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Kaohsiung is known as Taiwan’s maritime capital, and the sea is also highly visible in the city, which houses Taiwan’s largest port. You can discover the harbor and thereby a great part of the city history onboard one of the interesting harbor cruise boats.
Kaohsiung is also home to several popular sights as quiet lakes and beautiful temples, where locals and tourists enjoy the lovely surroundings on lovely strolls. There are also cultural, historical and gastronomic experiences waiting Kaohsiung. You can see the architectural contrast from some of the island’s tallest buildings to city temples from earlier centuries.
There nature is varied and very beautiful in many places which are easy reachable from Kaohsiung. The coastal landscapes in the south part of the island are stunning in Kenting National Park. You can also go north to the city of Tainan, it was for centuries the capital of the island with the history and sights that follow that status. You can even make a day trip to the present capital, Taipei, on a day with high speed train.
If you walk around the lake clockwise, you can for example start in the northern part, where the impressive Kaohsiung Zuoying Confucian Temple (高雄市左營孔子廟) is located. The temple was founded in 1684, but the current buildings date from 1976. Next to the temple is a pavilion on an island, which is reached by a zigzag bridge.
If you continue the tour, there is a terrace facing the lake with a magnificent view. Opposite the lake is Qing Shui Temple (清水宮), which is dedicated to the Buddhist monk Qing Shui, who fought for the dynasty in the Sung period. The temple was completed in 1938 in an architectural blend with a colossal Qing Shui figure on top.
On the journey further you come to the south-west to the Dragon and Tiger pagodas, two beautiful pagodas from 1976, which are located in the lake and which you reach via a zigzag bridge. North of this, there are two other buildings on the lake, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣), which were built in 1953 in the Chinese palace style.
Between the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, there is a long dragon that you can walk into. On the dragon, you can see the Goddess of Mercy Guanyin, and to the east of the dragon and the pavilions is a bridge to the Wuliting (五里亭) Pavilion, which is out on the Lotus Lake . To the west of the dragon, you can see Chi Ming Palace (啟明堂), a palace-style temple from 1973.
On the last stretch around the lake, before reaching the Confucian Temple, you can see the Pei Chi Pavilion (北極亭), which honors the Daoist deity Xuan Wu. The pavilion is a temple where the prayer room is located under the impressive statue of Xuan Wu standing out in the Lotus Lake. Xuan Wu carries the so-called Seven Star Sword in a sitting position.
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are two beautiful seven-day pagodas that stand as some of Kaohsiung’s best-known buildings. The pagodas were built on the centrally located Lotus Lake in 1976 and have since been a popular excursion destination.
There is access to the pagodas via a bridge out into the lake, and here you can clearly see which pagoda is the tiger pagoda and which is the dragon pagoda. The entrance to the pagodas is through the dragon’s neck, while the exit is through the tiger’s mouth. It is a way that should bring good luck and help to avoid misfortune.
Kaohsiung’s impressive Confucian Temple is the largest of its kind in Taiwan and one of Kaosiung’s fine sights. The temple is beautifully located at the northern end of Lotus Lake in the Zuoying area. In addition to this temple, the lake offers many sights on a walk along the shore.
The large temple is located along the lake shore with a classical entrance gate in the south-western part of the temple area. From here you can walk in the axis of the temple towards the gate building of the inner temple area and then to the temple courtyard, where the main hall is located. The building style is traditional Chinese from the Sung Dynasty era.
The Confucian Temple was originally built in 1684 under the Kangxi Emperor, who ruled China from 1661 to 1722. During the Japanese era, most of the temple was destroyed, and only a small temple building remains, the Chongsheng Confucius Temple (鳳山舊城孔子廟崇聖祠), which can be seen west of Lotus Lake on Liantan Road.
The small Chongsheng Temple was used as the city’s main Taiwan Confucius Temple until 1976, when the current temple grounds were constructed. They chose to build it a little away from the original temple due to the city’s development and the beautiful Lotus Lake, which is a beautiful setting.
Formosa Boulevard MRT is one of the stations in Kaohsiung’s MRT system. It may come as a surprise to many that one of the city’s major sights is underground, but the station is a large and modern sight worth walking or driving to.
Formosa Boulevard was an urban development project to modernize Jhongshan Road in connection with the hosting of the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung. As part of the project, the city’s subway and MRT systems were expanded, and the Formosa Boulevard station opened in 2008.
The station is spectacular and known as the dome of light with the colorful 4,500 glass panels incorporated into the roof as part of the decoration. It was the largest glass work of its kind in the world, and it was the Italian Narcissus Quagliata who was behind the design.
