Travel Guide

The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), also known as Weiwuying, is located in Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. It is Taiwan's largest cultural facility, the world's largest performing arts venue under a single roof, and the first national-level performing arts venue in southern Taiwan. Designed by Dutch architect Francine Houben, the center features a streamlined, wave-like architecture that blends seamlessly with its surroundings. The center houses four indoor performance halls: an Opera House (2,236 seats), a Concert Hall (1,981 seats), a Playhouse (1,209 seats), and a Recital Hall (434 seats). On its south side, there is an outdoor theater with a capacity for 30,000 people. The Concert Hall is equipped with an organ featuring 9,085 pipes, making it the largest organ in Asia. Weiwuying Metropolitan Park, formerly a military training base, began its transformation project in 2003 and officially opened on October 13, 2018.

The Kaohsiung Pop Music Center is a comprehensive music performance venue and cultural facility located in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. It aims to promote the development of Chinese pop music and offers diverse music performances, exhibitions, and educational activities. The center features a large performance hall, small exhibition spaces, creative cultural shops, and an outdoor plaza, making it one of Kaohsiung City's important cultural landmarks and a significant hub for pop music in Asia.

The Love River is the lifeblood of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, originating in Renwu District, flowing 12 kilometers through Kaohsiung city center, and finally emptying into Kaohsiung Port. It plays a crucial role in Kaohsiung's cultural and economic development. Riverside parks have been built along the Love River, featuring night markets and outdoor cafes, often with live band performances. Visitors can take boat tours (such as the Love Boat, Duck Boat, or Gondola) to enjoy the riverside scenery and the city's night views. There are also many iconic buildings along the riverbank, such as the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Kaohsiung Bridge, and Kaohsiung District Court, as well as cultural events like concerts and lantern festivals.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (English: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum), formerly known as the Buddha Memorial Center, is a Mahayana Buddhist cultural, religious, and educational museum located in Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. The museum is affiliated with Fo Guang Shan, one of Taiwan's largest Buddhist organizations. It is adjacent to Fo Guang Shan Monastery, which serves as the headquarters of the order. The museum houses one of the tooth relics of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of the Buddhist faith. The museum was accepted as the youngest member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 2014.

The Former British Consulate at Takao Cultural Park is a historic site located in Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, built in 1865. It once served as the British consulate in Taiwan and has now been designated as a historical site by the Ministry of Culture. The consulate is situated on top of Shaochuantou Mountain, overlooking Sizihwan Bay and Kaohsiung Port, and has been converted into a cafe and tourist attraction.

The Sizihwan Scenic Area is located in Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and is named for its bay adjacent to the Taiwan Strait. Its name 'Sizih' (Xizi) also refers to Xishi, an ancient beauty, implying the area's picturesque scenery. The scenic area is situated north of the Kaohsiung Port entrance, nestled between mountains and the sea, with Shoushan (Mt. Shou) to the northeast and Shaouchuantou Mountain to the east. The campus of National Sun Yat-sen University occupies most of the area, facing the vast Taiwan Strait. Sizihwan Beach (known as Takao Beach during the Japanese colonial period) is located at the edge of the campus and is a popular recreational area. The former British Consulate at Takao and the historic Lingxing Temple on top of Shaouchuantou Mountain overlook Sizihwan.

Cijin Peninsula, originally known as Cijin Island, is located in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and is one of the birthplaces of Kaohsiung City. The peninsula is approximately 8.5 kilometers long and has an average width of 400 meters. In 1967, to develop the second port of Kaohsiung Harbor, the southern tip of the peninsula, which connected to the main island of Taiwan, was cut off, making it an independent island. The island boasts rich historical sites, natural scenery, and coastal leisure facilities, making it an important tourist attraction in Kaohsiung.

Lotus Pond Scenic Area is a famous attraction in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, known for its lakeside temples and sculptures such as the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and Beiji Xuantian Shangdi. The lake surface shimmers, and the scenery is beautiful, making it a great place for tourists to relax and sightsee.

Pier-2 Art Center, located in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, was originally a derelict old warehouse area. It has since been transformed into a creative and artistic cultural park, making it an important cultural and artistic attraction in Kaohsiung. The park features multiple art exhibition halls, creative shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as public art installations, making it a great place to experience Kaohsiung's local culture and creativity.

