[Family Travel]One Card to Explore the Port City – A Lazy Guide to Kaohsiung Attractions!

Mimi

Haha!Kaohsiung is really so much fun!Previously, Mimi used the “Kaohsiung-Penghu-Pingtung Fun Card” to take the little one to explore many attractions in Kaohsiung. The card integrates the Kaohsiung MRT, buses, ferries, the Love River Cruise... and also includes nearly a thousand local merchants and popular Kaohsiung sights, covering food, accommodation, travel, shopping, and transportation. It unknowingly helped save quite a bit on transportation costs during our two-day trip to Kaohsiung.

Later, I visited Kaohsiung several more times, and it felt like there were more and more articles about Kaohsiung travel on the site. So I took the opportunity to compile them into a lazy guide for one-day and two-day trips to Kaohsiung, for friends who want to visit. Check it out!

Kaohsiung MRT has been quite lively recently, coinciding with the MRT Anime Festival. Both the Red Line and Orange Line feature limited-edition anime trains. Whether you prefer the sweet and cute Kaohsiung Girls or the action-packed Straw Hat Pirates, you can ride as long as you like~ And of course, you can’t miss the world-famous Formosa Boulevard Station’s “Dome of Light”—it’s absolutely stunning!

Kaohsiung’s Xiziwan MRT Station is quite important. Once you exit, you’ll find the Takao Railway Story House and Pier-2 Art Center, and it’s only about a 10-minute walk to the Qijin Ferry Terminal. There’s also a shuttle bus nearby that can take you to the Takao British Consulate!

The large grassy area is very comfortable, and several retired old train locomotives are parked here, making it the favorite playground for little boys. Near the direction of the Pier-2 warehouses, there are also many large installations, which are great spots for visitors to take photos. If you come around evening time, you’ll see many dads and mums bringing their kids here to play, and the sky will be filled with kites!

Kaohsiung Pier-2 was originally a group of long-sealed old warehouses, but now it has been reborn with the power of art. The park regularly hosts various exhibitions, and colorful, creative installations take turns being displayed here. Even the giant bee from Mayday’s concert is here. It’s a must-visit spot in Kaohsiung nowadays. You can enjoy exhibitions, take photos, read books, or have coffee. Maybe spending a whole day here is a pretty great way to spend your time!

Although having coffee at a historic site isn’t very appealing to Mimi, who lives in Tainan, the view here is just too amazing. The red-bricked consulate residence exudes a strong exotic vibe, and the bustling port scene of Greater Kaohsiung can be seen in full here. Might as well grab a drink and sit down!

In the past, I would just drive through the harbor tunnel to Qijin, but taking the ferry with the little one was my first time. The “Fun Port City Adventure” Fun Card we chose includes round-trip ferry tickets. Beaches, lighthouses, old streets, biking, and food hunting... Qijin can actually be enjoyed for half a day or more!

There are boat boarding points on both sides of Kaohsiung’s Love River, at 228 Peace Park and next to the Ambassador Hotel. Both use pollution-free, zero-noise solar-powered boats that are very safe and don’t rock. You get a sparkling view of Kaohsiung’s lights, and there’s also an interesting guided tour on board. The boat ride is about 25 minutes, very comfortable. Compared to daytime, Mimi feels that coming at night is pretty nice—less hot, and the lights are much prettier.

It’s the newest and most eye-catching attraction in Kaohsiung, as voted by netizens recently. How can you not come and take a stroll?

The library houses an incredibly rich and diverse collection of books, and the space is bright and spacious. During the hot summer days in southern Taiwan, this is undoubtedly a great place to enjoy some reading time and air conditioning. And it’s just so beautiful. The entire building has claimed six No. 1 spots domestically and internationally. I truly feel that the people of Kaohsiung are so lucky—it’s really enviable!

Address: No. 21, Lane 43, Nantai Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-2812875

This “Xiba Coffee,” close to Formosa Boulevard Station, is one Mimi has had on her list for a while. The shop offers meals rarely seen in southern Taiwan, such as tea eggs and sushi. The whole set meal caught my eye, and the price is cheaper than I expected. The owner, Hanji, is super friendly and cute, and even better, there’s no time limit for dining, free outlets are provided, and it’s a really high-quality shop!

Address: No. 51, Nantai Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-2877317

That day, after leaving Xiba, I also went nearby to try the famous Lao Jiang Black Tea Milk from Liuhexi Night Market. Actually, I had planned to visit Liuhexi Night Market the night before, but the little one complained of sore feet, so we had to give up.

Although 40 NT per cup is a bit pricey, watching the staff pour a whole bottle of milk into it, and tasting its rich and delicious flavor, it’s really quite a good drink. The business is booming!

This is a scenic spot transformed from an old sugar factory in Qiaotou, and like Tainan’s Renyi Shigu, it’s operated by Taiwan’s Shigu Percussion Group. The appearance of the old sugar factory has been largely preserved. In the park, you can walk into the old factory buildings to feel their grandeur and historical atmosphere, or you can sit under an old camphor tree with a drink, enjoy the breeze, and watch the little ones explore around.

