Sep 2–5 · 3nights

Kaohsiung

Harbour city with art, nature, and night markets

Overview

Kaohsiung at a glance

Attractions, hotels and restaurants — all on one map.

Attractions Hotels Restaurants
Day by Day

The itinerary

Day 12 Sep 2 (Tue)

Tainan to Kaohsiung & Harbour

  • THSR from Tainan to Zuoying Station (Kaohsiung) — just 15 minutes ↗
  • MRT from Zuoying to hotel, check in
  • Afternoon at Pier-2 Art Center — converted warehouses filled with street art and installations ↗ Map
  • Walk along the Love River harbourfront
  • Sunset at Sizihwan Bay — beach and old British consulate with harbour views Map
  • Dinner and evening at Liuhe Night Market — seafood, papaya milk, steak Map
Day 13 Sep 3 (Wed)

Lotus Pond & Cijin Island

  • Morning at Lotus Pond — walk through the Dragon Tiger Tower (enter dragon, exit tiger for good luck) Map
  • Visit the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and Confucius Temple on the lake Map
  • Take the ferry to Cijin Island from Gushan Ferry Pier (~5 min, NT$40) Map
  • Explore Cijin Old Street — seafood, temples, and the Cijin Lighthouse
  • Lunch at Cijin Seafood Street — fresh catch from the harbour
  • Rent bikes on Cijin and ride along the coastal path
  • Ferry back, dinner at Old New Taiwanese Cuisine (book ahead)
Day 14 Sep 4 (Thu)

Fo Guang Shan & Last Night

  • Half-day trip to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum — one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world ↗ Map
  • Walk through the Eight Pagodas and see the 36-metre seated Buddha statue
  • Free vegetarian lunch at the monastery (donations welcome)
  • Afternoon back in Kaohsiung — last-minute shopping or relaxing
  • Evening at Ruifeng Night Market — a local favourite with less tourists than Liuhe Map
  • Pack for departure tomorrow
Day 15 Sep 5 (Fri)

Departure Day

  • Check out of hotel
  • THSR from Zuoying to Taoyuan (~1.5 hours) ↗
  • Airport MRT from THSR Taoyuan to TPE Airport (~20 min)
  • Depart from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to YVR
Where to Stay

Hotels in Kaohsiung

Hotel Dua

↗
★ 4.4 (2,500+)
NT$$ · ~NT$4,000/night Design hotelCentralRooftop pool

Stylish design hotel in the heart of Kaohsiung. The rooftop pool has city views and is perfect for cooling off.

Steps from Liuhe Night Market. The rooftop bar is a great sunset spot.

Chateau de Chine Kaohsiung

★ 4.3 (1,500+)
NT$$ · ~NT$3,800/night Near MRTFamily-friendlyHarbour views

Well-appointed hotel near the harbour with good family room options. Close to Pier-2 Art Center.

Ask for a harbour-facing room for views of the port and 85 Sky Tower.

Just Sleep Kaohsiung Zhongzheng

↗
★ 4.1 (1,800+)
NT$ · ~NT$2,500/night BudgetMRT accessibleClean

Reliable budget option from the Just Sleep chain. Modern, clean, and well-connected by MRT.

Good value for families — book connecting rooms if available.

Where to Eat

Restaurants in Kaohsiung

Old New Taiwanese Cuisine

★ 4.4 (1,200+)
NT$$ Book ahead TaiwaneseRefinedFamily-friendly

Traditional Taiwanese dishes elevated with modern presentation. A great family dinner spot.

Must try Three-cup chicken, pan-fried pork liver, and fried rice with dried shrimp

11:30–14:00, 17:30–21:00

Wufu Seafood Restaurant

★ 4.2 (800+)
NT$$ SeafoodFreshLocal

Fresh seafood restaurant popular with locals. Pick your fish from the tanks and they cook it to order.

Must try Steamed grouper with ginger and soy, salt-and-pepper squid

11:00–14:00, 17:00–22:00

Kaohsiung Papaya Milk Stand

★ 4.5 (3,000+)
NT$ DrinksNight marketIconic

The legendary papaya milk stand near Liuhe Night Market. Rich, creamy, and refreshing.

Must try Fresh papaya milk — blended to order with local papayas and whole milk

12:00–23:00 daily

Cijin Seafood Street

★ 4.2 (2,000+)
NT$ SeafoodIslandCasual

A whole street of seafood restaurants on Cijin Island. Ultra-fresh catches grilled and fried to order.

Must try Grilled squid on a stick, fried fish cakes, and seafood congee

10:00–20:00 daily