City: Kaohsiung
Top Things to do in Kaohsiung
Top Restaurants in Kaohsiung
- 1. Wang Steak - Kaohsiung Zhongzheng
- 2. Din Tai Fung Kaohsiung Store
- 3. Xinglongju
- 4. San Antonio French Restaurant
- 5. Chamonix Teppanyaki - Kaohsiung Wufu.Branch
- 6. ikki (Kaohsiung Dream Mall Branch)
- 7. Tan Zuo Ma Li Grill & Japanese Restaurant
- 8. Harbour Buffet Restaurant-Grand Hi Lai Hotel
- 9. Hi-Lai Kaohsiung Arena
- 10. Tong Hua Shabu Shabu Restaurant
Countries
What to do and see in Kaohsiung, Taiwan: The Best Free Things to do
A modern city in the south of Taiwan, Kaohsiung shifts from ancient to contemporary culture with ease. Don't miss the breathtaking Fo Guang Shan monastery and its hall of giant Buddhas. Dream Mall, the largest shopping mall in Taiwan, has a Ferris wheel on the roof. Drive to Kenting National Park for beautiful landscapes.
Restaurants in Kaohsiung
1. Fo Guang Shan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 651 reviews
At the north-east point of Dashu Township in Kaohsiung county, South Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan Monastery (literally translated as Buddha’s Light Mountain Monastery) sits on a bamboo hill on the left bank of the Gaoping river. Here you will find the headquarters of a prominent Buddhist order, established by Master Hsing Yun and his disciples. The architecture of the buildings within the monastery complex is characteristic of the traditional Buddhist monastery, but one may be pleasantly surprised with the array of visitor-friendly amenities on offer. The southeastern face of Fo Guang Shan Monastery features the prominent Great Buddha Land, which is home to a standing Buddha image of 48 metres in height, and 480 smaller Buddha images that surround it. English-speaking visitors may find information and maps in English at the Reception, and prior contact via email can be made to discuss free tour options.
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
In January 2020 my wife and I included a 6 night Wendy Wu private tour of Taiwan as part of our 18 day Asian trip we arranged to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Our travels took us to Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan and Kaohsiung. A real highlight during our all too short time in Kaohsiung (just an overnight visit) was our experience at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, the biggest Buddhist Monastery in Taiwan, located approximately 30 minutes from the city. We began with a delicious buffet vegetarian lunch in the Baiweixuan Buffet Restaurant which we reached from the main entrance by an electric shuttle bus. After lunch we undertook a very pleasant walk to the very impressive Buddha Museum. Before touring the Museum we were able to admire the centrepiece of the Monastery, a 50 metre high outdoor statue of Buddha that is 108 metres tall when you take into account its base. This makes this the largest bronze sitting Buddha statue in the world. The statue, made of 1,872 tons of bronze, is very imposing and dominates the surroundings. In front of the statue is the Way to Buddhahood path, made of stone and flanked by Eight Pagodas on either side. The symmetry on display here is impressive and the overall effect is simply awesome. The Buddha Museum has to surely be one of the very best museums of its kind anywhere in the world. The extensive array of historical and cultural treasures on display provides a good insight into the Buddhist religion. One of the really interesting exhibitions we visited here was in the Museum of Buddhist Underground Palaces. The galleries exhibit artefacts from various Underground Palaces but predominantly from the one discovered beneath Famen Temple (located in Famen town 120 kilometres west of Xi'an, China). What we found pleasing about this museum was that as Christians we were being educated about Buddhism without feeling in any way threatened or uncomfortable. The museum succeeds in its aim for non Buddhist visitors to have a better insight and understanding of the Buddhist religion through a visit here. The museum has a wonderful philosophy inherent in its core values set out proudly on a display board at the entrance. Three core values revolve around acts of goodness – “Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words and Think Good Thoughts”. Then there are four core values promoting giving – “Giving Others Confidence, Giving Others Joy, Giving Others Hope and Giving Others Convenience”. These are very laudable core values indeed. One pleasing display we enjoyed was the depiction of the Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Monastery’s founding Monk, sitting at his long table where he takes his meals, writes his calligraphy, has his meetings and greets people. The table has no drawers or locks. It epitomises his refreshingly simple and humble philosophy on life and his non dependence on material things. There is also a very good display promoting the “Cloud and Water Medical Team Spreading Compassion Throughout The World”. A superb exhibit has to be the large carved out piece of tree trunk with well over a hundred carved out Buddha figures - so intricate and a true piece of wonderful art. These are just three of many fine displays we encountered on this excellent tour of the museum. We were so pleased to have had the privilege of visiting this wonderful Monastery and gaining understanding of its values, hopes and aspirations and to admire the cultural treasures and artefacts on display. It represented a very good reason for us to have included Kaohsiung as part of our Taiwan tour.
