Not-to-be-missed hotspots in Kaohsiung
To fully appreciate Taiwan’s charms, it’s worth visiting Kaohsiung, a city that’s become increasingly popular in recent years.
1. Lotus Pond
Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour
Located in Zhuying District, Lotus Pond is a pond lake formed in the middle of Guishan Mountain to the south and Banping Mountain to the north.
During the Qing Dynasty, the fresh fragrance of the pond in summer was so appreciated that it was designated as one of the eight scenic spots of the former administrative region of Fengshan County.
Dragon Tiger Tower
Lotus Pond is beautiful enough for its natural scenery, but with over 20 temples in the area, it also has a deeply religious atmosphere.
Dragon Tiger Tower is a twin-towered structure consisting of two pagodas representing a dragon and a tiger, respectively, and inside the pagoda, the walls are painted with stories of old moral lessons, such as the twenty-four effects.
The view of Lianjiedam from the top of the pagoda is absolutely stunning!
2. Weiwuying
– National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts
Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
This wave-shaped building sits majestically on a green field and is the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, the first international performing arts center in southern Taiwan, with its futuristic, snow-white building merging with the green, expansive lawn to create a contrasting yet harmonious landscape.
Originally a place for military training, Weiwu Ying’s transformation into an arts and culture center has given it a very distinctive look.
The twisting roots of the Taiwanese dragon tree were used as inspiration for the smooth, streamlined design, which is meant to allow anyone to come and go as they please.
3. National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium
Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
Located in the Forest Sea District in the northwestern part of Kinding National Park, the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium is a large ecological aquarium featuring a wide variety of marine life.
The museum aims to educate visitors about the ecology of Taiwan, from mountain streams to the depths of the ocean.
The museum is divided into three themed pavilions, “Taiwan Waters,” “Coral Kingdom,” and “World Waters,” and the most eye-catching part of the museum is the 84-meter undersea tunnel in the Coral Kingdom Pavilion. When you walk through the tunnel, you’ll feel like you’re underwater!
4. WeiWu Mi Mi Village
Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
Close to the WeiWu Ying National Center for Culture and the Arts is this colorful mural village.
What used to be an ordinary old neighborhood was transformed into a mural village after the village chief convinced the residents to host the annual Kaohsiung Lingya International Street Art Festival in 2016, bringing in more than 50 artists from 24 countries. Not only local Taiwanese artists, but also artists from Australia, Russia, Spain, Belgium, and other countries, all contributed their own aesthetics, and the village is now filled with murals of different styles. It’s the largest mural village in Taiwan, with cute paintings and sculptures everywhere. It’s fun to wander arou
5. Fongyi Academy
Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour
The Fengyi Academy was built in 1814 and is a place where people used to take exams in the old days, and is now the largest one in Taiwan.
It was designated an ancient site in 1985 and now houses exhibits on the history and artifacts of the academy.
When you enter the Fengyi Academy, you might think that it is a very stiff place, with students taking classes during the Qing Dynasty, prefectures inspecting the academy, and an educational center, but there is an unexpected twist when you enter the academy. You’ll find highly realistic yet playful sculptures that recreate the scenery where students were being educated at the time, as well as recreated figures of martial arts students staring back at them. You can also take a witty photo of yourself pretending to be in class by stepping in between them!
There are also exhibits about the past, the history of Fengshan and the history of Fengyi Temple, and there’s even a beverage shop inside the temple, Hanlin Tea Garden, where you can sample traditional Taiwanese teas and snacks to get a taste of the old days.
6. Eluanbi Lighthouse
Kaohsiung / Fangliao departure to Kenting National Park
Located in the southernmost tip of Taiwan, within Eluanbi Park, the snow-white tower of Eluanbi Lighthouse was built in 1881 and is now the most luminous lighthouse in Taiwan.
and is a popular tourist attraction listed in the “Eight Scenic Views of Taiwan”.
The lighthouse is directly in front of a vast expanse of grassland and sea, so if you want to soak up the languid vibes of Konding with its blue sea, green grassland and blue sky, you shouldn’t pass this place by!
