Kaohsiung, on the southwest coast, is Taiwan’s second-largest city and its biggest port, a sunny, spread-out place that has reinvented itself over the past two decades from industrial harbor to one of the island’s most enjoyable cities. Old warehouses on the waterfront have become the Pier-2 Art Center, a light rail loops around the harbor, the Love River is lined with walking paths, and new landmarks such as the Kaohsiung Music Center and the vast Weiwuying arts center have joined the temples and pagodas of Lotus Pond. A short ferry ride takes you to Cijin Island for seafood and a beach, Shoushan’s hills rise behind the port, and the giant Buddha Museum at Fo Guang Shan is half an hour away. Kaohsiung is also the gateway to Kenting at the southern tip and to the small coral island of Xiaoliuqiu. The weather is warm all year, with a dry, sunny winter from November to April and a hot, rainy summer.
Right now in Kaohsiung
- Wed 25–29°C 78–85°F 1 mm Mostly clear
- Thu 26–29°C 79–84°F 1 mm Mostly clear
- Fri 26–30°C 78–86°F Mostly clear
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch
Top tours in Kaohsiung
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Kaohsiung at a glance
- Best for: harbor walks, street art, temples, seafood, night markets and a warm winter.
- How long: 2–3 days, or 4–5 with Fo Guang Shan, Meinong, Xiaoliuqiu or Kenting.
- Best time: October to April, the dry season; summer is hot, wet and stormy.
- Getting there: the high-speed rail to Zuoying (about 1 hour 35 minutes from Taipei on the fastest trains), or flights to Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH).
- Getting around: the Kaohsiung MRT, the Circular Light Rail, ferries and YouBike, all paid with an EasyCard or iPASS.
- Good to know: the city is spread out; base yourself near an MRT station.
- Before you go: visa-free entry, the online arrival card, money and general safety are in our Taiwan travel guide.
Kaohsiung’s areas and where to stay
Kaohsiung City stretches far inland since its 2010 merger with Kaohsiung County, but visitors spend most of their time in the old urban core around the harbor and the Love River.
Yancheng and the Pier-2 area
The old harbor district, with the Pier-2 Art Center’s warehouses, the Kaohsiung Music Center, Dagang Bridge and Yancheng’s old streets of hardware shops and cafés. Light rail and the orange line serve it, and there are design hotels and hostels nearby.
The Love River and Qianjin
Hotels line the Love River, where evening boats cruise past lit bridges; Qianjin and Xinxing, around Formosa Boulevard station, are central, with business hotels and easy MRT access.
Lingya and Sanduo
The modern center, with the 85 Sky Tower, department stores on Sanduo Road, the Central Park and Weiwuying not far away. Good for shopping and big hotels.
Zuoying and Lotus Pond
In the north, Zuoying is the high-speed rail and railway hub, next to the lake of Lotus Pond, its temples and the old city walls of Fengshan. Convenient for early trains, but far from the harbor.
Gushan and Hamasen
Kaohsiung’s first modern neighborhood, at the foot of Shoushan, with the ferry pier for Cijin, old Japanese-era streets, seafood restaurants and the former British consulate on the hill.
Top things to see in Kaohsiung
The Pier-2 Art Center
A row of former harbor warehouses turned into galleries, design shops, cafés and outdoor art installations, linked by a waterfront cycle path and the light rail. Weekends bring markets and performances; the lit-up harbor and the swing bridge at Dagang are lovely at dusk. Next door, the angular Kaohsiung Music Center hosts pop concerts, and the Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 has shops and restaurants.
Lotus Pond
A lake in Zuoying surrounded by temples: the twin seven-story Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, which you enter through the dragon’s mouth and leave through the tiger’s, for good luck; the Spring and Autumn Pavilions; the giant statue of Xuantian Shangdi on the water; and the Confucius Temple. Walk or cycle around the lake in the late afternoon.
Cijin Island
A long, narrow island across the harbor mouth, reached by a five-minute ferry from Gushan. Rent a bike to ride along the seafront, climb to the Cihou Fort and the Kaohsiung Lighthouse for views over the port, and eat grilled squid and fresh seafood on Miaoqian Road. Cijin Beach is popular for sunsets; swim only where lifeguards are on duty.
The Former British Consulate at Takao
A red-brick colonial residence on a hill above the harbor entrance, built in the 1870s, with a small museum, a café and views of the ships coming in, connected by a stairway to the old consular office below.
