by Home to the country’s largest port, Kaohsiung City located in the South of Taiwan is a quiet and laidback destination perfect for people looking for uncrowded destination to explore in Taiwan. While it is nicknamed the “Port City” or the “Harbor City,” you’ll be amazed by how much you can do in this city.
As such, some of the things you can do in Kaohsiung includes: (1) splurging on street foods at night markets, (2) bike around the Cijin Island, (3) check out amazing Buddhist temples, or (4) go on a romantic Gondola ride at Love River which is located in the center like its beating heart.
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KAOHSIUNG TAIWAN PRE-TRAVEL GUIDE
How to Get to Kaohsiung?
OPTION 1: From Manila, you can book a flight directly to Kaohsiung via Cebu Pacific Air. Upon arriving at Kaohsiung airport, head to the MRT station which is connected to the airport. Just download the MRT map to navigate your way to your hotel.
BOOK FLIGHTS FROM MANILA TO KAOHSIUNG HERE
OPTION 2: If you are coming from Taipei, the fastest and most convenient way to get here is via the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR). You can book it on Klook for a cheaper rate.
BOOK THSR FROM TAIPEI TO KAOHSIUNG HERE
OPTION 3: If you are coming from Chiayi, the best way is through the local train. It’s a bit hassle to use the THSR from Chiayi to Kaohsiung because the Chiayi THSR station is very far from city center. Which is very inconvenient to travel to the Chiayi THSR station, not unless your hostel is near the THSR. But since most tourist spots are near the city center, your accommodation will probably be in the city too. So if that is the case, better use the local train instead of the THSR if you are coming from Chiayi. The travel time is about 1.5 hours and the fare us NTD220 via the local train.
Where to Stay in Kaohsiung?
Here are a few recommended accommodations depending on your budget and preference. I personally suggest any hotel near Kaohsiung MRT station or Love River and Liuhe Night Market.
BOOK ROOMS AT SKYONE HOTEL FOR PHP1,364 GOOD FOR 2 PAX – near Liuhe Night Market and Love River
BOOK ROOMS AT THE TREE HOUSE FOR PHP2,015 GOOD FOR 2 PAX – near Love River and Liuhe Night Market
BOOK ROOMS AT KINDNESS HOTEL FOR PHP4,230 GOOD FOR 2 PAX – near the Kaohsiung MRT Station
Where to Eat in Kaohsiung?
Going local is the best option if you want to experience Taiwan’s culture. Eating at night markets is always the best in Taiwan! For instance, you can try Liuhe Night Market and Ruifeng Night Market in Kaohsiung. I highly recommend trying out Taiwanese sausage in sticky rice. You can find this in night markets too.
Another must try is the shaved ice delicacy at Gao Xiong Po Po. You can see a lot of stalls selling shaved ice in Kaohsiung because it is quite famous here. But if you are looking for a long-established shop that has been in the market since 1934, this is the place to be! This is near the Formosa MRT station. You can also drop by at Gao Xiong Po Po if you are going to Pier 2 Art Center.
How to Get Around Kaohsiung?
The best way to get around Kaohsiung is through the MRT and public buses. For DIY travelers, just download Google Maps and use this to navigate your way. It will show the step by step guide on which MRT line or bus number to take. If you will take the bus, the minimum bus fare is NT12 and take note to pay the exact amount because buses don’t give back changes.
If you are planning to stay in Kaohsiung for a few days, I highly recommend to book the Kaohsiung Fun Pass. It includes entrance to top popular attractions and unlimited subway and bus fare.
BOOK DISCOUNTED KAOHSIUNG FUN PASS CARD HERE
Sample 3 Days Kaohsiung DIY Itinerary & Budget
I spent 4 days immersing myself in this lovely city, visiting only 1-2 destinations per day. But if you only have few days in Kaohsiung, 2-3 days is actually doable. The budget here is also relatively cheaper compared to Taipei. Night markets are way cheaper too!
If you will follow this itinerary, then make sure to book the Kaohsiung Fun Pass Card because this is what I used in this itinerary. You can choose to book 1, 2 or 3 days for this card.
BOOK DISCOUNTED KAOHSIUNG FUN PASS CARD HERE – unlimited MRT and bus rides, entrance to top attractions in Kaohsiung, includes free souvenir, etc.