7. Rui Feng Night Market & Hanshin Arena
Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
Kaohsiung is a city that doesn’t really wake up until nighttime. The clocks in Kaohsiung go back to normal as soon as the heat subsides. There are certain places where people gather. In particular, Rui Feng Night Market and Hanshin Arena at Kaohsiung Arena Station are hot spots in Kaohsiung. Rui Feng Night Market is a favorite among locals and is often packed. A variety of restaurants rub shoulders in the narrow alleyways, serving up hot pot, tang fu, fried noodles, chicken, and more.
If you want to dine in a cleaner environment, head to Hanshin Arena (a department store). The Japanese department store brand has many Japanese restaurants, including Din Tai Fung, which is famous for its dim sum.
8. Formosa Boulevard Station
Full-Day Private Guided Tour in Kaohsiung Port Shore
Formosa Boulevard Station is so colorful and beautiful that some Taiwanese travelers come to this MRT station just to see it. It was named the second most beautiful subway station in the world by BootsnAll, an American travel website.
The beautiful colorful expressive sculpture, known as the Dome of Light, was created by Italian artist Narcisse Quagliata over the course of four years. The station is also historically significant and is commemorated as a symbol of Taiwan’s democracy movement.
9. Cijin Island
Kaohsiung: Experience the Riverside
A fishing village and resort close to the city center, this small sandy island with a total length of about 11 kilometers attracts travelers with its accessibility and amenities
Getting to Cijin Island, a small island in Kaohsiung, is a treat in itself. It’s a 10-minute ferry ride from Kushan Ferry Terminal to Qijin Island, and the scenery is so breathtaking that you’ll wish you hadn’t arrived so soon.
In addition to the colorful rainbow church, one of Chijin’s must-see hot spots, there are many other sculptures that will stop you in your tracks, including a photo zone that resembles Santorini and a conch shell sculpture. Chijin is also a mecca for surfing, with easy access, deep water, and a large area of ocean that makes it easy to come and surf on the weekends.
10. Liuqiu Island
Private Tour Siao Liuchiu-Coral Island From Kaohsiung
If you’re traveling to Kaohsiung with the theme of “relaxation” and “the sea,” you can’t miss Liuqiu District. It’s a small island located in the southern part of Taiwan.
It is a coral island, which is why it has an emerald sea color. It’s also known as “Turtle Island” because of the large number of turtles that live around it.
Vase Rock
Vase Rock is the iconic landscape of Liuqiu. The wind and waves have carved the coral rocks into the shape of a vase, hence the name. Locals call it “Hua Ping Yen” (花石).
It’s so close to the Liuqiu Ferry Terminal that it’s a good place to start your drive. This is also one of the best snorkeling spots in Liuqiu District. The surrounding coral environment is very good and the waves are relatively mild. It’s also a favorite spot for turtles.
Beauty Cave & Wild Boar Trench Trail
For those who like trekking, Miyindong Scenic Area is located in the northwest of Liuqiu District. To enter the Beauty Cave, you’ll need an entrance ticket, which costs about 4,000 won. This ticket also gives you access to other trekking trails, such as the Wild Bore Trench Trail, so it is recommended that you purchase it in advance in Miyindong.The landscape is a tangle of tree roots intertwined with various rock formations. The trekking course is longer than you might think. It is recommended to grab something to drink at the shop in front of Miyindong Scenic Area.
Black Devil Cave
The southwestern part of Liuqiu is dominated by limestone caves. Despite its somewhat intimidating name, Black Devil Cave is a serene and peaceful place. The cave was a hiding place for local residents to escape the Dutch invading Liuqiu hundreds of years ago.
The name comes from the fact that the black slaves of the Dutch who had traveled with them during the invasion were found hiding in the cave by the locals, who called them “black types” when they saw them for the first time. Compared to the north of the island, the south is less populated. You can fully experience the tranquil waters of Liuqiu.
