Is Kaohsiung Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Kaohsiung is definitely one of the lesser-visited cities in Taiwan, at least from what I’ve seen. Compared to Taipei, it just doesn’t get as much attention, probably because it’s way down south and a bit further out of the way.

But honestly, I think Kaohsiung is super underrated and totally deserves a spot on your Taiwan itinerary. I spent a few days there with a pretty packed schedule, and I really loved it.

In this guide, I’ll tell you all about my experience in Kaohsiung including what I liked about Kaohsiung, what I didn’t like so much, and, of course, whether I think it’s worth your time or not.

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Is Kaohsiung Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Is Kaohsiung worth visiting? My Quick Answer

Alright, so my quick answer is yes, I 100% think Kaohsiung is worth visiting. But if I’m being honest, out of all the cities I visited in Taiwan, I’d rank it number 3, right behind Taipei and Tainan.

So if you only have time to visit one city outside of Taipei, I’d go for Tainan over Kaohsiung. That said, Kaohsiung still has a lot going for it. It’s got a huge art scene, probably the coolest and edgiest vibe of all the cities I visited, and the waterfront area with all its bars and restaurants actually gave me a bit of a Melbourne feeling, which is a very good thing.

So yeah, if you’ve got the time, definitely go. But if you’re choosing between just one or two stops, I’d personally prioritize Taipei and Tainan.

Tainan vs Kaohsiung

I feel like this is a question that always comes up. I’ve had so many fellow travelers and people reaching out to me asking which city to visit outside of Taipei and it almost always comes down to Tainan or Kaohsiung.

Tainan

Tainan feels completely different from Taipei. Where Taipei is modern, busy, and always buzzing, Tainan feels more grounded and full of character. It’s the former capital of Taiwan, so there’s a ton of old architecture, narrow alleyways, traditional markets, and way more of that old-school charm. It’s also known as the food capital of Taiwan and honestly, some of the best meals I had were in Tainan. To me, it just feels more cultural and authentic.

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung, on the other hand, has a much edgier, artsier vibe. It’s more like a cool, hipster, student city. Art is a huge part of the identity here, from big museums to all the outdoor installations along the waterfront, plus converted warehouses filled with bars and shops. In a weirdly great way, some parts of it reminded me of Melbourne, Australia. Kaohsiung definitely feels more modern and a bit more “Western” in some ways, and it’s super fun if you’re into nightlife and creative spaces.

So Who Wins?

For me, Tainan takes the win. From a tourist perspective, if you want to explore, eat amazing food, and get to know the culture, Tainan has more to offer. If you asked me where I’d want to live longer-term, I might say Kaohsiung because of the cooler vibe, but for visiting as a traveler, Tainan is the one I’d pick every time.

What I Liked About Kaohsiung

  • The artsy vibe: Kaohsiung felt super creative and edgy. There’s street art everywhere, loads of galleries, and the whole Pier 2 Art Center area gave me big Melbourne vibes (in a very positive way).
  • The waterfront scene: I loved hanging out by the water, it’s such a nice break from the heat. You’ve got bars, restaurants, art installations, and that sea breeze. It’s just a great area to hang out in my opinion.
  • Amazing temples: Some of the most stunning temples I saw in all of Taiwan were here. The Sunfong Temple and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas totally blew me away.
  • Cool bar and café culture: Kaohsiung has this whole cool, slightly hipster café and bar scene going on. I loved grabbing a coffee at a nice spot during the day and having a cocktail at night. Ruh Cafe No.1 and 真心豆行-苓雅總店 were two places I really enjoyed.
  • Feels more laid-back: Even though it’s a big city, it somehow felt way less hectic than Taipei. More relaxed, more open spaces, and just overall a bit more chill.
  • Great public transport: The MRT system here is super easy to use, cheap, and gets you pretty much everywhere. I barely had to rely on taxis at all. This is one thing Kaohsiung definitely does better than Tainan.
  • Affordable hotels: I found the hotels here really good value for money compared to Taipei, you can stay in really nice places without blowing your whole budget.
Is Kaohsiung Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

What I Dislike About Kaohsiung

  • Way too hot: Seriously, Kaohsiung was one of the hottest places I visited in Taiwan. I was melting most days, and there’s not a lot of shade when you’re out exploring. You’ll definitely need sunscreen, water, and some AC breaks.
  • Not walkable at all: I love exploring cities on foot, but Kaohsiung isn’t really made for that. Everything is super spread out, and you basically have to rely on the MRT or other transport to get anywhere.
  • Night markets can be hit or miss: While Ruifeng Night Market was great, some other markets (like Liuhe) were pretty underwhelming and felt super touristy, with not much good food.
  • Lacks that old-town charm: Compared to Tainan or Taipei, Kaohsiung doesn’t have as much traditional character or that “old Taiwan” feel. It’s more modern and artsy, which is cool, but it just didn’t have the same cultural depth.

