Kaohsiung - 6 Things to Do and See in the City

Kaohsiung could perhaps be thought of Taipei's little sister. Located down in the south of the island, Taiwan's second biggest city often gets overlooked by tourists, making it perhaps a better choice if you want to experience some authentic island life and see part of the island that is more off the radar than the capital. Featuring such sights as impressive high-rise buildings that come into their own as night descends, such as the rocket-shaped 85 Tower, the nearby Cijin Island (five minutes by ferry) with swaying palms and sandy beaches, and plenty of green parks replete with water features, Kaohsiung is undoubtedly a place you can both relax and enjoy the excitement of the city at one and the same time.

Beaches

Apart from Cijin Island, Kaohsiung's beach is in Sizihwan, where you can take a swim, soak up some rays or just sit under a palm tree drinking 100 percent genuine coconut juice if you prefer. The nearby hotel (there's only one on the beach) has its own bathing area you can enjoy for a few dollars, giving access to the hotel's bar service and sun loungers. A pleasant walkway awaits running the whole length of the shore, affording countless photo opportunities of oceanic views and sunset vistas during your early evening sojourn. To cap it off, the whole area is set against the backdrop of lush hills bedecked in thick green foliage in true tropical style. There's no mistaking that you're on a tropical island.

Nearby Cijin

As an alternative, you can take a ferry and explore nearby Cijin Island. The ferry ride is little more than a bridge crossing, taking just a matter of minutes and only costs 40NT. There are plenty of eating options on the island too, as well as a market and a long strip of beach offering plenty of places to bathe and take a swim, although caution is advised given the unpredictable currents. Pay attention to the coloured flags. Rent a scooter to explore the island in the quickest time, otherwise, a bicycle is a pleasant way to get around. There are plenty of places to hire bikes and scooters as soon as you get off the ferry. You could also take a bike taxi if you'd rather leave the navigating to someone else and just settle back and enjoy the ride.

85 Tower

The 85 tower is the ultimate skyscraper in the city and looms over Kaohsiung like a vast space rocket. Easily spotted from just about any place in the city, it serves as a useful homing beacon for the lost traveller, but apart from that, as well as being a top-notch hotel, for just a few pounds you can ride the elevator right to the top where you'll enjoy views normally associated with looking out of an aeroplane window. There is a restaurant and cafe should you wish to dine while enjoying the panorama. As for the rest of the city's ultra-modern tower blocks, they really come to life after dark when illuminated in all manner of subtle colors which flash out serenely into the warm night air, adding an undeniable touch of glamour to the city.

Love River - Unmissable

By night, Love River is breathtakingly beautiful. The shimmering and variating lights that dance across the surface of the water offer the perfect backdrop for your evening meal or from where you can just sit and enjoy a cocktail. There are outdoor bars and restaurants tastefully dappled here and there along the river's edge from where to relax and take it all in. The atmosphere is relaxed and definitely designed with the family in mind. Eating options are many and varied around Love River area, with anything from local Taiwanese cuisine to Thai to Indian and a few European options too. Love River is a lovely way to end your day in Kaohsiung.

Night Markets

The night markets are one of the must-see sights for most travelers and there are plenty of them from which to choose. Perhaps Liuhe is the most famous. The hustle and bustle of the busy neon-lit strips come truly alive with an energy all of their own around any of the night markets. While they can get busy with tourists and locals alike, they are perfectly safe and surprisingly relaxed. Kaohsiung is one of the safest cities you'll ever visit and a place to feel completely relaxed pretty much at all times. Depending on how adventurous you're feeling, you can sample anything from exotic seafood to chicken and rice to the staple of Taiwan, and beef noodles, all at a very reasonable price too.

Lotus Pond

The Lotus Pond attracts a healthy number of visitors every day and it's easy to see why. One of the man-made lake's main features are the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, two ornately structured towers. The entrances involve passing through the jaws of two beautifully sculpted beasts, one a dragon, and the other a fearsome-looking tiger. The other main feature is the illustrious-looking Confucius Temple built in 1684. The temple still plays host to an ancient ceremony called the Ba Yi Dance, which involves a performance of eight dancers in eight rows, carrying out their mystical observance before onlookers. The whole area is imbued with serenity, making it the ideal place to relax and recharge your batteries while in the city.

Make sure you visit Kaohsiung when in Taiwan. Its serene city lights, relaxed atmosphere, parks and food will undoubtedly leave a pleasant impression. Who knows, you might just prefer it even to Taipei.