Overview
Take a trip to Kaohsiung on your Taiwan Vacation
On a visit to this country on a Taiwan vacation, Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city and is located in the south part of the island province, facing the Taiwan Strait.
Known as Taiwan’s Harbour Capital, Kaohsiung is its largest port city, with high concentrations of heavy industry. Known more for its commercialism, Kaohsiung is a planned city with wide streets and slightly less traffic congestion, although strides have been made to transform it into a modern metropolis.
Founded near the end of the 17th century, the village of Kaohsiung was known as Takau and later renamed Takao by Japan, whom Taiwan ceded to in 1895 until 1945 when Japan was defeated in WWII and the Republic of China gained control. During their rule, Japan developed Takao’s harbour and established an important military base and industrial centre.
The Cijin District is connected to Kaohsiung by tunnels and ferries and features various tourist attractions on Taiwan vacation packages including seafood restaurants, a coastal path, where you can bike or scooter, and a beach. As well visitors can go to ChiHou Lighthouse, ChiHou Fort, and TianHou Temple. Built 300 years ago, this temple is considered the oldest in Kaohsiung.
Outside of Kaohsiung, visitors will enjoy Cheng Ching Lake, an artificial lake with surroundings including a gated park, an aquarium, a bridge, and a pagoda.
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery is the largest monastery in Taiwan, and one of the largest Buddhist organizations in the world. Covered by green forests, the monastery is set on the top of the mountain, offering great views on Taiwan vacation.
Known as the sunniest city in Taiwan, Kaohsiung features natural surrounding beauty, year-round great weather, and low cost of living, and offers visitors plenty of shopping, dining, and recreation.
Languages
MandarinCurrency
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)What do the experts say?
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, held during the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival, is an extraordinary tradition with nearly 150 years of tradition.
Taiwan is developing their national basketball and baseball leagues. Travellers looking for foreign sports experiences can enjoy these exciting events in basically every major city in Taiwan.
Taiwan isn’t just Taipei—there are many important cities worth visiting, like Tainan, which is known for its rich history and temples. Kaohsiung, a vibrant port city with modern attractions and cultural sites, is another highlight worth visiting.
I absolutely love Taiwan's amazing food, especially at night markets like Shilin in Taipei. I also really enjoy the mix of modern city life with the country's rich culture, which you can see in skyscrapers like Taipei 101.
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Taiwan
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way