23 Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung Taiwan for Solo Travellers

Many travellers may or may not know about Kaohsiung, the second-largest city in Taiwan. And if you have never been to Taiwan and are debating if you should include Kaohsiung in your solo trip, then the answer is absolutely yes!

Known as the largest port city in Taiwan, Kaohsiung has transformed from a primarily industrial city into a modern metropolis. It is located in the southern part of Taiwan but you can still visit the city via Taiwan High-Speed Railway. Plus, it is one of the best places to try Southern Taiwanese food.

I can’t say enough good things about Kaohsiung. It is one of the best cities in Taiwan for solo female travellers; the city is safe for women and there are plenty of things for to do in Kaohsiung for solo travellers. Keep reading, and I’ll show you all the best Kaohsiung attractions so you can plan the perfect itinerary.

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Kaohsiung Travel Tips for First-Time Solo Travellers

Before visiting Kaohsiung, take a look at my post on all the best tips for travelling to Taiwan. I included a lot of information, including information on getting a Taiwan prepaid SIM card, transportation around the country, and much more.

Here are a few quick tips for travelling to Kaohsiung:

• Kaohsiung is a safe city for solo female travellers.
• Rent a bicycle and explore various bike routes in Kaohsiung. The city built many bike paths as part of its infrastructure and has a bike share program where it is inexpensive to rent a bicycle. In fact, cycling in Taiwan is very popular!
• Plan your visit to Kaohsiung with the following festivals and events:
  • Festival of Light at Fo Guang Shan (late January to early February) – make a light offering and see lanterns at the monastery for the entire month.
  • Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival (February to July) – see concerts and exhibits throughout the city.
  • Mid-Autumn Festival (September) – eat moon cakes and see floating lanterns and fireworks.

How to get to Kaohsiung Taiwan

Plane

Many domestic and international flights fly directly into Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH). You can easily get to the city using the efficient Kaohsiung Metro. Subway fare will vary depending on which part of the city you are going to.

Train

If you are already in Taiwan, you can take the Taiwan High-Speed Railway (HSR) to Kaohsiung. The HSR runs between Taipei and Kaohsiung and is the fastest way to get there from the capital city.

Alternatively, you can take the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), the regular train from anywhere in Taiwan to Kaohsiung. This is a more economical option but slower.

How to get around Kaohsiung City on your own

Walking is the best way to see individual neighbourhoods in Kaohsiung.

But if you want to get around the city easily, consider taking the public transportation system.

Kaohsiung Metro (MRT) is an easy-to-use and straightforward metro system. Two major subway lines, one running north to south and the other east to west, intersect at Formosa Boulevard Station. As mentioned, the subway system connects Kaohsiung International Airport to the city centre.

Light-Rail Transit (LRT) line runs on the ground in a clockwise and anti-clockwise loop. It connects places like the Harbour, Pier-2 Art Centre, and Dream Mall.

Kaohsiung Bus is also an option when MRT and LRT do not reach the places you want to go. A single journey only costs NT$12. Tap your EasyCard or iPass when you get on and when you alight.

Make sure to purchase an EasyCard or an iPass so you can take public transportation around Kaohsiung. These rechargeable cards can also be used for most public transportation in Taiwan.

Also consider setting up a Youbike account while you are in Taiwan. YouBike is a point-to-point electronic bike-sharing program popular in many Taiwanese cities, including Kaohsiung. It is a fun way to get around the city. You can rent a regular bike or electric bike at one location and drop it off at another location for NT$10-20 per half hour.

23 Things to Do in Kaohsiung for Solo Travellers

Whether planning for three weeks or only a week in Taiwan, you must include Kaohsiung in your itinerary, especially if you like to see important cultural monuments, contemporary artwork and installations and sample delicious Southern Taiwanese food.

So, in no particular order, here is my list of the best things for independent solo travellers to do in Kaoshiung.

1. Reverse your fortune at The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are located at the west side of Lotus Lake and is one of the most unique things you will ever see in Kaohsiung.

After walking through the zig-zag walkway, you can enter either pagoda and see the interior, decorated with colourful paintings of Buddhist and Taoist characters. Then climb up to the top of the seven-story pagoda and see an aerial view of the Lotus Pond.

But the most exciting part of the pagodas is the dragon and tiger motif on the outside. The dragon represents strength and power, and the tiger represents righteousness and harmony. Legend has it that you can reverse your fortune or have more luck by running straight into the dragon’s mouth and out of the tiger’s mouth. It’s worth a try, right?

