Must-see attractions in Kaohsiung

  • Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Cijin Island, the beach

    Cijin Island

    Kaohsiung

    This narrow island that acts as a buffer to the harbour and extends down the city coastline makes for a lovely day trip from the mainland. The main…

  • KAOHSIUNG TAIWAN - DECEMBER 13, 2016: Upside down house Pier 2 Art Center Pier 2 Art Center was originally an abandoned warehouse site converted to the art centre.; Shutterstock ID 590977709; Your name (First / Last): Megan Eaves; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Travel - Kaohsiung destination page POI images

    Pier-2 Art Center

    Kaohsiung

    An attractive sprawl of old warehouses by the port is separated by tree-lined boulevards, and hosts shops, galleries and cafes. It's a wonderful place to…

  • Tianliao Stone Temple

    Kaohsiung

    Tianliao Stone Temple is a fantastical, Gaudi-esque interpretation of a Taoist temple by Southeast Asian migrant workers. The 500 men had been hired to…

  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan - February 2, 2014: Cijin Tianhou Temple. The Temple was Taiwan's first temple to Matsu and is also Kaohsiung's oldest temple; Shutterstock ID 479461489; Your name (First / Last): Megan / Eaves; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Destination image - North Asia

    Cijin Tianhou Temple

    Kaohsiung

    One of Kaohsiung's few temples that made the national protected relics list is also its oldest Mazu temple. Cijin Tianhou Temple was constructed in 1673…

  • Alien Art Centre

    Kaohsiung

    A remarkable museum in a unique location. From the '50s to the '70s this white building was a hostel for young men departing for compulsory military…

  • Museum 50

    Kaohsiung

    A true hidden gem, this private museum has a small but exceptional collection of sculpture and antiques by mid-19th- to 20th-century Japanese artists who…

  • Neiwei Flea Market

    Kaohsiung

    This sprawling flea market in Neiwei may possibly offer one of the most authentic and fabulous experiences of Taiwan. You'll find everything under the sun…

  • Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Lotus Pond, Kahosiung

    Lotus Pond

    Kaohsiung

    The scenic pond in the north of the city has been a popular destination since the Qing dynasty and is well known for the 20 or so temples dotting the…

  • Foguangshan

    Kaohsiung

    Considered the centre of Buddhism in southern Taiwan, Foguangshan a good place to learn more about Buddhism as the staff and some of the monks and nuns…

  • Guomao Community

    Kaohsiung

    Dramatic residential blocks with curved facades encircle a diaspora community in the Guomao area. The dozen-or-so 12-storey buildings were constructed for…

  • Story House of Naval Base Zuoying

    Kaohsiung

    In a compound next to Taiwan's largest naval base, this small museum pays tribute to Zuoying's strong military heritage. By means of relics, photos,…

  • Shoushan Zoo

    Kaohsiung

    Kids may enjoy this zoo on the northern border of Shoushan Park in Gushan District. While we think that the large mammals such as camels and ostriches…

  • British Consulate Residence at Takou

    Kaohsiung

    Built in 1865, this handsome red-brick consulate residence sits 70m above the mouth of Kaohsiung Harbour, a perfect location for watching giant container…

  • Ginza Shopping Arcade

    Kaohsiung

    Known locally as 'Ginza' (銀座), this crumbling arcade was Kaohsiung's first shopping mall when it opened in 1937, although the current structure harks back…

  • Warehouse 2

    Kaohsiung

    Warehouse 2 is a pleasant glass-walled space with shops and restaurants at Pier-2 Art Center. It was built as an old sugar warehouse during the Japanese…

  • Military Dependants' Village Museum

    Kaohsiung

    Four houses of a military dependants' village have been restored and turned into a quaint museum. Besides exhibits on the KMT retreat from China and the…

  • Ciaotou Sugar Factory

    Kaohsiung

    Taiwan's first modern sugar factory (c 1901) is no longer in use, but you can still see the old mechanisms and the vats. There's also a village here that…

  • Daitian Temple

    Kaohsiung

    A temple with a Taoist hall at the front and a Buddhist hall (青雲寺) at the back, both richly decorated with folk art. In fact Daitian Temple has the…