85 Sky Tower is a 378 meter high skyscraper that was built 1994-1997 in Kaohsiung. The high-rise opened as Taiwan’s tallest building and remained so until Taipei 101 was built in the capital city of Taipei. Today, 85 Sky Tower stands as a modern landmark for Kaohsiung with a distinctive profile in the city’s skyline.
The modern skyscraper is 378 meters high to the top of the antenna, while the building itself reaches a height of 347.50 meters. Architecturally inspired by the Chinese character 高, the building was constructed as two separate towers of 39 stories joined by a central tower that extends to the top of the building.
It was Taipei architects C.Y. Lee & Partners, who designed the skyscraper. When 85 Sky Tower opened, there were shops, an indoor amusement park, a five-star hotel, an observation platform and much more in the high-rise. However, many of the tenants have moved out after a few decades in the building.
Holy Rosary Cathedral was built by Spaniards who came from the Philippines. It was Kaohsiung’s first Christian church and also Taiwan’s first Catholic church.
The Spanish built the original church in 1860, while the current building was completed after an extension in 1928. The architecture draws on both Romanesque and Gothic styles, and inside you can see, among other things, a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1863.
The Spring and Autumn Pavilions are two fine pavilions that were built in 1953 in Chinese palace style as small pagodas on the water of Lotus Lake. The pavilions and the surrounding complex are a Taoist temple area, and by the way, it is a good place to see lotus flowers in season.
Between the Spring and Autumn pavilions you can see a long kite. It is one of the most visible things in the complex, and you can enter the long figure. On the dragon you can see the Goddess of Mercy Guanyin, and to the east of the dragon and the pavilions there is a bridge to the Wuliting Pavilion (五里亭), which is out on the Lotus Lake.
Cheng Ching Lake is Kaohsiung’s largest lake, and it is located as a lovely green oasis in the eastern part of the city. Cheng ching means crystal clear, and the beautiful lake is also part of Kaohsiung’s drinking water supply. You can enjoy the view of the lake and its surroundings on the walking paths, which, among other things, take you over a zigzag bridge and past pavilions.
In the green area northwest of the lake, you can see the 43 meter high Zhongxing Pagoda (中興塔). In the same area, on the shore of the lake, you can see the island of Fuguo (富國島), which is a memorial site for approximately 30,000 soldiers who in 1949 fled from communist armies to Taiwan via Vietnam. In the southwestern part around the lake, you can visit several activities and museums.
Sanfeng Temple is one of Kaohsiung’s most atmospheric temples. It was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1673 as a pioneering construction of two- and three-story temples. In 1964, the Taoist temple was demolished due to an expropriation for the expansion of a major road.
However, the Sanfeng Temple was subsequently rebuilt and has stood in its current location since 1972. The temple then took on a political role, becoming a base for various election campaigns and several gave speeches here. It is furnished with different halls and rooms with various dedications.
Kaohsiung Lighthouse is a small lighthouse, also known as Cijin Lighthouse (旗津燈塔), as it is located in the Cijin District of the Taiwanese metropolis. The history of the tower started with the Peking Convention in 1860, when China was required to open, among other things, the port of Kaohsiung to foreign ships.
The opening took place in 1863, and it led to a large growth in the number of calls, and therefore over the years they wanted to strengthen navigation to the port. British engineers built a lighthouse on this site in 1883, and during the Japanese era, the harbor was expanded and the lighthouse rebuilt to its current appearance in 1918.
Shoushan Park is a park and natural area beautifully situated in the hills between downtown Kaohsiung and the sea. It is a considerable area in size, and on the park’s paths you are really out in nature. Among other things, you can go to some beautiful caves and nice viewpoints, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kaohsiung.
On a trip to Shoushan Park, you might be lucky enough to see some Taiwanese monkeys, and you can also visit the city’s zoo here. There are also several temples, and to the far south is the Shrine of the Martyrs (高雄市忠烈祠), originally established as a Japanese temple in 1910.
The temple got its current name in 1978, when today’s temple was also completed after a rebuild. The architecture was inspired by a similar temple shrine in the capital Taipei, the National Shrine of Revolutionary Martyrs (國民革命忠烈祠).
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is the name of a large architectural complex housed as a Mahayana Buddhist cultural and religious museum. Fo Guang Shan is a large Buddhist organization in Taiwan, and the museum is located next to Fo Guang Shan Monastery (佛光山寺), which is the headquarters of the organization.