Formosa Boulevard Station and the Love River
The MRT station at the crossing of the red and orange lines has the “Dome of Light,” one of the world’s largest glass artworks, by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. A short walk away, the Love River’s banks are lined with paths, cafés and bridges lit up in the evening, when boats cruise between the Ai River and the harbor.
Shoushan and the harbor viewpoints
Shoushan, the long green ridge between the harbor and the sea, is part of the Shoushan National Nature Park, Taiwan’s first national nature park. Trails climb through coral limestone and tropical forest to viewpoints over the port and the city, and troops of Formosan rock macaques live on the hill; keep food out of sight and don’t feed them. At the southern end, Sizihwan Bay, by National Sun Yat-sen University, is famous for sunsets over the Taiwan Strait, and the walk from the bay up to the British consulate and along the harbor mouth is one of the most rewarding short walks in the city.
More classic sights
- Weiwuying (National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts): a wave-roofed arts center with concert halls and an open-air theater in a former military park.
- Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts: modern and contemporary art in a lakeside park.
- Shoushan: forested hills with trails and Formosan macaques, part of the Shoushan National Nature Park.
- 85 Sky Tower: once Taiwan’s tallest building, a landmark of the Kaohsiung skyline.
- Fengshan Old City: remains of 19th-century walls and gates near Lotus Pond.
- Kaohsiung Main Public Library: a striking glass building with a rooftop garden near the harbor.
Other things to do in Kaohsiung
Food and drink
Kaohsiung is a seafood city: try grilled squid, steamed fish and oysters on Cijin and in Gushan, and fried milkfish or milkfish belly congee, a southern breakfast. The Ruifeng Night Market, near Kaohsiung Arena, is the locals’ favorite, open several nights a week; the Liuhe Night Market, in the center, is more touristy. Look for wa gui (steamed rice pudding), papaya milk, shaved ice with fruit and southern-style rice dumplings. Hipster cafés and craft beer bars have opened around Pier-2 and Yancheng.
Shopping
Dream Mall, by the harbor, is one of Taiwan’s biggest shopping malls; Hanshin and Sogo department stores and the Sanduo shopping district are in Lingya; and Pier-2 and the Yancheng streets have design shops and markets.
Culture and nightlife
Weiwuying and the Kaohsiung Music Center host concerts, opera and pop shows, and the Kaohsiung Film Archive by the Love River screens art-house films. Bars cluster around Pier-2, the Love River and Xinjuejiang, the shopping area near Central Park station.
Cycling and harbor cruises
Kaohsiung is one of the best cities in Taiwan for cycling: flat, sunny and laced with bike paths along the Love River, around the harbor and on Cijin Island, where you can rent bikes by the ferry pier. Harbor cruises leave from the Pier-2 and Love River piers, and in the evening the riverboats glide under the lit bridges. See our guides to cycling and boat trips.
Festivals
The Lantern Festival lights up the Love River after Lunar New Year; the Dragon Boat races are held on the Love River in June; and the Wannian Folklore Festival at Lotus Pond in October brings temple processions and performances. Kaohsiung often hosts big music festivals and concerts in its stadiums.
Day trips from Kaohsiung
- Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum: a huge Buddhist monastery and museum complex in Dashu, with a 108 m (354 ft) seated Buddha and eight pagodas, about 40 minutes by bus from Zuoying.
- Meinong: a Hakka town of rice fields, tobacco barns and hand-painted oil-paper umbrellas, about an hour away.
- Xiaoliuqiu: a small coral island with sea turtles in the shallows, 25–30 minutes by ferry from Donggang, about an hour from Kaohsiung; see our snorkeling guide.
- Tainan: Taiwan’s old capital, about 15 minutes by high-speed rail or 30–50 minutes by railway. See our Tainan guide.
- Kenting National Park: beaches and coastal parks at the southern tip, about 2–2.5 hours by bus; better as an overnight stay. See our Kenting guide.
- Tianliao Moon World: eroded mudstone badlands in the north of the city.
