Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s great southern port and a fascinating destination for travellers interested in history, architecture and maritime culture. Long before its modern skyline appeared, Indigenous communities, fishermen and merchants lived around its sheltered coastal waters. The settlement once known as Takao gradually developed into an important trading harbour during the Qing period. Japanese colonial planners later reshaped the waterfront with docks, railways, industries and carefully planned urban districts.
Those layers remain visible around Cijin, Hamasen, Yancheng and the Old City of Fongshan. A Kaohsiung historical travel guide therefore reveals a city far more complex than its modern reputation suggests. Historic walls, temples, colonial buildings and harbour districts make Kaohsiung one of southern Taiwan’s most rewarding cultural destinations.
A Little Bit of History
The Kaohsiung region was originally inhabited by Indigenous communities, including the Makatau people, who called the area Takau or a similar name. Chinese settlement increased during the Ming and early Qing periods as fishermen and farmers moved into Taiwan’s southwestern plains. The Dutch East India Company occupied southern Taiwan from 1624, bringing surrounding coastal areas into a wider colonial trading network. Zheng Chenggong, or Koxinga, expelled the Dutch in 1662 and established a Ming loyalist regime on Taiwan.
Qing forces defeated that regime in 1683, after which Taiwan formally entered the Qing imperial administration. Fongshan County became an important administrative unit in the south, centred for periods around present-day Zuoying. Following an uprising, authorities strengthened its defences by constructing substantial stone fortifications in 1826. Parts of the Old Fongshan City wall remain among Kaohsiung’s most important Qing-era monuments.
Foreign influence expanded dramatically after Qing defeats in the Second Opium War led to new treaty-port arrangements in 1858. Takao subsequently developed as an international harbour, attracting foreign merchants, consular representatives and shipping interests. Taiwan passed to Japan in 1895 under the Treaty of Shimonoseki after the First Sino-Japanese War. Japanese authorities modernised Takao Harbor, completed major harbour works in 1908 and developed Hamasen on reclaimed land after 1912.
In 1920, colonial authorities adopted the characters 高雄 for Takao, which later produced the Mandarin name Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung became an industrial and military centre but suffered extensive Allied bombing during the final stages of the Second World War. Japanese rule ended in 1945, while violence connected with Taiwan’s 1947 February 28 Incident also struck Kaohsiung. The city later became Taiwan’s industrial powerhouse, and the municipality expanded substantially when Kaohsiung City and County merged in 2010.
Best Time to Visit Kaohsiung
The best time to visit Kaohsiung is usually from November to March, when southern Taiwan enjoys cooler and generally drier conditions. Winter days often feel pleasantly warm, making long walks through historic districts much easier than during midsummer. April and October can also be attractive, although temperatures are noticeably higher. Summers are hot, humid and rainy, while typhoons can affect southern Taiwan between summer and early autumn.
Lunar New Year brings temple ceremonies and festive activity, although accommodation demand can rise during the holiday period. February also carries historical significance because Taiwan commemorates the February 28 Incident, including events connected with Kaohsiung’s difficult post-war history. Visitors arriving during cooler months can comfortably combine heritage walks with harbour cruises, cycling and evenings at the city’s famous night markets.
How Many Days?
Three days give international visitors enough time to understand Kaohsiung without rushing between widely separated districts. A day trip can cover Cijin, the British Consulate area, Hamasen and several historic harbour sites. However, one day leaves little time for Zuoying’s Qing fortifications or Kaohsiung’s museums and traditional neighbourhoods. Two or three nights allow travellers to explore Yancheng, Lotus Pond, old railway sites and the city’s evolving waterfront.
A longer stay also creates space for temples, markets and relaxed meals beyond the major attractions. Excellent day trips include Fo Guang Shan, Meinong’s Hakka communities and the historic streets of nearby Tainan. Four days work especially well for travellers combining Kaohsiung history with southern Taiwan’s broader cultural heritage.
Accommodation in Kaohsiung
Yancheng District is the most atmospheric base for travellers focusing on Kaohsiung’s historical sights. The neighbourhood developed beside the port and remains close to Hamasen, Cijin ferries and important Japanese-era heritage. Yanchengpu MRT station also provides straightforward connections to other parts of the city. Budget travellers can find inexpensive hotels near Pier-2, while established mid-range properties offer excellent value nearby.
Travellers preferring nightlife and shopping may choose Xinxing or Central Park instead. Luxury hotels cluster around Qianjin, Lingya and the modern harbourfront, with easy MRT access to older districts. Current Booking.com listings show considerable price variation, so the following figures represent practical starting estimates rather than guaranteed rates.
Some Tips & Ideas for Hotels Include:
Legend Hotel Kaohsiung Pier2 – A popular modern hotel within walking distance of the historic harbour district. Rooms offer excellent value. Prices from approximately €45 per night.
Kaohsiung Chateau de Chine Hotel – This established Yancheng hotel sits close to the MRT and old waterfront. Service is polished and dependable. Prices from approximately €55 per night.
Hotel Indigo Kaohsiung Central Park – A stylish upscale property with design inspired by local industrial heritage. Its central location suits urban exploration. Prices from approximately €95 per night.
Grand Hi Lai Hotel – This long-established luxury hotel combines harbour access with extensive dining facilities. Rooms are spacious and comfortable. Prices from approximately €105 per night.
