Planning a quick trip to Kaohsiung as part of a Taiwan tour? We’d always recommend spending a good amount of time in Kaohsiung but you can see a LOT of the city and surrounding areas with our 1 to 3 day Kaohsiung itinerary.
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Featuring Kaohsiung night markets, sublime street art and Pier 2 Art Center, we also suggest a few places away from downtown Kaohsiung like Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and the tropical Cijin Island, which is just a short 5 minute ferry ride away.
From Kaohsiung temples to the world’s most beautiful station, the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard here is our 1 to 3 day Kaohsiung itinerary with photos.
You might like – 40+ things to do in Kaohsiung >
Taiwan checklist
We love using agoda.com, expedia.com and booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels.
For booking tours, transfers and buying SIM cards/eSIMs we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, KK Day or Klook. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars. For private drivers and taxis, check out our Transfer guide >
For more recommendations, check out our Taiwan travel booking resources page >
All set for Taiwan? Do one final check with our Taipei first timers guide and our packing list guide. Travelling with kids? Check out our Taipei For Kids eBook >
Kaohsiung itinerary hotels
Budget to Mid-Range ($$)
Airline Inn – Kaohsiung Station
Budget hotel located within walking distance of Kaohsiung station. We’ve stayed here ourselves on two occasions most recently in 2025 and like it for its location plus free laundry. Check rates and availability on booking.com / agoda.com / expedia.com / trip.com
Mid-Range ($$)
Kaohsiung Chateau de Chine Hotel (4*)
Located on the banks of Kaohsiung’s Love River, many of the rooms at Chateau de Chine have waterside views and you can see the nightly light-show that emits from the Kaohsiung Music Center by Pier 2. Check rates and availability on booking.com / agoda.com / expedia.com / trip.com
Luxury ($$$)
TAI Urban Resort
Stylish 5 star hotel with a 27th floor bar, rooftop infinity pool, spa, gym and on-site restaurants. Check rates and availability on booking.com / agoda.com / expedia.com / trip.com
Luxury ($$$)
InterContinental Kaohsiung (5*)
Kaohsiung’s newest 5* hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole of Kaohsiung. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and five restaurants, including the Japanese WA-RA, which is famous for its digital art installation. Check rates and availability for InterContinental Kaohsiung on booking.com | agoda.com | expedia.com | hotels.com / trip.com
Check out our guide to the best hotels to suit all budgets in Kaohsiung >
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Travelling to Kaohsiung, Taipei
As Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s third biggest city (after Taipei and Taichung), plus the most populated place in southern Taiwan, there are many transport options to get here.
Going to Kaohsiung via Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR)
Kaohsiung can be reached by high speed rail (HSR) from Taipei and other cities.
You can buy discounted high speed rail one way tickets between Taipei and Kaohsiung (plus other stations) via this Klook HSR booking link >
Please note these discounted Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets are exclusive to overseas tourists and you will need to show your passport upon redemption.
If arriving from Taipei you should take the Taiwan High Speed Rail from Taipei Main Station to Kaohsiung’s HSR Zuoying Station. The journey takes around an hour and a half, however Kaohsiung’s HSR station is located slightly out of town – you can connect to downtown Kaohsiung City by taking a short MRT ride.
There is an alternative and cheaper TRA train from Taipei (Tze-Chiang Limited Express train). The journey time is much longer at around 4-5 hours, but you arrive at Kaohsiung station which is in central downtown Kaohsiung.
Alternatively, you can take Taiwan’s Sanrio themed train to and from Kaohsiung from cities such as Taipei. Read our Taiwan Sanrio train guide here >
You might like – Our guide to the 25+ best Taiwan travel and transport apps to download >
Kaohsiung by bus
You can take a bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung for as little as $NT600 one way. The quickest coaches / buses from Taipei to Kaohsiung take a little over four hours.
Flying to Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung International Airport is the second busiest airport in Taiwan (after Taipei) and has many international flights to and from it.
Direct flight destinations to and from Kaohsiung International Airport include China, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and the Philippines.
Make sure you fill out your Taiwan online arrival card up to 3 days before you arrive, if you are flying into Kaohsiung from overseas. Read our Taiwan online arrival card guide >
Getting around Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung has a really easy to use transport network for getting you to all the main places of interest in the city.
There is an underground train system (MRT/KRT) with 2 separate lines (red and orange), plus a light-rail system (LRT), and an easy to use bus network.
Book an unlimited Kaohsiung MRT pass >
Taiwanderers Tip
Grab a Taiwan EasyCard as a convenient way to use buses and public transport in Taipei and across Taiwan. They can be easily topped up at stations and convenience stores.
