Kaohsiung

To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of Kaohsiung. It’s the largest city in Southern Taiwan (and the third largest overall), home to the country’s biggest port, and even made it onto Lonely Planet’s list of top 10 cities to visit in the world, but I’m not sure I share that enthusiasm. The city felt too big for the number of people living there. The wide streets and empty spaces gave it a slightly unsettling, almost abandoned vibe. It didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Getting Around

If you arrive by HSR (High-Speed Rail), you’ll get off at Zuoying Station, located north of the city centre. From there, hop on the Red Line of the Kaohsiung MRT to reach the main parts of the city.

If you’re coming by TRA (regular train), you’ll arrive right in Kaohsiung Station downtown, which is also connected to the MRT Red Line.

You can pay for all public transport with your EasyCard. The city also has a light rail system (LRT) and a convenient bus network for getting around, though I found the MRT the easiest way to travel.

What to Do in Kaohsiung

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum & Monastery

This was the main reason I came to Kaohsiung, and honestly, the only thing I truly enjoyed here. The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Monastery is located about 30 minutes by bus from Zuoying HSR Station.

There are two stops when you arrive: one for the Fo Guang Monastery (the older temple complex) and another for the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, home to the massive seated Buddha statue and eight pagodas lining the central walkway. Both are beautiful and peaceful places to visit.

You can take the E02 bus (Harvard Express) at platform 3 in front of the Zuoying Station directly to Fo Guang Shan. It runs every 30-40 minutes, but occasionally skips an hour or more, so it’s best to check the schedule ahead of time. The ride costs around 82 TWD and takes about 30 minutes. The site is closed on Tuesdays and open 9:00–18:00 on other days.

To visit the monastery, there’s a free shuttle bus that takes you from the main Buddha Museum Hall up to the monastery (make sure to take right the bus stop, not the left one as this one will take you back to Zuoying). Once you arrive, a little cart will take you up so you don’t have to walk up the hill to the main temple (which is great when it’s hot). You can technically walk from the Buddha Museum to the older monastery, it takes about 20 minutes, but the path isn’t super clear and can be exhausting in the heat, so I recommend the shuttle instead.

Lotus Pond Temples

A cluster of temples and pagodas surrounding the scenic Lotus Pond, this area is one of Kaohsiung’s main attractions. It’s photogenic, with colourful dragon and tiger statues.

Pier-2 Art Center

Located near the harbour, this creative space has pop-up exhibitions, murals, and small shops. It’s fun for a short stroll, especially if you like browsing art installations or grabbing a coffee in a trendy area.

Glory Pier

Usually filled with inflatable art statues and light installations, but when I visited the second time in October 2025 (first time was in 2023), there was… nothing. Maybe it depends on the time of year, but it felt pretty empty this time.

Dome of Light (Formosa Boulevard MRT Station)

Inside one of Kaohsiung’s busiest MRT stations, the Dome of Light is a massive stained-glass ceiling that’s worth a short stop, especially if you’re passing through.

Cijin Island

A short ferry ride from the harbour takes you to Cijin Island, where you can rent bikes, visit the beach, and climb up to the Cihou Lighthouse. I didn’t go this time, but it’s one of the city’s more popular day trips.

Sanfong Temple

A beautiful old temple downtown, surrounded by narrow alleys and local shops.

Visit Mikan, Kaohsiung’s Famous Station Cat

This might be one of the city’s cutest claims to fame. Mikan is a stray cat adopted by Kaohsiung Metro staff, and she’s become a bit of a local celebrity. She often appears at Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Station, sometimes in costume, and even has an official Instagram page where you can check her monthly appearance schedule.

Small Herping Trip

We also went on a small herping hike just outside the city, as Kaohsiung’s surrounding forests are known for their snake diversity. To our surprise, we actually spotted a Taiwanese beauty rat snake feasting on a squirrel, an incredible moment and definitely the wildest highlight of the trip!

Final Thoughts

After spending time in Kaohsiung two times, I have to say I was pretty disappointed. Every travel blog I’d read made it seem like this vibrant, cultural, and artistic city, but in reality, it just didn’t click for me. It felt too big, too empty, and a bit soulless compared to other parts of Taiwan.

That said, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Monastery absolutely is worth a visit. If you’re passing through Kaohsiung, I’d recommend just spending one day here, visit the Buddha complex, maybe swing by Pier-2 or Lotus Lake, and then head on to your next destination.