What To Do In Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s third largest city and the country’s largest port city. I went for the first time in 2009, but it has changed a lot since then, particularly with its many large public art spaces perfect for exploring. It was wonderful to visit and definitely an underrated place with hidden gems. Kaohsiung also has an MRT and a light rail, so while the city is more spread out, it was pretty convenient to get around.
Everything captured here were found via Google Maps and recommendations from friends. Below are some food highlights, top things I enjoyed doing, plus places I have marked for next time.
Places to eat:
Gang Yuan Beef Noodle Restaurant (港園牛肉麵) - Got their dry noodles that still had a rich beef broth flavor (with the actual broth on the side), and then washed everything down with watermelon juice. There is usually a wait at this place, but the noodles are worth it.
Duck Zhen (鴨肉珍) - We got the minced braised duck rice, organ soup, and a side of vegetables. There are a lot of other duck dishes to choose from. A famous and easy spot for a quick meal.
張媽媽台灣魯肉飯 - Quiet place for some Taiwanese staples near the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. The 麵線 (thin noodles) were a standout.
White Gourd & Fat Guy (冬瓜與胖子) - A couple, who call each other White Gourd and Fat Guy, bought an actual home in Kaohsiung and converted it into a restaurant with 2 seating times. We were served a traditional, home-style Taiwanese dinner with whatever ingredients they had in the kitchen. We had a five course meal plus a soup for only 350 NTD. It’s a cozy and funkily decorated place and a definite recommendation if you’re going to Kaohsiung!
Places to snack and have coffee:
Dough DoughNut (兜兜圈) - Fun donut shop tucked in a tiny alley that usually sells out before day's end! We got an Earl Grey and 肉鬆 (pork floss) donut.
Caffe Artigiano (艾奇諾咖啡) - Solid iced coffees for a hot day (and sighting of a neighborhood cat).
Delicatesse - Got the chocolate croissant at the bakery next to the hotel we stayed at. Shoutout to Kathy Cheng (Tricky Taipei) for this recommendation!
Things to Do:
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts - The standout at this place was seeing oil paintings with Asian faces and people, as I’m so accustomed to seeing European faces in that style, and seeing southern Taiwan pride show through in the culture and art (one of its permanent exhibitions is called South Plus).
Pier 2 Art Center - Abandoned warehouse site that’s been turned to an art center with exhibition spaces and shops. Lots of large art installations and murals to see while just talking around the area.
National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts - Weiwuying - We just walked around here during the day to check out the new concert hall, and caught someone playing the grand piano outdoors in front of the opera house. The Weiwuying Metropolitan Park is nearby that’s nice for walks and greenery too.
Weiwu Mimi Village (衛武迷迷村) - Neighborhood near Weiwuying with lots of large murals and artworks covering the buildings. As of 2022, there are more than 50 international artists from 24 countries, with 135 painted mural walls.
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas - One of the many temple at Lotus Pond, an artificial lake near the Kaohsiung HSR stop. There are 2 towers, one with a dragon entrance, and the other with a tiger entrance. You enter through the dragon, and exit through the tiger in the hopes of changing your luck. This wasn’t the largest temple by any means, but I think the meaning behind its entrance and exit an interesting one.
For Next Time:
Rueifong Night Market (瑞豐夜市)
Cijin Island
Marsalis Bar 馬沙里斯爵士酒館
Tip: Taiwan businesses use Google reviews and Facebook to keep up to date information, so for dinner and drinks at the more popular places, it’s best to call or message them a few days beforehand to make a reservation. Many popular coffee spots also have waits and are generally first come, first serve.
