A local family-friendly guide to Kaohsiung Taiwan
As Taiwan’s second biggest city after Taipei, Kaohsiung is one of the lesser known travel destination that most travelers tend to overlook when visiting the island. Those who have been there would know that it is truly an underrated gem — the unique scenery, thriving art scene and delicious night market food, whether it’s an exciting family trip or a romantic couple getaway, Kaohsiung has something to offer to everyone.
Here is a list of cultural and entertaining things to do in Kaohsiung, selected specifically for young families travelling with kids.
Cultural and interesting places to see
1. Pier-2 Arts Center
Credit: Dal Lu
You would’ve never guessed that this eccentric art hub was once an empty abandoned warehouse complex at the end of the Kaohsiung Harbor. Nowadays, some warehouses have become art spaces housing a variety of art exhibitions, whereas others have been transformed into hipster coffee shops and performance stages. With its rustic industrial charm and quirky artworks, this is the perfect spot for families to take a stroll!
2. Ruifeng and Kaisyuan Night Market
Credit: Jun Kaneko
Night markets in Kaohsiung are just as good as Taipei’s, if not even bigger! While Google would say that Liuhe Night Market is the main highlight, locals will tell you differently. If you’re looking for authentic street food at reasonable prices, head to one of the city’s two best-kept secrets: Ruifeng and Kaisyuan Night Market.
Ruifeng Night Market has a history of more than 20 years and is the most frequented night market by locals, offering 1,000 mouth-watering food stalls to choose from. Some must-try foods are Mongolian barbecue, vermicelli soup, papayamilk juice and almond bubble tea. There is also an array of carnival games for kids!
Credit: othree
As for the Kaisyuan Night Market, it opened up just a few years ago and claims to be the biggest night market in Taiwan. Locals from Taipei and other cities would come all the way to Kaohsiung just to spend the night here eating away! Don’t forget to try the squid potage soup, stinky tofu, roast mochi and scallion pancakes.
3. Lotus Pond
Credit: Andy Chen
It is practically a ritual for first-time Kaohsiung visitors to come here. The iconic Dragon-Tiger Pagodas at the Lotus Pond is known to help reverse one’s fortune — all you have to do is run straight into the mouth of the dragon and out from the tiger’s mouth and there, bad luck be gone! Other than that fun experience, walk around the park with your kids and admire the magnificent structures reminiscent of ancient Chinese palaces.
Fun fact: The Lotus Pond hosted several water sporting events for World Games 2009, including canoe polo, dragon boat and water ski.
4. Dome of light
Credit: Nan-cheng Tsai
The Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung is the most stunning metro station you will ever see! It is best known for its Dome of Light, the world’s largest work of glass art. This breathtaking stained-glass ceiling is made of 4,500 colorful panels and tells the story of human life in four different themes: Water, Earth, Light, and Fire. It is a commemoration to the heroes who helped make political changes in Taiwan.
Every day, hundreds and thousands of people come to enjoy the public art display and the light shows that are put on periodically throughout the day, don’t miss it.
Fun things to entertain your kids
1. Day trip to Kenting
Credit: Jesper
A 2-hour car ride from Kaohsiung lies Kenting, Taiwan’s equivalent of Bali. It has a national park, ecological protection areas, five different beaches and plenty of water activities to do. Bring your family over to Nanwan or Baisha Beach and sign up for a day package of activities that will leave you pumped-up and breathless: water-rafting, jet skiing, banana boat riding… hold on tight!
2. Sizih Wan
Credit: muchruso
If you don’t want to go as far as Kenting to soak up some sun, Sizih Wan is also great for a relaxing beach day. It is a sandy beach with beautiful coral formations on the coastlines, locals love going there especially right before dawn to enjoy the sunset with friends and loved ones.
From Sizih Wan, you can also take the ferry at Gushan Ferry Pier and do a spontaneous day trip to Cijin, a picturesque islet south of the mainland. You can either explore the city on foot or by bicycle, although the latter is recommended so that you make full use of your time, there is quite much to see!
Hike up to the famous Cijin Lighthouse, take some family pictures at the Cijin Rainbow Church and stuff yourself with a big feast of fresh seafood.
Credit: Zero
Credit: Chih-Ching Hsieh
3. Taroko Park
Credit: 吉爾
This place definitely has to be on your list! While having nothing to do with the famous Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast, Kaohsiung’s Taroko Park is the very first sports-theme park in Taiwan, a shopping mall-slash-amusement park where a wide variety of fun facilities for the whole family is offered. Being easily accessible by metro and located only one stop from Kaohsiung International Airport, the park tempts travelers with a last-stop shopping and entertainment experience before flying out.
There is a go-kart circuit park, roller coasters, laser tag, mini golf tracks, baseball batting cages and so much more, kids can spend the whole day here while parents can head over to the huge shopping mall containing more than 220 international-brand outlets. Everyone’s happy!
Where to spend the night
If you are looking for an accommodation that is comfortable, reasonably priced and conveniently located within Kaohsiung, FX Inn is the one. The hotel is at a 5-minute walk to the famous Liuhe Night Market and the City Council MRT station is right around the corner. From there, you can easily reach any of the popular sightseeing spots.