As of 2024, the exterior is under construction but you can still go inside. Still worth checking out.

2. See other whimsical and colourful temples around Lotus Lake

Besides The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, there are several other quirky Buddhist temples and monuments surround the artificial lake. Either walk around the lake or rent a Youbike bicycle and see these fun temples:

• Spring and Autumn Pavilions – the Taoist temple has two Chinese palace-style pavilions, a Guanyin statue (the Goddess of Mercy) and two religious characters on the dragon.
• Wuliting – keep walking further from the Spring and Autumn Pavilions to see the pagoda further in the lake.
• Yuandi Temple – a temple with a giant Buddhist statue at the end of the long walkway.
• Kaohsiung Confucius Temple – the new Confucius Temple was rebuilt in 1977 and relocated to the northeast corner of the Lotus Pond. It became the largest Confucian Temple in Taiwan.

3. Enjoy the Old Fongshan City Wall Historic Route

The Old Fongshan City (or the Old City of Zuoying) was a walled city built during the Qing Period (1683-1895). Today, you can see the fortified city by walking on the modern 770m long Old Fongshan City Wall Historic Route.

Start at the East Gate (Fengyi Gate) and see the intact gate from the past. Then walk on the newly constructed raised path that passes through Turtle Mountain, then finish at the North Gate.

Along the way, you can visit The Centre of Old Fongshan City History to learn more about this history and see exhibit with interactive installations and hike up Turtle Mountain (the summit or the small hill closer to the Lotus Lake) and see a view of the artificial lake.

4. The British Consulate at Takow

The British Consulate at Takow, also known as the Former British Consulate Residence at Takow, is located at the top of Mt. Shaochuantou in the Gushan District. It was constructed in 1879 and it is the first British government built in Taiwan.

I highly recommend visiting the consulate by hiking up Mt. Shaochuantou from the east side and see the Mt. Shaochuntou Bunker first. Then walk up the consulate and see the red brick building.

There is a small museum with displays in Chinese, a restaurant serving traditional British high tea and a cafe at the back. But the most impressive highlight has to be the panoramic view of Kaohsiung, Cijin Island, and the coast of Siziwan Bay.

Then walk down the scenic historic trail to the ground level and see another building that is also part of the consulate.

If you want visit the best spot for sunset in Kaohsiung, walk towards and through the Xiongzhen North Gate and walk towards Sizihwan Lookout.

5. Bike or take a river cruise around Love River

Love River runs from the northwest of the city to the Port of Kaohsiung. Along the 15km river, you will find long pedestrian walkways with greenery, public artworks, numerous cafes, and riverside parks. At night, the lighting around the river bridge is quite romantic.

The Love River is considered to be the spine of Kaohsiung. One of the best ways to see it is by renting a Youbike bicycle and bike the entire length. There are extensive bicycle trails around the river.

But if you a view from a different perspective, you can enjoy the river by going on the Love River Cruise or a Gondola Boat ride.

6. See the world’s largest glass art installation, Dome of the Light

Don’t miss one of the prettiest subway stations while you are in Kaohsiung. When you take the subway to Formosa Boulevard Station, look for thelarge light installation at the centre of the station in the B1 underground level.

It is the world’s largest glass art installation, with a diameter of 30 meters and over 4,500 glass panels. Built by the Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, the Dome of the Light is themed around love and tolerance and represents the birth of democracy in Taiwan.

Walk around the light installation and take photos and watch the 15-minute light show.

7. Wander around Glory Pier and Love Pier

Located at the east bank of the Love River is Glory Pier. It was once called Pier 13 and was an essential point for homeland security and transporting troops. Today, you will only see the modern landscape including the Whale Promenade, a 500m pedestrian walkway with six independent modern buildings that resemble a pod of whales.

Continue around the harbour, you will eventually reach Love Pier which is next to Kaohsiung Music Center. The pedestrian path continues to Dayi Warehouses and Pier-2 Art Centre. The walk is quite nice, especially during the evening. Many locals use this walkway as a jogging path.

