Tired of Love River and Cijin? Here's a lazy guide to 10 newly popular photogenic spots in Kaohsiung

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Beyond Love River and Cijin, you have even more great choices for a Kaohsiung getaway. As Taiwan’s most vibrant international city in the south, Kaohsiung is home to numerous famous attractions—but do you think these are the only places worth visiting? Think again. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially compiled a list of newly opened spots in 2016, highly popular on Instagram, offering stunning night views, all-day entertainment, and thrilling experiences. Start planning your trip to Kaohsiung now.

Under the night sky, the Qianzhen Star Bridge appears to float above the city, combining with the bright urban lights to create one of the most beautiful urban nightscapes—and a romantic spot for couples and travelers alike. (Photo provided by photographer Jim Lin)

1. Qianzhen Star
Kaohsiung’s second bicycle bridge, the “Qianzhen Star,” is touted as the most beautiful elevated cycling path in Taiwan. Designed with a starry city vibe, this romantic sky bridge is exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. Its sleek white streamlined structure looks spectacular both day and night.

The Qianzhen Star bridge is 5 meters wide, with separate pathways for pedestrians and cyclists: a 2-meter-wide sidewalk and a 3-meter-wide bike lane. It provides a friendly environment for both, and at night, you can gaze out over the glittering port city of Kaohsiung while enjoying the evening breeze—perfect for lifting your mood.

Address: Zhongshan 3rd Road, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City
Read more:Taiwan’s most beautiful “elevated cycling path”—ride into the night and enjoy the Kaohsiung harbor views

▲ The “RT-Mart Aerial Playground,” combining retro and modern styles, offers not only an exciting sense of being airborne but also breathtaking views of Kaohsiung. (Photo provided by IG user shih_su, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

2. RT-Mart Aerial Playground
Hidden in Kaohsiung’s Wufu Commercial District is the “RT-Mart Aerial Playground,” which holds cherished childhood memories for those born in the 1960s and 70s. Refurbished and reopened in 2012, aside from its nostalgic charm, it is Taiwan’s only aerial amusement park. Its vibrant color scheme paired with dreamy rides makes it a super-popular photo spot for young women.

The playground currently features five major large-scale attractions. Each ride operates on a token system, where one RT-Mart copper coin equals 2.5 NTD. To skip the hassle of counting coins, you can opt to buy discount coupons for the rides. These are not only more affordable but also make the experience much more convenient.

Address: RF (Roof Floor), No. 59, Wufu 3rd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City
Read more:Kaohsiung’s Aerial Playground full of childhood nostalgia—dreamy murals and soaring spaces make perfect photo backdrops

▲ Geometric patterns made of triangular glass emit a crystal-like luxurious feel under the lights, providing the perfect background for artistic photos at the Dadong Art Center. (Photo provided by IG user yingtzu_tseng, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

3. Dadong Arts Center
Completed in 2012, the “Dadong Art Center” features a square building accented with geometric patterns of glass panels. From afar, it resembles an ornamental treasure box. Meanwhile, the pedestrian area surrounding the building is crowned with a balloon-like roof, making it the most eye-catching feature of the center.

The Dadong Art Center houses performance venues, exhibition halls, a library, and an education center, covering a massive 3.4 hectares. The open-air exterior space reveals the whimsical balloon-inspired roof, which changes colors at night, creating a magical atmosphere. Truly, the Dadong Art Center gets more beautiful as the night deepens.

Location: No. 161, Guangyuan Road, Fongshan District, Kaohsiung City
Read more:Balloon Roof and Geometric Walls—the Fongshan Dadong Art Center Becomes a Tourism Hotspot

▲ A romantic bus shelter becomes Xizi Bay’s new alternative nighttime landmark. (Photo from the Facebook page of “Kaohsiung Notebook”)

4. Xiziwan Bus Shelter
The Xiziwan bus shelter, once rusted by sea winds over the years, was completely renovated by the Transportation Bureau and transformed into the most romantic bus stop in Taiwan. With its sleek white folded streamline design, it glows beautifully at night. A large Big Dipper emblem guides travelers home, while amenities such as 4G Wi-Fi and free smartphone charging are available—letting passengers charge their phones and snap lovely photos while waiting for the bus.

Address: Lianhai Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City (at the entrance of National Sun Yat-sen University)
Read more:Taiwan’s most romantic bus stop!“The Big Dipper” guides travelers home

▲ The 3D painted divine dragon in front of Kaohsiung’s Wanxing Temple looks incredibly lifelike.(Photo / From the official Facebook page of “Kaohsiung Notebook”)

5. Wanxing Temple
Kaohsiung’s “Qianjin Temple” Wanxing Temple, which has a history of nearly 300 years, now features a stunning 3D dragon mural on its front steps. Created by 3D mural artist Su Jiaxian, also known as “Dragon Painting Master,” the artwork took over a month to complete by hand. This vibrant and majestic 3D dragon combines religious culture with art, bringing the temple to life. With the dragon’s presence, the temple is not only a place for prayers and wishes but has also become a new pilgrimage site.

Address: No. 325, Chenggong 1st Rd., Qianjin District, Kaohsiung
More to explore:Go on a pilgrimage now！Kaohsiung Wanxing Temple’s 3D dragon staircase is incredibly striking

▲ The Dayuan Sogo Mall, which combines a family-friendly interactive theme park with shopping and dining, offers fun from morning till night. (Photo / Provided by Suzuka Circuit Park, photographed by pp123)

6. Kaohsiung Dayuan Sogo Mall & Suzuka Circuit Park
Opened in 2016, the “Kaohsiung Dayuan Sogo Mall,” Taiwan’s first shopping mall integrating a driving-themed amusement park, is a European-style building with three floors above ground and one underground parking level. Inside, there are two indoor shopping and entertainment centers — East Avenue and West Avenue — housing a total of 220 brands, all connected by skybridges. Outside the mall lies an amusement park.