Day 1: Lotus Pond, Suzuka Circuit Park, Love River Gondola, Ruifeng Night Market
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | HOW TO GET THERE: | EXPENSES: |
| 8AM | Kaohsiung Airport to Hotel | Ride the MRT line to Kaohsiung main MRT station (red line) and redeem the 3 day Funpass Card at the MRT station. | 3 Days Funpass Card: Php2,700.00 |
| 11AM | Lunch near the hotel, early check in | NT200/PHP380.00 | |
| 1-4PM | Lotus Pond, Dragon & Tiger Pagodas | From Kaohsiung MRT station, ride bus # 301 and stop at Zuoying Market then walk towards the Lotus Pond | Free entrance; use Funpass Card for bus fare |
| 4:30-6:30PM | Suzuka Circuit Park | Follow this route | Entrance and activity included in Funpass card; use Funpass for bus and MRT fare |
| 7PM | Love River Gondola | From Suzuka Circuit Park, take the red line MRT to Central Park then walk to Love River Gondola | Gondola ride included in Funpass card |
| 8:30PM | Ruifeng Night Market | From Central Park station, ride the red line MRT to Kaohsiung Arena then walk towards Ruifeng Night Market | NTD300/PHP570 dinner |
| 10PM | Back at hotel, rest |
Day 2: Dome of Light, Gao Xiong Po Po, Pier 2 Art Center, Liuhe Night Market, Sunfong Temple
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | HOW TO GET THERE: | EXPENSES: |
| 9AM | Dome of Light – world’s largest glass art installation. There is a light show projected on the floor every 3PM | Ride the MRT red line to Formosa Station using Funpass Card | Free entrance |
| 10AM | Gao Xiong Po Po – try the shaved ice delicacy | From Formosa Station, ride the orange line to Yanchengpu Station and take the exit 2 then walk to Gao Xiong Po Po. | Signature Combo – NTD80/PHP152.00 |
| 11AM | Lunch at a nearby restaurant | NTD200/PHP380.00 | |
| 1-3PM | Pier 2 Art Center | Walk from Gao Xiong Po Po to Pier 2 Art Center. Redeem the free souvenir, just present your Kaohsiung Funpass card. | Free entrance |
| 3PM | Great Harbour Bridge | Just beside the Pier 2 Art Center | Free entrance |
| 4PM | Kaohsiug Music Center | Walk from Great Harbour Bridge | Entrance included in Kaohsiung Funpass Card |
| 6PM | Liuhe Night Market | Ride a bus # 60 from Pier 2 Art Center to Liuhe Night Market | Fare included in Kaohsiung Funpass; NTD300/PHP570 dinner |
| 8PM | Sunfong Temple | Walk from Liuhe Night Market to Sunfong Temple | Free entrance |
| 9PM | Back to hotel |
Day 3: Cijin Island
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | HOW TO GET THERE: | EXPENSES: |
| 6AM | Breakfast | NTD200/PHP380.00 | |
| 7AM | ETD to Cijin Island | From Kaohsiung MRT station, ride the red line to Formosa Station. Transfer to orange line to Hamazen station then walk to Gushan Ferry Station. | For MRT fares, use Funpass Card |
| 7:45AM | Ride the Gushan Ferry to Cijin Island (5-8 minutes ferry only) | NTD20/PHP38.00 | |
| 7:55AM | Rent a bike and cycle around the island | NTD150 bike rental/PHP285.00 | |
| 8-11AM | Explored Cijin Island | Lunch NTD200/PHP380.00 | |
| 12NN | Back at hotel, check out, proceed to TRA going to Chiayi, Taiwan |
The total expenses for 1 person for 3 days and 2 night excluding flights and hotels: PHP5,835.00. Note that the total budget will still depend on how much you are willing to spend for your food, hotel and flights.
Tips From Joan’s Footprints
- For discounted activities, accommodation, transfers, flights, you can book it all on Klook and use my code JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK to get a discount on top of cheap rates! I always compare the price of regular tickets and when I book it on Klook, the rates in Klook tuns out to be the cheapest.
- Please do bring lotion for bedbugs during summer season! This was my only regret because I got a lot of bites.
- Getting around DIY way is easy. Just download Google Maps to navigate your way. It will literally show the step by step guide to get to your destination.
- Kaohsiung Airport is quite small but convenient because the MRT is connected to the airport. There are buses and taxis outside the airport if you don’t plan on using the MRT.
- Maximize the use of Kaohsiung’s MRT system and use the Kaohsiung Funpass card for transportation.
| Help me improve my KAOHSIUNG DIY ITINERARY & BUDGET! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas. Drone shots by yours truly. Contact Us for paid promotions and link insertions. For proposals: email me at jpiann4@gmail.com |
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