8. Visit one of several Kaohsiung Temples

Kaohsiung has over 1400 temples and they are dedicated to numerous gods or are associated with folk heroes and animals. But you don’t need to see them all; I found a handful that you might be interested in seeing:

• Sanfong Temple – temple in the city centre with many red lanterns. It is probably most Instagrammable temple in Kaohsiung.
• Wenwu Temple – a traditional Taiwanese temple in Yangcheng District. Visit any time but it is beautiful at night.
• Yuan Heng Temple – see the giant temple on the edge of Mt Shoushan in Gushan District. It is a bit of a climb but you get a good view of the city (and maybe even see a monkey or two).
• Kaohsiung Guandi Temple – located in Lingya District, the 300-year-old temple with a giant entrance gate and large statues, is worth a visit. Also excellent food stalls and market in front of the temple.

9. Indulge in all things creative at Pier-2 Art Centre

The strip along the pier of the abandoned warehouse has been transformed into a modern art space with galleries, restaurants, and retail stores. The area has been fully rejuvenated by the efforts of local Taiwanese artists, who wanted to build a creative space for people to enjoy. Today, Pier-2 Art Centre is the artistic centre in southern Taiwan.

Massive murals cover the area’s warehouses, and art installations are dotted around the harbour. Since the weather in Kaohsiung is relatively mild, people can enjoy all the outdoor spaces in this area.

Beyond Pier-2 Art Centre, there are other refurbished warehouses that promote art and tourism within the area. Look for Dayi Warehouse (east of Pier-2), Kaohsiung Port Depot (across the Great Harbour Bridge) and Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 (south of Pier-2).

10. See art murals around Kaohsiung

From small urban art to large-scale art murals that span several stories tall, you can find many types of street art all over Kaohsiung. If you want to discover local graffiti in the city, visit one or all of these places:

• WeiWu Mi Mi Village – Taiwan’s first street art village located in the east end of the city. There are several blocks of residential buildings with large murals covering the exterior.
• Pier-2 Art Centre – there are art murals within the Pier-2 area and some in the surrounding area as well.
• Dagou Ding Old Street – one of Yancheng’s oldest covered streets with many food vendors. And it has a retro mural.
• Between Gushan District Office LRT Station and Shoushan Park LRT Station – if you are on the LRT between these two stations, you can see murals covering the LRT corridor and residential buildings.

11. See modern architecture around Kaohsiung

When you walk around Kaohsiung, you will notice many futuristic buildings and structures. Most of them are around the harbour and they were added in the past couple of years. And there’s one in the Fengshan District if you happen to be wandering around the area.

These are some of the modern buildings in Kaohsiung you should check out:

• Kaohsiung Music Center – the two buildings have a wave design element and coral reef
• Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal – the building resembles a silver ship hull with a giant chimney or a whale
• Kaohsiung Exhibition Center – the steel and glass building is the first “smart” multi-functional exhibition hall with state-of-the-art technology in Taiwan
• Great Harbour Bridge – Taiwan’s first horizontally rotating landscape bridge; it looks like a dolphin and seashell
• Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts – a futuristic cultural facility and the world’s largest performing art theatre

12. Visit one of many museums in Kaohsiung

There are several interesting museums and exhibition places around Kaohsiung where you can learn more about local art, history and other fun facts about Kaohsiung. Here are a few to check out:

• Fongyi Academy (10:30am-5:30pm closed Mondays; NT$66) – learn about the history of a former school from the Qing Dynasty. See lecture halls, student dormitory and worship halls and many whimsical models depicting skills people learn back in the 1890s.
• Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (9:30am-5:30pm closed Mondays: NT$90) – see over 2,700 permanent pieces showcasing Taiwanese fine arts, including Chinese calligraphy and sculptures in 18 galleries.
• Alien Art Centre (10am-6pm, closed Mondays; NT$120) – originally a hostel for the army, it is now a small modern art museum with an eclectic collection of thought-provoking art.
• Kaohsiung Hakka Cultural Museum (9am-5pm closed Sundays; free) – 14% of people living in Kaohsiung is of Hakka (southern Han Chinese) origin. This is the biggest museum dedicated to the Hakka Culture.

13. Shop in Kaohsiung

On a rainy day, you can visit one of Kaohsiung’s shopping districts or wander in a shopping mall and wait for the rain to stop. Here are some places to do some damage to your wallet:

• Sanduo Shopping District – there are several department stores, including Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Sogo and FE21’ Mega Far Eastern Department Store.
• Shinkuchan Shopping District – an outdoor shopping district tailored for the young and opens late.
• Hanshin Arena Shopping Plaza – a large shopping mall with many high-end international brands.
• Talee Department Store – two buildings of shops, which include Muji, Don Don Donki and Tsutaya Bookstore.
• Dream Mall – large shopping centre next to Dream Mall LRT Station.
• SKM Park Outlets Kaohsiung Caoya – a shopping outlet mall with many good deals.