The “Suzuka Circuit Park” is Taiwan’s first theme park featuring F1-grade professional racing facilities. It also boasts the only three-stage variable-speed Ferris wheel in Taiwan. Unlike traditional theme parks, Suzuka does not charge an entrance fee but instead operates on a pay-per-ride basis. This well-planned family-friendly amusement park has become a new hot spot for dates and sightseeing in southern Taiwan.

Address: No. 100, Zhongshan 4th Rd., Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung
More to explore:Kaohsiung Dayuan Sogo Mall & Suzuka Circuit Park – A One-Day Food, Fun & Play Guide！、New Kaohsiung landmark！Experience thrilling drifts on the racetrack and enjoy romantic night views from the Ferris wheel

▲ Surrounded by breathtaking night views, a dreamy atmosphere, and crowds of people, many visitors take love-themed photos in front of the Love sign at Shoushan Observation Deck. (Photo / Provided by Instagram user _____.ting, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

7. Shoushan Observation Deck
Featuring a giant 3D Love sign and panoramic views of Kaohsiung’s day and night scenery, the “Shoushan Observation Deck” in front of the city’s iconic National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine has been in operation since 2013. Whether day or night, the deck offers constantly changing, awe-inspiring views that instantly elevate the romantic atmosphere — making it a perfect date spot for expressing your feelings.

By day, the observation deck presents a sweeping urban landscape, where buildings of varying heights form a uniquely beautiful skyline, complemented by greenery along the mountainside — a truly relaxing sight. When the stars replace the sunset, the city lights weave a dazzling neon sea, marking the most spectacular time of the day.

Location: No. 30, Zhongyi Rd., Gushan District, Kaohsiung
More to explore:Make a heartfelt confession this year at Shoushan！The 3D LOVE sign paired with stunning views is ultra-romantic

▲ Walking across the old iron bridge not only gives you an exhilarating sense of height but also offers sweeping views of the 120-hectare Kaoping Wetlands — a view you won’t want to leave. (Photo / Provided by Instagram user xxninaze, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

8. Dashu Old Iron Bridge (Kaoping Old Iron Bridge)
The “Kaohsiung Dashu Old Iron Bridge,” where you can admire the vast beauty and ecology of the Kaoping Wetlands, is the only iron bridge in Taiwan listed as a National Second-Class Historic Site. After suffering damage from storms, it was closed for years but was transformed into a “skywalk” in 2014 by the Kaohsiung City Government’s Urban Development Bureau, quickly becoming a popular Instagram-worthy spot.

Combining wetland ecology with local culture, the ever-changing views from sunrise to sunset attract many young people to take photos. While walking along the skywalk, you can also see trains passing by on the newer iron bridge in the distance, experiencing a century of history and the transition between old and new times — a truly unique experience.

Address: No. 109, Zhuliao Rd., Zhuliao Li, Dashu District, Kaohsiung
More to explore:You might even catch a train passing by while taking photos here — experience the blend of old and new at the Old Railway Bridge in Daxue, Kaohsiung.

▲ Indoor slide at the Kaohsiung Museum of Science and Technology. (Photo / Screenshot from the official Facebook page of the National Science and Technology Museum)

9. National Science and Technology Museum
The spiral slide at the Kaohsiung Museum of Science and Technology, which attracted 150,000 thrill-seekers in just 10 months after opening in 2015, was upgraded to version 2.0 in mid-December 2016. It’s claimed to be the third longest in the world and the first in Asia. The upgrade also introduced sensory experiences such as the “Joy Jump,” a five-meter drop, and the “Laser Battlefield” for paintball simulation.

The original 18-meter, four-story slide has been revamped to a towering 27 meters in height, stretching from 46 meters to 63 meters in length. The ride duration has increased from 12 to 16 seconds. Sliding down at speeds of up to 78 km/h, visitors can enjoy sensations of free-fall, tranquility, thrill, and exhilaration.

Address: No. 720, Jiouru 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City　
Read more:World’s Longest Indoor Slide in Kaohsiung — Reach Speeds of 82 km/h Descending from the 7th Floor!

▲ Brightly painted container houses are eye-catching and sure to spark a wave of tourist photo ops. (Photo / From the official Facebook page of 《Kaohsiung Notebook》)

10. “BOXHOUSING．KUBIC”
As Taiwan’s cultural and creative industries continue to thrive, the Kaohsiung City Government has set up a creative hub called “BOXHOUSING．KUBIC” in a downtown vacant lot to support emerging micro-industries. The complex is built in the distinctive port-city style of cargo containers.

Set against a spacious green field, the vibrant red, yellow, and green-painted containers are highly noticeable. Once officially established, this spot is expected to boost local tourism, becoming a new Instagram-worthy attraction in Kaohsiung, as well as a dream stage for young people and startup entrepreneurs.

Address: Intersection of Zhonghua 5th Rd. and Fuxing 3rd Rd., Kaohsiung City (next to IKEA on Zhonghua Rd.)
Read more:New Cargo Container Photo Spot in Kaohsiung — The Playful and Colorful Cultural Hub “BOXHOUSING”