Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung, a travel destination with a harbor that seems to whisper old sea stories to anyone with ears, invites you for a spin—sometimes literally, if you rent a bicycle close to the Love River. Popular things to do or visit include, for example, wandering the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, though once I tried to enter through the dragon and accidentally exited the tiger, which felt like a metaphor for my whole trip. Some people say the best hotel in Kaohsiung is the one closest to the night market, but my friend slept so close to the market that the oyster omelette fumes woke him up at 2 a.m., so location is a double-edged sword, isn't it? Public transport might not win any medals for speed, but it does offer odd conversations, like the time a stranger tried to teach me mahjong through interpretive dance.
Local weather in Taiwan
SPRING
mild & temperate
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
mild & temperate
WINTER
cool
Accommodations in Kaohsiung
Discover the best accommodations for Kaohsiung and start planning your holiday.
Best hotel in Kaohsiung and things to do when you visit
Finding the best hotel in Kaohsiung means weighing your love for city lights against your need for silence, but most places offer slippers that look like they were designed for moonwalking. If you want to sleep like a local, try not to use the air conditioning all night—the electricity bill can bite harder than a street dog (not that I recommend testing this theory). The hotel staff might greet you with a smile or a mysterious box of pineapple cakes, but I never figured out why one hotel gave me a rubber duck. Maybe it's a local tradition, or maybe I just looked like I needed a bath.
Popular things to do or visit in Kaohsiung include more than the usual temples and museums. One day I tried to count the number of scooters at a red light, but lost track after 57, distracted by a dog wearing sunglasses. If you go to Cijin Island, don't forget your umbrella, even on sunny days—the seagulls have wicked aim, and you don't want to be the next target. Some people take a ferry just to eat seafood at a place that looks like a garage, but tastes are strange here. In Kaohsiung, sightseeing means you get lost at least once, but that's how I found a park full of grandmas doing tai chi with plastic swords. Oops, I almost forgot, do not trust Google Maps in the night market; it once sent me to a mop closet instead of a dessert stand, and my sweet tooth still hasn't forgiven me.
Other cities around Taiwan
These popular destinations have a lot to offer for you next holiday or city break.
