Local-guided tour: Explore 22 hidden spots in Kaohsiung in just two days and one night

Hi there!The 228 holiday is just around the corner — have you planned any trips yet? As for me, Xi Jie, haha, I’m still thinking, still thinking!But today? Xi Jie sincerely wants to recommend my hometown, Kaohsiung, to everyone!(Yes, yes, Xi Jie is a true blue Kaohsiung local!) For friends from central and northern Taiwan, whenever you plan a trip to the Port City, you always want to pull out all the stops to craft the perfect itinerary. And Kaohsiung has so much charm waiting for you to discover — come and feel it for yourself!
So, let’s go!With the 228 holiday coming up, Xi Jie is here to offer a bunch of must-visit spots in Kaohsiung. The best part? Most can be reached easily via the Kaohsiung MRT or simple transport options!Let Xi Jie take you on a tour of Port City Kaohsiung, and together we’ll uncover its beauty and goodness.

O13 Dadong Station → Dadong Arts Center, Dadong Wetland Park
O10 Weiwuying Station → Weiwuying Metropolitan Park
O5/R10 Formosa Boulevard Station → Dome of Light
O1 Xiziwan (Hamasing) Station → Railway Story Museum, Sky Stage, Pier-2 Art Center

Kaohsiung Martial Arts Hall → Former British Consulate at Takao → Cijin Lighthouse, Cijin Fort → Starry Tunnel → Rainbow Church → Windmill Park

Kaohsiung Municipal Library Main Branch, Hongmaogang Cultural Park, Zhongdu Wetland Park, Moon World Geological Park, Dagang Yikeng Gorge, Hou’an Community Colorful Alley, Dashu Old Iron Bridge Skywalk
And as a bonus → the dazzling night view of Kaohsiung

First stop on our MRT light adventure takes us to the Dadong Arts Center located at “O13 Dadong Station.”
“Kaohsiung. Fengshan District” Come on!Let’s release colorful sky lanterns together!Dadong Arts Center

Wow!Aren’t they pretty?These giant, colorful sky lanterns are right before your eyes — so beautiful you won’t want to look away!

Right across from the Dadong Arts Center is the Dadong Wetland Park, also well worth a visit!The woods and lake create a stunning scene that many call Kaohsiung’s mini-version of the Forest of Serenity. Pretty cool, right?This spot known as the mini Forest of Serenity is the Dadong Wetland Park, right opposite the Dadong Arts Center. After being redesigned by the Kaohsiung City Government, it now presents a completely new look!

“Kaohsiung. Fengshan District” Hidden gem alert!Dubbed the mini Forest of Serenity in Kaohsiung, “Dadong Wetland Park” — a little secret spot accessible via MRT!
There you go!Doesn’t it really feel like Nantou’s Forest of Serenity?The circular wooden posts under the cedar trees and their reflections in the water make you feel for a moment like you’ve arrived at that beautiful Forest of Serenity!

Don’t underestimate this green gem amidst the hustle and bustle. This man-made wetland is an integrated space for ecological habitat, water purification, and human leisure.

Speaking of Weiwuying Metropolitan Park — it’s quite the place!Alongside Shoushan, it’s known as the lungs of Kaohsiung. Sounds impressive, right?But even more surprising is that it used to be a strict, no-access military training camp for new army recruits!“Kaohsiung. Fengshan District” It’s true!That once-serious military base has transformed into a secret backyard garden — Weiwuying Metropolitan Park. (Recommended reading:)

“Kaohsiung. Fengshan District” Weiwuying Metropolitan Park ~ from former army base to a great place for leisure walks + surprise fluorescent leopard-print nail sticker
But now it’s been turned into a huge recreational park. You really gotta say the people of Kaohsiung are lucky!

Three former military ammunition depots were renovated into an ecological education center. Their connected buildings are painted with digital camouflage patterns, and in this season of blooming flowers, the purple blooms set against the cold military architecture create a unique kind of beauty.

Formosa Boulevard Station was once ranked the second most beautiful subway station in the world by the famous travel site “BootsnAll” — and all thanks to this massive artwork, the Dome of Light. Wow!Even after seeing it NNN times, Xi Jie still finds it breathtaking!The Dome of Light is located inside Formosa Boulevard Station, the interchange of the Red and Orange lines on the Kaohsiung MRT. It’s the largest single-piece glass artwork in the world, created by internationally renowned artist Narcissus Quagliata over four and a half years.

