[TRAVEL] Top 10 Places to Visit in Kaohsiung, Taiwan #高雄景点

Hello from 高雄 Kaohsiung, Taiwan! ❤

After several times of visiting Taiwan at the northern and central regions, I have always wanted to visit the southern part which is famous for its beautiful beaches, islands and crystal clear water. So here I am, spending 7D6N in Kaohsiung, immersing myself into the beauty of this little town. 

Overview of Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a place for slow mornings, hillside sunsets, and relaxing evenings by the pier. As it is located adjacent to Tainan, Pingtung and Kending, there are a lot to see at the neighbouring towns outside of Kaohsiung. But my main focus of this trip is Kaohsiung, so I have compiled a list of must-visit attractions (with No. 1 being the most preferred location): 

❤1. Qijin Island (旗津島)

❤2. British Consulate at Takow (打狗英国领事馆) / Sizihwan Lookout (西子灣觀景臺)

❤3. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山佛陀紀念館)

❤4. Pier 2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區) / Great Harbor Bridge (港大港橋) / Kaohsiung Music Center (高雄流行音樂中心)

❤5. Tianliao Moon World (田寮月世界) / Qishan Old Street (旗山老街)

❤6. SKM Park Outlets 高雄草衙

❤7. Ruifeng Night Market (瑞豐夜市)

❤8. Formosa Boulevard Station Dome of Light (美麗島站光之穹頂) / Liuhe Night Market (六合觀光夜市)

❤9. WeiWu Mimi Village (衛武迷迷村)

❤10. San Feng Temple (三鳳宮)

Places not covered during this trip:

• Eye of Gangshan (岡山之眼)

• E-DA Theme Park (義大遊樂世界)

• Meinong Folk Village (美濃民俗村)

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Qijin Island (旗津島)

Qijin Shell Museum by the sea

Qijin Island is full of scenic views, be it from the mountain or the beach. Transportation wise, it is easily accessible via the Orange Line MRT (Alight at 01 Sizihwan Station), then a 15 minutes ferry ride from the Gushan Ferry Pier Station (旗津輪渡站) will bring you to the island. 

The ferry starts running as early as 5am and stops past midnight, so it is easy to plan your time around for a day trip in Qijin Island.

 

My one-day itinerary in Qijin Island includes: 

❤ Qijin Beach (旗津沙灘)

❤ Qijin Rainbow Arch (彩虹教堂)

❤ Qijin Shell Museum (貝殼博物館)

❤ Qijin Star Tunnel (旗津星空隧道)

❤ Estrella del Mar (海之星沙灘俱樂部)

❤ Shoreline Coffee & Roaster (海岸線咖啡)

❤ Qijin Lighthouse (旗津燈塔)

❤ Cihou Fort (旗後炮臺)

My favourite spot goes to Qijin Shell Museum (貝殼博物館) 

with a huge shell replica facing the sea. So picturesque!

Estrella del Mar (海之星沙灘俱樂部) - a camping-themed café located by the beach.

Amidst the aesthetically pleasing setting, it feels like dining in the wilderness!

Take a short hike up the hill and you will arrive at the Shoreline Coffee & Roaster (海岸線咖啡), located next to the Qijin Lighthouse (旗津燈塔), a white dazzling lighthouse overlooking the Kaohsiung Port. A proud symbol of Kaohsiung! The view here is amazing especially during sunset hours. 

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British Consulate at Takow (打狗英国领事馆) /

Sizihwan Lookout (西子灣觀景臺)

Whenever I travel, I will always look out for amazing architecture which is well-preserved from the yesteryear. And I am glad that I found one in Kaohsiung! Built in 1865, the historical former British consulate is one of the oldest western buildings standing prominently on a hilltop overlooking Sizihwan.

The unique, old British colonial architecture is such a beauty to admire.

Remember to head up to the second floor for a panoramic sunset view through the red-bricked archways.

I am totally blown away by the magnificent view.

Thank you for blessing me with such beautiful sunset. // ❤

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Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山佛陀紀念館)

Do you know that Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) is one of the largest Buddhist organizations in Taiwan? The Buddha Museum (f.k.a. the Buddha Memorial Center) is a magnificent 250-acre complex built to enshrine the Buddha' tooth relic. While it is a Mahāyāna Buddhist cultural, religious, and educational museum, I'd say this place is for everyone to visit. 

It is easily accessible via E02 Hafo Express Bus and High Speed Rail (HSR Zuoying Station) from the city, but the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours (one way). 

Look at the Fo Guang Big Buddha, which sits atop the Fo Guang Building!

The enormous, sprawling Fo Guang Shan Temple complex is worth exploring too.

