is one of the most famous pineapple cake shops in Taiwan . Located in the art district, the cafe itself and the surrounding areas are worth the visit.

The best part is, the moment you walk in, you are seated at a communal table and served with a free sample of their famous pineapple cake and oolong tea . When I say sample, I meant an individually-wrapped, full-size pineapple cake, not a tiny crumbled cut in a Tupperware. (Note: The tasting service is not available on the weekends.)

After a full day of walking, you can sit and chill at this cafe. The servers never rush you. There is no obligation to purchase their goods although you will want to buy some after tasting it.

Pro Tip : Public restroom in the SunnyHills building is clean. But bring your own hand sanitizer as I noticed they ran out of soap on a few occasions.

Location :  Dayi Warehouse C11-1, The Pier-2 Art Center [ Open Google Map] Hours :   11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tel: 07-551-0558

READ MORE >> Where to Buy Best Pineapple Cakes in Kaohsiung

View from Kaohsiung’s Love Hill on Shoushan

4. Sunset at the Love Hill

After resting your feet at Sunny Hills, you can head to the Love Hill, located in the nearby Shoushan. Love Hill is my favorite spot to enjoy the view of Kaohsiung and the harbor.

The best time to visit is around sunset. Take some photos around the LOVE sign with the blue sky and harbor as your backdrop. Enjoy the romantic view of the Sun going down under the sea.

Location : Right in front of Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine. [Open Google Map] Hours :  Anytime. For sunset, get there by 4:30 – 6 p.m. depending on the time of the year.

✨Alternative : If you are relying on public transportations or your feet, Love Hill might be challenging to get to. Kaohsiung offers a few other places to enjoy the city view.

Kaohsiung City & Harbor View from the Former British Consulate at Takao

Former British Consulate at Takao would be my second choice. Since you would be already in Sizihwan, it’s easy to get to on foot. Walk along Shaochuan St. to Lianhai Rd., and you will see the sign. I have to warn you, though, the entrance to the British Consulate Residence is located on the hill. You will need to go up the stairs to the top to reach the ticket office.

The Consulate Residence hosts a permanent exhibit to showcase the history of Takao Port. Here, you can see a panoramic view of Kaohsiung harbor. English afternoon tea is available with reservation. Don’t forget to stop by the Consulate Office down the hill.

Location : On the hill No. 20, Shaochuan St., Gushan District [Open Google Map] Hours : 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday through Sunday.  Closed each Monday of the third week. Tel: 07-531-4170 Admission: 500 NT

Kaohsiung City View from 85 Sky Tower (Image Credit: Kuriko Wong)

85 Sky Tower ( book hotel here )  is an iconic landmark and hotel with an observatory. The building is the second tallest skyscraper in Taiwan. The hotel’s 75th floor is an observation deck with Kaohsiung’s city view.

Location : No.1, Tzu-Chiang 3rd Road, Kaohsiung   [Open Google Map] Hours : 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tel: 07-566-8818 Admission: 250 NT; 200 NT for students & children (free if under 110 cm tall)

↡↡Looking for Kaohsiung Taiwan Hotels? Book Your Stay Here! ↡↡

Kaohsiung Itinerary Day 2: Cijin Island & Ruifeng Night Market

Take a quick ferry at the Gushan Ferry Terminal to visit Cijin Island.

1. Cijin Island

After breakfast, head out to the Gushan Ferry Terminal in Sizihwan. Cijin Island is located a 10-min ferry ride away from there. It is not a fancy ride, but you will get a quick view of Hamasen and Cijin Island from the upper deck. 

Rent an electronic bicycle to explore Cijin Island. It’s an easy, cheap and convenient way to get around.

The ferry will take you to the main street ( 旗津老街 ) of Cijin Island. If not already on a scooter, I’d rent an electronic bicycle in front of 7-11. At the end of November, we were walking and sweating profusely. It’s just hot all year round. Learn from my mistake and get a ride.

Kaohsiung’s Instagram Hotspot: Rainbow Church in Cijin Island

Once you get your ride of choice, drive away from the main street to Cijin Seaside Park . The ride along the bicycle road is breezy and pleasant. Be sure to stop by Rainbow Church ( 旗津彩虹教堂 ) to take a few shots. Then, continue riding to Cijin Windmill Park ( 旗津風車公園 ).

Now ride a bicycle back to the main street for lunch. My go-to restaurant here is Ya Jiao ( 鴨角 ). The seafood here never disappoints me. Salt & Pepper crab is my all-time favorite.

Tianhou Temple on the main street of the Cijin Island

With a happy stomach, slowly stroll along the main street. Grab a sugarcane juice or stop by  the Tianhou T emple ( 旗津天后宮 ). You might want to return the rented bicycle. It would be challenging to ride to the Northern part of the island.

The next stop is Cihou Fort ( 旗後砲臺 ). It is a historic site with scenic views. Some people have said this is another good place to enjoy sunset although I haven’t experienced it myself. Right next to it is Cijin Tunnel ( 旗津星空隧道 ). It is a nice breezy trail, especially during the hot summer. A beautiful sea view is awaiting at the end of the tunnel. Continue walking along the trail, you will get to Kaohsiung Lighthouse ( 高雄燈塔 ), which is another place to enjoy the sea and city view.

Now it’s time to head back to the city. Walk back to the Cijin Ferry Station for the ferry ride back to Kaohsiung.

Location : Gushan Ferry Terminal [Open Google Map] Hours : Varies.   Fares (one way):  20 NT with Easy Card or iPass. 40 NT in cash.

2. Ruifeng Night Market

If you still have energy, perhaps the night market would be a great place to grab dinner. Taiwan has no shortage of night markets. Liuhe Night Market seems to be more well-known; however, Ruifeng Night Market (瑞風夜市) would give you a much more authentic experience.

The fun part of the night market is to eat your way out with small, cheap foods from various stalls. Here, you can get a variety of night market favorites such as oyster pancakes, stinky tofu, jumbo fried chicken, grilled seafood, fried whole squid, as well as fresh fruit juice, milk tea and ice cream.

Another attraction here is game stalls. Consider it as the Taiwanese version of State Fairs in the U.S. The night market also offers various shopping from clothing and shoes to cell phone accessories.

Location : From the MRT red line Kaohsiung Arena station, take an exit 1. Walk one block. [Open Google Map]  Hours : 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. Closed on Wednesdays.

READ MORE >> Best Milk Tea & Coffee Houses in Kaohsiung  

Kaohsiung Itinerary Day 3: Fo Guang Shan & Lotus Pond

1. Fo Guang Shan ( 佛光山 )

Located about an hour drive away from Kaohsiung,  Fo Guang Shan  is the biggest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. On my first visit, I was impressed by how much details and elaborated efforts were made into every corner of this enormous site on the mountainside. Then, I was overwhelmed by its architecture and the Big Buddha. No wonder why it is internationally recognized as a holy ground among Buddhists!

Before I do anything at Fo Guang Shan, I like to eat lunch at Hai Lai Restaurant in the front hall at the Memorial Center. The restaurant offers delicious, creative vegetarian dishes.

Once walking out the front hall into Big Buddha Terrace , you will immediately see the eight symmetrical pagodas leading to Fo Guang Big Buddha . It is truly an amazing view. Although I’ve visited this place many times, it amazes me every single time.

While the eight pagodas have some exhibits, the main hall hosts more valuable exhibits. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed inside. But I can confidently tell you that your visit to Jade Buddha and Golden Buddha Shrines would be worthwhile. Be sure to pay attention to the elaborate decorations on the walls, too. The Life of the Buddha exhibit was educational. Since I’m not a Buddhist, it really helped me understand Buddhism.    

After taking a look at the Memorial Center, take a shuttle bus to Fo Guang Shan Monastery . Only recently, I discovered that I’ve been missing out the whole half of Fo Guang Shan! Be sure to visit the Monastery next door.

The shuttle bus will drop off near the reception center. Here, you have an option to hop on a cart. But walking is really not bad at all. A bit of hill up through hundreds of golden Buddhas, you will reach the top of the hill where Great Buddha stands high. The view from the hilltop is beautiful!

Fo Guang Shan Monastery’s Main Shrine

Walk down the hill and continue walking towards the Main Shrine . Along the path, you will see cute stone sculptures of boy monks and a serene garden. The main shrine houses three Buddha statues. Looking at those Buddhas and surrounding walls, a solemn moment sat in with me.

Location :  In front of the High-Speed Rail Zuoying station, take a bus  from the platform 2. (fares: 70NT). You will see a “佛光山” (Fo Guang Shan) sign. It will take about an hour to get to the Fo Guang Shan Memorial Center. You can take the same bus back to the Zuoying Station on your return.  Hop on a free shuttle bus between the Memorial Center and the Monastery. [Open G oogle Map] Hours : 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (closes on 8 p.m. on weekends)  Closed every Tuesday. Tel: 07-656-1921

Enter into the Dragon’s mouth and come out of the Tiger’s mouth for good luck!

2. Lotus Pond ( 連池潭 )

Once you are back to   Zuoying, visit the Lotus Pond. The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas ( 龍虎塔 ) are probably the most popular attractions in the Pond. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes auspicious powers and controls water and rain. Tiger is the king of animals, which symbolizes bravery and power.

When we visited the site, we overlooked a sign in front of the pagodas because it was written in Chinese. Apparently, the sign directed visitors to go into the dragon’s mouth and come out of the tiger’s mouth. We were told that it would get rid of any bad luck and bring good luck. At that time, we did it anyway without knowing. Whew!

Inside the body of the dragon and the tiger, we saw paintings, supposedly telling the Buddhist and Taoist stories. Because we were not really familiar with these religions, we just had to aesthetically appreciate them. If you are wondering as I was, I heard that Buddhism and Taoism are often worshiped together in Taiwan.

Right across the pagodas is Cihji Palace temple. Since we see temples everywhere in Taiwan all the time, we didn’t go in. Instead, we decided to walk along the huge man-made pond. We stopped at the Spring and Autumn Pavilions ( 春秋御閣 ), where you can see deity statues riding a dragon. We walked a bridge into the Five Mile Pavilion ( 五里亭 ) in the water . Both sides of the bridge were lotus flowers.

We continued walking to get to Yuandi Temple Beiji Pavilion ( 北極亭 ) with a huge statue of the Great Emperor of the North Pole. The 21.8-meter statue is the tallest god statue on the water in Southeast Asia.

The Lotus Pond hosts many other temples and pavilions. But after checking out the famous ones, we decided to call it a day.

Location :  From the Zuoying station, go to exit 2. Take bus 301 or Red35. It takes about 10 min. [Open Google Map]

Kaohsiung Itinerary Day 4: Monkey Mountain & Love River

1. Shoushan ( 壽山 )

Given Kaohsiung’s unpredictable tropical weather, I highly recommend starting your hiking by 10 a.m. at the latest. Otherwise, you might suffer from heatstroke. So if you prefer to rest, skip to the next activity.

However, you will not regret getting up early. While you will get a good work-out, Shoushan’s hiking trails are not that difficult. I see hikers of all ages from young children to grandparents all the time. The trails offer many vista points where you can enjoy the view of Kaohsiung while resting. Isn’t it an enticing reward to get up early?

If you are interested in seeing monkeys in the wild , Shoushan is the place to be. The monkeys here aren’t afraid of people, so you will have plenty of opportunities to take photos of them. Head to the Qiman Station (七蔓站) , where you can meet a group of monkeys up close and personal while enjoying the city view and drinking water. It takes less than an hour to reach Qiman. Hiking enthusiasts can continue moving up to the mountain top. For casual hikers, it is a great point of return.

I’ll warn you, though, the monkeys can get aggressive. Be vigilant. But as long as you mind your own business and keep a safe distance, they should be harmless.

Words of Wisdom (or warning!):

• Do NOT attempt to touch or pet monkeys. Who knows which one has tempers?
• Do NOT feed them.
• Do NOT bring foods. They will snatch it out of your hands, or steal your bag.
• Do NOT scream or attempt to kick them. They will outnumber you. 

Location :  Drive or bike to Shoushan Zoo. Walking up the hill from the parking lot, you will see the entrance to the hiking trail. [Open Google Map]  

2. Yan Cheng Pu ( 鹽埕埔 )

Back in the 70s when my parents-in-law were dating, Yan Cheng Pu was the “hot” place to be. Since then, the area has not been changed much until the recent revival of the district, where creative entrepreneurs took the initiative to renovate old buildings and develop business.

Thanks to the preservation of classic structures, walking along the alleys of Yan Cheng Pu is like going back in the old times. But the best part is…while many stores have come and gone, traditional eateries have survived with multi-generations carrying on their delicious recipes.

Our favorite place to go after hiking is Yan Cheng Pu’s eatery alley , also called Da Gou Ding ( 大溝頂 ). Qi Yu Wan ( 旗魚丸 ) ‘s wonton soup and pork belly bun  ( 割 包 ; guabao)  are the best in town. They only cost 50 NT and 45 NT respectively. Also, it’s a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, and totally appropriate to swing by casually after your hike.

After lunch, we usually walk deeper into the alley to get my mochi fix at A-Xian ( 阿線麻糬 ) . Their specialty is seasonal fruit mochi. During the mango season in summer, I get the mango mochi (80 NT) with a huge chunk of fresh mango inside the chewy mochi. It’s heavenly delicious! Another favorite is strawberry matcha. When both are not in season, I usually get the peanut or black sesame mochi (35 NT each). After burning some serious calories from hiking, I don’t feel bad at all to inhale this yummy piece of carbs down!

Pro Tip : Bring cash! Most establishments in the Yan Cheng Pu’s eatery alley are cash only.

Location :  From MRT Yan Cheng Pu station exit 2. [Open Google Map] Hours : Varies by the restaurant.

READ MORE >> Best Kaohsiung Food & Restaurants

3. Nap Time  

I rarely allow myself to take a nap while traveling. But, hey, you’ve earned it after waking up early and hiking the mountain under the Kaohsiung’s heat. Why not going back to the hotel, take a shower and rest up?

Strolling down the Love River is a good way to spend your last evening in Kaohsiung. The photo was taken during the Dragon Boat Festival.

4. Love River ( 愛河）

Love River is best to visit in the evening. Not only is the view better, but also you can avoid the blazing sun.

I’ll say this. Don’t expect too much. It’s nice to stroll or bike along the river. I think it’s a nice way to go easy on your last evening in Kaohsiung. But that’s about it.

There are some cafes and bars along the river, where you can grab a beer or coffee. You can take a boat tour if you’d like, although I do not think it is a must.

Location : MRT City Hall Station, Exit 1 or 2.  [Open Google Map]

[optinform]

What was your best experience in Kaohsiung? What else would you like to know about Kaohsiung?

ENJOYED THIS POST? PIN IT!

Hi! I’m traveling to Kaoshiung in December and wanted to know if you know a good family photographer.

Hi Amber – Sorry about the late response. I’ve been traveling and missed this comment. Would you mind emailing me (hello@chloestravelogue[dot]com)? As this does not relate to travel topic, I’d rather take it offline. Thanks!

Hello Chloe, greetings from Australia! We will be in Kaoshiung 27 Dec – 2 Jan and would love to know what you recommend to celebrate New years ‘eve with my family (2 children age 10 and 12). Thanks so much.

Hi Simone – How exciting! Big malls in Kaohsiung – E-da Outlet, Dream Mall and Taroko – put some fireworks. E-Da organizes the largest event, and right next to it is also E-da theme park. So it might be best to spend an entire day with two children. However, it’s further away from the city center. And note that you will experience the worst traffic jam leaving the place. If you decide to do it, you might want to consider staying at their hotel there called E-Da Royal Hotel. Hope this helps. 🙂

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Hello, I'm Chloe!

I'm an aspiring world traveler, who moved across the Pacific Ocean twice. After leaving my PR career, I'm currently exploring Asia from Taiwan and learning Chinese. Follow my journey as I will share my travel experiences, tips & tricks and cultural insights.

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Kaohsiung & Taipei in 5 Days: A Cultural and Modern Marvel Itinerary

April 18, 2024 · 3 min read

Embark on a 5-day journey through the vibrant cities of Kaohsiung and Taipei, where tradition meets modernity. Begin your adventure at the Taipei Palace Museum, immersing yourself in a collection that spans millennia of Chinese art and history. Next, ascend to the skies at TAIPEI 101 for breathtaking views of the cityscape, followed by a reflective visit to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Day two introduces you to the National Taiwan Museum's rich heritage, the spiritual serenity of Longshan Temple, and the natural beauty of Yangmingshan National Park. On the third day, meet the wildlife at Taipei Zoo, soar above the hills on the Maokong Gondola, and indulge in the bustling Shilin Night Market. Transition to Kaohsiung on day four, starting with the tranquil Fo Guang Shan monastery, a leisurely stroll along the Love River, and a creative twist at The Pier2 Art Center. Conclude your trip with a full day on Cijin Island, soaking in the coastal charm and historical significance of The British Consulate at Takow, before savoring the local flavors at Liuhe Night Market. This itinerary promises a blend of cultural landmarks, natural wonders, and urban delights, ensuring a memorable Taiwanese escapade.

• Day 1: Unveiling Taipei's Treasures

Taipei Palace Museum

Begin your Taipei adventure at the illustrious Taipei Palace Museum, a treasure trove of Chinese imperial art and one of the most prestigious museums in the world. Nestled in the heart of Shilin District, this cultural gem offers a three-hour journey through history with its vast collection of over 700,000 ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks. The museum's serene surroundings and the depth of history it encompasses make it a must-visit for any culture enthusiast.

Attraction Info

• No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
• Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
• Open on Tue-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon，Library: Open every Tuesday to Saturday 09:00-17:00, closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Zhang Daqian Memorial Hall: Opens at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, closed on April 2 each year and holidays. Zhishan Garden: 08:00-17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, closed every Monday. Zhide Garden: Free and open all year round.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Next, ascend to new heights at TAIPEI 101, an architectural marvel that once held the title of the world's tallest building. With its modern design and an observation deck offering panoramic views of the city, TAIPEI 101 is a symbol of Taipei's sky-high ambitions. Spend two hours marveling at the structure's engineering, indulge in some luxury shopping, or simply soak in the breathtaking cityscape from its 89th-floor observatory.

• No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
• Suggested tour duration: 2-4 hour
• Open from 10:00am-9:00pm，Above is the operating hours for the observation deck 89F. The shopping center is open from Sunday to Thursday,11:00-21:30, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00-22:00.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Conclude your day with a reflective hour at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a grand monument that stands in memory of the former President of the Republic of China. Located in the Zhongzheng District, this iconic landmark is flanked by majestic gardens and traditional Chinese architecture. The hall's elegant design and the changing of the guards ceremony are a poignant reminder of Taiwan's history and the resilience of its people.

• No. 21, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
• Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
• Open from 9:00am-6:00pm

Where to Stay Tonight

Saual keh hotel, check inn express taipei yongkang.