Nearby destinations
- Tainan43 km
- Kenting National Park87 km
- Alishan113 km
- Sun Moon Lake153 km
- Taroko National Park202 km
- Taipei299 km
Getting there and getting around
By train
The high-speed rail terminates at Zuoying, in northern Kaohsiung, where it connects with the red MRT line and Taiwan Railway. According to Taiwan High Speed Rail, a standard reserved seat from Taipei costs NT$1,490 and the fastest trains take about 1 hour 35 minutes. Conventional Taiwan Railway trains stop at Kaohsiung Main Station, now underground, with connections north to Tainan and Taipei and east to Pingtung, Taitung and Hualien.
By air
Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH), on the red MRT line about 15 minutes south of the center, has flights to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Southeast Asia, and domestic flights to Penghu and Kinmen. See our Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore guides.
MRT, light rail and ferries
The Kaohsiung MRT has two lines: the red line runs north–south from the airport through the center to Zuoying and beyond, and the orange line east–west from Sizihwan, near the Gushan ferry and Hamasen, to Fengshan. The Circular Light Rail loops around the city via Pier-2, the Music Center, the Dream Mall and the Museum of Fine Arts. Ferries cross the harbor from Gushan to Cijin every few minutes. Pay everything with an EasyCard or iPASS.
Buses, taxis and bikes
Buses go to Fo Guang Shan, Meinong and Kenting; the Kenting Express runs from the high-speed rail station and the city center. Taxis are metered and cheap, and Uber works. YouBike stations and harbor bike paths make cycling easy.
When to go and how long to stay
Kaohsiung has a tropical climate with two clear seasons. From November to April it is sunny, dry and warm, the best time to visit; from May to September it is hot and humid, with heavy afternoon rain, the plum rains in May and June, and typhoons mainly from July to September. The table shows the Central Weather Administration’s 1991–2020 normals for its Kaohsiung station; rain days count days with at least 0.1 mm of rain.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (rain days) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24 °C (76 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | 19 mm (0.8 in), 3 days | Dry and sunny; coolest month |
| February | 25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F) | 18 mm (0.7 in), 3 days | Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival on the Love River, depending on the calendar |
| March | 27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (67 °F) | 32 mm (1.3 in), 4 days | Warm and dry |
| April | 29 °C (85 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F) | 68 mm (2.7 in), 5 days | Warming up; good for Kenting |
| May | 31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 202 mm (8.0 in), 9 days | Plum rains begin |
| June | 32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 416 mm (16.4 in), 13 days | Hot, heavy showers; Dragon Boat races |
| July | 33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (80 °F) | 377 mm (14.9 in), 13 days | Hottest month; typhoons possible |
| August | 32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 512 mm (20.2 in), 17 days | Wettest month; typhoon risk |
| September | 32 °C (89 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 224 mm (8.8 in), 10 days | Rain easing; still humid |
| October | 30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (76 °F) | 53 mm (2.1 in), 4 days | Dry season returns; Wannian Folklore Festival |
| November | 28 °C (83 °F) / 22 °C (71 °F) | 26 mm (1.0 in), 3 days | Excellent weather |
| December | 25 °C (78 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F) | 19 mm (0.8 in), 3 days | Sunny and mild |
The figures add up to about 1,970 mm (77 in) of rain a year, almost all of it from May to September.
2 days in Kaohsiung
Day one, the Pier-2 Art Center and Music Center by light rail, lunch in Yancheng, the ferry to Cijin for the lighthouse, beach and seafood, and the British consulate at sunset. Day two, Lotus Pond’s pagodas in the morning, the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard, a walk or boat ride on the Love River, and Ruifeng or Liuhe Night Market.
4 days with day trips
Add Fo Guang Shan and Meinong on day three and Xiaoliuqiu’s turtles and coral coast on day four, or continue to Kenting for two nights.
Where to stay in Kaohsiung
- Pier-2 and Yancheng: design hotels and hostels near the harbor and art center.
- The Love River and Qianjin: central hotels with river views, near Formosa Boulevard.
- Lingya and Sanduo: large hotels near the 85 Sky Tower and shopping.
- Zuoying: handy for the high-speed rail and Lotus Pond.
Rooms are plentiful except during big concerts and festival weekends, when prices rise.