The Dome of Light holds deep meaning — the two central pillars represent yin and yang, with blue for yin and red for yang. The harmony of yin and yang creates our world.“Kaohsiung. Qianjin District” Kaohsiung Central Park MRT Station ~ shiny yellow rubber duckies + Formosa Boulevard Station ~ Dome of Light + Yongqing Elementary School ~ Green Tunnel

“Kaohsiung. Qianjin District” That’s right!You don’t have to travel far abroad to see something this lovely — it’s right here in southern Taiwan, Up!Central Park + City Light Gallery

“O1 Xiziwan (Hamasing) Station” Railway Story Museum → Sky Stage → Pier-2 Art Center

The Railway Story Museum is located at MRT O1 Xiziwan (Hamasing) Station. Its predecessor was the TRA Kaohsiung Harbor Station, which reopened on October 24, 2010, the anniversary of the completion of Taiwan’s main railway line, as the “Railway Story Museum.” The preservation and reuse of the old harbor station turned it into a small railway museum. This old station got a new lease on life, and thus the Railway Story Museum was born, taking on a new tourism identity that gives it sustainable momentum.

“Kaohsiung. Gushan District” A station full of memories + art installations at Pier-2 — Railway Story Museum

Interestingly, there are several retired trains parked just outside the museum, and visitors rush to take photos with them!

Also located at MRT O1 Xiziwan Station (Hamasing), the Sky Stage offers a view that, as the saying goes, is so enjoyable you could just stand there and daydream!

"Kaohsiung. Gushan District" is a must-visit spot – a new highlight in Kaohsiung~ A beautiful new place where even standing and daydreaming is a delight~ The Sky Observatory

Getting to the Sky Observatory is super easy – just take the Orange Line of the Kaohsiung MRT to the terminal station: O1 Xiziwan Station, then exit from Exit 2, walk straight ahead for a few hundred meters, and you’ll arrive. Climb up the stairs to the Sky Observatory and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park and the cruise ships in Kaohsiung Harbor.

Next, let’s head over to the quirky and fascinating Pier-2 Art Center nearby. "Kaohsiung. Yancheng District" No way?! Transformers are actually hiding here~ Pier-2 Art Center
Wow wow wow!! Believe it or not, you’re not seeing things – that huge Transformer standing proudly in a corner of Pier-2 Art Center is real. Look at it – it’s all geared up and ready to soar into the sky to save the Earth. Phew!! Up close, it’s truly massive – no wonder it’s the star attraction of Pier-2 Art Center.
Hehe, there are also two amusing pieces of installation art sitting on the rooftop, smiling at the passersby.

The next morning, it’s recommended to explore the popular spots in southern Kaohsiung’s Gushan and Cijin areas. Wait, you ask – since we took the MRT yesterday, how do we get to these spots today? Don’t worry, traveling around Kaohsiung is super convenient. It’s suggested to rent a bike at Exit 1 of Xiziwan Station on the Kaohsiung MRT. (Price: NT$100–400 per ride, depending on the type of bike.) Haha, see? With just a bike under your feet, you can continue exploring Kaohsiung with ease.

Kaohsiung Budokan → Takao British Consular Residence → Cihou Lighthouse & Cihou Battery → Starry Tunnel → Rainbow Church → Windmill Park
On the second day, we start with the Kaohsiung Budokan. This Japanese-style building is located behind Gushan Elementary School. It was built by the Japanese before World War II. To promote the spirit of bushidō and martial valor, every Japanese prefecture had at least one budokan, and this one in Kaohsiung was the first of its kind in the region.

"Kaohsiung. Gushan District" Who knew there’s such a Japanese-style exotic building right here in the port city of Kaohsiung~ Kaohsiung Budokan

Hehe, even Sister Xi, a local Kaohsiunger herself, didn’t know there was a Japanese-era building tucked away behind Gushan Elementary School near the Cijin ferry terminal.
Hahaha, next we visit the Takao British Consular Residence, which is a national second-class historic site and Taiwan’s first Western-style building – a perfect blend of Western design and Eastern craftsmanship. u?? You won’t want to miss the photos here if you’re into that sort of thing, so head straight to this beloved spot.

