Kaohsiung Travel Guide: Perfect 3-Day Itinerary, Top Spots & Best Food
Kaohsiung, the central city of southern Taiwan, is the country's second-largest city after Taipei. With its well-developed harbor and transportation system, it is an incredibly convenient destination for travelers. Packed with diverse attractions—from Buddhist temples and art districts to riverside promenades and night markets—you can enjoy a fulfilling trip even on a short schedule. In this guide, we have organized a perfect 3-day Kaohsiung itinerary, featuring must-visit tourist spots and popular local restaurants.
Kaohsiung Travel Itinerary: 2 Nights 3 Days
Kaohsiung offers various public transportation options, including MRT, Light Rail, buses, and ferries, making it easy to move between tourist sites.
Using a transportation card like iPass allows for easy transfers and convenient schedule management.
For a 3-day itinerary, it is best to group attractions by region to minimize travel time.
- Day 1: The Pier-2 Art Center, Lotus Pond & Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Love River Night View
- Day 2: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Cijin Island Cycling, Liuhe Night Market
- Day 3: 85 Sky Tower Observation Deck, Chengcing Lake, Cafes & Shopping
Dividing your schedule this way reduces daily travel distance, allowing you to minimize unnecessary transit time.
Must-Visit Attractions in Kaohsiung
The Pier-2 Art Center
The Pier-2 Art Center is a cultural space created by renovating old warehouses at Kaohsiung Port, filling the streets with murals and sculptures. It is a great place to stroll around, featuring cafes, galleries, and small exhibition halls. On weekends, flea markets and performances are often held, offering plenty of sights to see if you time your visit right.
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| The Pier-2 Art Center |
Lotus Pond and Dragon & Tiger Pagodas
Lotus Pond is a large lake located in northern Kaohsiung, surrounded by traditional temples and pagodas. The most famous landmark is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas; tradition says that entering through the dragon's mouth and exiting through the tiger's mouth brings good fortune. You can walk along the lakeside promenade or rent a bicycle to explore. It is especially beautiful in the evening with the sunset and night lights.
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| Dragon and Tiger Pagodas |
Love River (Ai He)
Love River flows through downtown Kaohsiung and is known as a prime spot for night views. In the evening, the riverside walkway lights up, and you can take a cruise to enjoy the city's atmosphere. There are many cafes and restaurants nearby, making it perfect for enjoying dinner with a view.
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| Love River |
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Fo Guang Shan is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, where a giant Buddha statue greets you from the entrance. Inside the complex, there is a Buddhist museum and memorial hall, offering not only religious significance but also a cultural experience. The scale is massive enough to spend a whole day here, and it is a popular destination for group tourists as well.
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| Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum |
Liuhe Night Market
Liuhe is Kaohsiung's representative night market, where you can taste various street foods such as seafood, skewers, and tropical fruits. It is especially famous for mango shaved ice, oyster omelets, and shrimp dishes. In the evening, it is bustling with locals and tourists alike. It is a place well worth visiting at least one evening during your trip.
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| Liuhe Night Market |
85 Sky Tower Observation Deck
As a landmark of Kaohsiung, going up to the observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city and the harbor. It is particularly popular to visit around sunset to enjoy both the night view and the sunset together. The building also houses a hotel and shops, making it convenient for travelers.
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| 85 Sky Tower Observation Deck |
Formosa Boulevard Station
Formosa Boulevard Station is a transfer station for the Kaohsiung MRT and is considered one of the most beautiful subway stations in the world. The massive stained glass ceiling in the central hall, known as the 'Dome of Light,' is famous, and many travelers visit just for photos. It is a great spot to stop by briefly while in transit.
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| Formosa Boulevard Station |
Longshan Temple
Kaohsiung's Longshan Temple is a Buddhist temple similar to the famous Longshan Temple in Taipei, frequently visited by locals for prayers. Although not very large, it features traditional architectural styles and ornate decorations. It is nice to explore the surrounding market and alleys along with the temple.
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| Longshan Temple |
Popular Restaurants in Kaohsiung
Here are some restaurants that were satisfying during the Kaohsiung trip.