Read more about how to use a Taiwan EasyCard, including how to top up >
You might like – 40+ cute EasyCards you can buy in Taiwan >
3 day itinerary in Kaohsiung
Where to start? This Kaohsiung 3 day itinerary can be tackled in any order, depending on when you arrive.
So if you get into the city mid-afternoon, you can start at the middle of the list and then do the earlier parts the next morning.
Planning on staying for just a day? Our day 1 Kaohsiung itinerary comprises our pick of the very best things to do in Kaohsiung or feel free to pick and choose from our 3 day itinerary, based on your own interests.
So for instance if you like beaches, definitely check out Cijin Island or if you like museums and temples, Fo Guang Shan is a must-visit on your Kaohsiung itinerary.
Day 1 (3 day Kaohsiung itinerary)
10am – Sanfeng Temple
Built over 300 years ago and moved to its current location brick by brick only 40 or so years ago, Sanfeng Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Taiwan we have ever explored.
As there were no other tourists there when we visited Sanfeng Temple, it felt even more special. It is regarded as a Taoism temple of south Taiwan, but with Northern style architecture.
Sanfeng Temple is adorned with hundreds of red lanterns strewn across every available space all year round (not just during Taiwan Lunar New Year), with a steady stream of well wishers and worshippers.
Safeng Temple has several sublime stories to explore – make sure you head up the staircases at the rear of the temple, up two flights of stairs, to get the best views of the temple and Kaohsiung.
Incidentally, Sanfeng temple is equally magnificent at night (possibly more so) when all the lanterns are lit up – so if your schedule allows it, you could always visit here in the evening too.
You might like – Our first timers guide to Taipei including the best Taiwan SIM cards
11am – Love River
From Sanfeng Temple, follow the canal outside along Hebei 2nd Road until you reach the Love River – it is around a 10 to 15 minute walk.
From here, head south along the Love River towards the harbour and Love Pier. Is there a more beautifully titled river in the world than the ‘Love River’? Kaohsiung has definitely made something special out of its waterfront.
The riverside parks, cafes and boardwalks are wonderful to explore plus there is even an outdoor saloon bar overlooking the water – grab a coffee along the water or just enjoy the stroll to your next stop.
Very much the focal point of the Kaohsiung city, the locals really appear to have taken the Love River to the hearts (naturally) and it is a haven for picnics, dog walkers and waterfront diners.
If you happen to revisit during the evening, there are cheap 25 minute cruises along Love River that depart from 3pm onwards – you might also be forgiven for thinking you are in Europe as you might spot a Love River gondola too.
You might like – 22 fun things to do in Kaohsiung with kids >
12pm – Kaohsiung Music Center (KMC) / Pier 2 Art Center
As you walk along the Love River, you’ll soon see a cool looking building.
Opened in 2009 and looking like something out of a STAR WARS movie, the futuristic Kaohsiung Music Center can be easily walked to from the Pier 2 Art Center and is free to visit, even if you aren’t going to a concert.
The design of the building is unique, using hexagonal formations to almost create something like a beautiful beehive.
At night, the building lights up in a variety of colors and is one of the most famous sights in Kaohsiung at night.
From here, it is a short walk to Pier 2 Art Center, an immense complex, spread over several old industrial warehouses right next to the port in the Yancheng District.
Once a hive of fishing piers and international shipping trade, this area of Kaohsiung fell into disuse until it was revived in 2006.
The whole Pier 2 Art Center area is usually abuzz with families, friends and teenagers (especially at the weekends) out shopping, browsing or going to the various pop-up exhibitions.
There is a lot to see and do here so make sure you give yourself at least a couple of hours to fully explore this ‘pierless’ part of Kaohsiung.
One of the best museums here is the Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway which recently reopened in summer 2025 after a massive restoration project – here you can ride on miniature trains outside and learn more about Taiwan’s rich rail history.
From quirky pop-up shops to weekend flea markets and fun outdoor sculptures and murals, there is a lot to see at Pier 2 Art Centre and it is one of Kaohsiung’s top things to do. There is also a branch of Taiwan’s famous bookstore chain and department store, Eslite which is great for Taiwan souvenirs.
Read our Kaohsiung Pier 2 Art Centre article >
2pm onwards – head to Lotus Lake
Perhaps the most iconic Kaohsiung attraction, many people go to Kaohsiung from Taiwan on the HSR as a day trip just to visit Lotus Lake and its picturesque pagodas.
To get to Lotus Pond from Pier 2, you can take several direct buses (with a little walking) that take around 45 minutes to one hour like bus R52 and 219A.