Book your preferred hotel, apartment, or hostel here.
Sightseeing in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung’s historical attractions reveal how a modest coastal settlement became Taiwan’s great southern port. Qing-era fortifications preserve the period before industrialisation transformed the shoreline. Cijin recalls the fishing communities and maritime trade that sustained early Takao. Foreign consular architecture documents the opening of Taiwan to international commerce during the nineteenth century.
Hamasen illustrates the extraordinary scale of Japanese colonial investment in railways and harbour infrastructure. Post-war heritage adds another layer, particularly around government buildings and memorial sites connected with 1947. Exploring these places gives visitors a chronological introduction to historic Kaohsiung rather than simply a collection of monuments.
Below are some of the country’s most interesting historical attractions.
British Consulate at Takow – This nineteenth-century complex recalls the era when Takao opened to foreign trade and Western merchants entered southern Taiwan.
Old City of Fongshan – The surviving walls and gates in Zuoying preserve major sections of the stone fortifications completed in 1826.
Hamasen Historic District – Developed during Japanese rule, Hamasen became a railway, commercial and administrative centre beside the rapidly expanding harbour.
Cihou Fort – The hilltop fort on Cijin protected the entrance to Takao Harbor and reflects Qing efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s coastal defences.
Kaohsiung Museum of History – Housed in the former Japanese-era city hall, the museum interprets local history, including Kaohsiung’s traumatic experience during 1947.
Looking for exciting tours and activities? Book them here through GetYourGuide.
Food & Drinks – Taste the Local Cuisine
Kaohsiung’s food culture reflects its harbour, working-class history and position among the fertile agricultural districts of southern Taiwan. Seafood remains fundamental, especially around Cijin, where fish, squid and shellfish arrive from coastal waters. Local favourites include duck rice, milkfish, braised pork rice, seafood porridge and Taiwanese hotpot. Duck rice became closely associated with inexpensive urban dining and remains particularly popular in older central districts.
Night markets helped preserve another strand of everyday cooking as Kaohsiung expanded during the twentieth century. Tea remains ubiquitous, while local craft breweries and specialist wine bars now broaden the city’s drinking culture. Michelin’s current coverage also confirms Kaohsiung’s emergence as a serious dining destination.
Here are some restaurant ideas and recommendations:
Duck Zhen – This long-running Yancheng institution is famous for duck rice, sliced duck and comforting soups. Its old-school atmosphere suits a historical food itinerary.
Cheng Tsung Duck Rice – A Michelin Bib Gourmand address specialising in one of Kaohsiung’s defining everyday dishes. Portions remain simple and focused.
Old New Taiwanese Cuisine – Open since 2008, this restaurant updates traditional Taiwanese banquet cooking without abandoning familiar flavours. Michelin also recommends it.
HAILI – This contemporary restaurant holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. Its refined menus bring modern techniques to Taiwan-inspired ingredients.
Surfer Brewery – Kaohsiung’s home-grown craft brewery serves beer from its own production in Xinxing District. It offers an alternative to Taiwan’s mainstream lagers.
How to Get there?
Flights
Kaohsiung International Airport is the most convenient gateway for overseas travellers visiting southern Taiwan. It handles international flights from several Asian cities, although long-haul visitors often connect through another regional hub. The airport sits surprisingly close to central Kaohsiung and connects directly to the Red Line MRT. Kaohsiung International Airport Station is R4, with trains running toward Formosa Boulevard and Zuoying.
The MRT journey to Formosa Boulevard usually takes around 15 minutes, while taxis often need roughly 20 minutes. Travellers arriving through Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport can continue south by high-speed rail after transferring to the THSR network. Taiwan has no international railway links, so travellers from neighbouring countries must first reach the island by air or sea.
Looking for flights? Book your tickets here through Skyscanner.
Public Transport
Taiwan High Speed Rail provides the fastest public transport connection between Kaohsiung and cities on the western corridor. Services terminate at Zuoying Station, around 90 minutes from central Taipei on the fastest trains. The Red Line MRT then reaches central Kaohsiung in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Conventional Taiwan Railway services also connect Kaohsiung with Tainan, Taichung, Taipei and eastern destinations.
They are slower than THSR but can be useful when travelling between smaller towns. Within Kaohsiung, the MRT, light rail, buses and Cijin ferry cover most attractions without requiring a vehicle. Buying an EasyCard simplifies transfers and payment across several forms of public transport.
Looking for public transport tickets? Book your bus tickets here through Busbud
Car Rental
Renting a car becomes useful when Kaohsiung forms part of a wider southern Taiwan itinerary. Highways provide straightforward access to Tainan, Pingtung, Meinong and rural areas beyond the metropolitan transport network. Driving from central Kaohsiung to Tainan generally takes about one hour outside heavy traffic. Fo Guang Shan can usually be reached in roughly 40 minutes, depending on the departure point.
Parking is less convenient around dense central districts, so cars offer little advantage for Yancheng, Cijin or the main harbourfront. International visitors should confirm licence requirements and obtain an International Driving Permit when their nationality requires one. For a city-focused Kaohsiung historical travel guide, public transport is usually easier than renting a car.
Would you like to rent a car in Taiwan? Book your all-inclusive rental here with DiscoverCars.
Relax! The Best Blogs about Kaohsiung
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