KAOHSIUNG TAIWAN TRAVEL TIPS

Taiwan is an underrated country when it comes to tourism. It is a hidden gem of Asia that is ready to be explored. Taiwan is known for traditional Chinese temples, busy night markets, with a touch of Japanese culture and modern cities.

When I went to Taipei for the first time my brother told me to visit Kaohsiung. A beautiful place in the southwestern part of Taiwan. As a skeptic traveler, I researched about the city and wanted to go there as soon as possible to explore the place. Kaohsiung is a planned city with modern public transportation, bicycle lanes and wide roads. This city is also known as the Harbor Capital of Taiwan. Its year round fine weather and low cost of living makes Kaohsiung the place to visit recommended for tourists.

I went to Kaohsiung in the month of December. The weather is cold ranging to 17-25 degrees Celsius. Good weather all year-round in this city makes it more attractive for tourists to visit the place. In this blog, I will tell you how to go to Kaohsiung and the "must go to" places in this beautiful city. What I will elaborate is what I did and some travel tips for you that you can also apply.

By Train: From Taoyuan Airport, Kaohsiung is about three hours travel time by train including transfers. You can take the Taoyuan Metro from the airport going to HSR Taoyuan Station. Taoyuan Metro operating hours is from 06:00 to 24:00. Fare is about 35NT$. So if your flight is early, relax first at the airport and wait for the train to be operational. Take exit and follow the signs going to the High Speed Train. Train fare from HSR Taoyuan Station to Zuoying Kaohsiung is about 1,330NT$ for reserved seat passengers while 1,290NT$ for non-reserved seat. High Speed Rail tickets are sold directly at the train station and at convenient stores in Taiwan like 7-eleven, Family Mart, Hi-life and OK Mart. You can also book in advance online so that you can avail discounts for early booking.

For advance booking and to see the schedules of trains visit below website.

http://www.thsrc.com.tw/index_en.html

Taoyuan Metro and High Speed Train

Note: THSR have 12 stations namely Nangang, Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan and Zuoying. THSR trains have a passenger capacity of 989 seats. Trains consist of 12 cars. Cars 1 to 9 are reserved seats while cars 10 to 12 are non-reserved seats meaning passengers are free to find a seat or stand.

Another way by train is through the normal train. The Taiwan Railways which is also used to go to Zuoying (Kaohsiung) will take you a travel time of almost six hours. Double the travel time compared to High Speed Train but almost half the price about 800NT$. From Taoyuan Airport take the blue line metro going to Zhongli Station change lane to Taiwan Railways going to Kaohsiung.

For bookings and to see the schedules of trains visit the below website.

http://railway.hinet.net/Foreign/US/index.html

HSR Train Ticket from Taoyuan Station to Zuoying Station (Kaohsiung) 

By Bus: Take a UBus or Freego Bus going to Chaoma Station. Fare ranges to 190NT$-280NT$. From Chaoma Station take a Kuo-Kuang Bus or Ho-Hsin Bus going to Kaohsiung. Fare ranges to 250NT$-380NT$. Time travel will take you around 5-6 hours.

UBus & Freego Bus

Kuo-Kuang Bus & Ho Hsin Bus

Kaohsiung City is very vibrant and lively full of places that will satisfy your hunger for travel. Trains in Kaohsiung are very efficient and most of the attractions in the city are concentrated near the KMRT stations. It will be easy for you to roam around the city and visit the places in Kaohsiung if your Hotel is near the KMRT.

Click here for Kaohsiung Hotels - Agoda

Places to Visit in Kaohsiung, Taiwan


The Dome of Light
Opening Hours: Daily 06:00 to 24:00
Location: Formosa Boulevard Station
Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there: Since my hotel is near the KMRT station I just rode the train going to Formosa Station. The dome is located at the B1 level of the station where the KMRT blue line and orange line intersect. The dome is made of 4,500 glass panels making it the largest work of glass art in the world. The installation of the glass art took four and a half years and is considered as one of the world's most beautiful subway stations.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Operating Hours: Daily 09:00 to 19:00

Location: Dashu District Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there: From HSR Zuoying Station take bus #8501 via E-DA world or HAFO express to the Buddha Temple. Fare is around 60-80NT$.