• Day 2: Cultural Wonders and Natural Splendors of Taipei

National Taiwan Museum

Kicking off the second day of our Taipei adventure, we delve into the heart of Taiwan's history at the National Taiwan Museum. Nestled in the bustling Zhongzheng District, this museum is a treasure trove of knowledge, offering a two-hour journey through Taiwan's rich cultural and natural heritage. The museum's impressive collections and exhibitions provide a profound insight into the island's past, from its indigenous cultures to its diverse ecosystems, making it an enlightening start to the day.

• No. 2, Xiangyang Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
• Open on Tue-Sun,9:30am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon

Longshan Temple

Following the historical exploration, we transition to the spiritual serenity of Longshan Temple, a beacon of tranquility amidst the urban landscape. This revered temple, with its intricate architecture and ornate decorations, stands as a testament to Taiwan's religious diversity and artistic craftsmanship. Visitors spend an hour immersed in the peaceful ambiance, observing local worshippers and experiencing the temple's cultural significance firsthand.

• No. 211, Guangzhou St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open from 6:00am-9:30pm

Yangmingshan National Park

To conclude the day's escapades, we escape to the natural paradise of Yangmingshan National Park. Just a short drive from the city's hustle, the park offers a refreshing two-hour respite in the embrace of nature. With its rolling hills, blooming flowers, and soothing hot springs, Yangmingshan is a perfect retreat for those seeking to reconnect with nature and enjoy panoramic views of Taipei's stunning landscape.

• 1-20 Zhuzihu Road, Yangming Mountain, Taipei
• Open 24 hours

Greenpeak Holiday Villa

Yang ming shan tien lai resort & spa.

• Day 3: Wildlife Wonders and Elevated Excursions in Taipei

Begin your third day with a visit to the enchanting Taipei Zoo, nestled at No. 30, Sec.2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan Dist. As the largest zoo in Asia, it promises an immersive two-hour journey through diverse habitats, housing creatures great and small. From the adorable pandas to the majestic African animals, the zoo offers a window into the wild, making it an educational and fun experience for all ages. The well-designed enclosures and conservation efforts provide insight into the natural world and the importance of preserving it.

• No. 30, Sec.2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei City 116016
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
• Open from 9:00am-5:00pm

Maokong Gondola

After marveling at the animal kingdom, take a short stroll to the nearby Maokong Gondola. This one-hour aerial ride gifts you with panoramic views of Taipei's lush landscapes. As you ascend from the base at No. 8, Section 2, Xinguang Road, the gondola glides over the picturesque tea plantations of Maokong, a serene escape from the city's hustle. The smooth journey to the mountain's peak is not just a visual treat but also a gateway to the area's famed tea culture.

• No. 8, Section 2, Xinguang Road, Wenshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Open on Tue-Fri,9:00am-9:00pm;Closed on Mon;Open on Sat-Sun,9:00am-10:00pm

Shilin Night Market

Conclude your day by diving into the vibrant atmosphere of Shilin Night Market, located at No. 101 Jihe Road, Shilin District. Spend two hours exploring this characteristic neighborhood, where the scent of delectable street food fills the air and the buzz of lively vendors calls out. From local delicacies to unique trinkets, the market's maze of stalls offers an authentic taste of Taipei's spirited night life. It's the perfect spot to indulge in culinary adventures and to find souvenirs that capture the essence of your travels.

• No. 101 Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City
• Open from 4:00pm-0:00am

Shihlin Dream House homestay

• Day 4: Spiritual Serenity and Artistic Vibes in Kaohsiung

Fo Guang Shan

Begin your fourth day with a peaceful visit to Fo Guang Shan, an iconic Buddhist complex nestled in Dashu District. As the first stop of the day, allow yourself to be immersed in the tranquility of this vast temple, which spans over 30 hectares. The architecture is a modern twist on traditional Buddhist style, and the site includes shrines, pagodas, and a massive Buddha statue that watches over the complex. Spend about three hours exploring the intricate designs, attending a meditation session, or simply enjoying the serene atmosphere that Fo Guang Shan offers.

• No.1 Tongling Road, Tongling Lane, Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
• Open on Sat-Sun,9:00am-7:00pm;Open on Mon, Wed-Fri,9:00am-6:00pm;Closed on Tue

Next, let the gentle currents of the Love River carry you into the heart of Kaohsiung's urban landscape. A two-hour sojourn along this picturesque waterway provides a romantic respite from the bustling city life. The Love River is not just a natural landmark; it's a cultural phenomenon, lined with cafes, parks, and art installations. It's the perfect place to unwind, take a leisurely boat ride, or simply stroll along the banks while soaking in the vibrant city vibes.

• Kaohsiung City

The Pier2 Art Center

Conclude your day's exploration at The Pier-2 Art Center, a creative park that's a testament to Kaohsiung's artistic renaissance. Once an abandoned warehouse area, it has been transformed into a hub of creativity, featuring galleries, studios, and quirky installations. Spend a couple of hours here in the late afternoon, wandering through the exhibitions, engaging with interactive art pieces, and perhaps catching a live performance. The Pier-2 Art Center is a celebration of contemporary culture and a must-visit for any art enthusiast.

• No. 1, Dayong Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City 803, Taiwan
• Open on Mon-Thu,10:00am-6:00pm;Open on Fri-Sun,10:00am-8:00pm

PAPO'A HARBOR HOTEL

Wen pin hotel - pier 2.

• Day 5: Kaohsiung's Coastal Charms and Night Market Wonders

Cijin Island

Begin your final day with a serene escape to Cijin Island, a slender slice of paradise in Kaohsiung. Accessible via a short ferry ride, this island offers a refreshing start to your day. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of its sandy shores and let the gentle sea breeze set a leisurely pace. Explore the island's quaint streets, taste the local seafood delicacies, and don't miss the iconic Cijin Lighthouse and the Cijin Wind Turbine Park for some picturesque views.

• Qijin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day

The British Consulate at Takow

After the island retreat, step back in time at The British Consulate at Takow, a historical edifice that stands as a testament to Taiwan's rich past. Perched on a hill with commanding views of the harbor, this consular residence turned museum showcases a blend of Victorian and traditional Chinese architecture. Spend a couple of hours wandering through the well-preserved rooms and exhibitions that narrate stories of the bygone era, and enjoy a cup of tea at the consulate's café overlooking the scenic Kaohsiung port.

• No. 20, Lianhai Rd, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 804
• Open on Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri,10:00am-7:00pm;Open on Sat-Sun,9:00am-7:00pm;Closed on Wed

Liuhe Night Market/Liuhe Tourist Night Market

Conclude your Kaohsiung adventure with the vibrant buzz of Liuhe Night Market, a characteristic neighborhood that comes alive as the sun sets. Dive into the bustling lanes and let your senses be captivated by the array of local snacks, from succulent seafood to sweet treats. This is the perfect spot to savor the flavors of Taiwan and pick up some souvenirs. As you stroll through the market, indulge in the lively atmosphere that makes Liuhe a beloved destination for both tourists and locals alike.

• Liuhe 2nd Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
• Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
• Open from 5:00pm-2:00am

The Cloud Hotel

Traveler station.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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8-Day Taiwan Itinerary: Kaohsiung to Taipei

Looking for the ultimate 8 day Taiwan itinerary? Taiwan is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience a unique and exciting culture, hike in beautiful national parks, eat lots of dumplings, and drink lots of boba tea!

This travel guide will help you plan a 8-day trip in Taiwan from Kaohsiung up to Taipei. Learn the best things to see and do in Taiwan, where to stay, and tips from my personal experience as a solo female traveler!

Where to Fly From

Where to stay in kaohsiung, kaohsiung museum of fine arts, liuhe night market, where to stay in shuishe, sunset at wenwu temple, where to stay in taipei, raohe night market, depart from taoyuan international airport, how to get to taiwan.

Since I was already traveling throughout southeast Asia, I flew directly from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines to Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in Taiwan with Air Asia. The flight is only 1 hour and 45 minutes.

I decided to fly into Kaohsiung and travel one way up to Taipei! You can also follow this itinerary in the opposite direction.

Taiwan Itinerary Map

My 8 Day Taiwan Itinerary as a Solo Female Traveler

Day 1: arrive in kaohsiung.

Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city and it’s a great place to start your trip, especially if you don’t want to backtrack.

This Taiwanese city is known for its towering pagodas and colorful temples, flourishing creative scene, and stunning urban landscapes.

After dark, the city comes alive with its neon-lit signs and the sounds and smells of its famous night markets. Here you can find a mouth-watering array of street food, from savory dumplings to sweet desserts.

Taking the Airport Metro

After arriving in Kaohsiung, I hopped on the Kaohsiung Airport Metro red line to Sanduo Shopping District Station as this was the closest metro station to my accommodations. The journey took about 15 minutes.

The metro ticket cost NT$30 (less than $1 USD) and it was actually a coin! It was so unique as I’d never experienced that before. You can purchase tickets at the MRT ticket machines or at the MRT stations.

Eat at a Night Market

After I checked into my accommodations, my first order of business was to get food. I walked to the Xingzhong Night Market to find some dinner. I only ended up ordering a drink, which I didn’t really know what it was because nothing was written in English. It ended up tasting like a frozen green beer with milk in it. I wouldn’t have ordered it again even if I knew how to!

I continued walking around until I stopped at the restaurant ㄐㄐ叫吐司 , which was right next to my hostel. I saw a lot of people eating there so decided to try it. I ended up getting a huge bowl of hot pot noodles for only $3 USD! It was so good.

Taiwan is infamous for its night markets! It’s a foodies dream and I was so excited to eat my way though this country. I recommend going to as many as you can and trying different street food.

Where to Eat in Kaohsiung

• Ruifeng Night Market
• Guanghua Night Market
• Lingya/Ziqiang Night Market

Flyinn Hostel – I booked a private room so I could have some peace and quiet. It cost $42 USD for 2 nights and included breakfast (they no longer serve breakfast here).

DAY 2: Lotus Pond & Kaohsiung Museum

Today, you will head to the Zuoying District , which is where you’ll find the Lotus Pond , an artificial lake with lotus plants and surrounding temples.

This is one of the best things to do in Kaohsiung so you don’t want to miss it while you’re here. You can walk around the entire lake and stop at every temple and pagoda to learn about Taiwanese culture and religion.

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are one of the first structures you’ll notice at the Lotus Pond. The pagodas, which are an iconic symbol of the city, are entered through the gaping mouths of the giant creatures. It’s said that walking in through the dragon and out through the tiger will bring you good luck!

Zuoying Tzu Chi Palace

Facing the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas is the Zuoying Tzu Chi Palace . This ancient Daoist (Taoist) temple, also known as the Baosheng Emperor Temple , can be traced back to the late Ming Dynasty.

You can visit this stunning temple to worship or to take photos. Remember to follow proper etiquette. If you need a snack, you can find lots of fresh fruit or juice stands in front of the temple. I tried a sugar apple and it was so refreshing!

Spring and Autumn Pavilions

The Spring and Autumn Pavilions are a set of four-story, octagon-shaped temples. At the front of the pavilion, there is a Guanyin statue riding a dragon.

According to local legend, Guanyin, Goddess of Compassion, appeared in the sky in front of the two pavilions riding a dragon and then asked the devotees to build a statue to commemorate the event.

You’ll also find a tortoise pond near the entrance of the pavilion.

Five Mile Pavilion

Connected to the Spring and Autumn Pavilions by a long bridge is the Five Mile Pavilion . This traditional Chinese pavilion is only two stories high, but the view is worth it.

Zuoying Yuandi Temple

Zuoying Yuandi Temple is a 72-meter-tall statue dedicated to Yuandi, the Heavenly Emperor. The statue was built in 1992 and is one of the largest statues in Taiwan.

This statue is a popular place for worship. People come to the statue to pray for good luck and health. If you are feeling lucky, you may receive a good fortune or a golden egg with a lucky item inside of it.

Kaohsiung City Temple of Confucius

The last stop on your walk around the Lotus Pond is Kaohsiung City Temple of Confucius , a Confucian temple built in 1684 during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty.

The temple is a large complex with many buildings and courtyards. The main hall of the temple is dedicated to Confucius and is decorated with colorful murals and sculptures. The temple also has a number of other halls dedicated to other Confucian scholars, as well as a library and a museum.

From the Lotus Pond, you can walk to Xin Zuoying Station and take a shuttle to the Museum of Fine Arts Station . Once you reach the station, you can walk to the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts ).

The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (KMFA) is one of the largest museums in Taiwan. It was founded in 1994 and is a part of the 40-hectare Neiweipi Cultural Park .

The museum houses a collection of over 12,000 works of art from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and installation art. The museum also has a number of educational programs, including art classes, lectures, and workshops.

When I visited I experienced a virtual reality exhibition where I practiced calligraphy. It was super fun!

You can visit the museum from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free.

DAY 3: Yancheng District

On day 3 of your 8 day Taiwan itinerary , you will head to the Yancheng District , which is where you’ll find creative spaces and street art at the Pier-2 Art Center.

To reach Pier 2 Art Center, take the orange line on the KMRT to Yangchengpu Station (exit 1), or take the  Light Rail  tram to Dayi Pier-2 station.

Pier-2 Art Center

Pier-2 Art Center  is a creative park and art center located in the former warehouse district of Kaohsiung. The center is home to a variety of art exhibitions, performances, and events.

It is also a popular spot for photography and shopping with hundreds of shops, cafes, artist studios, music venues, breweries, and bars to visit.

Honestly, this area is huge so I recommend walking around the  Penglai Area  and the  Dayong Area  to see all of the street art, murals, and sculptures. There’s so much to discover!

Some places to check out include Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2, Banana Pier, Kaohsiung Water Garden, Kaohsiung Harbor Museum, HOLO Park, Dayi Warehouse, Dayi Park, Big Harbor Warehouse 410, and the Kaohsiung Big Port Bridge.

Hamasen Railway Cultural Park

On the west side of Pier 2, you’ll find the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park , an open-air park that has displays of old trains as well as other large sculptures, like a giant suitcase, placed along the old tracks.

The park used to be the Kaohsiung Port Station , Kaohsiung’s first railway station. Today, it has been transformed into the Takao Railway Museum . Here, you can also take mini-train rides and view model railways.

Other Things To do Near Pier 2 Art Center

If you’re looking for additional things to do in the area, you can take a ferry to Qijin Island , walk across the Sky Balcony observation deck, or take panoramic photos from the nearby Shoushan LOVE Lookout .

On the way back to your hotel, eat dinner at another night market. The Liuhe Night Market is located next to Formosa Boulevard Station . I ate a whole bag of dumplings and the most incredible sweet potatoes.

DAY 4: Kaohsiung to Sun Moon Lake

Today, you will leave Kaohsiung and make your way to Sun Moon Lake . The best way to get to Sun Moon Lake is to take the high-speed rail from HSR Zuoying Station into Taichung , which takes about 45 minutes and costs NT$701 ($23 USD) for a non-reserved seat.

From inside the HSR Taichung Station , you’ll want to catch a bus to Sun Moon Lake. Go to the 1st floor, Exit 5, and catch the 6670 Sun Moon Lake Route B bus . The bus departs every hour from 7:18 a.m. to 10:18 p.m. and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Sun Moon Lake. The bus costs NT$193 ($6.30 USD) one-way.

The bus will drop you off in Shuishe in front of the Shuishe Visitor’s Center . Shuishe is the main tourist village and you can walk, take a taxi, or hop on a ferry to reach your accommodations from here.

Ferry to Xuanguang Wharf

After checking into your accommodations, take the ferry from Shuishe Wharf to Xuanguang Wharf . The ferry ride from Shiushe to Xuanguang Wharf takes about 30 minutes and costs NT$120 for adults. I recommend booking in advance if you are traveling during peak season.

Keep your eyes peeled as you pass by Lalu Island , which is sacred to the local Thao people.

Xuanguang Temple

After a short walk from the wharf, you’ll see Xuanguang Temple right in front of you. Xuanguang Temple is a small Buddhist temple with scenic views of Sun Moon Lake, a stone marker, and a famous stall selling tea eggs. Supposedly, they have really good tea eggs here but I didn’t try any.

Xuan Zang Temple

Take the 青龍山 Qinglong Mountain Trail behind the Xuanguang Temple to make your way to Xuan Zang Temple . The hike up takes about 20 minutes, but if you don’t want to hike you can catch the bus.

Xuan Zang Temple is a Buddhist temple dedicated to Xuanzang. The views of Sun Moon Lake from here are amazing!

Ci’en Pagoda

Now, make your way toward Ci’en Pagoda . From the parking lot, you can follow the Ci’en Pagoda Trail until you reach the 43-meter-tall Ci’en Pagoda.

You can walk to the top of the pagoda to get panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake. It’s about 570 meters of stairs, and the views are worth it.

This pagoda is beautiful and it was my favorite sight of the day! I loved taking photos here.

Ita Thao Pier Market

Now, it’s time for dinner! Head to the Ita Thao village by foot or car. It was a beautiful day, so I decided to walk, which took less than an hour.

In the middle of Ita Thao is the Ita Thao Shopping District . This area is full of shops and street vendors. The amount of delicious-looking food to eat was amazing!

I ended up trying a tofu sandwich, muah chee (similar to mochi), bubble tea, and lots of mochi balls! Everything was so good, but the muah chee with condensed milk on it was my favorite.

From here, take the ferry from Yidashao Wharf back to Shuishe. Make sure to double-check the timetables, so you don’t miss the last ferry back!

Where to Eat in Shuishe

• Old Papa Black Tea
• Shan Hu Kitchen
• 湖光軒 The Lakeview Chinese Restaurant
• A Feng Shi Restaurant
• 日月潭遊牧 Nomad Day Café
• 敝姓鍋 – 南投日月潭店

Deer Traveler Hostel – I booked a 4-bed female dorm, which was perfect for a solo female traveler. It cost $31 USD each night. Shuishe is a convenient location to stay while exploring Sun Moon Lake.

DAY 5: Sun Moon Lake

Sunrise at zhaowu wharf.

Rise and shine, sleepyheads! You only have to walk 10 minutes from Shuishe to the Zhaowu Wharf to experience one of the best places to see the sunrise at Sun Moon Lake !

As you stand on the edge of the wharf you can watch the sunrise over the horizon. The sky is ablaze with color, and the water reflects the light like a mirror. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Hike Maolan Mountain Trail

After you grab breakfast, head up Mt. Maolan Trail for an easy walk to a weather observatory and lovely views of the lake.

The 3 km trail follows a paved road and man-made steps most of the way. You’ll hike by tea plantations and likely come across a troop of monkeys! They actually made me nervous and I tried not to look them in the eye when I was passing by.

It’ll take you less than an hour to reach the summit of Maolan Mountain at 1020 m (3,346 ft). From the top, you can see as far as Puli.

30km Bike Ride Around Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan and cycling around it is a great way to see some of Taiwan’s beautiful scenery and get some exercise at the same time.

Sun Moon Lake Bicycle Trail has been named one of the world’s most beautiful cycling trails. The 30km loop around the lake is mostly flat, making it a great option for cyclists of all levels. You can even rent an electric bike, making any hills super easy to climb!

Usually, rentals are for 2.5 hours , but you can book a longer session if you want more time to visit the temples and Taiwanese villages along the way or are a bit slower on a bicycle.

From Shuishe, you’ll follow the 400-meter-long water bicycle path, which is a lovely boardwalk but it is really crowded here and you will probably need to walk your bike across this section.