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Pier 2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區) / Great Harbour Bridge

(高雄港大港橋) / Kaohsiung Music Center (高雄流行音樂中心)

Hello, Bumblebee!

Pier 2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區) is definitely a must-visit for first timers. It was once an abandoned and forgotten warehouse buried in history, but is now a popular installation art made from repurposed cargo containers. Out of these installations, the most famous one is probably the Bumblebee, which was the actual piece used for Mayday's (五月天) DNA concert.

Located by the pier, it is easy to get here via the circular light rail (環狀輕軌) which runs on the ground. Alight at Penglai Pier-2 LRT Station and start exploring the places! 

There are plenty of interesting finds here, including unique artwork, hand crafts / souvenir shops, cafes etc. The most memorable experience I have is in the SunnyHills (微熱山丘) flagship store where visitors are treated with their signature pineapple cakes, paired with coffee / tea. The best part? It is complimentary and the queue is not long. 

Kaohsiung Music Center (高雄流行音樂中心)

Just a short stroll away from the art enclave, Kaohsiung Music Center is a prominent landmark for pop music performances in Southern Taiwan that nurtures domestic pop music talents. The futuristic esign is inspired by the seabed and sea creatures (whales, dolphins, etc), giving a strong identity to the area given its history and geopolitical situation in Kaohsiung. Don't forget to wait till it lights up at night and enjoy the night scenery here!

Great Harbour Bridge (高雄港大港橋)

Located on the waters of Love River, the Great Harbour Bridge has always been an ideal spot for lovebirds to enjoy the night view of Kaohsiung. But it is pretty boring for a solo traveler like me.

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Tianliao Moon World (田寮月世界) /

Qishan Old Street (旗山老街)

If you are up for exploring the outskirt of Kaohsiung, then Tianliao Moon World (田寮月世界) is a great place to visit! It may seem to be a tract of barren land but it has a dreary and desolate beauty of desert, mimicking the landscape of the Moon surface.

It takes a 2-hour bus ride to reach here, but I take only 1 hour to explore the entire landscape park. To make it a fruitful day trip, I also drop by the nearby historical town, Qishan Old Street (旗山老街) (30 minutes via bus 8042) for some local delicacies. 

Qishan Old Street (旗山老街)

Qishan is a little vibrant town that welcomes tourists with a wide array of delicacies and souvenirs to bring home. The local flavours are pretty unique and delicious, and I don't mind overeating at all! 

My half-day itinerary in Qishan includes: 

❤ Qishan traditional market (高雄百年歷史傳統市 - 旗山市場)

❤ Ah Ma sweet potato dessert (阿嬷𠃍蕃薯圓 - 旗山老街店)

❤ "Ice cream meatball" (冰淇淋肉圓)

❤ Red glutinous crisp pork (旗山紅槽肉)

❤ Wu Ji meatball (吳記肉丸)

❤ St Joseph Catholic Church (旗山聖若瑟天主堂)

Ah Ma sweet potato dessert (阿嬷𠃍蕃薯圓) is my favourite here!

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SKM Park Outlets (高雄草衙)

If you fancy some outlet shopping (particularly the heavily discounted off-seasons items) and enjoy riding go-karts and other games in the amusement park, then SKM Park Outlets is the place to go for.

During Christmas time, the mall transforms into a Christmas town which is really worth a visit for beautiful festive photographs and the snowfall show in the evening. 

 

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Ruifeng Night Market (瑞豐夜市)

Night market is a must-visit in Taiwan, so if you must experience it at least once in Kaohsiung, then Ruifeng Night Market (瑞豐夜市) is the largest night market that the locals usually go for. This market has over 1,000 stalls, very well-organised with different sections for different categories such as food, fashion, games, entertainment etc. 

Access: Only 3 minutes walk from MRT Kaohsiung Arena Station (捷運巨蛋站(裕誠路))

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Dome of Light (美麗島站光之穹頂) /

Liuhe Night Market (六合觀光夜市)

A more tourist-centric night market would be the Liuhe Night Market, occupying only a long stretch of street, much smaller in scale but you can have more space to breathe. It is just few minutes walk from the MRT Formosa Boulevard Station where the famous Dome of Light (美麗島站光之穹頂) is located at. 

 

I remember the Thai chilli lime pork bakkwa is freshly grilled in front of customers and the tangy savoury flavour is amazing. But I am not sure if this is an usual offering or CNY special snack here.

Futagi Coffee Roasters (二木咖啡)

Just a 10-minute walk down the street, I spotted this interesting Japanese-style cafe tucked along the alley. It opens in the afternoon till late night, and I see the crowd starts flocking in after 10pm. But coffee drinking at night is not my thing, so I come back in the following afternoon and enjoy some quiet me time at the corner table sipping on my latte - so relaxing an therapeutic! 