Qiaotou Sugar Refinery is located in Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. It is a century-old sugar factory that later transformed into the Taiwan Sugar Museum. It not only preserves the old sugar factory buildings and equipment but also integrates art, culture, and recreational tourism functions, becoming a cultural park rich in historical charm. Visitors can tour the museum to learn about the development history of Taiwan's sugar industry, enjoy the park's green landscapes and historical buildings, and experience a nostalgic atmosphere. Additionally, Qiaotou Sugar Refinery is an important station on Kaohsiung MRT Red Line.

A unique way of eating Heelun (tempura/fish cake) specific to Kaohsiung. Boiled Heelun slices are slowly grilled over charcoal until the surface is golden brown and slightly charred, then sprinkled with special seasoning powder. It has a crispy exterior and chewy interior, a beloved afternoon snack for Kaohsiung locals since childhood.

A traditional sweet snack commonly found in Kaohsiung night markets and traditional markets. Glutinous rice dough is deep-fried, then coated with peanut powder and powdered sugar. The Kaohsiung version is usually fried to be crispier and comes in more varied shapes.

A 24-hour breakfast shop in Kaohsiung that has been operating for over 60 years. Its signature black tea milk is a shared memory for Kaohsiung locals. The black tea is brewed using traditional methods, resulting in a very rich tea flavor, then combined with local Kaohsiung 'Gaomu Fresh Milk' in a unique proportion.

A legendary duck meat restaurant in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, known for its unique ordering method and delicious duck meat dishes. There is no menu in the restaurant; customers simply tell the owner the number of diners, and the owner will prepare a table of dishes according to the number of people, including duck rice, offal soup, and more.

Kaohsiung's Spanish Mackerel Thick Soup is a representative dish of southern Taiwanese flavor. Marinated Spanish mackerel pieces are deep-fried until golden, then added to a slightly sweet thick soup made with cabbage and dried flatfish. The Kaohsiung version typically features larger fish pieces and a more pronounced sweetness in the soup.

A freshly baked sponge cake very popular in Taiwan, especially in Kaohsiung, where there are several famous old shops. It is characterized by its large size, fluffy and soft texture, rich egg aroma, and is sold hot, freshly baked and sliced.

A famous specialty of the Gangshan area in Kaohsiung, and one of the representative mutton hot pots in Taiwan. Gangshan mutton hot pot is characterized by its skin-on local goat meat, and the broth often comes in braised or herbal flavors. It has a rich taste and is considered a superb tonic for winter.

A legendary old shop located in Kaohsiung's Yancheng District market, famous for its 24-hour operation and delicious milkfish dishes. The signature dish is Milkfish Vermicelli Soup, featuring boneless milkfish meat, fish skin, or fish balls, served with thick vermicelli and a sweet, clear fish bone broth.

A famous specialty near Kaohsiung's Cijin and Gushan ferry terminals, known for its "super large portions". Shaved ice is piled high in a giant bowl, topped with various fresh fruits, beans, taro balls, and other ingredients, then drizzled with syrup and condensed milk. Portions range from 2 to 10 times the standard size.

The most iconic drink in Kaohsiung, and a pilgrimage site for papaya milk lovers across Taiwan. Made by blending perfectly ripe local papayas with fresh milk and a touch of syrup. It has a rich and mellow taste, making it a perfect refreshing drink for Kaohsiung's hot climate.

A representative dish hailed as Taiwan's "national dish," famous for its rich broth, tender beef, and chewy noodles. Whether in high-end restaurants or street alleys, you can find beef noodle shops with various flavors, making it a must-try item for Taipei cuisine.

A Hakka specialty dish from the Meinong area of Kaohsiung. Ban Tiao are wide, flat noodles made from steamed indica rice paste, known for their chewy texture and rich rice aroma. They can be served as soup ban tiao, dry-mixed ban tiao, or stir-fried ban tiao.

Originating from Shantou, Guangdong, this hotpot has developed a unique style in Kaohsiung. Its broth is a delicious clear soup simmered with dried flatfish and winter vegetables; the soul lies in the restaurant's secret satay sauce; and the ingredients emphasize freshly slaughtered, hand-sliced warm-body beef.

Kaohsiung's Seafood Congee is more like 'soup rice,' with distinct rice grains rather than overcooked, mushy congee. In a piping hot, savory broth, generous amounts of fresh shrimp, clams, oysters, squid, and other seafood are added, along with shredded bamboo shoots and mushrooms, making it a hearty bowl of soup rice.