According to allcitycodes.com, Kaohsiung is a Taiwanese city located in the southern part of the island. It is Taiwan’s second largest city and plays an important role in the country’s economic industry. Kaohsiung has a large port and is also known for its heavy industry. But, the city also has many special sights that are more than worth a visit. Highlights include the many Night Markets and the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. A visit to Kaohsiung is also interesting because the city and the surrounding areas are manageable and not too big. So you can easily visit a number of sights in one day. You can do this by renting a bicycle, but public transport is also well organized in Kaohsiung. The subway is then the most sensible choice. We have listed the best sights of Kaohsiung for you.
Top 10 sights of Kaohsiung
#1. Lotus Pond
Lotus Pond is also known as Lotus Lake. You will find this attraction just outside the city center. Lotus Pond is best described as a large park with a lake. Around it you can view numerous special temples and pagodas. You can even admire this inside for free. Lotus Pond is also characterized by buildings with striking architecture. Of course, the park also offers plenty of opportunities to relax on the waterfront. In the park itself you can enjoy a local lunch or meal, but you can also buy nice souvenirs in the abundant shops.
#2. Night Markets
Taiwan is known for its night markets and the Night Markets of Kaohsiung fit right in with that. Here you will find numerous restaurants, stalls and other eateries. The Night Markets are open in the evenings and are a real hotspot for locals, but also for tourists. The atmosphere is casual and cozy. Especially in the Night Markets Ling Ya and Liuhe. Ruifeng Night Market is also recommended. You can enjoy a delicious meal or snack here for relatively little money.
#3. Pier2 Art Centre
If you are a fan of striking art, you should definitely not miss a visit to Pier2 Art Centre. This was a former industrial area that has become completely empty due to relocation and new construction. The warehouses and old sheds are now home to eccentric art. You can enjoy various beautiful murals, street art and other forms of modern art. Pier2 Art Center is largely outdoors, but you also have the opportunity to view the buildings from the inside. A special place near the port of Kaohsiung where art and illusion are close together.
#4. Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is located in the Gushan district near the center of Kaohsiung. It was established by the government and covers an area of over 30,000 m2. The Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1994 and is the third largest art museum in Taiwan. The museum has no less than 4 floors, each with its own collections and themes. You can regularly attend exhibitions. There are also plenty of special sights outside the museum. You can visit an ecological park in which a forest, an island and a lake have been created. Here you can take beautiful walks on the cleared paths. The adjacent park with sculptures is also worth a visit.
#5. Dome of Light
At Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung you will find the Dome of Light. This is located in the metro station and designed by Narcissus Quagliata. The Dome of Light is made of glass in a wide variety of colours. When you look upwards you immediately recognize the 4 elements of water, fire, earth and air. With a surface area of over 650 m2, the enormous glass dome can call itself the largest public art museum in the world. A visit to the Dome of Light in Kaohsiung is a real experience and well worth a visit if you are staying in this city.
#6. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
In the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Kaohsiung you can learn everything about the life of Buddha and who this person was. The museum can be found at the associated monastery and memorial center, just outside the city. Outside you will find numerous temples, pagodas and buddha statues that are all impressive. Not so much because they are numerous, but also because of their imposing dimensions. Before you enter the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, wall paintings give you a unique insight into the life of Buddha. The museum itself houses no less than 18 rooms. On the basis of stories, religious acts and images you will learn everything about the life of Buddha. Also visit the adjacent Great Buddha Land. Here you can admire a statue of more than 40 meters high.
#7. Rainbow Church
The Rainbow Church is located near the coastline of Cijin and Kaohsiung. The special and colorful arches of the Arch give a special view of the line between land and water. The Rainbow Church is not a real church but a place where you can give substance to your thoughts. This place is therefore widely used for taking photos and selfies. As already mentioned, the Rainbow Church consists of a pointed vault of glass. You will also find the Rainbow Arch, which is made up of arches that bear the colors of the rainbow. When visiting the Rainbow Church in Kaohsiung, keep in mind that it can get quite busy. A weekday is better than a weekend visit.
#8. Qihou Fort
Kaohsiung also has more than enough to offer for lovers of culture and history. Qihou Fort is located on the highest point of the island, together with Qihou Lighthouse. These sights can therefore easily be combined with each other. Qihou Fort used to be used to defend the city. The building dates from 1875 and now only consists of a ruin. You can still view and walk on the authentic walls. From Qihou Fort you have a beautiful view of both the sea and the city of Kaohsiung. The lighthouse is also worth a visit. You can even view it from the inside. To reach Qihou Fort you have to make a nice climb.
#9. Love River
Love River is definitely worth a visit if you like a romantic setting. In the evening, numerous attractively lit boats sail on the river. Of course you can also board a gondola yourself. Numerous stalls are set up along the waterfront of the river. Here you can buy nice souvenirs, but also eat tasty snacks or have a drink at one of the many bars. A visit to Love River is also recommended for a nice evening walk.
#10. Tuntex Sky Tower
A startling sight in Kaohsiung is certainly the Tuntex Sy Tower. This large skyscraper is located near the coast, yet right in the center. This Sky Tower has no less than 85 floors and a height of 365 meters. This makes it one of the tallest towers in Taiwan. The Tuntex Sky Tower houses luxury apartments and offices, but also expensive department stores and shops. If you want to enjoy a majestic view, you can take the elevator to the observation platform. This is located on the 74th floor. You then have a beautiful view over the Lotus Pond and other parts of the city. The tower is also worth a visit from the outside.