Along the bike route, you’ll pass Shuishe Dam, Sun Moon Lake outlet, Yongjie Concentric Bridge, Xiangshan Viewing Platform, Tousheba, Crescent Bay, Huantan No. 1 Tunnel, Sun Moon Lake cable car, and other scenic spots.

Don’t forget to stop in Ita Thao again for some tasty food!

On the northeastern side of the lake is Wenwu Temple , a huge Chinese-style Taoist temple containing three halls.

The first hall is a shrine devoted to the First Ancestor Kaiji and the God of Literature. The central hall is devoted to Martial Gods, Lord Guan and Lord Yue. The rear hall is dedicated to Confucius. At the front of the temple are a pair of Chinese guardian lions.

Leading up the temple from the bottom of the mountain is a set of 366 steps known as the Year of Steps , also nicknamed the “Stairway to Heaven”. Each step represents one day of the year and climbing the entire stairway symbolizes the passing of a year. A date is carved on each of the stone steps, along with the names of internationally famous people who were born on the corresponding date.

Wenwu Temple is one of the best places to see the sunset at Sun Moon Lake . I recommend staying here until the sun goes down, before cruising your way back to Shuishe.

DAY 6: Sun Moon Lake to Taipei

Originally, I wanted to head east to Taroko National Park from Sun Moon Lake, but I guess there isn’t any public transport this way due to the mountainous route. So, I decided to head up to Taipei .

To get to Taipei from Sun Moon Lake, you can take the same 6670 bus from Shuishe to HSR Taichung Station. Then you catch a high-speed rail to HSR Taipei Station . It takes about 45 minutes and tickets cost NT$ 675 ($22 USD) for a non-reserved seat.

Here is my 3 day Taipei itinerary .

My first stop after I checked into my hostel was Dadaocheng , the oldest district in Taipei. The oldest street in Dadaocheng is Dihua Street, which is lined with traditional Chinese shops selling everything from tea to fabric to medicinal herbs. The street is also home to a number of temples, including the Xiahai City God Temple and the Dadaocheng Cischeng Temple .

I loved wandering around this district and spending time in all of the incredible museums, art galleries, shops, and cafes. Of course, I had to get some tea here. I also picked up a couple of gifts, including table placemats and the best-smelling soap ever from Da Chun’s Soap .

Lungshan Temple

Lungshan Temple is one of the oldest as well as the most visited temples in Taipei. The temple is beautiful and it’s an incredible place to photograph. The temple is decorated with intricate carvings and paintings, including dragons and phoenixes in the main hall. The temple also has a number of courtyards and gardens, which provide a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city.

The Red House

The Red House was built in 1908 as a public market and later served as a theater and opera house. Today, the Red House is a multifunctional cultural center that hosts a variety of events, including theater performances, exhibitions, and workshops. If you’re interested in arts and crafts, this is a great place to add to your Taipei itinerary. Admission is free.

Ximending Night Market

End your evening with another night market! The Ximending Night Market can be found right next to The Red House. You’ll find a wide variety of food stalls, selling everything from Taiwanese street food to international cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes at the night market include stinky tofu, bubble tea, and oyster omelets. There are also a number of shops selling clothes, souvenirs, and electronics.

Every time I went to a different night market, I would try something new. One of my favorite dishes was sweet potato balls covered in cheese powder! Try them if you can see them!

Where to Eat in Taipei

• Shilin Night Market
• Raohe Street Night Market
• Meng Xia Street Night Market
• Gongguan Night Market
• Huaxi Street Night Market

Meander Taipei Hostel – I booked a 4-bed female dorm, which was perfect for a solo female traveler. It cost $26 USD each night.

DAY 7: Taipei

Mount qixing main peak.

Start your morning with a hike to the top of the highest point in Taipei. At an elevation of 3,675 feet (1,120 meters), Mount Qixing Main Peak is located in Yangmingshan National Park , and the hike to the top can be completed in about 2 hours. The trail is well-marked and there are a number of rest stops along the way.

The views from the top of Mount Qixing Main Peak are stunning. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The summit is also home to a number of temples and shrines, which offer a place to rest and reflect.

To get here, you can either take a taxi or take the MRT to the Xiangshan Station.

Taiwan Design Museum

I’m really interested in design, so I had to visit the Taiwan Design Museum in the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park . This museum focuses on creative design and showcases the history of Taiwanese design development. The museum has a permanent collection of over 10,000 design objects, as well as a rotating schedule of temporary exhibitions. One of the exhibitions I really enjoyed was just a room full of different chairs!

Taipei 101 Shopping Center

If you’re interested in high-end brands like Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Versace, then you’ll want to visit Taipei 101 Shopping Center . The building itself actually used to be the tallest in the world. Inside there are also a lot of different restaurants to check out.

Raohe Night Market is one of the most popular night markets in Taipei, Taiwan. It is located in the Raohe District and is open from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, seven days a week. Some dishes to try at the market are Taiwanese sausage, fried chicken, and mango shaved ice.

DAY 8: Taipei

Cookinn taiwan cooking class.

A Taiwanese cooking class was at the top of my list of things to do in Taiwan. I ended up booking a 3-hour Taiwanese Xiao Long Bao & Noodles cooking class with CookInn Taiwan. We learned how to make some juicy soup dumplings, braised beef noodle soup, cucumber salad, and bubble milk tea, my favorite!

We started off the class with a trip to the local market to pick up all of the ingredients we needed for the recipes. It was such a cool experience! To be honest, I still haven’t made Xiao Long Bao at home because it’s such a process!

Liberty Square (Liberty Square Arch , Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall , and National Theater)

After your cooking class, make your way to the Zhongzheng District. Here you’ll find Liberty Square , a public plaza that serves as a major site for public gatherings in Taipei and is home to three major landmarks: the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Concert Hall, and the National Theater.

At the east end of Liberty Square stands the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall , a large, white marble building that was built in 1976 to commemorate the former president of the Republic of China.

The National Concert Hall is a modern concert hall that was built in 1987. The hall hosts a variety of concerts throughout the year, featuring both local and international artists.

The National Theater is a traditional Chinese theater that was built in 1997. The theater hosts a variety of performances throughout the year, including operas, ballets, and plays.

Liberty Square is surrounded by a park, which makes it a great place to take a walk and admire the architecture. The park has a number of benches, tables, and playgrounds, and it is also home to a number of trees and flowers. The ponds are even filled with colorful koi.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

If you’re interested in art, design, and culture, add Huashan 1914 Creative Park to your Taipei itinerary. This multi-purpose park in the Zhongzheng District, originally built as a sake brewery, was redeveloped into a creative park and opened to the public in 1999.

The park is home to a variety of art galleries, museums, shops, restaurants, and cafes. There are also a number of event spaces that host a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and exhibitions.

You can’t leave Taiwan without trying hot pot. I met up with a few friends that I met at the hostel I stayed at and we went out for my last meal in Taipei. We ended up sharing hot pot at Wenting Hotpot Restaurant , which was close to our accommodations. We tried two different broths and a mix of meat and veggies and it was so tasty! There are many hot pot restaurants around Taipei, so just go to one near to you with a 4.5+ star rating on Google.

Taoyuan International Airport is the main airport in Taiwan. It’s located about 40 kilometers from Taipei. You can take a taxi, bus, or train to the airport from Taipei.

No matter what you choose to do, you are sure to have a wonderful time in Taiwan!

Tips For Traveling in Taiwan

Solo female travel safety.

Taiwan is a relatively safe country, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against petty theft. As a solo female traveler, I felt incredibly safe the whole time. I loved how easy the public transportation made it to get around.

Currency Exchange

Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). You can exchange your currency at banks or currency exchange bureaus. I like to pull out cash at ATMs in the airport as you’ll usually get the best rates.

Best Time to Visit Taiwan

The best time to visit Taiwan is during the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November). The weather is mild during these seasons, and there are fewer tourists. During the summer (June-August), be prepared for hot and humid weather. I visited in early December and enjoyed it.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Hike in East Java, Indonesia

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Do you have any questions about my 8 day Taiwan itinerary? Leave them in the comments section!

About Andrea Kuuipo

I was born and raised in Anchorage and have been able to travel to many places around Alaska. As an Alaska Travel Blogger, I love sharing my favorite things to see and do in my home state to help others plan an incredible trip!

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Kaohsiung Itinerary: 3 Days in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

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Kaohsiung is one of the most popular cities for tourists to visit in Taiwan. It has a number of beautiful sights to see and is only a short train ride from Taipei. This Kaohsiung itinerary will help you plan the perfect 3 days in the city!

Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan (Taipei is larger) and is one of the largest port cities in the world. The first archaeological signs of Chinese influence in Kaohsiung dates back to the 12th Century. In 1624 the Dutch arrived in Kaohsiung and colonized the city.

In 1895 Taiwan was given over to the Japanese in the Treaty of Shimonoseki  and as part of the end of China and Japan’s war over Korea. Kaohsiung was returned to China’s control at the end of WWII.

As you can tell, Kaohsiung has an interesting and turbulent past. You’ll be able to learn about the city’s past and experiences by following this 3 day Kaohsiung itinerary.

Table of Contents

3 Day Kaohsiung Itinerary Overview

Day One: Lotus Pond- Dragon and Tiger Pagodas- Cihji Palace Temple- Spring and Autumn Pavilions- Five Mile Pavilion- Yuandi Temple Beiji Pavilion- Central Park- Jhongsiao Night Market/Singjhong Night Market

Day Two: Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine- Cijin Island- Takao Railway Museum- Pier-2 Art Centre- Dream Mall- Ruifeng Night Market

Day Three: Fo Guang Shan- Kaohsiung Museum of History- Love River- Liuhe Night Market

• How to Get from Taipei to Kaohsiung

It is quite common for tourists to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung.

There is a high speed train that runs between the two cities, and you can get from Taipei to Kaohsiung in under 2 hours ! The high speed train is super fast considering the distance from Taipei to Kaohsiung is over 350km!

You can purchase tickets online through the Taiwan High Speed Rail website or in person at Taipei Main Station. I recommend purchasing your tickets online a couple of days in advance to ensure you get a ticket.

You can also take the local (slow) train, bus, or fly from Taipei to Kaohsiung; however, I recommend taking the high speed train.

For more detailed information on how to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung, check out this post . It is dedicated solely to how to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung and goes in depth into each transportation option.

Best Time to Visit Kaohsiung

There is hardly a bad time of year to visit Taiwan !

The country has a tropical climate, so it doesn’t get cool very often. January and February may be the only months you want a light jacket.

It rains quite a bit in May and June, but it rarely rains for an entire day. You shouldn’t be deterred from visiting Taiwan during the rainy season. You can often avoid the rain by popping into a store of cafe for an hour or so.

My personal favourite time to visit Kaohsiung is in the Fall.

The weather is a bit cooler, so you don’t feel too uncomfortable walking outside during the midday heat.

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung

I recommend staying in the Xinxing District and pick an accommodation that is walking distance from Formosa Boulevard Station . Formosa Boulevard Station is the only metro station in Kaohsiung that connects both the red and orange metro lines.

You’ll have to use both the red and orange metro lines while following this Kaohsiung itinerary, so staying near Formosa Boulevard Station makes transportation incredibly convenient.

Not only is the Xinxing District well situated in terms of transportation options, but it is also a fun area to stay in. It is within walking distance of multiple markets, has lots of local restaurants nearby, and is a safe area.

My Hotel Recommendations

Kindness hotel.

This is where I stayed last time I visited Kaohsiung.

I loved my stay at Kindness Hotel and would highly recommend it to everybody. It is super affordable but still high quality.

The rooms are huge ! There is ample room for luggage, and it doesn’t feel cramped in the least.

There is also complimentary tea, coffee, ice cream, and desserts all day.

If that doesn’t sell you on Kindness Hotel , I don’t know what will!

This hotel is absolutely gorgeous ! La Inn is super modern and leans into the grey and black colour palette, which is 100% my aesthetic.

It is more expensive that Kindness Hotel, but it doesn’t break the bank.

And you get what you pay for! La Inn feels and looks higher quality than Kindness Hotel, so it makes sense it is a bit more expensive.

Bamboo Business Hotel

The last hotel on my recommended list is Bamboo Business Hotel .

It is a nice hotel that is between Kindness Hotel and La Inn in terms of quality.

The hotel is nice, comfortable, and clean, but it is pretty run of the mill. Bamboo Business Hotel feels pretty generic and familiar.

But that means it is the perfect choice for people who want something that feels like “home”. It feels like a step up from a Best Western.

Getting Around Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a fairly large city with 3 million residents, and, unfortunately, a lot of the tourist sights are spread out around the city. This means you’ll be using public transportation a lot while following this Kaohsiung itinerary.

I personally prefer walking to taking public transport, but sometimes it just isn’t a viable option. When you only have three days in a city, it is pretty difficult to justify walking three hours from one sight to another (not that that has ever stopped me).

Plus you’re contending with the Taiwan heat and humidity in Kaohsiung, and if you’re anything like me, you’re a sweaty mess of a human by just thinking about humidity.

What I’m trying to say is that you’ll be taking the metro and a few buses while in Kaohsiung.

The Kaohsiung Metro consists of the Red line and the Orange line. They intersect at Formosa Boulevard Station, which is why I recommend staying in that area.

In addition to the underground metro lines, there is also a new(ish) light rail system. It isn’t fully built yet, but it is in operation at the stations that are built.

You can catch it at the end of the Orange line at O1, and it intersects with the Red line a R6.

The light rail is a great option for areas that aren’t serviced by the Kaohsiung Metro, but it has its limitations. It doesn’t run all that frequently and is slow compared to the underground metro. But it still gets the job done!

Kaohsiung has an extensive bus system. I used buses in Kaohsiung far more often than I anticipated because the metro doesn’t service everywhere I needed to go. You’ll most likely be catching a few buses while following this Kaohsiung itinerary.

The good news is that the buses are clean and run pretty close to on time depending on traffic of course.

Some buses have stop announcements in English but many don’t. You’ll want to have the Chinese characters of the station you want to get off at, so you don’t miss your stop. Alternatively, GoogleMaps does a good job of tracking the bus even when you’re offline, so you can use that as a guide as well.

Tips for Using Public Transportation in Kaohsiung

• Get an Easy Card (or other transit card) : You can get transit cards at any convenience store or at a metro station. You load the card up with money and simply tap it when you get on and off the metro/bus. The card automatically deducts the fare, so you don’t have to worry about paying the driver with cash!
• Be careful what seat you sit in: There are dark blue seats on the metro and bus seats with coverings on buses. These seats are reserved for older individuals, people living with disabilities, and pregnant women. It is taboo to sit in these areas even when the train/bus isn’t crowded and there aren’t people in those demographics that need the seats.
• Stay Quiet: It is frowned upon to have a loud conversation with a friend or talk on the phone while on public transportation.
• No food or drink allowed: You’re not meant to eat or drink while riding public transportation in Taiwan. This is a pretty standard rule in cities throughout the world.

Wifi and Internet Access

Taiwan is known for having an excellent public wifi system called iTaiwan .

iTaiwan covers basically the entirety of Taiwan (including Kaohsiung), and you’re entitled to use it as a tourist!

You have to make an account (including entering your passport information), and you can hook into the iTaiwan wifi network wherever it is available.

It is a great system, and it is nice to have access to wifi basically everywhere in the city.

But there are risks associated with using public wifi .

Connecting to public wifi (even if it is password protected in a hotel or cafe) puts you at risk of having your personal data accessed, stolen, and sold by your not-so-friendly neighbourhood hacker.

That is where a virtual private network (VPN) comes into play! A VPN protects all of your data by putting up an invisible forcefield around your electronic devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to see your online activity!

Having a VPN is an essential for every traveller who wants to keep their data safe!

I’ve used a lot of different VPNs throughout the years, but the only one I’ve been completely happy with is NordVPN .

It is the most reliable and quickest VPN I’ve ever used.

You can connect up to 6 devices on one account, so you can protect all of your devices at once!

Plus NordVPN often runs ridiculous sales where you can save up to 70%! So there is no excuse not to protect yourself and your data!

Day one is my favourite day in this Kaohsiung itinerary. It hits most of my favourite tourist attractions. Most of the sights are centralized in one area, so you won’t have to use public transportation much on day one!

Visit the Lotus Pond Scenic Area

The Lotus Pond is the most popular tourist attraction in Kaohsiung, so of course it is the first stop on the Kaohsiung itinerary!

There are a number of sights surrounding the Lotus Pond, and you see a lot of attractions by just walking around the pond.

The Lotus Pond and the surrounding attractions is what made me want to visit Kaohsiung. It was just as beautiful as I anticipated, and I know you’ll love it too!

How to Get to the Lotus Pond Scenic Area

The closest metro station to the Lotus Pond is Zouying High Speed Rail Station. This is stop R16.

Once you get off the metro, you can either catch a bus or walk/bike to the Lotus Pond. You can rent a bike outside Zouying Station if you want. There are rental bikes throughout Kaohsiung, so you don’t need to drop it back at the same location you rented it from.

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from the station to the Lotus Pond, so this is my preferred way to get there. You simply cross the road once you exit the station and head north on Shengli Road . You will be able to see the pond once you have walked about two blocks.

What to See at the Lotus Pond Scenic Area

Dragon and tiger pagodas.

If you’ve ever Googled Kaohsiung, the first image that comes up is always the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. They are an iconic landmark in Kaohsiung and shouldn’t be missed.

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are said to reverse your luck. You enter through the Dragon and exit through the Tiger. Once you’ve gone through the pagodas, your luck will be reversed, and you’ll be lucky!

You can only enter the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas through the Dragon, so you don’t have to worry about not reversing your luck. There is a long walkway to the entrance of the pagodas, and the path leads you right to the Dragon’s mouth.

There is no entrance fee ; however, there is a donation box at the entrance for voluntary donations . I suggest throwing a few New Taiwanese Dollars into the donation bin to help with the upkeep of the pagodas.

Each pagoda is seven stories tall , and you’re able to walk to the top of them. You get a magnificent view from the top, and I recommend going up at least three or four stories.

The view from above four stories isn’t vastly different from the view at four stories, so you don’t necessarily climb all the way to the top.

Cihji Palace

Cihji Palace is directly across from the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. In fact, you’re able to see the temple from inside the pagodas (remember that great view I told you about).

Cihji Palace is dedicated to the Chinese god of medicine.

You’ll want to remember to respect the temple rules (whether written or unwritten). This includes dressing respectfully. If you’re not sure what the rules are, just follow what the locals are doing. You can’t go wrong that way!

Spring and autumn pavilions

Next up on your trip around the Lotus Pond are the Spring and Autumn Pavilions.

These are two pavilions that have a giant dragon at the front. You’re able to walk through each temple and through the dragon.

I highly recommend walking through the dragon. It is longer than it looks but so worth it! The walls inside the dragon have artwork on them, and it is fun to spend some time looking at everything.

I really enjoy the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and would highly recommend visiting them. If you’re going to skip something on the Kaohsiung itinerary, I don’t recommend it be this!