The Grand Buddha statue is considered as the world's tallest bronze sitting Buddha. The large pathway leading to the memorial center is known as the way to Buddhahood. The eight pagodas with seven stories each are named as the "One Teaching Pagoda", "Two Assemblies Pagoda", "Three Goodnesses Pagoda", "Four Givings Pagoda", "Five Harmonies Pagoda", "Six Perfections Pagoda", "Seven Admonishments Pagoda", and the "Eightfold Path Pagoda". Inside the Buddha Memorial Center a carefully preserved above the statue of the reclining Buddha is a relic in the form of Buddha's tooth - one of only three in the world. 

Dharma Words: Unnecessary it is to fight over right or wrong;
No need to discuss good or bad!Imperfect are all worldly
phenomena. Learn that way, seek the truth, and you will surely
avoid.

The Grand Buddha Statue

Heart of Love River

Operating Hours: Daily 24hours

Location: Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City

Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there: From Kaohsiung Metro take the Huoyi Station exit gate 4. Walk towards the river. It will take you 3-5 minutes from the station. For me, the river is just a few steps from my hotel. The river is good for strolling. The area has lots of restaurants and coffee shops. If your looking for a romantic place to stroll around with your love ones this is the place for you.

In between the lakes there is a heart-shaped bridge. The beautiful bike routes and beautiful lakeside landscape makes the locals and tourists come here. At night, the lights in the river looks like a diamond necklace sparkling all over the place. The ambiance and solemnity of the place makes you fall in love all over again.






Lotus Pond
Operating Hours: 08:30 to 17:30
Location: Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there: From Zuoying Station go to exit 2 take bus 301A or bus 51. Fare of the bus is around 15NT$ and would take you for 10-15 minutes travel time. The bus will stop at the American School Station and walk going to the lake. The place is famous for the lotus plants on the lake and many temples that includes Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Spring and Autumn Pavillion and the Confucian Temple.

Dragon and Tiger Pagoda

A common practice in the Dragon and Tiger Pagoda for good luck is you enter first in the Dragon's mouth and exit at the Tiger. Some of the tourists I saw is what they do is they run fast entering the Dragon's mouth. This will make the good luck much more effective according to them. Be sure to climb one of the towers of the pagoda to see the great view of the lake.

Taoist God Statue

Confucius Temple

Kaohsiung Central Park
Operating Hours: Daily
Location: Zhongshan 1st Road Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City
Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there: Take Kaohsiung KMRT to exit 1 of KMRT Central Park Station. The park features beautiful greeneries and recreational facilities. The park also has self-service bike rental machines to provide relaxation and tranquility to the urban people. As a matter of fact, KMRT Central Park has been named as one of the top most beautiful train stations all over the world together with the Formosa Boulevard Station.

Pictures inside the park while strolling

Liuhe Night Market
Operating Hours: 18:00 till midnight
Location: Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there: Take the KMRT and go down at Formosa Boulevard. Take exit 11 and walk going to Liehe Night Market. Other night markets that are famous in Kaohsiung are Ruifeng and Jinzhuan. I choose this market because it is near the Formosa Boulevard KMRT. It will be easy for me coming from my hotel.

Easy Card for easy travel & discounts

Travel Tips: Buy rechargeable MRT Card. If you do this you can save a few bucks while riding the MRT. For me, I bought the Easy Card in 7-eleven store at Zuoying Station. This card can also be used in both MRT and Bus systems. You can also use this not only in Kaohsiung but also throughout Taiwan. Other rechargeable cards that you can buy also are Happy Cash and Icash or Ipass. According to my research, you can save about 15% using the card in riding KMRT at Kaohsiung while 20% if you use it at Taipei Metro.