Why Kaohsiung should be on your must-visit list

For years, Kaohsiung has been known primarily as Taiwan’s largest port city. It's time to give this southern gem the attention it truly deserves.

Kaohsiung offers attractions like Taiwan’s largest night market, a metro station like no other, and temples that you enter through the mouth of a dragon—just a few of the unique sights awaiting you in this culturally rich city.

"The weather is nearly always perfect, the pace of life is relaxed, and the city feels free," says Hugo Wu, a local resident and radio DJ. "Who wouldn’t want to stay in Kaohsiung?"

Here are seven compelling reasons why you should visit:

1. The Largest Night Market in Southeast Asia

Kaisyuan or Jin-Zuan? The debate rages on.

The rivalry between these two neighboring night markets started just days after they opened, with each claiming to be the largest market in Taiwan. Both feature hundreds of vibrant stalls.

Kaisyuan covers 30,000 square meters with 300 vibrant stalls, while Jin-Zuan spans 23,000 square meters but features 500 stalls.

Jin-Zuan attracts food lovers with its signature beer shrimp, handmade pan-fried noodles, and even luxurious, lounge-style restrooms.

Kaisyuan impresses visitors with a mini Phra Phrom (four-faced Buddha) and freshly squeezed Bin Bin lemon juice, served by muscular vendors.

Both markets are massive – strolling through either one takes at least an hour.

Jin-Zuan is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Kaisyuan operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Both markets are located on Kaisyuan 4th Road.

2. A Taste of Fresh, Gourmet Delights

Gangshan District’s lamb hotpot, Moon World’s free-range chicken, and the seafood from Shin-Da Harbor and Cijin Island are just a glimpse of Kaohsiung’s rich culinary offerings.

Locals swear by Meinong for authentic Hakka delicacies, like sticky rice wrapped in leaves and filled with savory pork.

Meixing Street, the food hub of Meinong District, is lined with small Hakka noodle shops known as Ban Tiao.

Old New Restaurant is famous for its taro sago sweet soup from Jiasian District, and offers a rotating daily menu featuring local specialties like cuttlefish rice vermicelli, oyster soup, and fresh sashimi.

Taro and pork dumplings, aboriginal sausage, and rice wine are traditional dishes from Kaohsiung’s indigenous tribes.

3. A Spiritual Park Where You Exit Through a Tiger’s Mouth

After exploring countless temples across Asia, another Buddhist or Taoist site might not excite you. But Lotus Pond stands out as a truly unique destination.

Officially opened in 1951, though some temples in the park are over 200 years old, Lotus Pond features a man-made lake surrounded by more than a dozen temples, pavilions, and pagodas.

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are iconic seven-story towers, each guarded by a crouching dragon and tiger statue. Visitors enter through the dragon’s mouth and walk through a carved tunnel inside its body. For good luck, they exit through the tiger’s mouth.

4. Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Metro Station

Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung is often hailed as the most beautiful metro station in Taiwan, if not the entire world.

This three-story marvel was designed by Japanese architect Takamatsu Shin. Its above-ground glass entrance is shaped like a pair of hands in prayer.

The true masterpiece lies below ground – the 2,180-square-meter Dome of Light, a massive glass mural embedded in the station’s ceiling. Created by American-Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, it is the largest glass installation of its kind in the world.

Quagliata is also the artist behind the Dome of Light in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs.

5. Monumental Art

Public art – often on a grand scale – can be found all around Pier-2 Art Center, a former warehouse complex near the harbor.

Labor and Fisherwoman are cartoon-inspired statues scattered throughout the park, each showcasing unique outfits designed by various artists.

Heartbeats Light is a striking pillar featuring a light display that pulses in sync with human heartbeats.

The Non-KingKong Group presents a striking lineup of 16 steel giants standing proudly in front of the harbor.

In front of the warehouses, a large lawn hosts even more oversized sculptures, including two haunting lizards perched atop a train.

“Pier-2 stands out because, unlike most spaces, it doesn’t rely on commercialization to thrive,” says Sunny Jein, head of the Pier-2 operation center. The center is supported and funded by the government’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs.

Pier-2 Art Center, 1 Dayong Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung; open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

6. Indoor Experiences at Pier-2

At Pier-2 Art Center, former warehouses have been transformed into dynamic art spaces showcasing a variety of exhibitions.

Some warehouses have also been converted into chic coffee shops and theaters, offering a variety of cultural experiences.

In Our Time is a unique fusion of gallery, restaurant, live music venue, and radio station. From the restaurant, diners can watch the in-house web radio station in action, while enjoying a wide selection of international beers and local teas.

The Wall Pier-2 is an open-air concert venue with no roof, offering a raw and dynamic space for live performances.

Bandon Grocery Store is a charming zakka-style shop where visitors can craft their own personalized notebooks.

7. Exploring Moon World and Other Day Trips

To the north of Kaohsiung lies Tianliao, a dramatic landscape of eroded hillsides. The stark, treeless mountains create a surreal backdrop for the surrounding area.

Lan Yue Lou (Embrace the Moon Pavilion) is a scenic spot nestled deep in the mountains.

Meinong draws visitors with its vibrant flower beds (especially in January) and authentic Hakka cuisine.

Cishan Island is known for its beautifully preserved historic streets. Travelers can rent bicycles to explore the island, famous for its fresh seafood, the three-century-old Mazu Temple, and its inviting beach.

Moon World, Yueqiu Road, Chongde Village, Tianliao District, Kaohsiung