Five Mile pavilion

The Five Mile Pavilion is the most relaxing pavilion along the Lotus Pond. It is directly behind the Spring and Autumn Pavilions at the end of a long bridge.

It isn’t the most beautiful or spectacular pavilion, but it is beautiful and has great views. You can sit on the benches inside the temple to relax or spend some time taking pictures of the rest of the pavilions from the bridge.

pei chi pavilion

This is my favourite pavilion at Lotus Pond. I was expecting to like the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas most, but this was the winner for me!

This pavilion honours that Taoist God Emperor of the North Pole. It is a staggering 72 meters tall and is the largest statue on water in all of Southeast Asia. Pretty impressive right!

The Pei Chi Pavilion is absolutely breathtaking. It is colourful and detailed, and it is a must-visit attraction on the Kaohsiung itinerary!

You access the pavilion by walking down a long bridge that has stone warriors down both sides. As you get closer and closer you get an appreciation for just how large the pavilion is.

It is quite the experience, and you’re able to get some amazing photographs. Assuming you can avoid the crowds of other tourists that is.

There are a number of areas for prayer at the Pei Chi Pavilion, and tourists and locals alike light incense and pray to the gods. There are also a few places to sit and relax, but they are normally quite busy and not as relaxing as the Five Mile Pavilion.

How Long Should You Spend at the Lotus Pond Scenic Area?

I suggest spending at least half a day at the Lotus Pond.

This allows you to take your time visiting each pavilion and temple (I didn’t even list them all by the way!). You also won’t be rushed if you allot yourself half a day at the Lotus Pond.

You can go back to your favourite pavilions, walk the entire perimeter of the pond, grab some tea or a snack, and enjoy your time.

Lotus Pond and its attractions is often what draws tourists to Kaohsiung, so you mays well take the time to enjoy everything it has to offer and not rush yourself. This Kaohsiung itinerary gives you ample time at each location, so you can enjoy yourself.

Wander Through Central Park

Next on the Kaohsiung itinerary is Central Park.

Central Park is located in the Cianjin district and is the perfect place to get away from the concrete jungle and crowds.

Central Park is a huge green space in the heart of Kaohsiung. Locals use Central Park as a place to gather and spend time with friends, do tai chi, and countless other things. It can get crowded during weekends and holidays and is often the sight of outdoor festivals in Kaohsiung.

How to get to Central Park from the Lotus Pond Scenic Area

It is super easy to get from the Lotus Pond to Central Park!

You simply head back to Zouying (R16) and get on the train heading in the direction Siaogang. You ride the metro until the Central Park stop (R9) and get off. It doesn’t even require a transfer, which is always a nice bonus!

When exiting Central Park station, take exit 1. This will lead you right to Central Park where you can enjoy some fresh air and relaxation.

Things to do in Central Park

Kaohsiung literary library.

The Kaohsiung Literary Library is a newer addition to Central Park. It is a huge library that you’re able to walk around and explore. It is a neat place to explore if you’re a literary nerd like I am.

speech square

Speech Square is where you’ll find a lot of older people playing chess and sipping tea. It isn’t the most exciting part of Central Park, but it is worth strolling past.

scenic lake

You’re able to stroll around Scenic Lake and take in the beauty of Central Park. Scenic Lake has a lot of beautiful greenery and feels very relaxing. It is the perfect place to sit down, relax, and read a book.

water square

Water Square is the coolest part of Central Park. If you’re there are the right time, you’re able to watch the water dance. It is quite beautiful and well worth waiting for if you have the time!

The water dance show last about 20 minutes.

The water dances at the following times:

Monday-Friday: 12:30, 15:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30

Saturday-Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30

How Long Should You Spend at Central Park?

I recommend spending at least two hours at Central Park. This gives you time to take in all the different sights, watch the water show, and relax a little bit.

If you don’t want to spend that much time in Central Park, the area surrounding it has a number of different stores and restaurants you can explore.

Zhongxiao (Jhongsiao) Night Market

Zhongxiao (Jhongsaio) Night Market is the next stop on the Kaohsiung itinerary! It is walking distance from Central Park and is the perfect way to start your first evening in Kaohsiung!

How to get to Zhongxiao (Jhongsiao) Night Market from Central Park

It is quite simple to get to the Zhongziao Night Market from Central Park. You simply cross the street and follow the signs.

The easiest way to cross the street is to go through the Central Park metro station and take exit 2. You’ll avoid waiting for the long traffic light to change to walk across the street!

You turn left on Qingnian 1st Road and walk up the road until you reach the night market.

The Zhongxiao Night Market is on the smaller side, but you should have no problem finding it. You’ll know you’re getting close when the pedestrian traffic starts to get busier and you smell the delicious food.

Things to do at Zhongxiao (Jhongsiao) Night Market

Zhongxiao Night Market is a food market, and you’ll find all different types of cuisine being sold. The market is only about 200 meters long, but there are a lot of different booths in the small area.

You can find all the traditional Taiwanese street foods at the market including stinky tofu, egg rolls, pepper buns and more! You can also find a variety of less traditional foods if you’re an adventurous eater. Foods like goat, oyster omelettes, and braised pork blood.

How Long Should You Spend at Zhongxiao (Jhongsiao) Night Market?

I suggest spending 30-45 minutes at Zhongxiao Night Market depending on how much you want to eat and how much time you spend walking past the stalls and seeing what food they have to offer.

Xinjuejiang Night Market

Xinjuejiang is my favourite night market in Kaohsiung! It has more of a focus on shopping and fashion than it does on food. There are still plenty of food options to enjoy, but the star of the show is the shopping!

How to get from Zhongxiao Night Market to Xinjuejiang Night Market

The two markets are walking distance from one another, so that is a huge bonus! You have to walk less than ten minutes from one to the other!

To get from Zhongxiao Night Market to Xinjuejiang Night Market, you simply walk down Qingnian 1st Road back towards the way you came and turn right at the street right before the main street that Central Park Station is on.

From there you walk straight until you reach the market! You’ll know you’re nearing the market when the pedestrian traffic rapidly picks up! Xinjuejiang Night Market is a popular shopping location for young locals, and it is busy every night.

Things to do at Xinjuejiang Night Market

Xinjuejiang Night Market is the place to go if your’e looking to buy some new clothes, skincare, or makeup. It is full of trendy stores including local stores and international brick-and-motar stores like Nike.

There are tons of different alleys for you to walk up and down just off the main shopping street. This is where you’ll find the local boutiques. They are often more affordable than the international stores, and they have tons of cute items!

A lot of the smaller boutiques carry similar items, so if you find an item you love but is a bit out of your price range, there is a good chance you’ll be able to find the same item in a different store at a lower price.

I found many of the stores at Xinjuejiang Night Market to be more size inclusive than I’m used to in Asia. I’m a size 8 in American sizing and found many different items that fit me and were flattering.

This was exciting since I normally go into boutiques in Asia knowing I won’t fit into any of the clothing.

How Long Should You Spend at Xinjuejiang Night Market?

It is easy to spend hours at Xinjuejiang Night Market wandering through the stores, sampling cosmetics, and snacking.

I recommend spending at least 90 minutes at Xinjuejiang Night Market.

This gives you ample time to get all your shopping done and not feel rushed. But since this is the last thing on the Kaohsiung itinerary for the day, you can spend as much or as little time at the market as you want!

Day two of the Kaohsiung itinerary is the busiest and requires you to use public transportation the most out of all three days. Even though day two is busy, it doesn’t feel rushed, and you’re able to enjoy your time at each of the sights!

Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine

Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine is a shrine located on Shoushan mountainside. It honours fallen soldiers and has a stunning view of Kaohsiung and the harbour.

How to get to Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine

Getting to Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine from Formosa Boulevard Station is relatively easy. You take the Orange metro line to the end and get off at Sizihwan Station (O1).

Once you exit the station, walk towards Gupo Street. At Gupo Street, turn right. Walk straight until you get to Qiangguang Road then turn left and follow the road up the mountain.

Once you’re on Qiangguang Road, you just follow it until you get to the shrine. The walk up the mountain isn’t terribly strenuous and most people who don’t have physical limitations should be able to walk to the shrine with no issue.

Things to do at Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine

View the kaohsiung martyrs’ shrine.

Visiting the Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine is the main attraction in the area. You can wander around the shrine and take photographs of it. It is a beautiful shrine and well worth spending some time wandering through it and taking in its beauty.

take pictures at the love sign

The love sign is a new addition to Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine, but it has quickly become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Many newly engaged couples get their photo taken at the love sign.

take in the view

The view is the real showstopper at the Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine. You get an amazing view of the harbour and part of Kaohsiung.

It is my favourite viewpoint in Kaohsiung, and it is well worth taking the time to visit the shrine just to take in the view. It is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

How Long do You Need to Spend at Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine?

Allotting 30 minutes to wander through the shrine and take photographs of the love sign and scenery should be enough time. If you’re an avid photographer and want to take tons of photos, then you might want to allot 45 minutes at the shrine.

Cijin Island

Cijin Island is another tourist attraction that comes up in every Kaohsiung itinerary and with good reason! It is located a short five minute ferry ride away from Kaohsiung and has a number of popular tourist destinations.

You can rent a bike on Cijin Island and pedal your way around the island. I didn’t rent a bike when I visited and regretted it. You can rent your bike either before you get on the ferry or once you’re on Cijin Island. But be sure to rent a bike . You’ll be regretful like me if you don’t!

How to get from Kaohsiung Martyrs’ Shrine to Cijin Island

The first step in getting from the shrine to Cijin Island is walking back to Sizihwan Station. Once you’re back at the station, follow the directions in posted at the station to the ferry terminal. The walk takes less than 10 minutes and is very simple.

You then wait for the next ferry to arrive, get on it, and then get off on Cijin Island. The ferry ride only takes a few minutes, so you’ll be there in no time!

When you get off the ferry, turn right, and then follow the crowds down the main street in Cijin. This main street is where you can rent a bike if you want.

Things to do on Cijin Island

Visit the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is the most popular tourist attraction on Cijin Island. It was built in 1883 by the British. It was used extensively during Japanese occupation and is now open to the public.

Unfortunately is was closed for renovations when I was in Kaohsiung, so I don’t have any first-hand experience of it. But it looks amazing, and I would love to go back to see it!

Kaohsiung fort

Kaohsiung Fort is located near the lighthouse and was also built by the British in 1883. It is mostly in ruins now but is a great place to get stunning photographs of the island and Kaohsiung.

You can easily spend 20-30 minutes wandering around the fort ruins and taking photographs. You can walk along the pieces of the walls that are still standing to get the best photographs. It is a lot of fun.

rainbow church

The Rainbow Church is probably the most Instagramable place in all of Kaohsiung. Visitors flock to Cijin Island just to get a photograph of the Rainbow Church.

It isn’t actually a church but, rather, a colourful art piece in front of the ocean. It is quite beautiful.

There are long queues to get a photo at the Rainbow Church no matter what time of day or time of year you visit Cijin Island. If you’re looking for the perfect Instagram photo, it may be worth waiting your turn, but if you’re not, it is probably enough to walk past and see it rather than waiting in the queue.

cijin tunnel

Cijin Tunnel is my favourite attraction on Cijin Island. It is a small tunnel you walk through and at the end you’re right by the water. It is incredible! The view is amazing.

You’re really close to the water, so you’re able to see the waves crashing, hear the seagulls, and smell the water.

It was be a bit trick to find the tunnel so be sure to follow the signs for the tunnel closely otherwise you could miss it. The tunnel is near the base of the hill that has the lighthouse and fort on it, so if your’e closer to the Rainbow Church then the lighthouse, you’re not in the right area.

How Long Should You Spend on Cijin Island?

You’ll need three to four hours on Cijin Island to see all the major sights. This allows you to spend time exploring each of the sights, bike from place to place, and enjoy some food.

The shaved ice is particularly good on Cijin Island, and I would recommend stopping for some shaved ice to cool down and relax before getting back on the ferry to Kaohsiung.

Takao Railways Museum

The next stop on the Kaohsiung itinerary for day two is a quick stop at the Takao Railway Museum. This is an old railway station that ceased operating in 2008, and the Kaohsiung government turned it into a museum.

How to get from Cijin Island to Takao Railway Museum

The first step in getting from Cijin Island to Takao Railway Museum is taking the ferry back to Kaohsiung. You catch the ferry back to Kaohsiung at the same place you got off the ferry when you arrived on Cijin Island.

Once you’re off the ferry in Kaohsiung, walk back to Sizihwan Station. From there, you’ll walk a few blocks to the light rail station.

The railway museum is right next to Hamasen Station (C14). There are signs directing you to the light rail station, and you’ll be able to see it on your left-hand side as you begin walking.

The light rail station is also connected to the metro station if you choose to walk through the station rather than above ground. Walking through the station is the best option for people who are concerned that they will get lost (even though it is quite difficult to do).

Things to do at Takao Railway Museum

There honestly isn’t too much to do at the Takao Railway Museum. There is a small museum and a few train engines and cars you can view.

The most popular reason people go is to take photos with the statues/artwork that the government has placed in the field adjacent to the railway museum. You can take your photo with giant suitcases and other such pieces of artwork.

This area is popular amongst young people and is another great place to get the perfect Instagram photo to commemorate your time in Kaohsiung.

How Long Should You Spend at Takao Railway Museum?

15-30 minutes is enough time to take pictures and visit the museum if you want to.

Pier-2 Art Centre

Pier-2 Art Centre is a really cool part of Kaohsiung where there is a bunch of art, statues, and murals that you can admire and take your picture with. There are also a number of independent art stores you can shop at if you want to take a piece of art home to remember your time in Kaohsiung.

How to get from Takao Railway Museum to Pier-2 Art Centre

You can walk from Takao Railway Museum to Pier-2 Art Centre in a matter of minutes, so it is quick and easy to get from one location to the next.

You simply walk across the field next to the museum and then cross the street. You’re able to see Pier-2 Art Centre as you’re walking across the field, so it is nearly impossible to get lost.

If you’re worried about getting lost, just follow the light rail tracks. The light rail stops at Pier-2 Art Centre, so if you follow the tracks, it is impossible to get lost.

Things to do at Pier-2 Art Centre

Pier-2 Art Centre is very popular amongst locals and tourists, and it can get quite busy and crowded if you go on a weekend afternoon. That being said, is is still worth checking out!

The area is filled with different public art you can look at. It includes murals, statues, life-size transformers, and more. There is a lot of unique art at Pier-2 Art Centre.

The area has a really cool hipster-esque vibe that doesn’t feel pretentious.

There are also a number of shops and cafes that you can stop at to do some shopping or pick grab a snack.

How Long Should You Spend at Pier-2 Art Centre?

This is a difficult thing to estimate because the amount of time you’ll want to spend at Pier-2 Art Centre directly corresponds with how much you enjoy art and how much of the are you want to explore.

You’ll need at least an hour at Pier-2 Art Centre, but it is really easy to spend much longer there exploring.

The next stop on the Kaohsiung itinerary is a stop at Dream Mall. Dream Mall is the largest mall in Taiwan and is one of the largest malls in all of East Asia.

Dream Mall is often overlooked on Kaohsiung itineraries, but I think it is worth checking out!

How to get from Pier-2 Art Centre to Dream Mall

This is the only time in the Kaohsiung itinerary that you’ll be using the light rail system so soak in the moment if you’re a transportation nerd and love riding different forms of transit!

To get from Pier-2 Art Centre to Dream Mall, you simple get on the light rail system at either Penglai Pier-2 (C13) or Dayia Pier-2 (C12). Both stations are near the Pier-2 Art Centre, so you just have to choose whatever station is closest to where you are.

After you’re on the light rail system, you ride it until you get to the Dream Mall Station (C5). The light rail isn’t nearly as quick as the metro, so it takes a little longer to get from Pier-2 Art Centre to Dream Mall than it would if the metro ran between the two locations.

At Dream Mall Station, you just have to walk across the street, and you’re at the mall.

Things to do at Dream Mall

Shop ’til you drop.

Shopping is the most obvious thing to do at Dream Mall. The mall is huge , and there are seven stories of stores you can explore.

Each story is dedicated to a certain shopping theme, so it is really easy to find what you’re looking for. For example, all the women’s clothing is on one floor and all the children’s clothing is on a separate floor.

The majority of the stores in Dream Mall are international stores, and you won’t mind many unique stores. Most of the stores you could find in any mall around the world.

eat, eat, and eat some more

The entire bottom level of Dream Mall is dedicated solely to food! There are tons of different bakeries, sweet shops, cafes, and restaurants. You’re guaranteed to find something that suits your fancy.

This is the perfect place to grab lunch or have a coffee and relax a bit after a busy day.

amusement park

There is an amusement park on the roof of Dream Mall! It is a very small amusement park, but it is an amusement park nonetheless.

The highlight of the amusement park is the ferris wheel that sits on the roof. It gives you spectacular views of Kaohsiung if you’re brave enough to ride it.

The rides are a bit expensive, but it is pretty neat to check out and wander around for a while.

How Long Should You Spend at Dream Mall?

This depends on how much shopping you’re going to do. You’ll need at least 60 to 90 minutes to explore all of Dream Mall, grab a bite to eat, and check out the amusement park.

You’ll need much longer than that if you’re planning on doing some serious shopping. But since the stores are basically chain stores, there are better places in Kaohsiung you could go shopping and find more unique items that cost less.

Ruifeng Night Market

Ruifeng Night Market is quickly becoming the most popular night market in Kaohsiung, so I had to include it in my Kaohsiung itinerary. It opens at 4pm every day, so it is perfect timing for you to head straight to the night market after visiting Dream Mall.

How to get to Ruifeng Night Market from Dream Mall

The easiest way to get from Dream Mall to Ruifeng Night Market is to walk to Kaisyuan Station (R6) and ride it to Kaohsiung Arena Station (R14).

To get to Kaisyuan Station, you’ll need to walk approximately 750 meters from the mall to the station. You simply exit the mall from the same doors you entered in and walk across the street with your back facing the door you exited from.

You follow that road all the way until you get to Kaisyuan Station. It is a straight shot once you’re walking down the proper road.

If you don’t want to walk to the station, you can also take the bus. The bus departs across the street from Dream Mall, so it requires a lot less walking than taking the metro.

You take bus 168 East for 29 stops and get off at Kaohsiung Arena. The bus takes twice as long as the metro, so that is something to consider when deciding what transportation method to take.

Things to do at Ruifeng Night Market

Ruifeng Night Market is the largest food night market in Kaohsiung and covers a staggering 3,000 square meters and has been open for 20 years. The vendors are well organized, and the market is in the shape of an L.

You can find all the classic night market foods including stinky tofu, pepper buns, fried chicken, and corn on the cob (my personal favourite). The papaya milk is also worth trying out.

There are also some fun little carnival games you can play for a small fee. These are quite fun if you have a friend to play against!

How Long Should You Spend at the Ruifeng Night Market?

This is the largest night market in Kaohsiung, and you’ll want to spend a decent amount of time wandering through it sampling the different food options. I suggest spending a minimum of 90 minutes at Ruifeng Night Market and more if you want to.

Ruifeng Night Market is the last stop for day two of the Kaohsiung itinerary, so you can spend hours at the market if you want to and not be rushed to make it to your next destination.