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| Kaohsiung Food |
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Lao Sichuan Ba Shu Mala Tang (Old Sichuan)
Highly recommended if you love spicy food. Their numbing Mala Tang and hot pot are the signature dishes, and it is well-known locally as a top spot for spicy cuisine.
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Old Chuan's Pot Sticker & Steamed Dumpling House (川老頭鍋貼與蒸餃) A dumpling specialty shop located near Formosa Boulevard Station. Their juicy steamed dumplings are the signature menu item. With a diverse menu and reasonable prices, it is a great value-for-money spot popular among both locals and tourists.
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Chun Shui Tang (春水堂)
The cafe famous as the origin of bubble tea, with branches all over Taiwan. In Kaohsiung, you can also taste traditional milk tea and various tea drinks, making it a perfect spot to visit for a rest during your trip.
Kaohsiung Travel Tips
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Transportation Card: iPass vs EasyCard
There are two main transportation cards in Taiwan: EasyCard and iPass. EasyCard is mainly used in Taipei, while iPass is more widely used in southern regions including Kaohsiung. Both cards are compatible nationwide, but in Kaohsiung, iPass offers more charging stations and benefits (e.g., transport + admission discounts), making it more useful. Therefore, if your trip centers around Kaohsiung, iPass is recommended.
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Getting Around
Kaohsiung's MRT and Light Rail have simple routes and clear signage, making them easy for travelers to use. However, bus routes can be complex and intervals between buses can be long, so it is advisable to use the real-time features of Google Maps.
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Night Markets
Liuhe Night Market attracts many tourists, so prices can be slightly higher. If you want to experience a local vibe, Ruifeng Night Market is also recommended. It is larger, offers a wider variety of menus, and is more frequented by locals.
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Weather and UV
As a southern city, Kaohsiung has strong sunlight all year round. In summer, going out during midday can be overwhelming, so it is better to schedule sightseeing for the morning or evening. A hat and sunscreen are essential items to pack.
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Local Payment
While large stores and restaurants accept cards, night markets, local eateries, and buses often only accept cash. It is convenient to prepare small bills like 100 TWD (approx. $3 USD) and 50 TWD (approx. $1.5 USD) and coins.
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Dining Tips
Popular local restaurants can have long queues during peak breakfast and dinner times. Google Maps reviews sometimes show "less busy times," so checking this can help reduce waiting time.
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Connecting with Tainan Kaohsiung is a hub for travel in southern Taiwan, and you can reach Tainan in about 30 minutes using the High Speed Rail (HSR). If you have spare time in your schedule, exploring Tainan together is a great choice.
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en.gybelife.comRecommended Accommodation Areas in Kaohsiung
- Around Xinzuoying Station (New Zuoying)
- A transport hub connecting High Speed Rail (HSR), Train (TRA), and MRT.
- Convenient for arrival/departure and for reaching outlying attractions like Fo Guang Shan and Lotus Pond.
- Con: Slightly far from downtown spots like night markets and the riverside.
- Around Formosa Boulevard Station
- Extremely convenient transport as it is an interchange for two MRT lines.
- Within walking distance to Liuhe Night Market, close to city attractions, and abundant food options.
- The most popular area for accommodation among independent travelers in Kaohsiung.
- Around Hamasen & The Pier-2 Art Center (Yanchengpu)
- Suitable for an artistic vibe, with many cafes and restaurants.
- Good access to seaside and riverside attractions like Cijin Island and Love River.
- Con: MRT accessibility is slightly lower compared to Formosa Boulevard Station.
- Around Sanduo Shopping District Station
- A commercial center packed with department stores, shopping centers, and restaurants.
- Close to modern attractions like 85 Sky Tower and Dream Mall.
- Recommended for travelers who prioritize shopping.
Kaohsiung is a destination you can fully enjoy even on a short schedule. From iconic landmarks like The Pier-2 Art Center and Lotus Pond to historical sites like Fo Guang Shan, you can encounter diverse history and culture. The joy of eating at Liuhe Night Market and local restaurants adds to the experience. We hope this guide helps with your travel planning, and wish you a wonderful time in Kaohsiung.
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