Whether you’re a professional photographer, an Instagram influencer, or just a tourist trying to show your friends how cool Taiwan is, Kaohsiung has a photo opportunity for you! However, with an area spanning almost three thousand square kilometers, uncovering Kaohsiung’s hidden gems can be a task too daunting for a short visit. But fear not! During our extended stay, we’ve spent time tracking down the prettiest spots in the city. Here are our favorites, in no particular order.
1. LOVE RIVER
At any given time, you can find locals and tourists alike swarming the banks of Love River. After a short stroll on the riverwalk, it’s easy to see why. Dozens of sculptures, including a blue whale made of recycled plastic and a massive iron dragon, make walking along the river an experience just as beautiful as going to any museum. Also, every night the city puts on a rainbow light show for the residents. 
2. PIER 2 ART DISTRICT
If you’re a graffiti/street art fanatic, Pier 2 is the place for you!
Pier 2 is a former industrial area that was abandoned due to a shift in Kaohsiung’s economy. This left the area empty, desolate, and (naturally) pretty ugly. Because of this, some local artists decided to take action! Working together with the city government, they managed to completely revamp the area. Today, it’s one of the most lively and beautiful places in the city!
The once-empty warehouses are now home to a rotating collection of art exhibits. Colorful murals adorn the buildings and metal sculptures line the pedestrian friendly path that runs parallel to the harbor. Walking through the area makes you feel like you’ve left reality and entered an immersive art experience.
In addition to the art exhibits, the area also boasts a great selection of local food stands! If you’re looking for a picture-perfect food, look no further than Corner Cone. It offers a selection of “designer” ice creams, pleasing to both the eye and the tastebuds!
3. DRAGON AND TIGER PAGODAS
AND LOTUS LAKE
One of Kaohsiung’s most iconic landmarks, the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas are a stunning example of traditional Taiwanese architecture. Located on Lotus Lake, the site consists of two seven story towers, one with a tigers’ mouth doorway and one with a dragons’ mouth doorway, connected by a bridge. Tradition says that any visitors should enter the dragons’ mouth and exit through the tigers’ mouth in order to turn bad luck into good fortune.
Lotus Lake is also home to the the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Wuliting Pavilion, and the Zuoying Yuandi Temple, all of which are well worth a visit.
4. QIJIN COASTLINE
A small peninsula that protects Kaohsiung City from the open ocean, Qijin Coastline is a popular tourist destination with a great beach vibe. Its scooter-friendly boardwalk is particularly picturesque, and features landmarks such as Qijinhai Pearl, Rainbow Church, and even a “school” of colorful fish sculptures.
If you’re looking to get a birds’ eye view of the coastline and the city, hike up to the Kaohsiung Lighthouse and Cihou Fort. Both are beautiful, historical buildings that are now open to the public.
5. SHOUSHAN NATIONAL NATURE PARK
Shoushan (Monkey Mountain) is a great place to go if you want to earn your view. With thousands of feet of elevation gain and dozens of city-wide lookouts, Shoushan is bound to leave you out of breath in more ways than one. Our personal favorite lookout is the Chaishan Banyans. It’s also a great place for wildlife spotting, with its abundant monkey population!
Click here for our full blog on Shoushan National Nature Park!
6. CHENGCING LAKE
Chengcing Lake acts as a beautiful oasis in the middle of Kaohsiung city. The largest lake in the city, it was formerly a Japanese aqueduct, and later an ROC army base. Today, the lake is only used recreationally, but its many surrounding memorials tell its storied past.
The popular two-mile lakeside trail offers great views of both the lake and its beautiful surrounding infrastructure. With many rest areas and a well-shaded path, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon!
7. FO GUANG SHAN BUDDHA MONASTERY
Founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967, the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order is known for its many universities, media outlets and (naturally) temples. The most impressive of these is its headquarters, located near Kaohsiung. Its massive campus includes a stunning courtyard, giant Golden Buddha, and many smaller prayer rooms, each decorated in its own unique way. It was by far our favorite temple in Taiwan.
Click here for our full blog on Fo Guang Shan Buddha Monastery.