The museum is known for housing a tooth relic of Sakyamuni Buddha, who was the founder of the Buddhist faith. The relic was brought by the monk Hsing Yun from a trip to Bodh Gaya in 1998, and the purpose was to keep it in Taiwan as a symbol of the preservation of the dharma. Around the relic arose the museum, which was built from 2008 and opened in 2011.
When you approach the museum, you can see the impressive facilities and dimensions. It starts at the entrance gates, where an elephant and a lion represent the conception of Prince Siddhartha and the Buddha’s teachings respectively. After this you come to the central axis, where there are eight large pagodas with four on each side of the path towards the central part of the facility.
The eight pagodas stand as symbols of each element of Buddhism. It is the Buddhist teachings, the Buddhist assemblies, the goodness in the deeds of the body, speech and mind, the strength in giving others confidence, joy, hope and convenience, the harmony between people, the six perfections, the seven exhortations and finally the eight elements that leads a person to liberation.
After passing the eight pagodas, you come to the museum itself, which is interestingly arranged under the roof of an Indian-style stupa. At the museum, there are many well presented exhibitions. After the museum, at the end of the long axis, you can see the Great Buddha of Fo Guang, which is a 40-meter tall statue sitting on a seat on top of a building belonging to the complex.
Kenting National Park is a large natural area covering the southern tip of Taiwan. The national park was established in 1984 as the first on the Taiwanese main island. The park is a popular place for tours, and it is known for its tropical climate, sunshine, beaches and mountains that make for a spectacular whole.
Kenting National Park has a size of just over 180 square kilometers on land, and to this is added the part of the park that is laid out in the sea outside the area. You can enjoy the park’s various landscapes and rich flora and fauna from many paths and visiting places. An exciting place is the southern tip of the island, where you can see the Eluanbi Lighthouse (鵝鑾鼻燈塔), established in 1883.
Tainan is a city with a rich history as the capital of Taiwan Island for centuries during the Koxinga and Qing dynasties. Considered Taiwan’s oldest city, it was the capital for over 260 years until this status ceased in 1887. Tainan was founded as Fort Zeelandia by the Dutch Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, who used the site for trade and administration.
Historically, the general Koxinga captured the Dutch fort in 1662, and then Tainan was the administrative city of the Kingdom of Tungning until the Qing dynasty took over in 1883, when Taiwan became a prefecture. Today, Tainan is an important provincial city and an excursion destination with many exciting sights.
As a former capital, many temples were founded over the years, and you can see quite a few Buddhist temples, to which are added several Taoist shrines. Among other things, you can see Kaiyuan Temple (開元寺), which was completed in 1690, and which got its overall layout with halls and halls in 1777. You can also see the Tainan Confucian Temple (臺南孔子廟) from 1665.
There are also several interesting museums, of which the National Museum of Taiwan History (國立臺灣歷史館館) depicts the history of the island with exciting exhibitions and effects from, among other things, the influence of colonial times on the island. From the history, you can also see preserved parts of Fort Provintia (赤着樓), which was built in 1653 during the Dutch colonization, and Fort Zeelandia, which was built in 1624-1634.
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Shoushan Zoo
Shoushan Park
Kaohsiung’s history began in 1405 when migrants came here from mainland China. However, there was no real urban development in the first centuries, when the area’s activity was primarily driven by the Western colonial powers, not least the Dutch.
When Zheng Chenggong expelled the Dutch and made Taiwan completely Chinese in 1661, an administration was established with Kaohsiung as its capital. In 1664, the city changed its name to Wan Nien Chow. The city grew rapidly with many new Chinese as new citizens, and its name was changed once again, to Takao. The next centuries were marked by various forms of governance and relative stagnation in growth.
In 1895, Taiwan became Japanese and this led to a new period of growth in which not least the city’s natural harbor was developed. In 1925, Kaohsiung’s status was changed to an actual city, and the city’s industry grew.
After the 1945 transition to Chinese rule, Kaohsiung quickly became Taiwan’s second largest city. The focal point was the well-located natural harbor, now Taiwan’s and one of Asia’s largest. A very large proportion of Taiwan’s many export products are shipped from here. The positive economic situation led to the construction of many skyscrapers and large parks, museums and other culture. Today, more than 1.5 million people live in the bustling metropolis.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan China
Overview of Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is known as Taiwan’s maritime capital, and the sea is also highly visible in the city, which houses Taiwan’s largest port. You can discover the harbor and thereby a great part of the city history onboard one of the interesting harbor cruise boats.