"Kaohsiung. Gushan District" Takao British Consular Residence + Cijin Windmill Park + Seafood Restaurants by the Sea
Yay, if you’ve had enough of Gushan District, hop on your bike and take the ferry to Cijin to discover more fun and exciting sights. After about a 5-minute boat ride, we finally arrive at the Cijin Ferry Terminal. First, let’s check out the Cihou Lighthouse (Kaohsiung Lighthouse), a municipal third-grade historic site, and the Cihou Battery.

"Kaohsiung. Cijin District" Hehe, quietly admiring the vast harbor view in front of the pure white lighthouse~ Kaohsiung Lighthouse (Cihou Lighthouse)

Maybe it’s because Kaohsiung is Sister Xi’s hometown, but I always think the Kaohsiung Lighthouse is the most beautiful lighthouse in all of Taiwan. Hehe, if I didn’t know it was a lighthouse, I’d almost mistake it for a scenic European town. Isn’t it just lovely?

Cihou Mountain guards the entrance to Kaohsiung Harbor (Takao Port). As early as the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, military camps and batteries were established here with six cannons. In the second year of the Tongzhi era (1863), when Takao opened its port for foreign trade, the military significance of Cihou Battery grew even more. (Source: Internet)

"Kaohsiung. Cijin District" Touched – witnessing firsthand the ancient battery that once protected Takao Port in the early Qing Dynasty~ Cihou Battery

Cihou Battery is built with cement and red bricks, giving it a faint reddish hue and a nostalgic vibe.

The Starry Tunnel is located behind Jinxin Hospital. Walk along Miaodian Road (Seafood Street) toward the beach, enter the beach area, turn right, follow the signs, and you’ll reach the tunnel via a wooden boardwalk. This long, ancient tunnel has a wooden path at the bottom, decorated with neon lights, driftwood, and glow-in-the-dark stones to create patterns of the 12 zodiac signs, resembling a starry night sky. Sadly, the zodiac patterns aren’t lit up currently, so you’ll have to imagine them.

"Kaohsiung. Cijin District" Wow~ it’s like stepping into a mysterious time tunnel, whoosh~ and suddenly you’re at the blue coastline~ Starry Tunnel

Exiting the tunnel, you’re greeted by a long seawall dividing the sea in two. Outside the seawall, waves crash fiercely, while inside, it’s calm and serene. Looking back at the coral reefs shaped over millennia, you can’t help but marvel at nature’s greatness.
These two newly built rainbow churches are located next to the Cijin Shell Museum, opposite the scary giant shell and Sea Pearl. Look – walk to the end of the Shell Museum, and you’ll see a colorful, geometrically beautiful sight before your eyes. Sister Xi is thrilled!! "Kaohsiung. Cijin District" Another new highlight of port city Kaohsiung!! The Cijin Shell Museum has transformed into a sea-and-sky "Rainbow Church." The view here is so stunning it makes you want to snap photos nonstop.

Actually, these two new installations were created when a Kaohsiung wedding photography business leased the nearly abandoned Cijin Shell Museum from the Tourism Bureau and invested millions to renovate it into a wedding photo studio. (Though calling the Cijin Shell Museum an “abandoned” place isn’t quite fair – to Sister Xi, the museum’s super-strong AC is practically heaven on a hot seaside day!)

Hehehe!! Most of our travels today have been spent on the Cijin Peninsula. After all, there are just too many fun and exciting spots on Cijin worth exploring. Finally, let’s visit the Cijin Windmill Park and play with these little crabs and shrimp.
"Kaohsiung. Cijin District" Yellow windmills romantically spinning in the wind, with even little crabs and shrimp joining in the fun~ Cijin Windmill Park

Yay!! Are you super interested in this two-day, one-night light Kaohsiung trip? As always, take advantage of the 228 Holiday, book your hotel, and head south to Kaohsiung to soak up the warm vibes of southern Taiwan. (Recommended reading:)

But wait – there’s more!! Big, vibrant Kaohsiung isn’t just about the great spots mentioned above. Having explored Kaohsiung for years, Sister Xi knows there are tons of amazing places worth checking out. Next, let’s cover some other spots she’s visited and share them with you for reference.