14. Try Kaohsiung Food

You can try many types of Taiwanese food when you are visiting Kaohsiung. But while you are in this southern city in Taiwan, look for some local specialities that you cannot find anywhere else. There is so much good food in Kaohsiung that I dedicated an entire post about what and where to eat in the city.

But if you are curious and want a preview, here are some Kaohsiung food you should try:

• Duck Rice – duck meat (and minced pork) over rice
• Minced Pork Rice – Taiwanese braised pork over rice
• Beef Noodles – Taiwanese beef noodles with or without soup
• Milkfish – a silvery marine fish used for soup and porridge
• Swordfish Ball Soup and Swordfish Tempura – clear soup with swordfish balls and deep-fried swordfish paste
• Tube Rice Pudding and Sticky Rice Dumpling – glutinous rice mixture steamed in bamboo tube and triangle-shaped dumpling made with glutinous rice
• Ginger Tomato – heirloom tomato wedges and ginger dipping sauce

15. Visit Kaohsiung night markets

Kaohsiung has many night markets scattered over the city. If you have limited time in Kaohsiung, visit one (or all) of these five night markets in Kaohsiung. Follow my post and find out exactly what you can eat at each of these night markets:

• Ruifeng Night Market – the biggest and most famous night market in Kaohsiung
• Liuhe Night Market – one of the oldest in Kaohsiung. It is centrally located, accessible by public transportation and pedestrian-friendly.
• Ziquang Night Market – popular night market with the locals
• Yanchengpu (Pier 2) Night Market – open Saturdays only
• Guanghua Night Market – try unique food like eel noodles and stewed pork ribs

16. Wander around Yancheng 1st Public Market 

Established in 1949, Yancheng 1st Public Market was once a thriving heritage market in Kaohsiung. It was rebuilt in 1975 and then refurbished again in 2022. Today, many vendors fill the alleyways selling meat, vegetables and cooked food.

Besides wandering around the updated market, visit Dagou Ding Old Street, which is north of the market and is one of Yancheng’s oldest covered alleys. It is famous for its traditional food stalls and wet market. There’s even a cool retro art mural.

And to the south of the market is Jue-Jiang Traditional Market. Old-school shops selling clothing, food, and all kinds of knick knack line both sides of the alleyway.

17. Drink bubble tea at Milk Tea Street

If you love Taiwanese milk tea, then you must visit Sinle Street in Yancheng District. This street is affectionately known as the Milk Tea Street because there are at least 12 milk tea shops on this 550m long street. Many tea shops sell all types of Taiwanese tea with or without tapioca.

I tried several and really liked Shuang Fei Milk Tea, a famous locally-owned tea shop. Different types of tea are steeped in barrels. They don’t add ice to dilute the tea. And tapioca is free.

Also check out Hwa Da Milk. They have several locations in Kaohsiung (I’ve seen it in Taipei too) but this is the original location and the oldest tea shop in Southern Taiwan.

Other bubble tea shops worth trying are Sungyi Milk Tea and 不二 TEA&NO.1.

18. Spend (half) a day on Cijin Island

Cijin Island, or Qijin, is the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon. A trip to Cijin includes a hike up to Kaohsiung Lighthouse on top of Cihou Mountain to see the view of Kaohsiung, a bike ride to the Rainbow Church at the end of Cijin Beach and traditional Taiwanese food on Cijin Old Street.

The best time to go to Cijin Island is in the afternoon so you can see the gorgeous sunset. Hopefully the weather cooperates so you can see the sun setting behind Cijin Beach.

19. Visit Fo Guang Shan

Fo Guang Shan is the largest Chinese Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. During a day trip to the monastery, you can wander around the four main temples and see a 120m tall golden statue of Buddha Amitabha, 480 Buddhas and more than 10,000 Guanyin statues.

Also, check out Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, a local museum that houses one of Sakyamuni Buddha’s tooth relics and have a vegetarian lunch at one of the restaurants. If you are interested in staying overnight, it is possible to book one of the dorm rooms in the monastery’.