Or take the Kaohsiung Light Railway no 1 from Penglai Pier 2 to Makadao Station and then take the bus from there. Based on this Kaohsiung itinerary, you will likely arrive here around 3pm.
After several years of restoration, the famous dragon and tiger pagodas in 2025 are now fully reopened and visitors can go inside.
Kaohsiung’s Lotus Lake is actually a man made lake that was built in the 1950s, as a way to entice more visitors to the area – it definitely seems to be working! The annual Kaohsiung Lantern Festival also often takes place at Lotus Lake.
It is also famous for being home to several large statues and religious shrines – the most famous of these (and likely the ones you will have seen on Instagram) are the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions plus the Beiji Xuantian Shang Di Pavilion. This is also a great place to visit in Kaohsiung at night as everything is lit up.
In line with Taiwanese tradition, we visited by entering through the dragon’s mouth and out via the tiger’s jaws to hopefully increase our good fortune.
Taiwanderers Tip – for an amazing shot of the Lotus Lake tiger and dragon pagodas, head inside the Chiji Temple 左營城邑慈濟宮 just across the road and look back towards the lake.
You might like – Our guide to Taiwan private drivers and chartered cars / transfers >
5pm to 6pm – Head to a Kaohsiung Night Market, Ruifeng or Liuhe
Two of our favourite Taiwan night markets are based in Kaohsiung: Ruifeng Night Market 瑞豐夜市 and Luihe Night Market 六合夜市.
Ruifeng Night Market is the closest to Lotus Pond and just over 30 minutes away by bus or 8 minutes away by taxi.
However, please note Ruifeng Night Market is closed on Monday and Wednesdays so if your only day in Kaohsiung happens to be then, head to Liuhe Night Market instead which we describe in more detail for day 2.
Ruifeng Night Market is located between the Yucheng and Nanping Road in the Buoying District (a 3 minute walk from the Kaohsiung Arena MRT station).
From stinky tofu to gao bao, you won’t go hungry at Ruifeng Night Market – plus this Kaohsiung night market also has one of the largest non-food sections we’ve ever encountered. Think massages to Mahjong, shooting galleries to super-fun fairground rides.
Ruifeng Night Market is open from 5pm to around midnight / 1am (however it is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays). Afterwards, grab a drink at one of the nearby bars or head back to your hotel ready for day 2 in Kaohsiung.
Please note – Ruifeng Night Market on a Saturday night can be super busy – some of the aisles are really narrow so if you are claustrophobic or don’t like crowds, this one is best to avoid.
You might like – Our guide to the best Taiwanese foods and the best night markets in Taiwan
Day 2 (3 Day Kaohsiung Itinerary)
10am – Fo Guang Shan Temple
A visit to Fo Guang Shan temple is an essential thing to do in Kaohsiung – start your Kaohsiung itinerary day 2 by heading to Zuoying HSR / Zuoying MRT to get the E02 shuttle bus directly to the temple (you can pay using a EasyCard).
It is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan and home to a 108 metre high / 1,800 tonne copper Buddha (the largest seated Sakyamuni Buddha statue in Asia).
How much time you spend here is up to you but if you love temples, allow at least half a day to explore the temple, museum and nearby monastery.
Sadly it started raining so hard on our trip to the temple that we weren’t able to stay that long (the grounds are massive though). You can also do temple stays at Fo Guang Shan.
Inside the visitor center, there are gift shops and the renowned ‘Hi Lai vegetarian restaurant’ (this is a great lunch stop for day 2) plus possibly Taiwan’s only temple Starbucks, complete with an exclusive Fo Guang Shan temple Starbucks mug – who knew?!
Once complete, take the E02 shuttle bus back to the station.
Try this – Chiayi: Alishan Mountain Discovery Journey from Kaohsiung >
Day 2 optional free activity – see the Kaohsiung Station Cats at Xin Zuoying Station
Did you know Xin Zuoying station in Kaohsiung also has three station cats with their own station play area? Depending on how long you spent at Fo Guang Shan, if you arrive back at the station around lunch, this is something you can quickly check out – ‘fur’ real.
Three stray cats were adopted by Xin Zuoying Station staff and in early 2025, a new cat lounge was unveiled where the cats can play whilst travellers watch.
Not a must-see but if you like cats, this one is a purrfect fun thing to do in Kaohsiung.
From what to expect to the location of the cat play area, here is our guide to checking out the cats of Xin Zuoying Kaohsiung station (a short walk from the Zuoying HSR station next door) >
You might like – Our guide to Mikan, 蜜柑, Kaohsiung’s superstar station cat >
Day 2 Afternoon – Cijin Island
Time for some beachside walks, amazing views and sunset drinks – you are off to Cijin Island!