And the transportation is very convenient, right at the entrance of Qiaotou Sugar Factory Station on the MRT Red Line. The entire Qiaotou Sugar Park is also quite large, with plenty of shade. Riding a bike around inside feels quite pleasant. What’s even better is that there’s no entrance fee right now, making it a great place to spend half a day.

After leaving Qiaotou Sugar, I continued by MRT to Zuoying Station, where you can transfer to the Red 51 shuttle bus to Lotus Pond. It doesn’t seem quite the same as the impression I had—the area seems to have been well renovated, and the Dragon and Tiger Towers look very beautiful now.

Although it’s not lotus season right now, the lotus leaves by the pond make you look forward to the blooming flowers. There are many lakeside attractions, including the Dragon and Tiger Towers, the Old Zuoying City, Wuliting, Chunqiu Pavilion, Qiming Hall, and the Confucius Temple. The west bank is also Zuoying’s old town area, packed with lots of street food. No need to worry about finding something to eat!

The more it gets dark, the more beautiful it becomes – Kaohsiung Harbor City’s new landmark. Take the MRT there, and enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, baseball, and dreamy night scenes and tram rides.

The wedding photo base next to the Qijin Shell Museum, with its sea-and-sky colorful brilliance.

Qihou Lighthouse, Qihou Battery, and the Starry Tunnel – watch the sunset and admire the beautiful harbor views of Greater Kaohsiung.

The flowers have already bloomed—has everyone gone flower viewing yet?

Come for a budget-friendly food trip featuring delicious snacks and fresh seafood. (It’s also pretty close to Tainan.)

A hidden golden city in the mountains of Liouguei, resplendent and magnificent, its grand scale is truly breathtaking.

Meinong Folk Village, Kuang Dexing Paper Umbrella Factory, Jingziting Paper Umbrella Factory, |? Stroll around the Langchang

Shancheng Mountain Villa, Leisurely Mountain Town, Pulailixitou Community Adventure Trail, No. 36 Coffee with Love Jade.

So many super energizing “10,000-step chickens,” with vegetables and fruits grown using natural farming methods—every step here is organic.

The Moon World is simply stunning; a skywalk appears in the valley. Follow Chang’e to the moon!

Change into a blue shirt at the Meinong Hakka Cultural Museum, wear water shoes & enjoy the raft ride on Xiazhuang Old Street, and explore the Meinong Night Market for delicious food at night.

This is how families can play together!: Zhuzimen Power Plant is a historic site, Meinong Wenchang Palace is great for studies—go where there are fewer people. (Recommended reading:)

Meinong Zhuang Lei Tea, |? Try Jiayi; ride a bike by Linnong’s Water, visit the hidden gems atop Lion Shape Summit.

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A favorite among young girls, colorful and bright—so dreamy, with bursting girlish hearts.

Recommended restaurants for proposals / birthdays / Valentine’s Day dinners, featuring premium ingredients and attentive service, with a Ladurée-style dessert cart making an appearance.

“Yida Huanglou Cantonese Teahouse” serves delicious food in a great atmosphere, now newly upgraded to version 2.0.

Tasty two-tone rice balls, light meals that leave no heavy feeling.

Grill-roasted beef short ribs, golden slippers are delicious, desserts are amazing. CHIC CHOC’s gourmet fashion concept store.

An online super-popular sweet treat, with a variety of flavors that aren’t cloying—even guys are won over!

Temple street snacks are so delicious, Moon World and Agongdian Reservoir show just how beautiful Yancao really is.

A relaxed and pleasant green walking trail—don’t forget to enjoy a meal of native chicken before heading home!

Mommy, I’m eating native chicken on the moon ! The signature tofu chicken is highly recommended, a must-order!

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Walking, visiting exhibitions, finding good food—all very convenient, plus enjoy the beautiful Kaohsiung night view!

Totally pink—the world’s only Barbie-themed hotel. Located next to the Sanduo Shopping District MRT station, fun and convenient to explore.

A brand-new harbor-themed hotel, close to Liuhe Night Market. A renovated old building, now reopened and managed by a cultural creative team.

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, which is essentially an enhanced version of the Easycard, offering practical discounts for dining, entertainment, travel, and more, and also allows small payments via top-up.

The card doesn’t force you to follow a set itinerary but instead provides relevant discounts for flexible planning—for example, mimi’s Fun Card (NT$449) includes → two-day passes for the Kaohsiung MRT, two-day bus passes, a round-trip ferry to Qijin, and a Love Boat ticket.

Additionally, you can purchase discounted vouchers for food, accommodation, and attractions—it’s truly an excellent integrated marketing initiative that makes travel much more convenient for visitors. Reminder: be sure to activate your two-day MRT pass at major stations such as Kaohsiung Station, Formosa Boulevard Station, Zuoying Station, or Kaohsiung International Airport Station first!(Recommended reading:)

Through the “Kaohsiung-Pingtung-Penghu Fun Card” and its integrated planning, it thoughtfully covers dining, entertainment, and transportation discounts. Whether you want to go to Kenting, Penghu, Qishan, or the city—there are curated packages to make your trip much simpler and more relaxing. GOGOGO—start planning your light trip to southern Taiwan now!