Kaohsiung Public Library Main Branch, Hongmaogang Cultural Park, Zhongdu Wetlands Park, Moon World Geopark, Dagangshan Cliff Path, Hou’an Community Mural Alley, Dashu Old Iron Bridge Skywalk. And one more bonus → Kaohsiung’s stunning night view.

First, we head to the Kaohsiung Public Library Main Branch. Let’s get to know this uniquely designed green energy building. After four years of anticipation, the world’s first suspended-structure library – the new main branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library – was completed on November 13. Its design, described as “a green architectural cultural landmark with trees within the library and a library within the trees,” won top international honors.

Additionally, the “column-free interior space” and the “top-down construction method” are two standout architectural features. Besides highlighting the relationship between people, books, and trees, it also commemorates a historic civic movement with great vision. (Source: Internet)

“Kaohsiung. Qianzheng District” Wow~ another new highlight of the port city, beautifully showcasing the combination of green energy and knowledge in an eco-friendly green building – the Kaohsiung Public Library Main Branch.

I truly appreciate the arrangement of the bookshelves in the main library; it’s absolutely up to international library standards.

Would you like to walk along a skywalk with breathtaking mountain and sea views? Would you like to feel the powerful impact of massive ships entering the harbor? Would you like to sit in the rotating restaurant of the Gaotzi Tower and enjoy delicious food? Come on, let me take you to the Hongmaogang Cultural Park in Kaohsiung’s Xiaogang District, where you can get up close and experience the unique strength and beauty of port city culture.

“Kaohsiung. Xiaogang District” Here, you can definitely experience the unique charm of the port city – the Hongmaogang Cultural Park.

“Kaohsiung. Xiaogang District” Come on, come on~ only here can you closely feel the thrilling sight of massive ships entering the harbor – the Hongmaogang Cultural Park.

This place uses the structure of old houses, combined with traditional architectural techniques, to recreate a virtual reality of life in the Hongmaogang settlement. The unfinished form allows visitors to easily see through the construction process and the use of building materials, reliving the heyday of Hongmaogang.

Hehe, at that moment, Sister Xi stood under the scorching sun on the ocean-viewing platform, ready to witness the rare spectacle of a large ship departing from the harbor!

Zhongdu Wetland Park systematically collects, conserves, and regenerates Taiwan’s wetland plants, restoring the coastal forest belt that once existed in Kaohsiung’s history, repairing the urban environmental system, and serving multiple functions such as ecological education, species diversity preservation, national land security and flood prevention, as well as public recreation. (Source: official website)

Ta-da, the most remarkable thing is that in 2012, it represented Taiwan in the “2012 Global Outstanding Building Award,” known as the Oscars of the architecture world, and once again earned recognition from international experts and scholars, winning the first prize in the Environmental Restoration category, receiving strong international support and acclaim. (Let’s all give a round of applause!)

“Kaohsiung. Sanchong District” Don’t be surprised, I’m not in Bali~ this is the best representation of a true river-sea wetland mangrove ecosystem – Zhongdu Wetland Park.

Treehouses built with driftwood and thatch give off an especially relaxing vibe. Hehe, I call it the “daydreaming pavilion” because the sun was just too intense, so I stepped into the daydreaming pavilion and let the gentle breeze caress my face. For a moment, it really felt like I was on vacation on some small island in Southeast Asia!

The pathways on the ecological island follow the principle of minimal development, allowing people to immerse themselves in nature without disturbing wildlife.

The barren and desolate terrain before your eyes is located in Yuanshi Geo-Park in Tianliao District. Most people are familiar with it, as the most famous feature of the Moon World is its lunar-like surface.

“Kaohsiung. Tianliao District” Here, you’ll find a uniquely desolate and beautiful landscape, where the scenery before you might make you think you’ve landed on the moon’s surface – Yuanshi Geo-Park.

Hehe, you must take a memory photo with this bamboo artwork shaped like a crescent moon or a croissant. As a representative of tourists, Sister Xi made sure to check this spot off her list~ (Actually, it has a very beautiful name – the Crescent Moon Viewing Platform, okay?)

Standing on the viewing platform and looking out at the undulating mudstone landscape of the Moon World, if it weren’t for this park, getting a glimpse of this magnificent view would probably be quite difficult!

