MRT Red Line
Kaohsiung International Airport station sits right by the terminal (KHH); the Red Line runs straight to Formosa Boulevard in the center with no change.
Kaohsiung Travel Guide
Taiwan's big southern port city, made for relaxed days of seaside and riverside walks, warehouse art districts and night market food. The airport is close to town and linked by MRT, and Tainan is an easy high-speed rail day trip.
Plan your Kaohsiung trip
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Check prices →At a glance
- Currency
- TWD (NT$)
- Power & plugs
- 110V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 中文(繁體)
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days
Emergency numbers
- Police110
- Ambulance119
- Fire119
- Tourist hotline0800-011-765
When to go
October-March is the driest and sunniest time, and winters stay mild. May-September is hot with frequent showers, and typhoons are possible from summer into autumn. Many shops close and sights are crowded over Lunar New Year.
Airport to the city
Taxi or ride-hailing
Handy with luggage or late at night. Use the official airport taxi rank.
Getting around
Transit card (iPASS or EasyCard)
Buy one at an MRT station or convenience store for the MRT, light rail, buses, YouBike and small purchases. The airport station is a good place to get one.
MRT
Two lines, Red and Orange, cross at Formosa Boulevard. No eating or drinking, even water, in stations or on trains.
Circular Light Rail
A tram looping past harbor-side sights such as Pier-2 and the Love River area. The views make the ride part of the trip.
Cijin ferry
A few minutes by boat from the Gushan ferry pier to Cijin Island; transit cards work.
Taxis and YouBike
Metered taxis are reasonably priced. Shared YouBikes are great along the river and harbor.
Where to stay
Around Formosa Boulevard
Good for: First visit, transport hub
Both MRT lines meet here and Liuhe Night Market is close by. Plenty of hotels.
Love River and Yancheng
Good for: Riverside walks, old streets
Lovely in the evening and within walking distance of Pier-2. An older neighborhood feel.
Zuoying (HSR station area)
Good for: High-speed rail, Lotus Pond
Home to the high-speed rail station for Tainan and Taipei, and close to Lotus Pond. A bit far from the center.
Sizihwan and Hamasen
Good for: Sea views, sunsets
The seaside area with the Cijin ferry pier and the former British consulate. Fewer hotels, better for daytime visits.
Map of stays in Kaohsiung
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Kaohsiung in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (Lotus Pond)
Twin lakeside pagodas where you walk in through the dragon's mouth and out through the tiger's. Free to visit.
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (Lotus Pond) · Photo: YangChen(TW) / CC BY 2.0 Pier-2 Art Center
Old harbor warehouses turned into galleries, workshops and cafes, with murals and installations everywhere.
Cijin Island
A short ferry ride away, with a beach promenade, a lighthouse and a seafood street. Go in the afternoon and stay for sunset.
Cijin Island · Photo: 大頭家族 / CC BY-SA 2.0 Dome of Light (Formosa Boulevard station)
A huge stained-glass artwork covering the station ceiling. It is inside the station, so there is no separate ticket.
Love River
The river through downtown, best after dark for a walk along the lit banks or a short boat ride.
Former British Consulate at Takao
A red-brick hilltop building overlooking the sea, great at sunset over Sizihwan. Check official information for tickets and hours.
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
A vast Buddhist complex with a giant Buddha and pagodas, about an hour by bus from the city. Allow half a day; it is closed on Tuesdays, so check official information for opening days.
Ruifeng Night Market
A big, local-favorite night market full of snacks and games. It is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, so check before you go.
What to eat
Seafood
Pick clams, prawns and fish to be cooked on Cijin's seafood street. Many places price by weight, so confirm before ordering.
Papaya milk
Ripe papaya blended with milk, a Kaohsiung classic. About NT$60-90 a cup.
Night market snacks
Oyster omelets, fried chicken cutlets and Taiwanese sausages in small portions. About NT$50-100 each.
Beef noodle soup
Rich broth with big pieces of beef, Taiwan's signature noodles. About NT$150-250 a bowl.
Mango shaved ice
A summer favorite piled with southern Taiwan mangoes. About NT$150-250 a bowl.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout NT$1,300-1,800 per day: guesthouse, night markets, MRT
Mid-rangeabout NT$3,000-4,000 per day: city hotel, restaurant meals
Comfortabout NT$7,000+ per day: upscale hotel, seafood feasts, taxis
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
MRT from the airport, the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard, an evening Love River walk, then Liuhe Night Market.
- Day 2
Light rail to Pier-2 in the morning, ferry from Gushan to Cijin for a seafood lunch and the beach, then the former British consulate at sunset.
- Day 3
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in the morning, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in the afternoon (closed Tuesdays), then Ruifeng Night Market (closed Mondays and Wednesdays).
- Day 4
High-speed rail day trip to Tainan for old streets and temples, or city shopping before your flight.
Local tips
- Night markets and small eateries are often cash only. Carry Taiwan dollars; convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards.
- One transit card covers the MRT, light rail, buses, ferry and YouBike.
- No eating or drinking, even water, in MRT stations or on trains.
- The sun is strong and showers are common: bring a hat, sunscreen and a small umbrella, plus a light layer for strong air conditioning indoors.
- There is no tipping; some restaurants add a 10% service charge.
- Entry rules, including visa-free stays, can change. Check official Taiwan government information before you travel.
- Complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) on the official site (twac.immigration.gov.tw) within 3 days before arrival. It is free, so avoid lookalike sites that charge fees, and check the National Immigration Agency for details.
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