The third and final day of the Kaohsiung itinerary is much more relaxed than day two. It involves a lot less travelling from one sight to another and more time at one major sight followed by a couple of minor sights that are walking distance from one another.

Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Fo Guang Shan Monastery is the main attraction on the final day of the Kaohsiung itinerary. It is a jaw dropping and well worth visiting.

Fo Guang Shan monastery is the headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist religion. It is the largest Buddhist complex in Taiwan and is home to the largest bronze sitting Buddha statue in the world!

How to get to Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Getting to Fo Guang Shan Monastery is a two-step process.

The first step is taking the metro to Zouying Station (R16). This is the same station you took to get to the Lotus Pond Scenic Area, so it should be easy for you to navigate how to get there.

Once you’re at Zouying Station, walk to the bus station. Walk to the bus stand for bus 8501 and wait for the next bus to arrive. The first bus departs at 8:15am and the second at 8:45am. I recommend taking on of those two buses to make the most out of your time at the monastery.

The bus stops at two locations at Fo Guang Shan. The first stop is at the Buddhist museum and the second is at the monastery.

Most people get off at the first stop, but I recommend getting off at the second stop. This will allow some of the crowds to be gone from the museum by the time you get there, and it means you walk down the hill to the museum rather than up the hill to the monastery.

This makes a huge difference in the Kaohsiung humidity!

Things to do at Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Visit the monastery.

The majority of people who visit Fo Guang Shan visit the museum and skip visiting the monastery. This is a mistake. The museum is where the giant Buddha is, but the monastery has a lot to offer as well!

The monastery is on the top of a hill, so you’ll have to walk up a short path to get there. This path is much shorter than the path you would have to walk up if you visited the museum first and then the monastery.

The monastery has a number of statues and temples you can visit. They are all gorgeous and give you some history about Fo Guang Shan Buddhism before you visit the museum.

There are a number of places in the monastery you’re not allowed to visit. These places are reserved solely for the monks and visitors staying at the monastery.

There are signs marking areas you aren’t allowed to enter as a visitor. Please respect these signs and don’t go anywhere you’re not allowed.

the buddha museum

The Buddha Museum is the star of the show at Fo Guang Shan and one of my favourite things on this Kaohsiung itinerary. It is far more impressive and moving than I anticipated it being before I visited.

The Buddha Museum is huge and consists of multiple temples, museum exhibits, and the giant bronze Buddha. It is quite easy to miss something there is so much to see!

Be sure to take the time to explore the museum exhibits before you go to the bronze Buddha. They’ll give you the background information you need to better understand the religion and significance of the Buddha.

There are many helpful volunteers and employees throughout the museum that can help answer any of your questions or help guide you through the exhibit.

There is no entrance fee to visit the museum, but there are donation boxes throughout the property where you can put a donation if you want to.

souvenir shopping

Fo Guang Shan is one of the few places in Kaohsiung that sells souvenirs, so it is a great place to pick up a souvenir of your time in Kaohsiung. They sell all the standard souvenirs at the entrance to the museum as well as near the bus station.

Enjoy a delicious meal

There are a number of different restaurants at the entrance of the museum. They range in prices, but they all serve traditional Chinese food.

I highly recommend the vegetarian buffet on the second floor. The food is delicious, and it is the least expensive buffet I’ve ever been to in my life. I have no idea how they make money on it!

It is popular amongst the locals, so it is often busy. It is common seating, so you’ll probably be sharing your table with a bunch of people, but that is the best way to meet new, interesting people!

How Long Should You Spend at Fo Guang Shan Monastery?

I recommend spending at least six hours at Fo Guang Shan. This includes the bus ride to and from the monastery. You can easily spend upwards of seven or eight hours (even days) at the monastery depending on how much time you spend exploring all it has to offer.

Six hours is enough time for you to see the monastery, visit the majority of the museum exhibits, spend some time viewing the Buddha, and have lunch.

Kaohsiung Museum of History

I’ve never seen the Kaohsiung Museum of History included on a Kaohsiung itinerary, and I only found it because I was searching for a museum to visit in Kaohsiung. I really enjoyed the museum, and it shares a lot of really important history about the city and Taiwan’s history.

I knew once I visited the museum I needed to include it on my Kaohsiung itinerary and encourage more people to visit it!

How to get from Fo Guang Shan to the Kaohsiung Museum of History

Getting from Fo Guang Shan to the museum requires two transfers, but it is easier than it sounds!

You take the bus from the Buddha Museum to Zouying Station then take the red metro line to Formosa Boulevard Station (R10/O5). At Formosa Boulevard Station, you transfer to the orange metro line and ride it for one stop at get off at City Counsel (Former Site) Station.

From there you’ll walk for approximately 5 minutes towards the Love River (follow the signs in the station to make sure you’re going the right direction). The museum is on your right-hand side just after you cross the river.

The museum is in an old government building, and it is easy to miss if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. It is a pale green and brown building and has a parking lot at the front.

There isn’t any signage on the museum that is visible from the street, but there is no need to be shy about walking to the door. You’re in the right place and not trespassing. I will admit that they need better signage.

Things to do at the Kaohsiung Museum of History

The Kaohsiung Museum of History is small and only consists of a few rooms. There is a rotating exhibit that hosts different exhibits pertaining to the history of Kaohsiung and a permanent exhibit dedicated to the February 28 Massacre.

Learning about the February 28 Massacre is very important, and I would encourage everybody to take the time to visit the Kaohsiung Museum of History.

Entrance to the museum is free , so there is no excuse not to visit!

How Long Should You Spend at the Kaohsiung Museum of History?

I recommend spending about 30 minutes at the museum. This will allow you to visit the exhibits and watch the multi-media show they have at the end of the February 28 Massacre exhibit.

The museum is quite small, so you won’t need much more time than that even if you intend to read everything in the museum.

30 minutes out of your 3 day Kaohsiung itinerary isn’t too much time to spend learning about local history and a very important event in Taiwan’s history.

Next up on the Kaohsiung itinerary is a visit to Love River. This is the main river that runs through Kaohsiung, and it is the perfect place to take a stroll or read on a bench.

How to get from the Kaohsiung Museum of History to Love River

It literally couldn’t be easier to get from the Kaohsiung Museum of History to the Love River. You simply exit the museum, turn left, and you’re there! You can see the river from the museum. By far the easiest part of this Kaohsiung itinerary!

Things to do at Love River

Love River is the perfect place for you to go for a leisurely stroll and take in the beauty of Kaohsiung away from the concrete jungle. I love finding a bench a reading for as long as I can handle the humidity.

There are also river cruises you can go on. They’re a great way to see more of the river without having to spend the time walking the length of it all.

How Long Should You Spend at Love River?

I suggest spending 30-45 minutes at Love River at a minimum and longer if you want to go for a river cruise. It is easy to lose track of time walking along the river, so it is best to plan to spend a decent amount of time there.

Formosa Boulevard Station

Formosa Boulevard Station is another classic sight that ends up on every Kaohsiung itinerary and for good reason! It is the main metro station in Kaohsiung and is one of the most beautiful metro stations I’ve ever seen.

If you stayed in the Xinxing District , you would have seen this station everyday when getting to and from all the other attractions on the itinerary. But for people who didn’t stay in the area, visiting Formosa Boulevard Station is a must!

How to get from Love River to Formosa Boulevard Station

The easiest way to get from the river to Formosa Boulevard Station is walking. Once you’re done exploring the river, head back to the Kaohsiung Museum of History.

With your back towards the Kaohsiung Museum of History, walk across the bridge and follow the main road all the way to Formosa Boulevard Station.

The walk takes approximately twenty minutes , and you don’t need to make any turns. Simply follow the road, and you’ll find yourself at the station.

Things to do at Formosa Boulevard Station

Formosa Boulevard Station is best known for the dome of lights. The station is home to the largest piece of glass art in the world, and it is over 2,000 square meters and contains 4,500 panes of glass.

It is breathtaking and an essential activity for anybody visiting Kaohsiung.

The dome of lights is on the main level of the station before the turnstiles, so you don’t need to pay to see the display!

How Long Should You Spend at Formosa Boulevard Station?

I think ten minutes is enough time to see the dome of lights and take a bunch of photos. There isn’t really anything else noteworthy in the station, so you’re just going to view the dome of lights.

Liuhe Night Market

Liuhe Night Market is the most famous night market is Kaohsiung and is on every Kaohsiung itinerary. It may be the most famous night market, but I don’t think it is the best in the city.

But it is still worth a visit, which is why I have included it on my Kaohsiung itinerary.

How to get from Formosa Boulevard Station to the Liuhe Night Market

Getting from the station to the night market is just as easy as getting from the museum to the river.

You simply follow the signs in the station for the Liuhe Tourist Night Market exit, walk up the stairs, and you’re at the entrance to the market. It doesn’t get easier than that!

Things to do at the Liuhe Night Market

The Liuhe Night Market is strictly a food market, so you’re not going to find any vendors selling souvenirs. There are a number of stores that the vendors set up in front of, so if you need a convenience store or something along those lines, you’ll be able to find one.

The market has all the traditional Taiwanese street food items that are in the other night markets around Kaohsiung. My personal favourite is the corn on the cob. There is something about the spice mix they put on it at this specific market that is incredible.

The market spans quite a few blocks, so there are a lot of different foods to try out. The food is also inexpensive (as it is at all the night markets), so it is a great place to eat a lot of food without spending too much money.

How Long Should You Spend at the Liuhe Night Market?

I think 60-75 minutes is sufficient. You’ve already been to a number of night markets by following this Kaohsiung itinerary, so you’ll have already seen most of the different types of food.

By this point, you’ll probably know what types of food you like, so you can easily find the stalls you want to eat at without walking the length of the market once or twice deciding.

You can, of course, spend as much time at the market as you want. It is the last thing on the Kaohsiung itinerary after all! There are a number of local stores in the area, so it is worth it to take some extra time and wander around the surrounding area to see if there is anything else you’re interested in buying.

As you can tell, there is a lot to do and see in Kaohsiung! You can easily spend 4 or 5 days in Kaohsiung exploring everything the city has to offer, but I think 3 days is the perfect amount of time in Kaohsiung for the average traveller.

This Kaohsiung itinerary hits all the most popular tourist sights in Kaohsiung but also includes a number of less popular attractions. This allows you to get a better feeling for the city and understand it a little bit more.

I think it is important to visit museums and learn about the places you travel to, which is why I included the history museum in the itinerary. It is one of the most underrated attractions in Kaohsiung, and I would encourage everybody to visit it.

There are a lot of other attractions in Kaohsiung you could visit, and you could easily customize your trip to Kaohsiung to suit your personal preferences.

Use this Kaohsiung itinerary as a guide to your time in Kaohsiung and insert any sights that intrigue you or that you stumble on along the way.

Kaohsiung is a really cool city, and I hope this itinerary helps you plan your perfect trip to Kaohsiung!

PS- Don’t forget to sign up for NordVPN and protect your online data when you’re in Kaohsiung. You don’t want your holiday ruined because your online data was stolen!

Related Posts

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Kaoshiung Ultimate Travel Guide – Itinerary + Things to Do + Day Trips from Kaohsiung

Posted on March 11, 2020 | Julie J. |

Last Updated on November 5, 2022

Kaohsiung offers both city and natural sights. From visiting a modern art museum to exploring mud volcanoes or wetlands, there are plenty of day trips from Kaohsiung you can take to explore this beautiful part of Taiwan.

As the names of the places listed below are translated from Chinese, they can be written with different spellings, hence can be hard to find on google map. Check out the map at the end of this post to see the location of each place. It will also help you plan your itinerary. The places listed below have been ordered from North to South. If you’re having a hard time finding one of the places, comment below, and I’ll help you.

What to do in Kaohsiung – Day trips from Kaohsiung itinerary:

Most of the places listed below are accessible via public transportation, but it might be easier to rent a car or a motorbike so you can visit several sites on the same day. If you prefer to take the bus, three bus lines specialize in scenic and tourist spots:

• The Harvard line:   THSR Zuoying Station, Buddha Memorial Center, and Fo Guang Shan;
• Dashu Route B: Fongshan Transfer Station (KMRT Dadong Station), Old Railroad Bridge Wetland (Sanhe Tile Kiln, Gushan Warehouse, Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Buddha Memorial Center;
• Dashu Route A: same as above but with additional stops at the Bamboo Mountain Winery and at Jiuqutang Station.

There are also trains for the most northern part of the county. Check out the routes and timetables here .

Day trips from Kaohsiung – Itinerary 1

You can take a day trip to the northern part of Kaohsiung county, starting with Century Gorge, then Baolai hot springs (can be skipped if you’d rather go to hot springs in the wild), after, visit the Luigi Buddha and the Eighteen Arhats Mountain Scenic Area, then go back to Kaohsiung.

A perfect itinerary would be to spend the night in Maolin National scenic area and spend the next day exploring the area and on the third day visit the rest of the places on your way back to Kaohsiung.

Day trips from Kaohsiung – Itinerary 2

Drive or take the bus to Maolin National Scenic Area and spend the whole day there, trekking, swimming in waterfalls and discovering several scenic spots.

Day trips from Kaohsiung – Itinerary 3

Drive or take the bus to Meinong and visit the Hakka museum and the paper umbrella factory, then ride a bike around its lake. Then, go to Quishan and visit the railway station and the Tianhou Temple. If you have your own transportation and still have time, drop by the Neimen Nanhai Zizhu Temple, then go see the landscape in Neimen 308 Highland or at the Moon World Landscape Park.

Day trips from Kaohsiung – Itinerary 4

Start your day with a visit to the Fo Guang Shan monastery then head to the Mud Volcano park in Yanchao District. After, visit the Moon World Landscape Park, then, drop by the Da Gangshan Scenic Area and the Chaofeng Temple nearby. Then, on your way back to Kaohsiung stop at the Skywalk Park in Gangshan District. You can also skip one or two of the places here and spend half the day in the Agongdian Reservoir.

Day trips from Kaohsiung – Itinerary 5

Visit places near the city such as the Yuanzhonggang Wetland Park, the Lotus Pond Scenic Area, the old city of Fengshan County, the Niaosong Wetlands Park, the Pier 2 Art Center and the Fengshan Tiangong Temple.

Day trips from Kaohsiung – Itinerary 6

Visit Cijin Island, if it’s winter or if you don’t want to spend time at the beach, it will be more of a half-day trip. See below for things to do In Cijin.

What to do in Kaohsiung – 1-day Kaohsiung itinerary

If you just have one day in Kaohsiung, you can spend it visiting the places nearest to the city center, or you can choose to take one of the tourist bus lines listed above.

Kaohsiung 1-day itinerary – Kaohsiung Day Tour:

• Start the day visiting the Lotus Pond , walking around, visiting the pagodas and temples around the lake. Don’t miss the Dragon Tower Tower;
• Next head to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Memorial Monastery;

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on any links and make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission, at no cost to you.

What to do in Kaohsiung County – Places to visit as day trips from Kaohsiung City:

Century gorge.

Located in Namasia district, in the Northern part of Kaohsiung, Century Gorge is an impressive sight. Just follow the road 29 (put “Dishisanhao Bridge, Namaxia District” on the GPS). There are several viewpoints you can stop at and take in the view.

Baolai Spring Park

Baolai Spring Park is Kaohsiung’s most famous hot spring destination among locals. The water is around 52° Celsius and is clear and odorless.

The park is 5.4 hectares wide and, apart from the hot springs, is home to more than a thousand flowering trees, making it look like a sea of flowers all year round.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Entrance fee: NT$50 

Eighteen Arhats Mountain Scenic Area

Also known as Shiba Luohan, this scenic area offers breathtaking views of over 40 bright mountain ranges. Seen from the road, the peaks look like Arhats (Buddhas) standing on the side. Nature and rivers surround the area. It’s also a great place to see butterflies.

GPS coordinates: 22°56’39.7″N 120°38’04.5″E

Maolin National Scenic Area

This area is full of waterfalls, rivers, ravines, and hot springs. It’s also the home of the Bunun and Rukai tribes. It’s an excellent place for trekking and discovering aboriginal culture. If you were only to take one day trip from Kaohsiung I would recommend this one.

A bit north you can have a look at the Lovers’ Valley suspension bridge and waterfall, then drive following the Zhuokou river and stop at the Dunagao suspension bridge. There are also several treks you can do in the area. You’ll find many guesthouses and campgrounds if you want to spend a few days (which I recommend).

Check out the official website for more information on what to do there.

Luigui Buddha

In Luigui District, you can visit the Xinkai Park where you’ll find a 25 meters high and 167 tons Buddha. You can enter the statue and see the 7 tons emerald stone inside it.

It’s probably not worth going if you’re not in the area and remember it’s inappropriate to take pictures turning your back to a Buddha.

Use the Chinese name to find it in the GPS: 六龟大佛

Meinong Paper Umbrella Culture Village

This is a great place if you like cultural activities. In Meinong Paper Umbrella Culture Village you can learn how paper umbrellas are made and make one on your own. You can also buy souvenirs and all sorts of Hakka handicrafts.

They are a lot of things to do in Meinong, especially regarding Taiwan’s aboriginal culture. It makes a perfect day-trip from Kaohsiung.

Open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm.

Meinong Hakka Museum

While in Meinong, you should pay a visit to the Hakka museum. Hakka is one of the many aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. There, you’ll learn everything about their culture and traditions.

Closed on Mondays – Open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Meinong Lake

Meinong lake is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. You can either walk or rent a bike to go around the lake. The scenery around is excellent, with a lot of green and the mountains in the background. From October to March, a lot of migratory birds come here.

Neimen Zizhu Temple

Dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of mercy, this temple is 300 years old and worth a look if you’re nearby.

Neimen 308 Highland

A great viewpoint from which you can see the nearby badlands and the Jianan plain further away.

Qishan Tianhou Temple

Built in the 18th century in Cishan, this temple is dedicated to Matsu and is an important religious center for people in the area.

Qishan Railway Station

This train station is an interesting sight as it mixes different architectural styles. Combining Japanese, Western, Victorian and Gothic styles. It hasn’t served as a train station for a long time now but has been turned into a visitor center.

Tianliao Moon World

Tianlioa Moon World is an area full of badlands and mud volcanoes. “Badlands is a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water” (thank you Wikipedia). It looks a bit like the moon because some parts don’t have any vegetation. Just drive along the Provincial Highway No. 28, from Tianliao to Cishan, you’ll pass over 20 mud volcanoes. You can also stop at The Mudstone Geography Center (at the Scenic Area’s entrance) and do a small trek. It’s a must-stop if you’re planning a day trip from Kaohsiung.

Chaofeng Temple

Built in 1763, Chaofeng Temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. Its magnificent gardens have a mountain hiking trail with several religious spots on the way.

Dagangshan Nature Ecology Area

Spreading over 18ha., the Ecology Area has many forest trails. There are a lot of ponds, and it’s also a great place to see birds and aquatic animals. The park has abundant natural resources and scenic spots. You also get a fantastic view of Kaohsiung City, especially at night.

Leidishan Natural Park

The Luodi Mountain Nature Park is a great place for light trekking, sparkled with badlands and canyons, the scenery is beautiful.