20. Wander around Qishan Old Street

Located 38km northeast of Kaohsiung, Qishan Old Street is a historical street in the suburban Qishan District of Kaohsiung City. The town was once a major hub for distributing sugarcane and bananas, but it is now a popular tourist attraction.

You can spend half a day seeing attractions like Qishan Tianhou Temple and Kaohsiung Qishan Confucius Temple in Gushan Park. Then stroll over to the old street and see the preserved historical buildings with Baroque architectural-style facades and try local food like shaved ice and banana egg rolls.

21. Spend a day in Tainan

Tainan is the oldest city and was the ancient capital of Taiwan. Travellers visit Tainan to see the historical sites in the Anping District, including Fort Anping and Anping Tree House. Moreover, Tainan’s Confucius Temple and Hayashi Department Store are not to be missed.

Moreover, you want to try all the best local food in Tainan. There’s so much to try like beef soup, danzai noodles and milkfish.

22. Take a day trip to Liuqiu Island

Liuqiu Island, or Xiaoliuqiu, is a coral island about 13km southwest of the main island. The tiny island is known for its clear water, white-sand beaches, caves, rock formations and coral reefs. Visitors can enjoy various water sports, such as snorkelling and freediving. And you can even swim with green sea turtles.

You can see all the best attractions like Chungau Beach, Black Dwarf Cave and the famous Vase Rock during a day trip to Liuqiu. But if you have time, definitely stay overnight and explore the island.

23. Visit Kenting National Park

Kenting National Park is one of Taiwan’s most visited national parks. Most travellers visit Kenting from Kaoshiung since there are direct express buses to the south, making it easy for solo travellers to navigate.

While it is possible to see parts of Kenting on a day trip, I highly recommend staying for two days to see all the best attractions, including Kenting Long Keng Ecological Reserve, Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, Longpan Park, Qikong Falls and all the best beaches in Kenting.

Where to stay in Kaohsiung as a solo traveller

I’ve stayed in several neighbourhoods in Kaohsiung and highly recommend solo travellers to stay in either Yancheng District or Cianjin District. Both areas have excellent budget to mid-range accommodations and food options nearby.

I stayed at these low to mid-range Kaohsiung hotels during my last trip. If you are going to Kaohsiung for the first time, check out one of these hotels:

• Yan Chen Inn – a small boutique hotel in Yancheng District. The room is affordable, clean and modern. My favourite place to stay. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking
• Papo’a Harbor Hotel – a brand new hotel at Pier-2 Art Centre. Very high-end finishes and clean rooms. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking
• Greet Inn – get high-end hotel luxury at a reasonable price. This Cianjin-area hotel is near my favourite places to eat, including Xing Long Ju and Liuhe Night Market. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking

Is Kaohsiung worth visiting as a solo traveller

First-time Taiwan visitors may only visit Taipei and do day trips around the capital city. But I think it is definitely worth going to Kaohsiung and seeing what the second-biggest city in Taiwan is all about. There’s so much to see, and there are many excellent local foods, and it’s safe for solo female travellers.

So I hope you will consider adding Kaohsiung to your Taiwan itinerary. I had such a great time in the city many years ago and decided to return and spend a full month. Best decision ever!

Let me know in the comments if you are going to Kaohsiung and your favourite activity.

Ready to plan your trip to Kaohsiung? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Kaohsiung accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination. Or find out how and where to get a SIM Card in Taiwan.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours in Kaohsiung.

Thank you for reading my solo Kaohsiung travel guide

I have many posts on Taiwan, and you might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:

Introduction to Taiwan

• Things to know before visiting Taiwan 
• How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
• How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan 
• 22 must-eat food in Taiwan 
• Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food

Southern Taiwan posts

• Best things to do in Chiayi Taiwan
• How to travel from Chiayi to Alishan
• Alishan 2-day solo itinerary 
• Things to do in Tainan as a solo traveller 
• Where to stay in Tainan: Best Areas & Hotel Reviews
• Tainan Food Guide: What & Where to Eat
• 6 Best night markets in Tainan
• Where to stay in Kaohsiung: Best Areas & Hotel Reviews
• Kaohsiung Food Guide: What and Where to Eat
• 5 Best night markets in Kaohsiung
• Qishan Old Street in Kaohsiung City
• Kenting Travel Guide: Getting there & Things to do

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!