【高雄】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.
getting 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!
| WHAT TO KNOW | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| LANGUAGE | Mandarin is the main language, but you’ll hear Taiwanese Hokkien too. English is hit or miss — bring your translater |
| CURRENCY | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) |
| TIPPING | Not expected, but a little at the hotel or tour guide tip is a nice gesture |
| SAFETY | Very safe. For emergencies: 110 (police), 119 (fire/ambulance). |
| WISH I KNEW BEFORE | You can’t use your EasyCard on the LRT line! 👀 |
👉🏼 View the full travel prep tips in my Taiwan Travel Guide
— includes SIM cards, plug types, and more!
best time to visit
Kaohsiung is tropical year-round, so you can expect to leave the heavy coat at home. ☀️
Winters are breezy and mild — perfect for sightseeing in a long sleeve or light jacket. Spring is lovely too, with warm temps and fewer weather surprises. Late winter through early spring is the best time to visit for the best weather!
Summer? Hot, humid, and intense. Great if you love sweating it out near the beach, but not for everyone. Expect to shower at least 3 times a day during the summer. Fall sounds dreamy, but beware — it’s typhoon season. We visited in November and got slammed with wild rain and wind thanks to a storm drifting up from the Philippines. So yeah, plan accordingly.
📌 PRO TIP
Check the typhoon tracker before booking if you’re visiting between July – November.
getting around
Kaohsiung’s LRT
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT)
Kaohsiung’s newly built transit. Great for sightseeing, and it’s like a scenic loop hitting Kaohsiung’s best spots — but sadly doesn’t take EasyCard.
Super clean and efficient way to get around the city. You can use EasyCard here.
Perfect for travelers coming from Taipei, Taichung, or other cities along the West Coast. Book your early tickets with Klook with some perks!
Kaohsiung has many YouBikes available for you to ride. Simply take out your EasyCard, tap it to unlock your bike, and enjoy exploring the city at your own pace.
tours you might like
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!
Aiyu Jelly (愛玉冰)
Light, citrusy, and jiggly — this jelly dessert is the ultimate refreshment, especially during hot days!
Dumplings in Chili Oil (紅油抄手)
Spicy, savory, and silky. Sichuan-style dumplings with a Taiwanese flair
Shaved Ice (刨冰)
Pile it high with toppings like taro (芋頭), tapioca (粉圓), and mung beans (綠豆).
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.
Tofu Pudding (豆花)
Silky, slightly sweet, and perfect after a hot day. Add syrup or peanuts
Black Wheel (黑輪)
Think Taiwanese oden — fish cakes and skewers simmered in a flavorful broth
Taiwanese Burrito (潤餅)
A savory breakfast wrap packed with veggies, pork, and a sprinkle of peanut powder
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!
DISCOVER MORE
ooking for a sleek, design-forward café in Kaohsiung? Oracle Coffee blends aesthetics with specialty drinks, from their rich Brown Sugar Coffee Latte to a fragrant Earl Grey Milk Tea.