From Xin Zuoying Kaohsiung station, it is around a 50 minute journey to the Cijin Ferry Port.
You can take the local train to the Museum of Fine Arts stop then hop on the Kaohsiung Light Rail no 2 to Hamasen stop before walking to the KW2 Cijin Ferry port.
Cijin Island is a ‘tropical paradise’ just a short five minute ferry ride from here – it must be one of the shortest ferry rides in the world!
The Cijin Island beaches are beautiful but in a rough and rugged kind of way – the beaches at Cijin Island are also popular for sunbathing and surfing. You can walk along the coastal path (or hire a cyclo).
Spend some time exploring the Cijin Lighthouse (great views), the old Cihou Fort and Cijin Star Tunnel before walking (or cycling ) along the coast to see unusual (and Instagrammable Taiwan attractions) like the Rainbow Church and Giant Seashell.
Try to coincide your visit with sunset and enjoy some much deserved beers at Cijin Sunset Bar – but don’t have the food as a) it isn’t very good and b) save your appetite for your final stop…
Cijin Island is easily one of our favourite Kaohsiung things to do and attractions – check out our guide to Cijin Island article >
Day 2 – Evening at Liuhe Night Market / Dome of Light Formosa Boulevard Station
As you likely went to Ruifeng Night Market on day 1 (unless it was a Monday or Wednesday), tonight’s foodie foray is Liuhe Night Market.
To visit the night market, take the train to Formosa Boulevard MRT Station, which is also home to another unique Kaohsiung attraction, the Dome of Light.
This has been described by many as the ‘…world’s most beautiful underground / train station’ and is one of the most popular things to see in Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung’s was designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata and it is the ‘world’s largest domed underground station’. It took over four years to complete and install (it is approx 30 metres in diameter, and made up of over 4,000 glass pieces).
The main Formosa Boulevard MRT station itself is as you’d expect of any Taiwanese MRT station but it is the Dome of Light that makes this so special and unique – although the hourly light show is very very average and not really worth sticking around for.
The four parts that comprise it (water, earth, light and fire) symbolize birth, growth, glory and destruction respectively, and refer to Taiwan’s democratic process and reform.
From the station, head up and out of exit 11 for some tasty Taiwan street food!
Liuhe Night Market
Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Night Market 六合夜市 is predominantly a street food thoroughfare that lines both sides of a city block – it is a busy road by day but closed to traffic at night.
Renowned for its seafood due to being a coastal city, we visited Liuhe Night Market most nights whilst staying in Kaohsiung and sampled lots of local fare.
Popular local dishes to try whilst in Liu He night market included beef noodle soup and their take on clam spaghetti.
There is plenty of seating down the main strip at Liuhe Night Market and it never felt too crowded – Liuhe Night Market usually has around 150 to 200 stalls.
As well as street food at Liuhe Night Market, locals love to play fairground style amusements and fun games – we rate it as one of the best night markets in Taiwan.
The prices may be a little higher than the local daytime markets, but it is still very cheap compared to western standards.
If you fancy a beer to end day 2 of your Kaohsiung itinerary, there are a couple of craft beer bars at the night market or head to the bar inside the 7-Eleven store at Liuhe Night Market for cheap beers.
Read our Taiwan 7-Eleven bar guide or our guide to the best Taiwan 7-Eleven foods.
P.S. Did you know there are lots of themed 7-Elevens in Kaohsiung including Hello Kitty and a Snoopy 7-Eleven bar?
Day 3 (3 Day Kaohsiung Itinerary)
For your third and possibly final day in Kaohsiung, we have a few suggestions for you from a day trip to one of Taiwan’s most historical and best preserved cities or a day to enjoy Kaohsiung’s more interesting neighborhoods.
Option 1 – explore more of Kaohsiung
10am – Weiwuying Street Art Village
Could Weiwuying Street Art Village / WeiWu Mi Mi Village be Taiwan’s most colorful place? We think it is a true Kaohsiung Kaleidoscope of color!
Bigger than the famous Rainbow Village in Taichung, Weiwuying Street Art Village has welcomed illustrators and street artists from all over the world.
A rainbow residential estate on the outskirts of Kaohsiung in the Lingya District, Weiwuying Street Art Village (衛武營街頭藝術彩繪) is one of the best free things to do in Kaohsiung.
WeiWu Mi Mi Village is easily accessible by Kaohsiung public transport. To get to Weiwuying Street Art Village from downtown Kaohsiung, take the orange metro line to Weiwuying Station and alight through exit 5.