Siaogangshan Skywalk Park

This 88 meters skywalk spreads over 1.8 hectares of land. The architect was inspired by music, and the bridge looks like a violin and a harmonica. When it’s clear, you can see as far as Dawu mountain, Taiwan straight ant the Agongdian Reservoir and Forest Park.

Closed on Mondays, open from 9 am to 5 pm. The entrance fee is NT$80.

Agongdian Reservoir Bike Path

For a great day trip from Kaohsiung, visit this scenic location, excellent for biking and trekking. There are several viewpoints, and you can enjoy discovering local birds and plants. The scenery and landscape around are beautiful, making Agongdian Reservoir a pleasant day trip from Kaohsiung.

Wushanding Mud Volcano Nature Reserve

Another place to see mud volcanoes, the Wushanding Nature Reserve has three mud volcanoes, one 3.5 meters high, erupting every few seconds.

Fo Guang Shan – Dashu District

In Fo Guang Shan, you’ll find thousands of holy statues, as well as several halls of the Buddha, extending across the mountain. It’s an important center of faith in Taiwanese Buddhism. The view from there is fantastic, especially at sunset.

Yuanzhonggang Wetland Park

Facing the sea, this wetland benefit from a rich mangrove ecology, plants, and insects, as well as birds. There’s a wooden walkway to stroll around the mangrove freely.

Lianchitan (Lotus Pond) Scenic Area

Lianchitan is one of Kaohsiung’s most traditional scenic areas. There, you’ll find huge statues of gods and the “old city”, surrounded by the city wall and historical buildings. Another great sight is the seven stories Longhu Tower (Dragon Tiger Tower) and the dragon (entrance) and tiger (exit) doors. From up there, the view is great.

The Old City of Fengshan County

Located in Zuoying, the Old Fongshan City is Taiwan’s first city wall. The wall was built with coral stone from Chaishan, and the arches were made with granite from China. You can visit the four city doors and walk along the wall.

The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is Southern Taiwan’s most important modern art and culture center. They frequently change exhibits, featuring local and international artists. Outside, there’s a public art park scattered with sculptures and installations.

The Niaosong Wetland

This rich ecosystem is an important educational park. Around 90 species of birds live here as well as many plants and insects. During weekends and national holidays, you can benefit from a guided tour that will explain everything about flora and fauna and the way a wetland works.

The Pier-2 Art Center

Located in the Kaohsiung Port (basin No. 3), this pier has been turned into an art space and is an important place in Kaoshiung cultural scene. They frequently organize activities and exhibits.

Open all week from 10 am to 6 pm (8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays).

Cijin Island

Cijin is an island that makes a great day trip from Kaohsiung. It’s easy to get there as there’s a bridge and a lot of ferries make the trip. Here are several places you can visit there:

• Cijin Beach
• Cijin Star Tunnel: excavated in the Japanese Colonial Era, it used to be a military tunnel. It has recently been turned into art; you can go through it and discover glow-in-the-dark paintings of constellations. The view when you get out is also worth it.
• Cijin Tianhou Temple: built over 300 years ago, this temple is Kaoshiung’s oldest temple and Taiwan’s first temple dedicated to Matsu (the sea goddess).
• Cijin Round-Island Bike Path: a great way to explore the island, the path goes through all of the island’s major sites. You can easily find bikes for rent.
• Cihou (Qihou) Fort: built during the Kangxi Emperor’s reign (17th to 18th century) using the traditional Chinese style.

Fengshan Tian Gong Temple

Built in 1798, the Temple is a 2-story southern Chinese-style structure with halls. It didn’t use to be as magnificent, but as is its popularity increased, donations came flowing, and is now a luxurious temple.

You can also check out nearby Fongshan Longshan Temple and Kaijhangshengwang Temple, built around the same time, they’re the oldest temples in the area.

What to do in Kaohsiung – Map of places to visit as day trips from Kaohsiung:

Related articles to help you plan your trip to Taiwan:

• Taiwan Travel Guide – everything you need to know to plan your trip
• Best things to do in Taichung
• Hualien – Things to do + Itinerary
• 21 things you didn’t know you could do in Taitung

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Kaohsiung Starts Here

If you’re searching the internet for a Kaohsiung travel guide, I’m going to assume you’re a fairly serious traveler. Most people who visit Taiwan, after all, don’t make it out of Taipei and its vicinity.

In this spirit, rather than creating a day-by-day Kaohsiung itinerary for you, I’m going to outline my favorite attractions and experiences in the city. I’ll leave it up to you which to visit, and in what order.

I’ll also delve into some other essential information, including how many days in Kaohsiung you should spend, how to get to Kaohsiung and comparisons of Kaohsiung with other cities in Taiwan. Ultimately, however, the purpose of this page is simple—your search for what to do in Kaohsiung ends here.

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung

I’ll get into specific things to do in Kaohsiung in just a second, but for now let’s talk about where in the city to make your home. Unlike in Taipei, where I generally prefer to stay in apartments, there are some decent (though not amazing) hotels in Kaohsiung. These include Howard Plaza Hotel and Kindness Hotel Zhongshan , which is one branch—my favorite branch—of a large local chain.

Of course, if you find Kaohsiung hotels to be as underwhelming as I find hotels in Taipei , you can definitely stay in an Airbnb instead. In general, I’d say the closer to Kaohsiung Main Station you can stay, the better. I’d avoid staying near the city’s Taiwan high-speed rail station (aka Zuoying), which is convenient for the bullet train and the pagodas I’m about to mention, but not much else.

Kaohsiung Attractions and Activities

Dragon and tiger pagodas.

There are many Kaohsiung temples worth visiting—and most of them can be found along the shores of the Zuoying Lotus Pond , near the high-speed rail station. The most famous among these is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas , but these are not the only game in town. You can also visit Yuandi Temple , as well as Wuliting Pavilion , which makes for a great sunset vantage point.

Cijin Island

Another one of my favorite things to do in Kaohsiung is a short excursion away from the city proper. To be specific, ride the MRT to its western terminus at Sizihwan Station and walk to Sinbin Pier , from which it’s just a short ferry ride over to Cijin Island . Although you can rent bicycles and ride south to the island’s Instagram-famous sculpture park, I prefer the authentic atmosphere of Cijin Old Street . Do also make sure to visit Cihou Fort , the lookout point featured in this article’s main image!

Sizihwan Lookout

After exploring Cijin, take the boat back over to Sinbin, where you can either walk (20 minutes) or get a taxi/Uber up to Sizihwan Lookout . Known, along with Cihou Fort, to be the best view of Kaohsiung, you can get a panorama of the city and of Cijin Island, not to mention a view of the 85 SkyTower , Kaohsiung’s answer to Taipei 101. This is an awesome spot to watch the sunset!

Liuhe Night Market

Descending from Sizihwan Lookout and back to the station of the same name, continue following my Kaohsiung travel guide. Namely, ride the MRT to Formosa Boulevard station (a colorful depot that’s arguably an attraction in and of itself) and make the walk to Liuhe Night Market . Among my favorite street snacks to enjoy here are Dachang Bao Xiaochang , or Taiwanese sausages served in buns made of sticky rice.

TIP: When you finish at the night market, you can make the short walk over to Sanfong Temple to set it lit up for the night!

Fo Guang Shan Monastery

There are a few possible day trips from Kaohsiung, by my favorite is to Fo Guang Shan Monastery . The headquarters of the Buddhist sect that operates many other facilities throughout Taiwan (in Keelung , for example), this sprawling monastery is one of my favorite places in Taiwan. You can get a direct bus from Zuoying Station, but be aware that the journey takes a while, and return services aren’t super frequent.

How Many Days Do You Need in Kaohsiung?

When it comes to how many days in Kaohsiung you should spend, the answer varies widely. Certainly, there’s more of an acceptable range than Taipei, which will likely be the Taiwan destination where you stay the longest. Theoretically, if you had no other choice, you could ride the high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung (and back) in a day, though I wouldn’t recommend that.

Judging solely by the number and variety of activities in my Kaohsiung travel guide, on the other hand, I’d say you should plan to spend 2-3 days in the city. You can veer more toward the low end of this range if you plan to stay primarily within the city center. On the other hand, if you plan to take a day trip (to Fo Guang Shan or elsewhere—more on some other options for that in a minute), 3 days in Kaohsiung is really more prudent.

How Kaohsiung Compares

I’ve written a dedicated article discussing my views on Taipei vs. Kaohsiung . To sum up my findings, however, allow me to just say that while Kaohsiung is a perfectly fine travel destination, it’s definitely not a place I could see myself living. There are plenty of attractions and experiences to keep you interested on a short stay, but it’s not a city I would characterize as cosmopolitan.

Indeed, I would say comparisons with other cities—Kaohsiung vs. Tainan or Chiayi , both of which are easy to visit on day trips—are more apt, even though the latter two are both are much smaller than the former. They somehow match the energy of Kaohsiung better than Taipei does. If you only have time to visit one city in southern Taiwan, weighing Kaohsiung against these places (and maybe even Taichung ) seems smarter.

Other FAQ About Visiting Kaohsiung

Is kaohsiung bigger than taipei.

Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s third-largest city, after Taipei and Taichung, and is smaller than Taipei in both size and population. With this being said, don’t let the fact that Kaohsiung isn’t as big or cosmopolitan as Taipei dissuade you from visiting.

Is there Uber in Kaohsiung?

Uber operates within Kaohsiung’s city center, and is an easy way to get around when you don’t want to wait for a bus, or are headed somewhere that’s not easily accessible by metro. Make sure you’ve updated your phone number to one that works in Taiwan in case the driver needs to call you.

What is the best way to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung?

The most convenient way to reach Kaohsiung from Taipei is to take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Taipei Main Station to Zuoying Station, which is just outside Kaohsiung’s city center (but is very close to the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas).

The Bottom Line

How many days do you need in Kaohsiung? My Kaohsiung travel guide covers obvious questions like this, plus adventurous options (exploring rough-around-the-edges Cijin Island) and the delicious ones—how does a Taiwanese street food dinner at Liuhe Night Market sound? Likewise, while I focus mostly on matters within the city center, I also recommend one particular day trip (to Fo Guang Shan Monastery), which happens to be one of my favorite places in Taiwan. One last tip: Hire me to plan your Taiwan trip so you leave nothing to chance.

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Asia , Itineraries , Taiwan · January 14, 2020

Kaohsiung Itinerary: 2 Perfect Days in Kaohsiung

Are you planning a quick jaunt to Taiwan’s dreamy harbor city, Kaohsiung? If so, this two days in Kaohsiung itinerary is just what you need.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan offers a wealth of exciting activities to entice all types of travelers — from jaw-dropping temples and bustling night markets to sweeping ocean views, nature within easy reach, and a booming art scene.

As the largest port city in  Taiwan , Kaohsiung is a sprawling metropolis with plenty to keep you busy. While fitting in all the incredible things to do with only 2 days in Kaohsiung might seem tricky, this Kaohsiung itinerary will give you a good taste of what the city offers. It’s jam-packed with the best things to do in Kaohsiung, and I’ll also be sharing all my insider tips to help you maximize your time and plan the perfect 2 days in Kaohsiung itinerary. You’ll also get useful tips on where to stay, what to eat, and how to get around Kaohsiung here!

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Kaohsiung Itinerary Pre-travel Tips

Two days in Kaohsiung is ample time to get to know the city a little bit better and explore all the cool Kaohsiung attractions. However, before you visit the bustling streets of Kaohsiung, there are a few things you need to consider first.

Here are my top pre-planning tips to help you fully enjoy a 2-day Kaohsiung itinerary.  

• Search the  best hotels in Kaohsiung ( more on this later ). Kaohsiung is a popular destination among locals and travelers alike. Therefore, it’s best to book accommodation well in advance, especially when traveling during special holidays or on weekends.
• If you’re planning on exploring the rest of Taiwan, grab a Lonely Planet guidebook to help you plan your stay. It’s jam-packed with handy information and offers many insights into the culture, history, and much, much more. 
• Most locals can understand basic English, but learning a few Chinese phrases can go a long way into making your trip more enjoyable.
• If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip,  World Nomads  offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities, emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.

In a rush? Save this Kaohsiung itinerary now to read later.

Kaohsiung Essentials

For a stress-free Kaohsiung itinerary, here are a few essentials to will help you on your first visit to Kaohsiung.

• There are plenty of Wifi hotspots in Taiwan, but picking up a local sim at the airport is highly encouraged. This way, you can access maps, translations, and plan your stops stress-free. You’ll also need a local number if you’re planning on using the biking system in Kaohsiung and further afield.  
• Get Taiwan’s local top-up card, the Easy Card , to tap-and-go on the subway, trains, and buses. By doing so, you won’t need to worry about having the right change. You can also use it to rent bikes , or buy goods at convenience stores.
• Since you’ll probably be coming from Taipei, the fastest way to get to Kaohsiung is by high-speed rail. If you are a tourist, it’s a good idea to book a discounted HSR ticket here via Klook to guarantee a seat. Single journey tickets are available. But, if you plan on making good use of Taiwan’s efficient rail network, I highly recommend grabbing this   5 Day Joint Rail Pass , which will allow you to travel onwards by HSR or TRA easily and save some money. For more tips, read my guide on the easiest ways to get to Kaohsiung . This guide on best travel apps for Taiwan will also come in handy.
• If you aren’t comfortable navigating the city on your own, this classic city day tour  is a great way to see all Kaohsiung’s highlights stress-free. Alternatively, hire private driver to help you get around and explore Kaohsiung’s top attractions without the headache. More independent travelers, on the other hand, can utilize the city’s extensive transit system, which includes buses, an MRT (subway) and a light rail network.  

How to Spend 2 Days in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a fantastic city to visit. The town packs the perfect mix of glorious temples, bustling markets, nature escapes, and mind-blowing food. With this Kaohsiung itinerary, you’ll get a good idea of how to spend a weekend in Kaohsiung and, of course, what to to do !

Since I’ve traveled to Kaohsiung numerous times while living in Taiwan, this guide includes all the best bits not to miss on your Kaohsiung itinerary. However, feel free to change up my following suggestions from day to day to make your 2 days in Kaohsiung tailored to your specific needs and preferences while visiting Kaohsiung. Ready? Let’s go!

Kaohsiung Itinerary Day 1

On your first day in Kaohsiung, explore the top attractions in the city. Visiting Fo Guang Shan, watching the sunset at Tiger and Dragon Pagodas, seeing the Dome of Light and snacking your way through Luihe Night Market offer plenty to keep you busy on the first day of your 2 days in Kaohsiung itinerary!

Fo Guang Shan Monastery 

Fo Guang Shan is the biggest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan and an absolute must on your Kaohsiung itinerary. The peaceful retreat has quickly become one of the city’s top attractions and a firm favorite among culture seekers, photographers, and Instagrammers.

The monastery is home to sprawling grounds, several exhibition halls where you can learn more about the religion, many vegetarian eateries and small shops selling cute souvenirs. Besides visiting the main exhibition hall, where you can see relics, artifacts, and an array of cultural and historical treasures, Fo Guang Shan is also extremely photogenic. Head to the top of the main exhibition hall for a bird’s eye view of the beautiful grounds, towering pagodas, and a close up look at the world ‘ s tallest bronze buddha. 

Fo Guang Shan is the perfect place for some spiritual reflection and the ideal spot to start your 2 days in Kaohsiung itinerary. You could easily spend a whole day here, but as your time in Kaohsiung is probably limited, 3-4 hours is ample time to explore the main grounds, visit the exhibition halls and grab a bite to eat. 

Tips for visiting fo guang shan

Since the monastery is a 30-minute bus ride from Kaohsiung, I highly recommend going here first in order to minimize travel time. If you’re arriving at Zouying station, you can catch the direct E02 bus at bus stop 2 to Buddha Memorial Hall (right in front of the station). Make sure you have the exact change (NT$70) or use your Easy Card if you have one. Alternatively join this tour if you aren’t comfortable navigating the bus system by yourself.  For more tips, also see my guide on how to get to Fo Guang Shan .

Oh, and, if you’re traveling with luggage, there are many lockers within the high-speed station or the adjacent MRT station where you can store your luggage. However, ample storage is also available at Fo Guang Shan’s information desk, free of charge.

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

Once you’ve made it back to Zouying Station, hop in a taxi to one of the city’s most photogenic spots , the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. If you prefer walking, it will take about 20 minutes to get there. It’s a pleasant stroll taking you past changing urban scenes. 

The twin pagodas sit at Lotus Lake – a beautiful artificial lake surrounded by greenery and several religious temples dedicated to different deities. Besides doing an obligatory walk through the towers, be sure to head up each tower’s staircase for the best photo opportunities and views over the lake. Oh, and remember to enter through the mouth of the dragon and exit through the mouth of the tiger – it’s believed to bring good luck! 

Further afield, drop by the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, which is home to several pavilions and walkways, all offering excellent vantage points over the lake. A bit further along, stop by the Zuoying Yuan Di Temple, where you can see the impressive warrior-statues lining the walkway to the towering Taoist deity, Xuandi with his Seven Star Sword.

Dome of Light

Kaohsiung is an incredibly photogenic city and a mecca for art lovers. So it’s not surprising that you’ll also find the world’s largest colored-glass public art installation, and certainly one of the most colorful underground art installations, the Dome of Light here.  Moreover, since the Dome of Light is housed in the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station, it is extremely accessible.

The installation was created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata and took well over four years to complete. With more than 4500 glass panels covering 660 square meters, the art piece depicts human life in all its stages. These stages are in turn represented by water, earth, light, and fire.  

Besides being one of the top photo spots in the city, the Dome of Light also commemorates a massive pro-democracy demonstration that occurred nearby in the late 1970s. 

Luihe Night Market

End your first day in Kaohsiung by exploring Luihe Night Market – Kaohsiung’s most well-known foodie spot. Here you will find many street food vendors to choose from, along with restaurants, quirky souvenir shops, and more.

Whatever you choose to feast on, don’t forget to sample some of the terrific seafood on offer here. Many places sell fresh and delicious seafood, such as crab, huge shrimps, octopus, squid, and even lobster.

Visiting Luihe night market is a must on your visit to Kaohsiung, and you’re bound to find many amazing snacks to try. If you follow a vegetarian diet, try some of the fresh fruit or fried vegetable dishes on offer.

Kaohsiung Itinerary Day 2

The last day of your two days in Kaohsiung itinerary is all about culture, art, and enjoying a slice of nature.  Start your day by exploring the Insta-worthy Sanfeng Temple and then head over to the Love River for a relaxing stroll. Afterward, it’s time to explore all the cool art installations at Pier 2 Art Center, before ending the day at the beach on Cijin Island.

Sanfeng Temple

Although there are not nearly as many temples in Kaohsiung as in neighboring Tainan , the city still has its fair share of remarkable temples. One of the most photogenic temples to add to your Kaohsiung itinerary is undoubtedly Sanfeng Temple. Therefore, on your second day in Kaohsiung, start your morning by exploring this vibrant cultural site.

