Known as Taiwan’s Maritime Capital, Kaohsiung is the largest industrial center and a thriving international travel destination. As one of the main cities of Taiwan, it is home to the largest port, rich historic culture, nature and food trip suitable for those looking for a quick escape. With that being said here are some thoughts on why Kaohsiung will make it to your next bucket list.
- IT IS NEAR
One reason I choose Kaohsiung for a long weekend travel is because it is just nearby with less than two hours flight from my home country. If you are coming from East Asia or Southeast Asia like me, flying to this city is as quick as a bus ride to your place. There are numerous of flights available with multiple boutique and budget airlines having daily flights, you can never miss out on the opportunity to come here any day of the week.
2. FOOD IS JUST SO AMAZING
Taiwanese take pride of their food with various options to choose from. Taiwan is not just home for bubble tea and xiaolongbao but also numerous delicacies from soup, main course to dessert. To make the experience authentic locals usually suggest to go to Ruifeng Night Market where most of them hang out. It is bigger, wider and more variation of food plus activities you can enjoy. Liouhe Tourist Night Market is also an option catering mostly to foreign visitors. If you are feeling fancy go check out Haidilao for buffet hot pot and Din Tai Fung for xiaolongbao and various kinds of dumpling. Although some locals may find these two chain restaurants pricey so they would rather opt for you to go to Baifung for dumplings for a quarter of the price.
3. GENUINE HOSPITALITY OF LOCALS
During my last visit in Taipei in 2018, it was cemented on my mind that Taiwanese are one of the most hospitable people I met in my life but I must say people from Kaohsiung are on another level. They go all the way to help you out and are genuine with their recommendations. Scam or rip off are words that I am not worried about while traveling here. Although English is not widely spoken in the city, people extend their hands through phrases and gestures to translate when you inquire something. This action is present to all ages from teenagers to seniors. Overall, I feel safe being around locals and I never have any doubts about their intentions.
4. SAFETY IS SAFETYING
“This is Taiwan!” I heard this a million times from my local friends and foreigners living in Taiwan. People don’t worry about pickpockets in crowded places such as the metro or night markets. Locals just leave their phones and their bags unattended in restaurants and convenient stores. The city is well lit so even I walk in alleys late at night alone, I know for sure no one is gonna harm me. An exact opposite experience in most travel destinations.
5. TRANSPORTATION IS CHEAP AND CONVENIENT
Another reason traveling around the city is easy because of the effectiveness of the public transportation. Kaohsiung has all types of public transport from city buses, metro, tram to ferries. They are fast, clean, and efficient. Since they sync accurately with google maps, going to places is easy to navigate. My most favorite part about their pubic transportation is that it is cheap. With its quality and efficiency comparable to the ones in Hong Kong and Singapore but affordable, you can ditch renting a car during your stay.
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6. KAOHSIUNG IS BUDGET FRIENDLY FOR TRAVELERS
Tight with money? No sweat! The city got you covered. I mentioned earlier that there are a lot of low cost carriers that directly fly to Kaohsiung with less than ₱ 5,000 in return ticket. Accommodation ranges from ₱500- ₱1,500 a night at a decent hotel located in the city center. Depending on your taste a meal can be NTD 100-150 (₱180-265) at a small eatery and night market stall but you can also try their convenient store food with a lot of options to choose from with great deals. Transportation is also reasonable with base fare of NTD 12 (₱22) for buses and NTD 20 (₱36) for metro, tram and ferry. On my four days stay I only spend NTD 300 (₱527) on my easy card for all these rides. Going to temples, checking out the light shows in Formosa Boulevard Station and visiting historic sites in Cijin Island, all of these cost nothing. Just be prepared with the cost of scorching heat.
Overall, Kaohsiung has its own charm. The vibe, safety and hospitality of the locals are top tier. The landscapes and the lack of activities may make the city less impressive but the food is so much worth it. Hence, if you are a foodie then this city is for you.
Just Go Abby 