From the most marvelous murals to sublime street art-alleys, here is our guide to visiting Weiwuying Street Art Village in Kaohsiung >
11am – Kaohsiung Weiwuying Metropolitan Park
A short walk from Weiwuying Street Art Village, Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park is a huge urban park with lots of trails, lakes and pathways to explore.
It is a pleasant spot to walk around and also seems to be home to a large collection of parrot owners who meet up here regularly to release their colorful birds.
You can walk around various lakes via boardwalks plus you might hear some street-performers and musicians playing in the park or locals undertaking tai-chi.
The park is also home to National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, which during the daytime has a few cafes, gift shops and viewing spots to enjoy.
1pm – Lunch at Longhua Public Market
We discovered this Kaohsiung food market totally by chance whilst exploring Kaohsiung one afternoon.
Very popular with local workers, Longhua Public Market is a mix of traditional Taiwanese food stalls and more international fare like Vietnamese and Japanese dishes.
With around 50 different stalls and ample eating area, this is one of the best places to satisfy your foodie fix in Kaohsiung.
P.S. Within walking distance of Longhua Public Market is Taiwan’s only Tomica themed 7-Eleven store >
You might like – Our 7 day Taipei to Kaohsiung itinerary >
Day 3 in Kaohsiung – Afternoon / Evening
Yancheng District
Old school Yancheng district in Kaohsiung used to be an industrial district, known for its black market goods and cheap eateries. These days, the alley-ways are bustling with retro bars, vintage goods and top rated restaurants.
Half the fun here is just stepping into random side streets to see what eateries or stores you’ll find, from boutique bakeries to marvellous Mexican street food stalls like Maddog.
Lots of the local youth indulge in cocktails and craft beer here in hole in the wall bars that are only big enough to house three or four drinkers – it is such a cool experience to walk around, especially in the early evenings.
Also be sure to check out the 75 year old Yancheng First Public Market, including the famous milkfish stall, a local Kaohsiung speciality.
Read more in our guide to the Yancheng district >
Spotlight on Kaohsiung Godzilla cafe (Kaiju Tea Shop / Guaishou Chi Tea)
This has to be one of the most ‘roarsome’ things to do in Kaohsiung! Hidden away in the backstreets trendy Yancheng district, Kaohsiung’s Godzilla cafe AKA Kaiju Tea Shop (map) is a monster of a tea shop, with Godzilla galore merchandise, across two floors.
As you’d expect, all of the food and drink is Godzilla themed, from the ’monstorous’ foam on the cappuccinos to the gorgeous Godzilla pancakes available in several flavours.
Browse hundreds of Godzilla statues as you wait for your drinks to be made – there is also a small museum upstairs. If you can, try to get a seat at the counter to get up close with giant Godzilla heads.
Kaiju Tea Shop features in our ‘Taiwan’s best themed cafes and restaurants’ guide >
Day 3 – Other Suggestions
Day trip to Tainan
If you don’t fancy Weiwuying and Yancheng in Kaohsiung, you can take a local train from Kaohsiung station to Tainan which takes about 35 minutes (or just 13 minutes on the HSR train but be aware the Tainan HSR station is quite far out of the city).
Taiwan’s oldest city and ancient capital, Tainan celebrated its 400th anniversary last year. Steeped in history and located on the southwest coast of Taiwan, it is a joyous mix of the old and new, with so many things to do in Tainan.
Tainan is revered for its ancient temples and fine fortresses – it was even the island’s capital for over 200 years until 1887 under the Qing dynasty.
With beautiful, old buildings and modern street art, Tainan is home to some of the best Taiwan street-food plus lantern-filled side-streets with gorgeous old tea shops.
From night markets to old movie theatres, creative parks to ‘coffin bread’ (better than it sounds), there are so many awesome activities in Tainan >
And Finally
From Kaohsiung, you might also want to consider a few days in Kenting.
Kenting 墾丁in Taiwan is known for its coastline, sandy beaches, excellent surfing spots and Kenting National Forest, not to mention its night-life scene and summer festivals.
Southern Taiwan’s tropical paradise in Pingtung, Kenting is accessible by bus, car or moped and around a 2 to 3 hour journey from Kaohsiung.
We spent a few days in Kenting in early 2025 – whilst this is possibly not the best time of year to visit, it meant we had the beaches practically to ourselves and got to visit some local nearby attractions too like Paradise of Capybara and Hengchun.
From street-eats at Kenting Night Market (one of the longest in Taiwan) to how to get there by bus, here is our guide to Kenting Kenting in southern Taiwan >
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