To see this centuries-old temple’s full beauty, make your way up the steep steps. Then, enter the premises through huge, beautifully decorated doors. Once inside, you’ll find dozens of red sky lanterns dangling above you, creating a beautiful ambiance similar to that of Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur !

For the best photos of the lanterns and temple’s gorgeous, intricate design, head to upper balconies for picture-perfect views. 

Love River 

The Love River is a beautiful 12km-long river flowing through central Kaohsiung to the city’s harbor. Besides its natural beauty, it is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll. Along the way, t here are several cute cafes, restaurants, bars, and hipster hangouts where you can sit and admire the views.

Those looking for something a bit more exciting could opt to join a boat ride or, better yet, a romantic gondola ride along the river. It’s an excellent way to get a close up look at the concrete jungle surrounding this beautiful waterway. Some of the most notable attractions to see along the way include Holy Rosary Cathedral, Kaohsiung District Court, and Kaohsiung Bridge. 

If your Kaohsiung itinerary allows, I highly recommend visiting at night to see all the dazzling city lights !

Pier 2 Art Center

Art and culture seekers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to drop by Pier 2 Art Center. Although the Pier 2 Art Center is revered as the city’s quirky outdoor creative hub, it once served as a storage area for goods brought to the docks by the railway.

Today, you’ll find several areas showcasing different exhibitions within the abandoned warehouses, cool sculptures and statues, art galleries, museums, and plenty of colorful murals. 

Be sure to also drop by the Hamasen Railway Culture Park nearby, which houses the Takao Railway Museum. Besides stopping by the museum, there are several old trains, and many metalwork sculptures scattered across the abandoned train tracks.

Tips for visiting pier 2 art center

There are several ways to reach Pier 2 Art Center, but I always prefer alighting at Sizhiwan Station . From there, it’s a short stroll past Hamasen Railway Culture Park before you reach the first warehouses.

I highly recommend renting a bike at the green bike shop (Mccoy Bikes) on Penglai Road. A bike rental costs TWD 100 per day and it is an excellent way to explore the rest of the waterfront. Moreover, if you plan on visiting Cijin Island afterward, y ou won’t need to worry about renting a bike further afield.

Cijin Island

A short 5-minute ferry ride from Gushan Terminal brings you to dreamy Cijin Island . Besides a chance to hit the black sandy beach, Cijin is home to many quirky places to see, exciting things to do, and it is revered as the best place to eat seafood in Kaohsiung.

Stopping by the centuries-old Cihou Fort and the Kaohsiung Lighthouse should be high on your list. Both of these places are incredibly photogenic and offer stunning panoramic views of the harbor, island, and Kaohsiung. You should, however, know that it’s a steep walk up the mountain to get to both of them! Remember to stop along the way to enjoy the gorgeous views and don’t forget to bring water along.

Further afield, drop by the Rainbow Church and the Seashell museum – Cijin Island’s most Instagrammable spots. Visiting the centuries-old Tianhou Temple, and snacking your way through the old street is also obligatory.

Although most people visit Cijin in the evening to sample all the amazing eats at the old street, you could easily spend a whole day exploring the island , p laying on the beach , or sipping sundowners at the laidback Sunset Bar . However, since your time in Kaohsiung is probably limited, head to Cijin in the afternoon. This way, you can still explore some of the best bits during daylight hours, catch the epic sunset, and enjoy the buzz of the old street at night. 

Whatever you choose, visiting Cijin Island is a delightful way to end your second day of 2 days in Kaohsiung. 

Tips for visiting cijin island

You can rent a bike along the promenade in Cijin, but I highly encourage picking up a bike near Pier 2 Art Center to maximize your time. The ferry ride costs NT$40 for a single journey, and you’ll need the exact change if you’re biking. If you already have an  Easy Card , the ferry ride will be slightly cheaper.

When to Visit Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is an excellent destination to visit year-round. Since the city lies in southern Taiwan, expect warm sunny weather on most days. However, seeing that Taiwan has a sub-tropical climate, the best time to visit Kaohsiung is during the dry season , which runs from October to March. The dry season is also a great time to hop on a ferry to nearby Xiaoliuqiu , Taiwan’s most beautiful and largest coral island.

From May to September, you’ll still have beautiful weather, but you should know that it’s the rainy season. Summer in Kaohsiung can also be especially relentless. Expect average temperatures to rise well above 30 degrees with high humidity. Typhoon season also runs from July to September. If you must visit during this time, remember to check the weather forecast in advance and plan accordingly. Read my packing list to find out what to bring along on your trip.

How to Get There

There are several ways to get to Kaohsiung, depending on where you are coming from. For travelers flying directly to Kaohsiung Airport, getting to the city center is super easy. Buses, taxis, and the very affordable MRT are just a few ways to get into the heart of Kaohsiung.

If you are heading to Kaohsiung from other cities in Taiwan, like Taipei, you can access the city by overnight bus, train, or high-speed rail. However, to maximize your time in Kaohsiung, I highly encourage arriving via   high-speed rail. The journey only takes about two hours from Taipei. Trains are frequent, very reliable, and affordable. For more tips, see my guide on getting to Kaohsiung from Taipei .

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung 

If it’s your first visit to Kaohsiung, you’re probably trying to figure out where to stay. Kaohsiung is a big city, with a  great selection of hotels and hostels . However, with more than 20 districts to choose from, figuring out where to stay in Kaohsiung can be tricky.

Therefore, when visiting Kaohsiung, I highly recommend at least staying near an MRT station. That way, you’ll be able to navigate your way around the city and get to all the best stops hassle-free.  Xinxing ,  Cianjin , and  Sanmin  districts are all terrific areas to stay in Kaohsiung. From here, you’ll have easy access to transit options, shops, restaurants, night markets, and much more. 

Best Hotels & Hostels in Kaohsiung

• FX Hotel  is my go-to hotel whenever I visit Kaohsiung. The hotel is well-placed near many shops, restaurants, Luihe night market, and sightseeing areas in Kaohsiung. It’s a short walk to the City Council MRT, and the hotel is exceptionally affordable, clean, and modern.  All in all, it’s the perfect base for any itinerary in Kaohsiung!
• Just Sleep  is at a perfect central location near the Kaohsiung train station. It’s a beautiful, modern hotel and offers excellent value for money.
• Icon Hotel  is another excellent choice for travelers looking for an affordable, modern hotel that is located near many shops, restaurants, and night markets.
• The  Ambassador Hotel  is a stylish 5-star hotel overlooking the Love River. Located in Kaohsiung’s financial hub, it offers easy access to two MRT stations. And, is an ideal choice for travelers looking for an upscale hotel. 
• Those looking for cheaper accommodation without sacrificing style and comfort might find  Uno Backpackers Inn  or  Let’s Hostel   excellent budget options. 

How to Get Around during your Kaohsiung Itinerary

Kaohsiung is an easy city to explore and get around. There is an extensive MRT system in Kaohsiung, and probably the best transportation option you have. It’s fast, cheap, and frequent. You can purchase tickets at every station, but if you don’t want the hassle of bothering with small change, make sure you grab an  Easy Card . This way, you can simply tap and go. (See the complete MRT map here)

There are also city buses, taxis, a small light rail, or private charters to consider while visiting Kaohsiung for two days. Of course, if you’re using a  rental car , you can plan your stops and explore the city at your own pace.  But beware, the traffic in Kaohsiung can be cumbersome.

What to Eat in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung packs the perfect mix of high-end restaurants, hipster hangouts, cheap old-fashioned local eateries, and street food markets. Here are a few of the local specialties not to miss on your visit:

• Chinese Sesame Doughnuts – Baked in clay ovens, these crispy cakes are stuffed with peppery meat.
• Papaya Milk – Papaya milk is one of the city’s most popular specialty drinks and a must-try on your visit to Kaohsiung. For the best fruit and vegetable smoothies in town head to 鄭老牌木瓜牛奶.
• Seafood – Seafood is big in Kaohsiung, so you’ll have plenty of choices. You can get anything from fresh shrimp, oysters, crab, squid, and lobsters.
• Lemongrass Hotpot – A slow-cooked broth prepared from fresh lemongrass served with vermicelli or noodles, vegetables, and seafood.
• Seafood Congee – Consists of many different kinds of fish parts served in a thick rice broth.
• Guabao – Slow-braised pork belly stuffed into a steamed bun, and topped with peanut powder.
• Brown Sugar Bubble Milk Tea – If you love bubble milk tea, you’re in for a real treat! Definitely try the brown sugar bubble milk tea at O Day Makes My Day near Liuhe night market – it’s incredible!

Need More Help Planning Your Taiwan Travels?

Planning on traveling onwards from Kaohsiung? These guides will come in handy! They’re jam-packed with insider’s tips and tricks to help you fully enjoy the rest of your Taiwan travels.

• 2 Perfect Weeks in Taiwan Itinerary
• The Ultimate Taiwan Bucket List
• The Ultimate Guide to Xiaoliuqiu Island
• Top Things to do in Kenting
• Cijin Island Day Trip in Kaohsiung
• The Best Things to do in Tainan
• How to spend 1-3 days in Taichung
• The Perfect Taipei Itinerary for First Timers

That wraps up this 2 days Kaohsiung itinerary. What tips do you have for fellow travelers planning a Kaohsiung itinerary? Drop your comments below.

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Cool things to do From Kaohsiung to Taipei

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on Published: October 24, 2018  - Last updated: January 14, 2024

Categories Sponsored , Taiwan

Taipei is a great and vibrant city with a ton of things to do whether it’s your first visit or a regular weekend destination , but there’s honestly a lot to see outside of Taipei as well. For something a little different, I put together this Kaohsiung to Taipei itinerary that that takes you from Taiwan’s major southern city Kaohsiung, goes up the western coast and finally ends in Taipei up in the north. Since it’s me, I tried to find some more obscure and unusual things to do in Taiwan.

Currently Scoot is the only airline in Singapore that flies non-stop to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH), but even if you choose to fly into Taipei instead, Kaohsiung and Taipei are just 2 hours apart by High Speed Rail, so you don’t have to transit through KHH if you prefer not to.

This #TaiwanderingWithScoot post and video were created in partnership with  who challenged me to uncover the lesser-known sights that you can find in Taiwan. Scoot flies to Taipei several times a day and 4 times weekly to Kaohsiung, so consider an Open Jaw multi-city route so you can spend more time exploring Taiwan thoroughly. See all my Taiwan collaboration posts with Scoot .

Kaohsiung 高雄

As Taiwan’s 2nd major city, Kaohsiung is a great base to fly into if you want to focus your travels on the southern coast of Taiwan, or swing over to Taitung in the southeast. Getting around is also pretty easy – I love how convenient the Kaohsiung airport is as it is located on Kaohsiung’s MRT line.

Eat some (ice cream) dogs

You might have seen the viral videos on the internet about a cafe in Kaohsiung that sells some of the most realistically furry looking dogs made out of ice cream? I found my way down to J.C co Art Kitchen 藝術廚房* in the Gushan district of Kaohsiung to try out the puppy dog ice cream 狗狗冰淇林 for myself.

It takes 5 hours to make a single dog, so only 100 are produced every day and delivered to the restaurant every morning. There are 3 ice cream dogs and flavours available – Chocolate (Sharpei), Peanut (Pug) and Milk Tea (Labrador). I was tempted to eat all 3 but decided to settle for the milk tea labrador pup.

Interestingly, my IG audience was surprisingly squeamish about this experience: half of them said they wouldn’t eat it because it ‘looked cruel’, which attests to how realistic they look, or perhaps how much people just love dogs. My issue was more about feeling bad for destroying such a piece of art, but it’s pretty clearly food to me, though I will admit to starting from the back legs because I felt bad about gobbling up its face.

Warning: if you don’t want to see some mangled ice cream dogs, skip to the next section quickly. My verdict? The ice cream is pretty frozen at first so you’re not getting super soft creamy textures, but the milk tea version tasted good and one dog is surprisingly filling.

The ice cream dogs are the most popular thing on the menu right now, but they do serve up some pretty interesting pasta and have a gelato counter. The cafe is beautifully decorated with these cage-like structures and lots of indoor plants, and the cafe has a lovely ambience that’s worth checking out.

How to get there: 1st Floor, No. 3, Lane 564, Dafeng Road No. 2, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 807高雄市三民區大豐二路564巷3號1樓. Open 11am – 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays

*When I visited in Sep 2018, the cafe was located at 71 Wenbin Road in the Fengshan District. That premise has since been taken over by another cafe called BT Butterfly Cafe BT蝴蝶餐廳 who no longer supply the ice cream dogs at their cafe. J.C Co Art Kitchen now has their own premises.

Details : One ice cream dog costs 188 NTD or about S$8. The dog is roughly the size of an adult woman’s hand.

Top tip: Check out the J.C co facebook page for more updates.

Explore a street art village

Kaohsiung has a lot of street art on its walls – Pier 2 Art Centre is one of the more popular spots to check out, but my favourite spot is this residential area called Weiwuying 衛武營 in the Lingya 苓雅 district, where a bunch of local street artists known collectively as the Wallriors have turned the buildings into a giant outdoor gallery.

Read a more in-depth account of my Weiwuying street art exploration here .

Most of the works are larger than life, covering entire building facades that require some distance for you to really appreciate.

Other artworks were smaller and more more discreet, hidden down alleyways and around corners.

Keep a lookout for perhaps the largest street artwork in Taiwan – it’s right next to the Weiwuying MRT Station so it’s quite hard to miss, but I love this giant bookshelf by Kaohsiung native Bamboo Yang 楊惟竹 .

How to get there: Take the MRT along the orange line to Weiwuying (O10) and head to Exit 5.

Details:  Check out the Wallriors Facebook page for more, and click here to find a detailed map of all the street art works. If you Download the Wallriors map or look for the QR code next to some of the artworks to access the map, or just get lost and see what turns up!

Top tip: The futuristic National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts 國家藝術文化中心 was very close to completion when I visited in Sep 2018, so if it’s too hot to walk outside, detour over to this futuristic building with lots of sinuous lines and enjoy some arts performances in southern Taiwan’s first national theatre. It is attached to a nice park for a stroll in the late afternoon.

Tainan 台南

Most people come to Tainan purely to eat because it is renowned for having some of the best street eats in Taiwan, but I ended up discovering a lot of interesting natural attractions all around this area.

Go glamping in a mangrove swamp

The last time I was in Yilan I stayed in the cutest room with tents for beds , but this time I was determined to get a little closer to the great outdoors. I found myself headed towards the Beimen 北門 district to a pretty remote area by the coast called  Shuangchun 雙春 where I went glamping at a holiday resort called  Vanaheim 愛莊園

Nature lovers and families will love the quiet location, with a picturesque row of domed-shaped glam tents facing the mangrove forest – I arrived in the late afternoon just in time for a quick stroll through the mangrove forests. Then it was a short walk to the beach where I enjoyed a lovely sunset that evening.

There is nothing else nearby this resort other than a whole lot of farmland, so the resort organises some free daily activities to keep guests occupied. The free nightly activity is a walk with a local guide on the beach to catch some sand crabs with a bright torch and a net with a long pole – we caught them for sport and let them go after.

Our guide then showed us to the room that is normally reserved for wedding shoots where they had set up a huge KTV system – I was with 4 other Taiwanese folk that night and it was kinda fun just singing away our evening.

The next morning after breakfast, we hopped onto a riverboat and took a slow cruise around the mangrove area, learning a little about how the different mangrove plants and animals, and how mangroves help to protect the coastline from typhoon damage. There were so many birds here! I really enjoyed this mini getaway from city life.

How to get there: 73-10 Shuangchun, Beimen District, Tainan City 727台南市北門區雙春73-10號

This place is seriously remote, so having your own transport is definitely the best way to get here. I hitched a ride from a kind couple on the way out. You can take public transport if you have more time but it involves a lot of stop changing:

• From the Chiayi HSR station, transfer to the THSR Shuttle Bus 7211 towards Chiayi Park  or the BRT 7212 and stop at Chiayi TRA Train Station – this takes around 30 minutes
• Take the TRA train from Chiayi to Xinying Train Station – this takes 15-20 minutes
• The Xinying bus station is right across the street from the train station. Hop onto the Xinying Zhong 1 bus 新營客運綜一線 and stop at the final stop Shuangchun – this should take about an hour.

Alternatively, the lazy way which is what I did because I was short on time was to take a 40-min taxi ride from Chiayi HSR station that cost me about 900 NTD. You could find your way to Xinying train station so the cab fare is less expensive.

Details: I stayed in a Deluxe double 星光豪華雙人 tent that came equipped with a bed underneath a skylight, attached shower with toilet and air-conditioning. It cost me 2,280 NTD (about S$101) per night, which I think is not bad for a couple, but you can go very budget by staying in empty tents (with no beds, shared toilets) for as low as 700 NTD per night, or larger family rooms that sleep 4 for 3,000 NTD per night.

Prices are higher on weekends and public holidays. The price includes breakfast, boat ride and the night activity. I made my reservation via their Facebook page  and made arrangements to pay the full amount upon arrival (cause it didn’t make sense to do an overseas bank transfer for the deposit). This easytravel page  that they sent over had more useful pix and availability than their FB page, and you can book through it as well.

Top tip: Bring your own dinner to save a little bit of money or be prepared to pay for dinner in-house as there is absolutely nothing in the nearby vicinity so it’s not like you can just pop out for a meal. Some other nearby sights you can consider checking out include the Beimen salt fields and the Budai High Heel Church.

Looking for cheaper options? Check out some of my favourite luxury hostels across Taiwan – I stayed at Caoji Book Inn in Tainan and absolutely loved it.

Soak in rare mud hot springs

Taiwan has an abundance of hot springs, but did you know that the different geological conditions of each area result in differing types of spring water? One of the rarest hot springs in Taiwan is in Guanziling 關子嶺 , a small mountainous village area at the peak of Zhentou Mountain near the border with Chiayi. The water here is alkaline and mud-based, the only such hot spring in Taiwan and just one of three in the entire world.

My cab driver took me to  King’s Garden Villa 景大渡假莊園 , a hot spring hotel that is quite popular with visitors with a whole European inspired cottage vibe. There are rooms but I only spent a few hours here using the spa facilities.

The water looks kinda murky and dirty because of the mud but is said to be very good for the skin, so I dutifully slathered some onto my face. The outdoor spa area was quite busy, and there are several pools of different temperatures to try out, and even some with different ‘ingredients’ like a black tea bath. There are lots of spots to lie down and chill out throughout the spa, as well as those skin-nibbling fish if you fancy a fish spa.

Along the way down from Guanziling, I stopped to see something called the Fire-water Union or 水火同源 . This phenomenon looks like there is a flame perpetually burning on top of a small spring, the result from the perpetual emission of methane gas from the ground. Manage your expectations – the flame isn’t very big but it’s an interesting stopover en route to Guanziling and there are several eateries around here if you want to stop for a break.

How to get there: 56 Guanziling, Baihe District, Tainan City 732台南市白河區關子嶺56號. Open everyday 9am – 10pm.

From Chiayi HSR station, take the local TRA train to Xinying Station. I hopped on a taxi that took me from Xinying to King’s Garden Villa Hot Springs for 600 NTD, but you can take a bus which is much cheaper.

