Kaohsiung

City · 🇹🇼 Taiwan

Population 2,733,964

Area 2,975 km²

Time zone Asia/Taipei

Official website www.kcg.gov.tw

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Featured Lists

Shangkuanlc / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kaohsiung City: The Absolute Essentials

Kaohsiung combines maritime history with modern artistic innovation. This southern port city features the Dome of Light, the world’s largest public glass installation, and the Pier-2 Art Center located in repurposed dockside warehouses. Historical landmarks include the 1865 British Consular Residence and the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Taiwan's oldest Catholic church. Visitors can explore the Buddhist architecture of Fo Guang Shan, the symbolic Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Lake, and the distinct badlands topography of Tianliao Moon World.

15 places

Anav Rin / CC BY 2.0

Kaohsiung Metro Highlights

Kaohsiung’s metro system features several stations renowned for their architectural and artistic significance. Formosa Boulevard is home to the 'Dome of Light,' the world's largest glass work made of individual pieces, while the World Games station features a solar-powered design. Many stations provide direct access to historical sites like the Ciaotou Sugar Refinery and the Lotus Pond area via Zuoying Station. The network serves as a primary link between Kaohsiung International Airport and the city's major shopping districts and transportation hubs.

14 places

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Spiritual Sites of Taiwan

This collection highlights prominent religious landmarks across Southern Taiwan, ranging from the expansive Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastery to the Holy Rosary Cathedral, the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country. The list includes the lakeside Taoist Spring and Autumn Pavilions in Zuoying and historic temples like Chao feng si on Dagangshan Mountain. These sites showcase diverse architectural styles, from traditional Chinese temple design to European Gothic and Romanesque influences, reflecting the region's complex spiritual heritage.

9 places

Ruan Kendall / CC BY-SA 2.0

Taiwan's Scenic Peaks and Viewpoints

This collection features the high-altitude summits of Yushan National Park and the rugged landscapes of Kaohsiung’s Maolin and Tengzhi areas. It includes Taiwan’s highest peak, Yushan, alongside the craggy terrain of the South Peak and the expansive alpine meadows of Sanchashan. Lower-elevation highlights include the dramatic meanders of the Zhuokou River at Tu shi wan, the narrow rock formations of Ghost Axe Canyon, and the Begonia and Spruce trails within the Tengzhi National Forest Recreation Area.

19 places

Koika / CC BY-SA 1.0

Bridges and Viaducts

This collection highlights notable engineering feats in southern Taiwan, focusing on the Shalun Line and the Teldreka Bridge. The Shalun Line serves as a critical rail link connecting Tainan's high-speed rail station to the city center via an extensive elevated viaduct system. In Kaohsiung’s Maolin District, the Teldreka Bridge stands as a significant concrete structure spanning the river valley, providing essential access to the Maolin National Scenic Area. These structures showcase modern transit infrastructure and civil engineering designed to navigate Taiwan's diverse urban and mountainous landscapes.

9 places

大欣 Dryden / CC BY-SA 2.0

Nature and Waterfalls

This collection spans the diverse aquatic landscapes of Kaohsiung and the Central Mountain Range. It includes high-altitude alpine lakes like Jiaming Lake, situated at 3,310 meters, and the heart-shaped Tianchi in Yushan National Park. In Zuoying, the artificial Lotus Pond features traditional pagodas and temples. The list also highlights the wild Shisankeng Hot Spring in Baolai, known for its mineral crystals, and the multi-tiered waterfall systems of Maolin District, including Lover's Valley.

10 places