Things to do in Kaohsiung City
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British Consulate at Takou (Dagou)
Kaohsiung has a large number of well-preserved relics scattered around the city. The handsome redbrick consulate, built in 1865 by a British trading company, has recently become one of our favourite hang-out spots. The consulate sits about 70m or so above the mouth of Kaohsiung harbour, and it's a great location for watching the giant container ships sail through the tiny mouth of the harbour.
Recently the old dining and tearooms were reopened. With their Victorian British design, and arched windows letting in the sea views and breezes, they are a top spot for enjoying a meal or drink (open 10:00 to midnight).
While you're in the area check out a tiny temple to the left of…
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Lotus Pond
The pond has been a popular destination since the Qing dynasty and is well known for the 20 or so temples dotting the shoreline and nearby area. In recent years much money and effort has gone into returning the lake and its cultural and natural heritage to their former glory. There's now a path right around the lake, and efforts are underway to restore the wetlands on the west side. At night coloured lights give the lake a very festive and modern appearance.
Two long sections of the impressive Old Wall of Fengshan, built in 1826, lie to the southeast of the lake. The best section is along Chenfong Rd about 100m up Shengli Rd from the train station.
If you are going to the …
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Hsitzuwan Beach
Hsitzuwan Beach is smaller than Cijin, but it's a calmer swimming beach and is also an excellent place for hanging out and watching the sunset. We prefer it to Cijin, as it has a cool tropical feel and a lovely mountain backdrop. The beach is on the grounds of Sun Yat-sen University so the whole environment on and around the beach is clean and well maintained.
To get to the beach, take bus 224 to the Sun Yat-sen University stop and then walk through the tunnel. You see signs for the beach on the other side. There are changing rooms and showers here too, as well as a café.
Both beaches are open all year round, and kept clean all year round, though swimming is only from May…
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Hiking in Chaishan Nature Reserve
Within Kaohsiung City there is good hiking in the 1000-hectare Chaishan Nature Reserve, which has been preserved since Japanese times. There's a decent brochure and map of the area at the tourist office. The Chaishan reserve is famous for its macaque population, so don't carry food into the area and watch out that the monkeys don't steal your camera!
On weekends and holidays you can take the Chaishan Line bus to the reserve from the train station. On weekdays take bus 248 to Yancheng Station (鹽埕站) then change to bus 219 to Longcyuan Temple (龍泉寺). The trails start behind the temple.
Just walking around the university and getting lost in the hills is pleasant too…
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Kaohsiung Harbour
The harbour itself has recently become an attraction as more and more of it is opened up to the public.
Down by Pier 12 and the Gushan Ferry Pier you'll find walkways and cafés where you can sit by the water and enjoy the ships sailing in, as well as being loaded and unloaded. No, we're not talking about a scene of shirtless coolies hauling bamboo crates off a four-masted barque. These are massive container ships, and the modern port is fully outfitted with cranes and lifts to unload the cargo. And it's no less enjoyable for that.
Harbour cruises leave from Pier 12 several times a day (around NT$150, 90 minutes). Check at the visitor centre for the current schedule.
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Cijin Island
The island makes for a pleasant half-day trip from the mainland. Attractions include the seafood street (hǎichǎn jiē), a centuries-old Matsu Temple (Tiānhoù Gōng) with excellent relief and pillar carvings, and an old lighthouse with great views over the ocean and harbour. There's also a long sandy beach where you can swim in summer (there are free changing rooms and showers) and stroll in winter (the city keeps it clean all year round, a rarity in Taiwan).
To reach the island, take bus 248 to the ferry terminal. The ferry (around NT$10, five minutes) runs every five minutes.
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Love River
About five years ago, the Love River began to be cleaned up after years of neglect, if not outright abuse. As the waters flowed clear again, the banks were turned into strips of lovely parkland featuring walkways, benches, shady trees, outdoor cafés and stages. And it just keeps getting better year after year. These days it has become the focal point of the renewed pride Kaohsiung citizens feel for their city. One of the most popular activities now is cruising along the river at night.
Just back from the river is the wonderful Municipal Film Archives.
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Liuhe Night Market
The train-station area, especially as you head down Jhongshan Rd, is filled with inexpensive cafés and restaurants. Nearby Liuhe Night Market is famous islandwide for its hundred-plus food stalls. You can eat well here for around NT$100 to around NT$200. (It's also very clean, as there is literally one rubbish can every 10m.) Other places to try traditional foods include the Lotus Pond area, especially on Shengli Rd.
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Museum of History
A few blocks north of the Municipal Film Archives, also beside the river, is the lovely Museum of History, formerly the city government building during Japanese times. Inside are a number of photographic exhibits, furniture displays and special seasonal exhibits. But we just like to walk up and down the cool marble staircase.
Bus 248 stops by the Museum of History, putting you in the centre of the Love River area.
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National Science & Technology Museum
National Science & Technology Museum features an hourly IMAX show and high-quality hands-on science exhibits designed for children. Most IMAX shows and displays are in Chinese only. The exhibit on the Industrial History of Taiwan, however, has full English displays and is so informative it alone is worth the price of admission. You can take bus 60 to the museum.
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Lai Lai Seafood Barbecue Restaurant
For fresh seafood head over to Cijin Island's seafood street. Or try the locally recommend Lai Lai Seafood Barbecue Restaurant. It's the kind of place you go to eat good seafood, drink cheap beer, and be loud. Just tell the staff how much you want to spend and they will arrange dishes for you. Be sure to tell them anything you don't eat (like fish head perhaps?).
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Love River Cruises
One of the most popular activities now is cruising along the river at night. There are four piers where you can catch a boat for a 20-minute ride (around NT$50) from 16:00 to 23:30 every day. Boats leave often and are usually full on weekends.
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Municipal Film Archives
Just back from the Love River is the wonderful Municipal Film Archives, where you can enjoy on-site private and public viewings of the archives' films. It's just a shame they won't sell those movie posters in the lobby.
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Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts has a stylish interior and highlights the art of southern Taiwan. The level of work on display is impressive. You can get to the museum on bus 205.
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Shou-Yu Vegetarian Buffet
Shou-Yu has branches in most major Taiwanese cities and is popular for the light, fresh taste of its food. It's old looking but the food is good.
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Bamboo Street
At the end of Wufu-4th Rd you'll find wares from the past, including traditional hats, raincoats and household articles made from bamboo.
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Lighthouse Bar & Grill
Lighthouse Bar & Grill is a popular hang-out in the Tsoying District with good service, seasonal activities and live sports.
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Jade Market
Bargain hard and, if possible, bring someone along who knows something about jade. Of course it's also fun just to browse.
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Wudu Organic House
The health conscious can head to this place, an organic restaurant and shop.
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Vie Show Cinemas
In the FE21' Mega Department Store. You can book tickets online in English.
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