  • 'Big Gutter Cover' Old Street

    Kaohsiung

    Dàgōudǐng (literally 'Big Gutter Cover') Old Street is a shopping arcade from the 1950s. It's located between Wufu 4th Rd (五福四路) in the south and Dagong…

  • Love River

    Kaohsiung

    Love River was once an open sewer and it has seen a remarkable transformation in recent years. The waters flow clean and the bankside promenades with…

  • Gangshan Eye

    Kaohsiung

    A music-themed viewing bridge atop a hill between the districts of Gangshan and Yanchao. The attractive 88m-long structure is suspended 40m high by cables…

  • Kaohsiung Museum of History

    Kaohsiung

    This lovely museum is housed in what was the city-government building during Japanese times. The building of the museum was one of the important…

  • Spring & Autumn Pavilions

    Kaohsiung

    At Lotus Pond, about 180m to the north of the Dragon & Tiger Pagodas are the fun and gaudy Spring & Autumn Pavilions. The two octagonal towers in green…

  • Xuantian Shang-di

    Kaohsiung

    This gigantic statue at Lotus Pond is of a powerful Taoist deity whose name means God Almighty of the Mysterious Heavens. He is also known as Xuan Wu (玄武;…

  • Dragon & Tiger Pagodas

    Kaohsiung

    On the southern edge of Lotus Pond are the red-and-yellow seven-storey Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, built in full-blown '70s flamboyance. They're connected…

  • Tuntex Sky Tower

    Kaohsiung

    Not the place you want to be during an earthquake, this was the tallest building in Taiwan before Taipei 101. Its appearance was inspired by the Chinese…

  • Cihou Fort

    Kaohsiung

    A handsome modern fort with Qing dynasty foundations that used to guard the northern entrance to Kaohsiung Harbour. From the top of the barracks and the…

  • Takao Renaissance Association

    Kaohsiung

    A nonprofit striving to protect Kaohsiung's history and culture has taken over this century-old Japanese house. You'll see a small display on the historic…

  • Temple of Enlightenment

    Kaohsiung

    The largest temple in Lotus Pond area began as an ancestral hall for the followers of Koxinga. It was restored and considerably expanded in 1980. The two…

  • National Science & Technology Museum

    Kaohsiung

    Features an hourly IMAX show and high-quality, hands-on science exhibits designed for children. The exhibit on the industrial history of Taiwan, one of…

  • Longquan Temple

    Kaohsiung

    A large temple in the Shoushan Scenic Area, Longquan evokes a set from a period movie. It's said that when a cement company was extracting limestone from…

  • Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

    Kaohsiung

    Set in a large park, this wonderful museum specialises in the works of Taiwanese artists, in particular, painters, sculptors, and installation and digital…

  • Confucius Temple

    Kaohsiung

    Taiwan's largest Confucius temple complex (167 sq m) is a stately 1970s replica of a Song-dynasty temple and the famous Qufu Confucius Temple in Shandong…

  • Neiwei Afternoon Market

    Kaohsiung

    After checking out the wondrous Neiwei Flea Market, hop over to this food bazaar nearby for a cheap-but-satisfying meal of grilled chicken, stuffed buns…

  • Kaohsiung Harbour

    Kaohsiung

    Down by Pier 12 (the Love Pier), Gushan Ferry Terminal and Fisherman's Wharf you'll find walkways, bike paths, cafes and beer gardens. Check at the train…

  • City God Temple

    Kaohsiung

    A contrast to the eccentric religious structures around Lotus Pond, this 18th century temple has intricately carved vaulted ceilings, and sculpted dragons…

  • Formosa Boulevard KMRT Station

    Kaohsiung

    Stop to see the resplendent Dome of Light (光之穹頂; Guāngzhī Qióngdǐng) by Italian glass-artist Narcissus Quagliata. Formosa Blvd is south of the main train…

  • Shihzuwan Beach

    Kaohsiung

    Shihzuwan Beach is smaller than Cijin Beach, but it's a calmer swimming beach and is an excellent place for hanging out and watching the sunset.

  • Kaohsiung Film Archive

    Kaohsiung

    Just back from the Love River is the film archive, with daily screenings of works by acclaimed Taiwanese directors like Hou Hsiao-hsien and Edward Yang,…

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