2. Caishan Natural Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By CrystinePolk - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Monkey mountain as it;s called by locals is such a fun hike right in Kaohsiung. You will always see lots of monkeys and there are loads of trails. If you don't want to get lost, stick to the stairs go up to the top and get some fresh brewed barley tea. The locals serve this to all who trek up. Real nice any time of the year but hot in the summer so go early. It;s a lot of stairs so if you have bad knees this may not be for you.
3. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,203 reviews
The Buddha Museum (formerly Buddha Memorial Center) was constructed with the intention of the construction commenced in 2001 enshrining the Buddha's relic and lasted for ten years. It was officially opened on the 25th December 2011.
Reviewed By rnathan - Surrey, Canada
We arrived by taxi and left by E20 bus. The museum is arranged as an entrance building with shops and food vendors, then 8 pagodas (some of which were closed), then the main hall crowned by an enormous Buddha statue. We did not see the Buddha tooth relic, but visited four stupas at the top level. After a nice vegetarian lunch, we took a free shuttle van up to the monastery, and walked back through the grounds to the entrance. We were impressed by the grounds which are well kept.
4. Weiwuying Metropolitan Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By DOMINIQUEBEV - Taipei, Taiwan
Since when we have trumpet tree here in Weiwuying park? It would be very pleasant to sit at the top of the outdoor theatre and overlook the people, dogs, birds, and parrots gather together in Saturday afternoon. Bring yourself a cup of coffee, sandwiches and cakes to soak in the southern Taiwan afternoon. The right place for those who is sick of being home whole day and escape from the CoVID-19. It might get a bit crowded on weekends but you can always find yourself a quiet place in the park and lie down, listen to live music played by the local artists.
5. Kaohsiung Main Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By Hiroshi317 - Yokohama, Japan
I found this library because it’s illuminated so beautiful. This library has 5th floor and theater on the top floor. Well designed for visitors、easy to find categories. many desks, clean and quiet. And open until 22 o’clock midnight. Kaohsiung residents are happy to have such excellent library.
6. Freedom Sunset Market
7. Taroko Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By wendywang1016 - Taipei, Taiwan
This is an amazing driving kids friendly park! One day admission is 200ntd for kids 6 years and under, which I found it very cheap! Single ride ticket isn't expensive too, usually can go in group of 4 with extra 2-3 dollars (us dollars =30ntd) We spend too much time in the mall, when we find out the attractions, the kids (2 and 4 years old) were so excited. Kids can drive by themselves! Real driving not just on tracks. Driver license will be issued based on scores (whether you follow traffic rules,points get added or deducted) Highly recommended for kids all ages!
8. Spring and Autumn Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 195 reviews
Located in the waters of Lotus Lake.
Reviewed By PaulSiow - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
After the dragon tiger pavilions, we visited this place. As common in this area, there were big beautiful sculptures of dragons, goddess of mercy and others. There was also an area with plenty of turtles.
9. Cijin Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,145 reviews
Reviewed By vimalllaaa - Jakarta, Indonesia
The explore the island by renting the bike.. the bike rent shop is located near the pier.. beside traditional bike they also provide electric bike to rent.. for traditional bike the rent fee is 100 NTD and we can use it until the shop is close which is at 4 PM.. i explore the island by following the tourist map on the pier...
10. Dragon Tiger Tower
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,159 reviews
Reviewed By RobandMaryJean
Beautiful photos appear all about the lake and this is a great place to start. Going in through the dragon's mouth and departing from the tiger's mouth has symbolic good luck implications. A donation gets you a postcard. The lotus flowers are OK and there is a nice temple opposite the towers. Some decent places to eat are also nearby.
