【高雄市】Kaohsiung City Guide
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Seafood lovers, sunshine chasers, and street art fans — this one’s for you.
Kaohsiung is where tropical vibes meet industrial-cool energy. It’s Taiwan’s second-largest city, but it feels more like a chill cousin to Taipei — with ocean breezes, open spaces, and a serious glow-up in recent years.
I actually lived in Kaohsiung for 2 years during elementary school (tiny me with a bowl cut 🍚), so coming back as an adult felt like time-travel. The city’s transformed: sleek, creative, full of art, yet still rooted in its salty-sweet charm. Walking through Pier-2 Art Center or eating papaya milk at a night market hits different when you’ve got childhood flashbacks on every corner.
Whether you’re planning a 1 - 3 day stop or thinking of a deeper dive, this city’s gonna surprise you.
In this guide, I’ll show you some can’t-miss eats, what to do, how to get around, and where to stay.
get to know Kaohsiung
From ancient roots to industrial boomtown, this city’s had a glow-up like no other.
Kaohsiung’s story starts waaay back — like 6,000 years ago — when early human settlements were found in the surrounding hills, harbor, and area. But the city as we know it really began with Taiwan’s Indigenous people.
Originally called Takau (also spelled Takow or Takao), the name comes from the Makatao and Siraya tribes, Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples. In their language, Takau meant “bamboo forest.” When Ming Dynasty explorers arrived, they interpreted it as 大狗嶼 (“big dog islet”), which… is definitely not the same meaning. 😂
🚢 A quick timeline of Kaohsiung’s past
1624 – Dutch Colonial Era
After being pushed out of Penghu, the Dutch East India Company set up shop in southern Taiwan. Takau became a key fishing and trading port.
1630 – First Major Han Chinese Migration
Merchants from Fujian fled famine and political chaos in China, either negotiating with the Dutch or hiding in Indigenous villages.
1684 – Qing Dynasty Takes Over
Taiwan is annexed and the area is renamed Fongshan County (鳳山縣). The harbor continues to grow in importance.
1895 – Japanese Colonial Period Begins
Taiwan is ceded to Japan. In the 1920s, the 8th Governor-General Den Kenjirō renamed the city 高雄市 (Takao-shi in Japanese), preserving the Indigenous name but giving it a new urban identity.
Under Japanese rule, Kaohsiung exploded into an industrial powerhouse:
🛤️ Railroads
⚓ Shipyards
🏭 Refineries and cement factories
… all centered around the harbor.
WWII – Destruction & Rebirth
Kaohsiung became a major base for Japan’s military campaigns in Southeast Asia. It was heavily bombed in 1944 – 1945 by U.S. forces, especially around the port area.
1945 Onward – Modern Kaohsiung
After Japan’s surrender, Taiwan was handed over to the Republic of China. Kaohsiung rebuilt fast—its harbor bouncing back stronger than ever.
Today, Kaohsiung has transformed from a major port city into one of Taiwan’s most creative and laid-back destinations — home to the energetic Pier-2 Art Center, busy night markets, and a growing arts and indie scene set against a backdrop of beaches, mountains, and lotus ponds.
Kaohsiung City map
know before you go!
🗣️ LANGUAGE | Mandarin is most common, but you’ll definitely hear Taiwanese Hokkien around town. English varies — translation apps will save you more than once.
💰 CURRENCY | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). Cash is still super useful, especially at night markets and smaller spots.
💸 TIPPING | Not expected. Some hotels, restaurants, or guided tours appreciate a small tip, but it’s never required.
🚨 SAFETY | Very safe city overall
📞 EMERGENCY CONTACTS | Police: 110 | Fire/Ambulance: 119
best time to visit
BEST OVERALL: Late winter to spring (Feb–Apr)
PEAK SEASON: November - April
🌧️ TYPHOON WATCH: Summer to fall (July - November)
Fall (October – November)
Still warm, but typhoon season can roll in. Weather can flip pretty quickly, so keep plans flexible.
Winter (December – February)
The best time to visit! Mild, a little breezy, and honestly kinda perfect. Light jacket weather — great for exploring without melting.
Spring (March – April)
Warm, comfortable, fewer weather surprises. Probably the perfect time if you want sunshine without the extreme humidity.
Summer (May – September)
Hot, humid, sweaty. Beach vibes are great, city exploring… less fun unless you love tropical heat. Beware of showering at least 3-4 times a day due to the humidity!
getting around
Kaohsiung’s LRT
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Kaohsiung’s newest Light Rail loop is honestly one of the nicest ways to explore the city. It stops near every major attraction, waterfront areas, and art districts — perfect for casual sightseeing. You can tap in with an EasyCard or iPASS, so getting around is super easy.
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Fast, clean, air-conditioned transit. This is your best way to move efficiently across the city without breaking the bank, and great news, EasyCard and iPass works here as well!
YouBike
Kaohsiung is surprisingly bike-friendly. Grab a YouBike with your EasyCard and cruise along the harbor, parks, or city streets at your own pace — super fun and budget-friendly.
Kaohsiung tours you'll love
where to dine
— Iconic Bites in Kaohsiung —
Duck Rice (鴨肉飯)
A Kaohsiung classic—tender duck over fluffy rice, often with a savory drizzle
Seafood (海鮮)
Head to Cijin Island (旗津) for the freshest catch — think grilled squid, clams, and crab
Beef Noodles (牛肉麵)
A must-try soul-warming bowl of rich broth, tender beef, and chewy noodles!
Papaya Milk (木瓜牛奶)
My favorite drink when I was a kid! This creamy and sweet drink is blended with ripe papayas and cold milk. So nostalgic.
where to explore
where to stay
— Find Your Perfect Stay —
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Taiwan Tourism Administration: Kaohsiung City
Wikipedia: Kaohsiung
check out my Taiwan travel vlog!
Last Updated: 02.06.2026
Sleek design. Serious coffee.
Oracle Coffee in Kaohsiung serves up stylish vibes and specialty drinks worth sipping.