27 Recommended Tourist Spots in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s Second Largest City!

"Kaohsiung," located in the southwestern part of Taiwan, is the country's second-largest city, following Taipei. In this article, we introduce 27 recommended tourist spots in Kaohsiung, ranging from famous landmarks to slightly more niche destinations.

Kaohsiung offers a wealth of sightseeing options, from the beautiful skyline and harbor views in the city center to the historical sites and natural wonders in the surrounding areas. There are direct flights from Japan, and the city also provides excellent access to Tainan, a food lover’s paradise. Kaohsiung has been gaining popularity among repeat visitors to Taiwan. Why not take a trip to this fascinating city full of attractions?

1. Love Boat (Love River)

The "Love River" is a symbol of Kaohsiung City. It is especially beautiful at night, when the city lights reflect on the water, creating a romantic atmosphere. Walking along the riverside while enjoying the neon reflections of the skyscrapers is a delightful experience. For those who want to further enjoy the beauty of Love River, we recommend taking the "Love Boat" cruise.

The Love Boat is an affordable sightseeing cruise that lasts about 20 minutes, allowing you to take in the views of Kaohsiung, including landmarks such as the 85 Sky Tower. Boats depart approximately every 25 minutes, so waiting times are short. If you visit during the Lunar New Year, you can also enjoy special fireworks events, making the river even more enchanting.

2. Heart of Love River

The "Heart of Love River" is a heart-shaped lake located around the middle part of the Love River. It’s one of the most romantic nightscape spots in Kaohsiung. The East Lake is shallower and serves as a habitat for fish and shrimp, while the West Lake is deeper and also serves as a flood control mechanism.

During the day, the park is ideal for walking or cycling, while at night, you can enjoy the beautifully illuminated bridges and picturesque views, perfect for photography.

3. Liuhe Tourist Night Market

The most famous night market in Kaohsiung is "Liuhe Tourist Night Market." Located just a short walk from KRT Formosa Boulevard Station, this night market is pedestrian-friendly with wide streets. Rows of tables are set up between the food stalls, allowing visitors to sit down and enjoy their meals. You can buy small portions from various stalls to sample different dishes.

One of the highlights of Liuhe Night Market is its abundance of seafood stalls, reflecting Kaohsiung's status as a port city. Oysters, squid, shrimp, and fish are prominently displayed at the stalls. We recommend trying the soup or noodles made with the local delicacy "milkfish", which is popular in Kaohsiung and Tainan.

There are also fresh juice stalls and steak shops for those who prefer hearty meals. It’s easy to order with just a point of your finger, making it a perfect stop for tourists to grab a quick bite. Besides food, the night market features nostalgic game stalls and shops selling various goods, offering plenty of entertainment for a fun-filled evening.

4. Lotus Pond

One of the most photogenic tourist spots in Kaohsiung is "Lotus Pond," an artificial lake about 1.4 kilometers long, located in the suburbs of Kaohsiung. The area is dotted with colorful, grandiose Chinese-style structures.

The most popular attraction is the striking Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, with their open mouths of a dragon and a tiger. Visitors are meant to enter through the dragon's mouth, representing good fortune, and exit through the tiger’s mouth, which is associated with warding off evil.

Other highlights include the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, with its impressive statue of Guanyin riding a dragon, and the massive statue of the North Pole Emperor. Walking around the entire lake can take a while, so if you plan to visit, focusing on these three spots is recommended. Since there is little shade, don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated during your visit in the summer.

5. Kaohsiung Music Center

On October 31, 2021, a groundbreaking facility opened in the Kaohsiung Bay Area: the Kaohsiung Pop Music Center. This center is dedicated to pop music, featuring a main concert hall with a capacity of 12,000 people, a smaller concert hall for 3,500 people, six live houses called "Whales," rehearsal rooms, and an exhibition hall named "Dolphins." There are also two office towers and a marine museum within the complex. A pedestrian bridge connects five restaurants, and the surrounding area includes parks and walking paths.

6. Sanduo Shopping District

The "Sanduo Shopping District" in Kaohsiung is a popular area among tourists where large department stores are gathered. Famous department stores such as Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Pacific SOGO, and Kaohsiung Far Eastern Department Store are located here. One of Kaohsiung’s major landmarks, the Kaohsiung 85 Sky Tower, is also in this area.

The Kaohsiung 85 Sky Tower is a unique structure with an open space in the middle, making it a prominent landmark in the city. From the observation deck on the 74th floor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kaohsiung.

Additionally, on the top floor of the Kaohsiung Far Eastern Department Store, you'll find the stylish select shop Eslite Bookstore, which is popular among Japanese tourists. It’s a great place to find souvenirs during your visit to Kaohsiung.

As you pass the Kaohsiung 85 Sky Tower and head towards the port, you'll come across the park featuring the "Star of the Sea" monument and the large, caterpillar-like structure of the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, another famous spot in Kaohsiung. While Liuhe Night Market is more well-known, we recommend checking out the "Xingzhong Tourist Night Market" in the Sanduo Shopping District. It has a smaller, more local feel, and serves some of the best Taiwanese street food.

7. Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is one of the three public art museums in Taiwan. It always features cutting-edge exhibitions, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers in Kaohsiung.

Like other art museums in Taiwan, the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts boasts a vast area. Since it is located in what was once the Neiweipi Wetland, the area surrounding the museum is now a park filled with tropical plants.

To reach the museum, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through this park from the nearest bus stop. Scattered throughout the park are various sculptures and art installations, so the walk itself becomes a delightful sightseeing experience. For those traveling with children, the Children's Museum of Art within the same grounds is also highly recommended.

From the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, you can head into the city to visit other attractions like the Kaohsiung New Hakka Cultural Park and the romantic Heart of Love River.

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27 Recommended Tourist Spots in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s Second Largest City!