What a trip to Kaohsiung costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about NT$31.8 to the US dollar.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| High-speed rail, Taipei to Zuoying, standard reserved seat | NT$1,490 (about US$47) |
| High-speed rail, Tainan to Zuoying, standard reserved seat | NT$140 (about US$4.40) |
| MRT or light rail ride | NT$20–60 (about US$0.60–1.90) |
| Ferry, Gushan to Cijin | about NT$30–40 (about US$0.90–1.30) |
| Bus to Kenting, one way | NT$300–420 (about US$9.40–13) |
| Grilled squid or seafood snack on Cijin | NT$100–250 (about US$3.10–7.90) |
| Night market dinner | NT$200–400 (about US$6.30–13) |
| Seafood dinner for two | NT$1,200–2,500 (about US$38–79) |
| Hostel dorm bed, per night | NT$500–900 (about US$16–28) |
| Mid-range hotel double, per night | NT$2,200–4,500 (about US$69–140) |
Practical tips for Kaohsiung
- Sun: the southern sun is strong even in winter; carry a hat, sunscreen and water.
- Ruifeng Night Market: it opens on certain nights of the week only (usually not Monday or Wednesday); check before you go.
- Cash: carry small notes for ferries, night markets and seafood stalls.
- Cycling: YouBikes and harbor bike lanes are the best way to link Pier-2, the Music Center and the Love River.
- Kenting: buses get very busy on weekends and holidays; book the Kenting Express in advance if you can.
Safety
Kaohsiung is safe and relaxed. Typhoons: from about July to September, follow the Central Weather Administration’s warnings; ferries to Cijin and Xiaoliuqiu stop in high seas. Heat: summer temperatures and humidity are high, so drink plenty of water and rest in the shade. Beaches: waves and currents on Cijin and other beaches can be strong; swim only at lifeguarded areas in season. Traffic: scooters are everywhere; look carefully when crossing, and ride a bike only on marked paths. Dengue: southern Taiwan sees dengue fever in summer and fall; use insect repellent. Earthquakes: if you feel a strong tremor, drop, cover and hold on, and follow alerts on your phone. In an emergency, call 110 for the police or 119 for fire and ambulance.
What to pack for Kaohsiung
Light, breathable clothes, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen, a light jacket for winter evenings and air-conditioned buses, an umbrella or rain jacket from May to September, swimwear and sandals for Cijin and Xiaoliuqiu, and comfortable walking shoes. Taiwan uses 110 V and flat two-pin plugs.
Kaohsiung travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Kaohsiung?
Two days covers Pier-2, Cijin, Lotus Pond and the Love River; allow four or five to add Fo Guang Shan, Meinong, Xiaoliuqiu or Kenting.
How do I get from Taipei to Kaohsiung?
The high-speed rail runs from Taipei to Zuoying in about 1 hour 35 minutes on the fastest trains; a standard reserved seat costs NT$1,490. Buses and conventional trains are cheaper but much slower.
Is the high-speed rail station in central Kaohsiung?
No. Zuoying station is in the north of the city, but it connects with the red MRT line, which reaches the center in about 15–20 minutes.
How do I get to Cijin Island?
Take the orange MRT line to Sizihwan, walk to the Gushan ferry pier and cross in about five minutes; ferries run frequently from early morning until late evening.
When is the best time to visit Kaohsiung?
October to April, when it is dry, sunny and warm. Summer is hot and rainy, with typhoons possible.
What is the best night market in Kaohsiung?
Ruifeng Night Market is the local favorite, open several nights a week; Liuhe Night Market is central and open every night but more touristy.
How do I get from Kaohsiung to Kenting?
By the Kenting Express and other buses from Zuoying high-speed rail station or the city center, in about 2–2.5 hours, or by car.
Is Fo Guang Shan worth visiting?
Yes, for the scale of the Buddha Museum and monastery and its peaceful gardens. Buses from Zuoying take about 40 minutes.
Can I visit Tainan from Kaohsiung?
Yes, easily: Tainan is about 15 minutes by high-speed rail or 30–50 minutes by conventional train, and it makes a great day trip or a second base.
Is Kaohsiung worth visiting?
Yes. It is warmer and more relaxed than Taipei, with a revived waterfront, good seafood and easy access to Kenting, Tainan and Xiaoliuqiu.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Climate normals (1991–2020): the Central Weather Administration; high-speed rail fares: Taiwan High Speed Rail; visa-free entry and the arrival card: the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the National Immigration Agency; exchange rate: the Central Bank; the EasyCard: EasyCard Corporation. MRT and light rail routes, ferry and bus times and fares, attraction details, festival dates, the Buddha’s height and typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Prices and schedules change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Taiwan travel guide.
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