Things to Do in Kaohsiung

  1. Check out the temples: Sunfong Temple and the Dragon & Tiger Pagodas were some of the most stunning temples I saw in all of Taiwan. Definitely worth visiting, they’re super photogenic too.
  2. Wander around Pier 2 Art Center: This area is full of cool street art, warehouses turned into shops and cafés, and just has that artsy, edgy vibe. Perfect for a chill afternoon stroll (and an AC break inside).
  3. Hop over to Cijin Island: Take the quick ferry and spend a day exploring the beach, lighthouse, fort, and seafood spots. End the day with a drink at Cijin Sunset Bar for the best views.
  4. Hit up a night market: Ruifeng Night Market is my top pick here. It’s big, local, and has some amazing food options. Definitely skip Liuhe though, you’re not missing anything. The only cool thing about Liuhe Night Market is that there’s a 7-Eleven where you can get beer on tap, which is kinda awesome.
  5. Enjoy the waterfront: The whole harbor area is super fun, especially around sunset. You’ll find bars, restaurants, and a really relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for an evening out.
  6. Visit some museums: If you’re into art or just need to escape the heat, check out the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts or the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying). Great way to spend a few hours inside.
Is Kaohsiung Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung

When I was in Kaohsiung, I realized pretty quickly that the city isn’t exactly built for exploring and wandering around on foot, a lot of the main sights and food spots are spread out. So for me, staying somewhere close to an MRT station was essential. I barely walked straight out of my hotel to explore; I almost always had to use the MRT.

I actually stayed in the city center near the red line, which was super convenient for getting around. But if I had to pick again, I’d probably stay in Yancheng District. Why? You’ve got the waterfront, Pier 2 art area, tons of restaurants and bars, all right there. Plus, you’re still close to the MRT so you can easily get to the rest of the city.

Here are a few hotels I really like in Kaohsiung:

  • Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung: One of the few places in town with a proper pool, which is a lifesaver because Kaohsiung gets hot. Perfect if you want to cool down after a day of running around.
  • Kaohsiung Chateau de Chine Hotel: Great location near the MRT and just a short walk to the waterfront. The rooms are spacious, they serve good food, and it’s pretty affordable for what you get.
Is Kaohsiung Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025
The Dome at the Formosa Boulevard Station

FAQs About Visiting Kaohsiung

What’s better, Tainan or Kaohsiung?

I’d say Tainan wins here. It just feels more cultural, has more character, and is super fun to explore from a tourist perspective. If you can only pick one, go for Tainan.

What is Kaohsiung famous for?

Kaohsiung is known for its huge harbor, its artsy vibe, and the waterfront area with all the cool warehouses and art installations. It’s also famous for the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and its pretty amazing night markets.

What to do in Kaohsiung?

There’s a lot! Check out the Pier 2 Art Center, Sunfong Temple, Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, and definitely head to Ruifeng Night Market. You can also explore Cijin Island and watch sunset from the famous Sunset Bar.

How many days in Kaohsiung is good?

I think 2 to 3 days is perfect. That gives you enough time to see the main sights, eat your way through some night markets, and hang out in a few nice cafes and restaurants without rushing around.

Is Kaohsiung safe?

Yes, it’s super safe. I felt totally fine walking around at night or using public transport. Just use common sense like you would anywhere else, but overall, Taiwan is one of the safest places I’ve been…by far!

Would I Come Back to Kaohsiung? My Final Thoughts

From a tourist perspective, I probably wouldn’t come back, but that’s just because I’ve already been and felt like I saw what I wanted to see. Kaohsiung is super fun to explore, but it’s not as packed with sights and things to do as other places in Taiwan. What I really loved about it was the overall vibe.

If I had to pick a place to actually live in Taiwan, I could totally see myself choosing Kaohsiung. It feels a bit more western, very artsy and hipster, a bit edgy in a good way. You even have beaches where you can hang out in summer, which is amazing.

However Kaohsiung is still definitely worth a visit if you have the time. I had such a good time here, and I’d totally recommend adding it to your Taiwan itinerary.

Check Out My Other Tainan & Kaohsiung Travel Guides

Is Tainan Worth Visiting?: My Honest Review

Food in Tainan: My Where to Eat in Tainan Travel Guide

Cafes in Tainan: My Top Coffee Shops & Cafes in Tainan

Things to Do in Tainan: My Favorite Activities in Tainan

2 Days in Tainan Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours Here

Where to Stay in Tainan Taiwan: Best Areas & Hotels in Tainan City

Kaohsiung Itinerary: How I Spent 3 Days in Kaohsiung

Is Kaohsiung Worth Visiting? My Honest Review of Kaohsiung

Things to Do in Kaohsiung: My Favorite Kaohsiung Attractions

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung City: My Favorite Areas & Hotels in Kaohsiung

Sunfong Temple: A Mini Guide to Sunfong Temple

Dragon & Tiger Pagodas: A Mini Guide to the Dragon & Tiger Pagoda

Check Out All My Taiwan Travel Guides

7 Day Itinerary Taiwan: How I Spent 1 Week in Taiwan

Taiwan Travel Insurance: My Top Travel Insurance for Taiwan

Taiwan Travel Itinerary: My Perfect 2 Week Itinerary Taiwan

Taiwan Travel Guide: My Full Taiwan Travel Guide

Things to Do in Taiwan: My 12 Favorite Things to do in Taiwan

Solo Travel in Taiwan: My Guide for Solo Travelers & Backpackers

Is Taiwan Worth Visiting: My Honest Review in 2025

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