Speaking of the Dagangshan Scenic Area, in the early days, Dagan Mountain, located at the border of Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District and Tianliao District, lies about six kilometers northeast of Gangshan District. It is a small, table-shaped hill that rises like an upturned boat on the plain.

Before the 1980s, due to military needs, most of Dagan Mountain was designated as a military restricted area, and general visitors were prohibited from entering. As a result, Dagan Mountain was shrouded in an air of mystery. (Source: internet)

Today, the restricted military zones have been reduced, and large numbers of visitors flock to Dagan Mountain, though most only explore the front mountain. In fact, the back mountain still hides many more natural landscapes, such as the One-Line Sky, Stone Breast, Slimming Cave, Old Woman Cave, Cool Cave, and Japanese-era military caves, all of which are worth seeing.

“Kaohsiung. Tianliao District” Hidden in southern Taiwan is a spectacular and majestic cliff. Would you like to experience the thrilling sensation of walking between mountain walls?

Then come and take a walk through the “Dagangshan One-Line Sky”!

The limestone terrain, due to erosion, often features erosion trenches and caves. The One-Line Sky, however, due to tectonic uplift and earthquakes, naturally formed a unique rift valley, which, after water erosion, created a wider passage for people to walk through. (Source: internet)

Located in the colorful alley of Huaian Community in Renwu District, Kaohsiung, it’s one of Sister Xi’s favorites. Hehe, she actually made two trips just for these colorful artworks. So what’s so special about them?

The artworks feature the two most famous protagonists of Frozen, currently the most popular among little sisters – yep, Princess Elsa and Princess Anna, Let It Go, Let It Go Go Go Go!

Most painting villages or alleys in Taiwan are usually painted by amateurs, but Renwu’s Huaian Community is different. The local community head invited professional mural artist Mr. Tsai, who had previously worked on hand-painted movie billboards, to create the wall paintings.

“Kaohsiung. Renwu District” Wow~ no way, Jurassic Park has appeared in the “Huaian Community Colorful Alley”! Let’s quickly go and check out these lifelike dinosaur paintings!

“Kaohsiung. Renwu District” What the? Princess Elsa from Frozen has shown up in southern Taiwan? How cool is that~ Huaian Community Colorful Alley.

Look at this Transformer – if no one told you this was a painted alley, you’d really mistake it for a movie mural outside a cinema.

And the highlight is Japan’s famous Todai-ji Temple, which also makes an appearance here – look at the adorable little monk!

He’s, um, a bit older, senior citizen level. Coincidentally, he just celebrated his 100th birthday not long ago.
Was it just lying there before?? Letting trains run back and forth. (Pfft!) What a lame description!
Its appearance is like a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky.
It once held the title of the longest bridge in Asia. (Throwback moment!)
It’s the Old Iron Bridge Skywalk located in Dadu District, Kaohsiung!

“Kaohsiung. Dadu District” – The elegant, rainbow-shaped old iron bridge. A new lease on life~ Let’s experience it together~ The Old Iron Bridge Skywalk in Dadu

In 1983, Taiwan Railways, considering safety, built a new electrified railway bridge, the New Gaoping River Bridge (a reinforced concrete prestressed beam bridge), north of the old iron bridge. So, Up!, when you walk on the skywalk, you can easily get a close-up view of trains passing by nearby!

On the left→ the New Gaoping River Bridge, and on the right→ the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge. This scene of old and new passing the torch? Hmm, it’s quite moving. Just think about how much history has unfolded right here in this very spot!

Alright, no more rambling now—let me take you all to experience the stunning atmosphere of Kaohsiung, which gets even more beautiful as night falls. Look at that!! The lights envelop the entire library, shining like sparkling stars, dazzlingly bright. So beautiful, truly.

“Kaohsiung. Night Too Beautiful” Highly recommended!! A warm winter light trip with romance off the charts. Head to the new highlight of the harbor city’s night view!

Wow!! At night, the sky platform quietly stands in place, with a few visitors on the platform gazing toward the distant Hamasen Railway Cultural Park. Although I didn’t walk up onto the platform myself, I imagine the view from there must be absolutely gorgeous and real!

Let’s head to the observation deck next to the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine on Shoushan to fully enjoy the million-dollar night view that belongs exclusively to Kaohsiung!