A Trip to Kaohsiung

Taiwan is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated destinations to visit in Asia, and Kaohsiung, the second largest city, is no exception. As a spur of the moment trip, I went in with little to no expectations, and after a few, fantastic days exploring all that Taipei has to offer (which is a lot, FYI), I decided to head down south to Kaohsiung as I had heard great things from everyone I knew that had visited. Often overlooked in favour of the capital, Kaohsiung is filled with cafes, temples, parks, museums, and some of the best night markets in the continent. Here are my picks of the best things to see (and photograph) in this cultural city.

Local riding motorbike through Hou Yi Shopping Street

The first stop on our Kaohsiung visit was the Hou Yi Shopping Street, a small street right near the Kaohsiung railway station. If street art is your thing, this spot is a great first stop as it is filled with hanging umbrellas as far as the eye can see. Get there early to avoid the harsh shadows and get creative! And, of course, the shopping is great here too. If you are looking for more places to see original street art, check out Pier 2 Art Centre and Lingya Street Art Village, two of the most well known areas in Kaohsiung. You can rent a City bike and cycle round the areas for a half day with ease.



Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

Next up on my list of places you shouldn’t miss is Lotus Lake. This spot has become “insta-famous” in recent months, and rightly so. Filled with temples, pagodas and pavilions, the Lotus Lake is a perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon, and is great for photography too. Get some food at one of the local restaurants on the shores of the lake and then get exploring. The Tiger and Dragon Pagodas make for a great photo, as does the Pei Chi Pavillion. If you have time, stay until sunset for a quieter experience.

Lotus Lake at sunset

Finally, a stop at Love River and the night markets are great ways to end your day in Kaohsiung. We visited Love River during a festival, so it was a night market in itself. However, even if there are no festivals on, it’s still a great place for a walk and boat ride. Love River has fantastic views of the city, and is lit up a night. Grab a snack at the street food stalls and get walking!

After Love River, make your way to either Jinzuan, Ruifeng or Liuhe to see how night markets are done properly. They both get extremely busy virtually every night, so be prepared. Don’t forget to sample the local delicacies, such as takoyai balls, oyster pancakes and papaya milk.

Colorful Kaohsiung city

Enjoy!