Kaohsiung is also home to several popular sights as quiet lakes and beautiful temples, where locals and tourists enjoy the lovely surroundings on lovely strolls. There are also cultural, historical and gastronomic experiences waiting Kaohsiung. You can see the architectural contrast from some of the island’s tallest buildings to city temples from earlier centuries.
About the Whitehorse travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
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Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
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The Whitehorse travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Canadian city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
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85 Sky Tower is a 378 meter high skyscraper that was built 1994-1997 in Kaohsiung. The high-rise opened as Taiwan’s tallest building and remained so until Taipei 101 was built in the capital city of Taipei. Today, 85 Sky Tower stands as a modern landmark for Kaohsiung with a distinctive profile in the city’s skyline.
The modern skyscraper is 378 meters high to the top of the antenna, while the building itself reaches a height of 347.50 meters. Architecturally inspired by the Chinese character 高, the building was constructed as two separate towers of 39 stories joined by a central tower that extends to the top of the building.
It was Taipei architects C.Y. Lee & Partners, who designed the skyscraper. When 85 Sky Tower opened, there were shops, an indoor amusement park, a five-star hotel, an observation platform and much more in the high-rise. However, many of the tenants have moved out after a few decades in the building.
Holy Rosary Cathedral was built by Spaniards who came from the Philippines. It was Kaohsiung’s first Christian church and also Taiwan’s first Catholic church.
The Spanish built the original church in 1860, while the current building was completed after an extension in 1928. The architecture draws on both Romanesque and Gothic styles, and inside you can see, among other things, a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1863.
The Spring and Autumn Pavilions are two fine pavilions that were built in 1953 in Chinese palace style as small pagodas on the water of Lotus Lake. The pavilions and the surrounding complex are a Taoist temple area, and by the way, it is a good place to see lotus flowers in season.
Between the Spring and Autumn pavilions you can see a long kite. It is one of the most visible things in the complex, and you can enter the long figure. On the dragon you can see the Goddess of Mercy Guanyin, and to the east of the dragon and the pavilions there is a bridge to the Wuliting Pavilion (五里亭), which is out on the Lotus Lake.
Cheng Ching Lake is Kaohsiung’s largest lake, and it is located as a lovely green oasis in the eastern part of the city. Cheng ching means crystal clear, and the beautiful lake is also part of Kaohsiung’s drinking water supply. You can enjoy the view of the lake and its surroundings on the walking paths, which, among other things, take you over a zigzag bridge and past pavilions.
In the green area northwest of the lake, you can see the 43 meter high Zhongxing Pagoda (中興塔). In the same area, on the shore of the lake, you can see the island of Fuguo (富國島), which is a memorial site for approximately 30,000 soldiers who in 1949 fled from communist armies to Taiwan via Vietnam. In the southwestern part around the lake, you can visit several activities and museums.
Sanfeng Temple is one of Kaohsiung’s most atmospheric temples. It was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1673 as a pioneering construction of two- and three-story temples. In 1964, the Taoist temple was demolished due to an expropriation for the expansion of a major road.
However, the Sanfeng Temple was subsequently rebuilt and has stood in its current location since 1972. The temple then took on a political role, becoming a base for various election campaigns and several gave speeches here. It is furnished with different halls and rooms with various dedications.
Kaohsiung Lighthouse is a small lighthouse, also known as Cijin Lighthouse (旗津燈塔), as it is located in the Cijin District of the Taiwanese metropolis. The history of the tower started with the Peking Convention in 1860, when China was required to open, among other things, the port of Kaohsiung to foreign ships.
The opening took place in 1863, and it led to a large growth in the number of calls, and therefore over the years they wanted to strengthen navigation to the port. British engineers built a lighthouse on this site in 1883, and during the Japanese era, the harbor was expanded and the lighthouse rebuilt to its current appearance in 1918.
Shoushan Park is a park and natural area beautifully situated in the hills between downtown Kaohsiung and the sea. It is a considerable area in size, and on the park’s paths you are really out in nature. Among other things, you can go to some beautiful caves and nice viewpoints, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kaohsiung.
On a trip to Shoushan Park, you might be lucky enough to see some Taiwanese monkeys, and you can also visit the city’s zoo here. There are also several temples, and to the far south is the Shrine of the Martyrs (高雄市忠烈祠), originally established as a Japanese temple in 1910.
The temple got its current name in 1978, when today’s temple was also completed after a rebuild. The architecture was inspired by a similar temple shrine in the capital Taipei, the National Shrine of Revolutionary Martyrs (國民革命忠烈祠).
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