Kaohsiung (高雄): Taiwan's Southern Port City, Planned for First-Timers

What kind of city Kaohsiung is

Kaohsiung (高雄) is one of Taiwan's largest cities and its main southern port. The weather is warmer than in the north, and former harbour districts have been turned into art spaces and parks, which makes it easier to enjoy than many first-timers expect. The city is more spread out than Tainan, so plan by zone and MRT station.

Getting to Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) has its own Red Line MRT station. Direct flights from Thailand exist at times, so check the airlines for current routes and days. If you arrive by THSR from Taipei or Tainan, you stop at Zuoying station (左營), which connects to the Red Line MRT, or you can take a Taiwan Railway (TR) train to Kaohsiung Station in the city centre.

• From the airport: ride the Red Line MRT straight into the city.
• From THSR Zuoying: change to the Red Line at the same station.
• Key interchange: Formosa Boulevard station (美麗島) joins the Red and Orange lines.

Getting around

Kaohsiung MRT has two main lines, Red and Orange, while the Circular Light Rail (環狀輕軌) serves the harbour area and Pier-2. EasyCard and iPASS both work, but check routes and latest times in the app or on station signs. For places the MRT does not reach, such as Fo Guang Shan, use buses or shuttles listed by official sources.

Main sights

When planning, pair sights along the MRT lines: Pier-2 and Cijin Island sit on the harbour side, Lotus Pond and Fo Guang Shan lie to the north, and the Love River and Liuhe market are in the centre. Grouping them this way cuts transit time and keeps each day from feeling crammed.

The night markets most visitors pick are Liuhe (六合夜市), near Formosa Boulevard station, and Ruifeng (瑞豐夜市), near Kaohsiung Arena station (巨蛋). Check opening days and hours in Google Maps, because some do not open every night.

A 2 to 3 day outline

1. 1Day 1: harbour and Pier-2Spend the afternoon at Pier-2 and ride the light rail, then take the ferry to Cijin for sunset.
2. 2Day 2: lake and templesMorning at Lotus Pond and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, afternoon at Fo Guang Shan if time allows, dinner at Liuhe.
3. 3Day 3 (optional): river and RuifengWalk the Love River, pass Formosa Boulevard station and end at Ruifeng night market.

Food and evenings

Kaohsiung is known for fresh seafood, street snacks and plenty of bubble tea shops. The city comes alive in the evening, especially along the Love River, at the night markets and on the seafood street of Cijin Island.

• Cijin's seafood street suits dinner after a walk on the beach.
• Night markets often take only cash or EasyCard, so carry enough cash and check prices on the stall signs.
• Popular shops can have long queues; use Google Maps reviews to choose and to check the latest closing days.

Practical tips

• Seasons: Kaohsiung is warm most of the year, and typhoon season runs roughly June to October; check the Central Weather Administration before you go.
• Cijin ferry times and service can change, so check the ferry status before you go, especially in strong wind.
• Fo Guang Shan is a religious site, so dress modestly and follow the monastery's rules.
• Offline maps help when you walk from an MRT station to a spot with few signs.

Staying connected and finding your way

In Kaohsiung you will use Google Maps, LINE and the THSR and TR apps constantly. Install an eSIM before you fly, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line and keep your Thai SIM active for OTP messages. For wider SIM planning read “Taiwan Trip Prep: First-Time Checklist and Choosing a SIM or eSIM”.

See Taiwan eSIM plans

Frequently asked questions