Details:  King’s Garden Villa has a bunch of different spa options. The open-air public access spa cost me 480 NTD to enter (S$21, weekend price), but they also have Japanese-style (naked!) pools that cost 330 NTD and private bath options that start from 800 NTD for 1 hour.

Top tip: Bring your swim cap – it’s mandatory that you wear one, otherwise you have to buy one for 70 NTD at the door.

Support the local arts scene

I love a good cultural park and Taipei has several like Huashan 1914 and Songshan Cultural Centre that you can  check out here . Southern Taiwan has its own spots, and I really enjoyed the Ten-Drum Rende Cultural Village 十鼓文化村 that I visited in Tainan’s Rende district.

Occupying a massive 7.5 hectares, the park is run by the Ten Drum Percussion Group, who took the old abandoned Qiaotou Sugar factory and turned it first into a practice spot where they could drum away without disturbing their neighbours. They later developed into a full-fledged cultural park where they hold regular performances and a lifestyle spot with various activities.

I love how they kept the industrial look and feel of the place without it becoming too commercially hipster-fied. Wandering around the compound reveals surprises around every corner, and I could easily spend a few hours just pottering around and snapping great photos.

This cultural park is definitely geared towards the younger more active type of audience as there are lots of fun activities to do here, from giant slides and a rooftop swing to a fake bungee drop (for just 100 NTD! Much cheaper than the actual bungee jump I did in Taoyuan). Also spotted – an archery range and a rock wall and several great viewpoints.

How to get there:  326 Wenhua Rd, Sec 2, Rende; 仁德區文華路二段326號. Open every day 9.30am-5pm

Take the local TRA train from Tainan City to Baoan 保安 station. From there, you can walk 15 minutes to the Ten Drum Centre or grab a bicycle/scooter/taxi if you’re too lazy. There are shuttle buses that go to both Baoan and Tainan City stations as well. It’s right opposite the more well known Chimei Museum 奇美博物館, the private museum with one of the largest violin collections in the world.

Details : Check out the Ten Drum website for more. Entrance into the park is usually 399 NTD but I paid 350 NTD for adults after a 10% discount for foreign visitors. Some of the activities cost a little extra.

Top tip: Time your arrival just before the performances at 1030am and 3pm, where the Ten Drum troupe shows off their drumming skills on a cool industrial stage.

BONUS: Play the giant Gacha machine

Look out for this giant gacha machine by M.e.me Ball in Tainan not far from the Tainan train station. It costs 100 NTD (S$4) for a chance to spin the wheel, and if you are really lucky, top prizes include international plane tickets as well as electric scooters! I was less lucky and only managed a chomping crocodile toy…

How to get there: 152 Weimin Street (empty plot), Central West District, Tainan City 中西區衛民街152號空地

Taichung 台中

Taichung is one of the largest and fastest growing states in Taiwan – locals consider it one of the best places to live in Taiwan thanks to a milder climate and the convenience as a major hub in the central part of Taiwan.

Freedive in the world’s first diving hotel

I’m an avid scuba diver , so I was very curious to check out the world’s first diving hotel in Taichung. DiveCube is a hotel with its own 21m deep pool where you can learn how to scuba dive or free dive right in the middle of a building in the city.

I signed up for a Freediving discovery session where I learned how to dive with just a single breath, learning some techniques to saturate my lungs with more oxygen and how to trick your body into not panicking. I even tried diving down a 7m rope in one breath, which was an experience in itself.

I did a session of scuba diving as well and got to explore the deeper bits of the pool where they have created some fake caves and an artificial sunken ship (look for the secret chamber!) that you can poke around in. It’s kinda fun for photos and newbie divers, but ultimately the place isn’t very large and the novelty wears off quickly for seasoned divers.

I’d recommend DiveCube for people who prefer to have a more controlled environment to learn how to scuba dive and freedive in – great for people who might be a bit nervous about being in the open ocean or don’t have time to take a weekend trip. I spotted other people practising their freediving technique or doing a discovery scuba session here.

How to get there:  69 Anhe West Road, Xitun District, Taichung 407台中市西屯區安和西路69號

From the Taichung HSR Station, head to the bus stops at exit 6 and look for Bus service 161 going to Central Taiwan Science Park. Get off at Fu’an Village stop and walk – more directions here .  The hotel is located in the Xitun District and seems to be in a rather residential sorta district, so you’ll have to take a bus (walk out to the main boulevard) or taxi if you want to do any sort of sightseeing in Taichung.

Details: Check out the Divecube website for more – The Freediving discovery course costs 3,000 NTD (about S$134) which includes gear and an instructor for the 1.5 hour session. I have a scuba diving license, so a 1.5 hour free session costs 1,200-1,500 NTD (S$50-65) depending on whether it’s day or night, and because I was on my own, I had to include an additional 500 NTD charge for an instructor buddy because the rules are that you can’t dive on your own.

Rooms are pretty basic – I had a single room with an ensuite bathroom (tiny shower cubicle!) and I thought it was pretty decent. The single room price is 2,200 NTD (about S$98) but I saw prices as low as 1,540 NTD on the website during off-peak days.

Top tip:  the hotel staff will tell you to take a cab to get anywhere, but honestly if it’s not too late and you don’t mind a short 10min to the main Taiwan Boulevard, the 300-something buses are great for getting you to the central district. Google maps has quite an up to date bus stop list for Taichung’s buses, and rides are free if it’s within 10km!   Taichung bus guide also looks useful for English speakers.

A disclaimer that the hotel gave me a small discount in exchange for writing about them.

BONUS: Eat rainbow coloured chicken cutlets

My all-time favourite Taiwanese street food is the fried chicken cutlet, and when my foodie friend TaiwanWalker posted some crazy pix of rainbow-hued chicken cutlets on her Instagram, I knew I had to go check it out. She pointed me to this little stall called Ji Pa Ben Se 鸡排本色 that has outlets in Taichung and Tainan.

I checked out 2 outlets in Taichung – the first one at Jincheng 精誠 sadly was closed when I visited, so later that night I made my way to the Yongxing 永興 outlet, a tiny roadside stall that wasn’t crowded when I visited. The owner was a friendly young chap who chitchatted with his customers while he fried each cutlet.

While they do have a full rainbow range of colours available, not all the colours are available everyday and they tend to sell out of popular colours quite early. The most unusual colour I could get when I visited was the red yeast rice 紅麴 flavour.

The chicken itself was pretty good, a hefty 300g steak that was juicy and freshly fried so very yummy and sizeable. I enjoyed the red yeast flavour, but it wasn’t as weird as I thought some of the other flavours/colours might be.

How to get there: I took a combination of taxis and buses to get to both the Jincheng and Yongxing outlets. Their first outlet opened in Wufeng and there is supposed to be one at the famous Fengjia Night Market but it seems like it’s moving/renovating at this time. According to their Facebook, they have outlets in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei as well.

Details: Each chicken cutlet costs 65 NTD (S$2.90). If you rather something less colourful, they have different batter offerings as well, though those aren’t in radical colours.

Top tip: Each outlet has its own facebook page – it’s a pretty indie set up so they tend to announce available flavours for the day or closures on the Facebook page, so check before you go! Here is the link for Jincheng  鸡排本色(精誠)  and Yongxing  鸡排本色(永興) .

Miaoli 苗栗

Just past Hsinchu in the northwestern region of Taiwan is the mountainous Miaoli, mostly due to the many hills of the Xueshan range. Most come here for the Sheipa mountains, but it also has a very strong Hakka culture – make sure to eat some ban tiao, lei cha and other Hakka delicacies.

Cycle a railbike along Taiwan’s highest rail track

Constructed in 1908, Shengxing Station 勝興車站 was once the highest railway station at 402m above sea level in the mountains of Miaoli’s Sanyi 三義 township. It was part of the Old Mountain Line 舊山線 by the Japanese colonials to transport timber from the mountains. While the station is now defunct after service was stopped in the late ’80s, people still visit Shengxing station as it is a fine example of ingenious Japanese architecture – the entire station is completely made out of wood and does not have a single nail holding it together.

You can walk along the tracks, but a new fun way to explore the area is via the Old Mountain Line Railbike  that was launched in July 2018. A railbike is basically a semi-motorised cart that seats 4 people, each with their own bicycle pedals that help move the cart along the railway track.

The route starts at Shengxing Station and takes you past the Longteng broken bridge and ends at the Number 6 tunnel at Liyu Lake 鯉魚潭 (there are several Liyu Lakes in Taiwan, this is different from the one in Hualien where I ate those live jumping prawns ). Our ride began with a simple briefing in Chinese on the history of the area and safety, then we were shown to the waiting railbikes where I shared a railbike with 3 other Taiwanese middle-aged visitors.

Highlights along the route include a bird’s eye view of the famous Longteng broken bridge 龍騰斷橋 or Yutengping bridge, built around the same period as Shengxing Station but was damaged quite badly by the earthquakes in 1935 and 1999, and its remains are left as a monument of sorts. Also cool for photographers – the four consecutive tunnels 3-6 forms a picturesque chain.

How to get there:  89 Shengxing Village, Sanyi township, Miaoli 367苗栗縣三義鄉勝興村勝興89號.

From Miaoli HSR station, take the local TRA train from Fengfu Station to Sanyi Station for 32 NTD (you can use your Easycard). From there, you can take a free shuttle bus A from Sanyi Station to Shengxing station. It comes every 30-60minutes depending on the day/time. Alternatively you can do what I did on the way up – take a taxi between Shengxing Station and Sanyi Station for about 200 NTD.

Details: A ticket costs 280 NTD (about S$12) – There are a limited number of tickets per day, I advise buying your tickets through the website ( link here , lot of useful info in English and Chinese) early especially on weekends and public holidays so you don’t get disappointed. You can turn up at the station and try buying tickets there, but it’s a matter of luck then.

There are currently 4 timeslots to choose from, where the first timeslot starts at 9am, and the last starts at 4pm (summer) or 3.30pm (Nov-Jan). Right now they only sell round-trip tickets that take you from Shengxing station all the way to the number 6 tunnel, stop there for about 20 minutes and then back to Shengxing, totalling about 90 minutes in total.

Top tip: In April and May, the Longteng bridge and Miaoli county are covered in white Tung blossoms, making it especially scenic for photographers. Spray a little repellant or cover up around the Shengxing Station – I’m pretty sure I got bitten by some sandfly like insects there!

Taoyuan 桃園

Most people only know Taoyuan as the location of the TPE Taipei Airport and barely spend any time here as they transit to their next destinations. While Taoyuan is considered to be a more industrial area because of the commercial companies and headquarters located here, nature lovers should consider the Fuxing district 復興 , one of Taiwan’s few mountainous-indigenous areas that’s worth checking out.

Bungee jump off a bridge in the mountains

Did you know that you could go bungee jumping in Taiwan? I definitely didn’t know that until I came across the Taiwan Bungy Jumping Club in my research. They usually hold jumps on Saturdays out in the mountains of Taoyuan’s Fuxing District from the Baling Bridge 巴陵橋 or Dahan Bridge 大漢橋 – Deep in the mountains and part of the Northern Cross Highway, the Dahan Bridge stands 72m or a whopping 24 storeys high and straddles a clear river with a scenic waterfall nearby.

My jump was scheduled for noon at Dahan Bridge , so it was with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that I arrived at the bridge and found it bustling with fellow jumpers. Some were gearing up and getting a safety briefing on what to expect, others were helping to haul jumpers back up after their jumps. The weather was absolutely fine and the view from the bridge of the river below and the surrounding mountains was quite spectacular.

I’d already made my reservation online, so I just had to fill out some forms and make payment, get strapped into a harness and briefed on safety, and before I knew it, I was directed to the ledge where the guys in charge carefully hooked me onto the bungee cord. The harness hooked onto my belly area in the front, and after I was deemed ready, I stood up on the edge of the bridge with weaker knees than I expected, and took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself.

The guys counted down 3-2– and I flung myself back and plunged towards the river, screaming all the way down. I’m one of those people who goes down screaming, though I think it’s actually less scary when you’re jumping backwards instead of having to make a running jump (which is what I had to do in the past). Man, the adrenaline!

After leaping off the bridge, I spent a little while bouncing around, and enjoyed the view for a bit before I was hauled back up to the bridge. As I de-geared, I received a jump certificate and a discount to come back and jump again in future.

How to get there:  No. 7 Highway (50km mark), Fuxing District, Taoyuan City 桃園市復興區北橫公路約50公里處

Fuxing is deeeeeeep in the mountains of Taoyuan, and the easiest way to get there is definitely by driving – it still takes about 2-2.5 hours to get to Dahan Bridge because of all the winding mountain roads – consider renting a car for the day or hiring a driver for the day if you rather not tackle the mountain roads.

The cab option (which is what I did) entails having the cab drive you in, wait for you (the bungy folk will kindly let you go earlier if they know your meter is running) and drive back out again. The bungy staff advised either agreeing on a fixed charge of  NT$3,000, though mine left the meter running and it cost me NT$3,500 in the end.

Details: Find Taoyuan Bungy on their website or on facebook at 阿臺教練的臺灣高空彈跳俱樂部. You can drop them a note via Line @jump321 to ask questions or to make a booking. A normal jump costs NT$3,800 (about S$170) and includes a certificate, discounts on future jumps and photos that you can download from the FB page.

Top tip: If you are looking for a particularly scenic time to jump, consider November when autumn comes around the maple trees are in bloom, especially in Shimen Dam which is not too far away, or May when butterflies are aplenty.

Transport between Taipei and Kaohsiung

The easiest way to get between Taipei and Kaohsiung is by train, but the question you’ll want to ask yourself is whether to take the High Speed Rail (HSR) or the normal train (TRA). You’ll probably do a combination of both, here are some tips based on my own experiences.

The fastest way of course is by the HSR, here’s a bit of a comparison chart for you comparing times it takes to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung:

• ~1.5hrs – express HSR, bypasses smaller stations [NT$1,490]
• ~2 hrs – normal HSR, stops at all stations [NT$1,490]
• ~3.5 hours – Puyuma express trains [NT$ 843]
• ~5 hours – Tze-chiang trains [NT$ 843]
• ~7-8 hours – Chu-kuang trains which are the slowest by far [NT$ 650]

The only thing about HSR stations is that they are usually located outside the main town centre, so you usually have to take a taxi or transfer to a normal train/subway (in Taipei and Kaohsiung) if you want to get into the city centre, so some times it might not actually be faster to take the HSR.

Tips for buying tickets

If you plan to move around a lot between stations like in this itinerary, consider a THSR 3-day pass , which is great in that you don’t have to queue for tickets, and you cut queues at the gantries as you will have to enter and exit via the special gate where the staff are stationed (ALWAYS have your passport on hand as the staff check this against your pass religiously every time you enter and exit the gantry or reserve a ticket).

On non-peak times you don’t have to reserve a seat as you can easily find one in the unreserved compartments (usually the last 3-4 carriages), but on crowded days and weekends, I highly recommend queueing at the ticket counter to book a reserved seat (no extra cost!) otherwise you might be relegated to standing for your journey.

For normal trains, the good news is that you can use your Easycard to pay for tickets which is super convenient as you don’t even have to queue to get a ticket. HOWEVER, my suggestion is that if you’re travelling on the weekend and going a fair distance (e.g. Taichung to Tainan), you will want to book a reserved ticket (i.e. with a fixed seat number) either through the TRA website or queue at the station counter because trains can get very crowded, and you really don’t want to be standing/squeezing on a train for a long journey.

Get your 3 Day THSR Tourist Pass from Klook  [ affiliate link ].

Which is your favourite region or city in Taiwan? I’ve spent quite a lot of time in Taiwan but there’s still much to see. See all my Taiwan posts and let me know where else I should be checking out.

This trip to Taiwan and blog post was sponsored by Scoot. Scoot flies to Taipei every day and Kaohsiung 4 times weekly– visit the  for more. Check out the other posts from my #TaiwanderingWithScoot series.

Local experiences in Taipei for the solo traveller

Taipei outdoor activities to experience nature up close

My Taipei weekend itinerary for the repeat visitor

From distress to destress: The relaxing Taipei getaway guide

Cool things to do in Taipei in summer

Saturday 19th of January 2019

Such a comprehensive guide and looks like a lot of fun - not that I'd be brave enough to jump off a bridge... That ice cream labrador is crazy detailed too!

Jaclynn Seah

Sunday 20th of January 2019

I kinda wanna go back and eat the other 2 dogs as well :p

The ice cream dog is amazing!!! I saw it once on Instagram but had no idea where it was from. Taiwan seems to be a hot spot for travel! Must check it out!

Hope you get to visit taiwan soon :)

Sunday 28th of October 2018

Really interesting read. I have Taiwan on my bucket list and would love to check these places out! Love the street art

Tuesday 30th of October 2018

Thanks Carryn! Hope you get the chance to visit soon :)

Kaohsiung to Taipei

Best options, other options, kaohsiung to taipei schedule, transportation from kaohsiung to taipei.

• Trains RUB 7,547
• Flights RUB 21,771
• Buses are not available
• Ferries are not available
• Taxis are not available
• Vans are not available

Facts about the transport from Kaohsiung to Taipei

Kaohsiung to taipei destination reviews, popular routes, from kaohsiung.

• Kaohsiung → Tainan
• Kaohsiung → Taichung
• Kaohsiung → Taitung
• Kaohsiung → Chiayi
• Kaohsiung → Taoyuan Airport

To Kaohsiung

• Taipei → Kaohsiung
• Taichung → Kaohsiung
• Tainan → Kaohsiung
• Taoyuan Airport → Kaohsiung
• Taoyuan City → Kaohsiung

From Taipei

• Taipei → Taichung
• Taipei → Taoyuan Airport
• Taipei → Sun Moon Lake
• Taipei → Tainan
• Taoyuan Airport → Taipei
• Taichung → Taipei
• Taoyuan City → Taipei
• Keelung → Taipei
• Tainan → Taipei

Popular Routes in Taiwan

• Taichung → Sun Moon Lake

How to get from Kaohsiung to Taipei

When you want to get from Kaohsiung to Taipei, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Flight. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Train ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A Train ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about RUB 7,547 . If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a train as a train ticket costs as low as RUB 7,547 .

How far is Kaohsiung from Taipei?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Kaohsiung to Taipei. Your trip will be a total of 217 miles (348 km). The flying distance is 182 miles (292 km).

How long does it take to get from Kaohsiung to Taipei?

The travel time from Kaohsiung to Taipei can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 5 to 7 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Kaohsiung to Taipei?

The cost of the trip from Kaohsiung to Taipei varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is THSR Pass: travelling by train expect to pay as low as RUB 7,547 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a Train - a one-way Train ticket can cost as much as RUB 7,547 .

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Kaohsiung to Taipei:

• Train tickets - RUB 7,547 to RUB 7,547 ;
• flight price: RUB 21,771 . From Kaohsiung to Taipei starting from 07:45 Kaohsiung Airport until 07:45 Kaohsiung Airport

How many trips per day are there between Kaohsiung and Taipei?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

• Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 1 trains per day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Kaohsiung to Taipei? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

• 100% users enjoyed a train ride.
• Transport Options