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WeiWu Mimi Village (衛武迷迷村)

If you have some extra time to spare in Kaohsiung, perhaps you can add the artsy neighbourhood in Lingya District, WeiWu Mimi Village (衛武迷迷村) into your itineraray. It is quite an unique experience to stroll along a fully functioning residential neighbourhood which is filled with mural arts. 

Each block of residential units is painted with arts of different themes and designs, elevating the vibrant atmosphere of this area. However, apart from photo taking, there is really nothing much to do here. 

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San Feng Temple (三鳳宮)

Dubbed as the largest temple dedicated to the Neza in Taiwan, San Feng Temple (三鳳宮) now has over 300 years of history and I am here to check out the elegant architecture and exquisite details in every nook and corner of this religious landmark. And the photos turn out to be really vibrant and full of energy too. 

Sanmin Breakfast Shop - 三民周豆漿攤 (老周)

I feel lucky to have bumped into this popular local breakfast shop (I didn't see any tourists during my visit). And the food smells so good from afar! I order the crowd's favourite egg crepe (蛋饼+咸菜+肉松) which is surprisingly filled with crunchy preserved vegetables and loads of meat floss and sausages. The eggy aroma is so prominent that I am craving for another helping of this! 

The crullers and soft carrot cake are worth trying too. Absolutely lovin' the simple breakfast experience here. Be mindful that it opens as early as 4am in the morning, so come early before they close by noon. 

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It's a wrap for the 7D6N Kaohsiung itinerary! Although I did not set high expectations on this trip, I am glad that it turns out to be so colorful and more enriching than I thought. And it is a milestone that I have finally covered the entire Taiwan - looking forward to visiting its neighbouring countries next! 

xoxo,

FiSh

10.12.2023 - 16.12.2023

[TRAVEL] Top 10 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Taipei, Taiwan

Hello, Taipei! ❤ I am happy to be back to Taipei City during Winter 2019 after my first trip there in Spring 2017. As you may already know, Taipei is always a food and shopping haven, but I am not going to bore you with a list of places of attractions in Taipei which you would've already known.

In this post, let's focus on the must-have photographs that will become part of your travel memories later. So here are 10 Instagram-famed spots in Taipei that you must not miss!

1. Rainbow Road in Ximending (西門町)

How to go: Exit 5 of MRT Ximen (西門) Station

At the intersection road in the bustling Ximending aka Taipei's hipster town, surely you'd spot this colorful stretch of road once you get down from the train. But it can get super busy at times, so be patient to get the perfect shot you want.

2. Tsutaya Bookstore, Songshan Branch

How to go: 1 minute walk from Exit 5 of MRT Songshan (松山) Station

It is a Japanese bookstore located a stone throw away from the popular Raohe Night Market (饒河夜市). The staircase photo spot is the bomb, but be discreet and try not to disturb others who are enjoying the books and coffee there.

Travel Tips: In fact, Taiwan has plenty of similarly beautiful libraries and bookstores - good luck in hunting!

3. Sunset by the Sea in Danshui (淡水)

How to go: Exit 1 of MRT Tamsui Station

Thanks to the beautiful sunset, Danshui (or Tamsui) is my all-time favourite in Taipei, although it requires a 45-minute train ride from Taipei Main Station. Danshui has 2 best spots for sunset – One is along Danshui Riverbank, another is at the Fisherman's Wharf (淡水漁人碼頭).

The sun usually sets around 6pm here, but remember to stay until the sky turns purple / pink and orange before it goes completely dark!

Travel Tips: Check out my previous blog post for the 10 things to do in Danshui.

4. Historical Railway at Jingtong (菁桐)

How to go: Take TRA Fuxing Shuttle from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (瑞芳火車站),

then switch to Pingxi Line (平溪线) to Jingtong Station

For those who make a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen, I'd strongly recommend you to stop by at Jingtong (last station of Pingxi Line)! Here you can get a full shot of the railway, locomotive train and also historical ruins without having to face the overwhelming crowd like those in Jiufen or Shifen. Take your time and just chill!

5. Peak of Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan Lookout Point)

How to go: Exit 2 of MRT Xiangshan Station then follow 

the 20-minute Xiangshan Hiking Trail (象山登山步道)

Don't worry, the hike is easy peasy. As you arrive at the peak, there are 2 photo spots where you can catch the magnificent Taipei 101 standing at the background: (1) Wooden viewing platform with railings, and (2) Big rock. Be sure to come on a sunny day to avoid slippery steps and misty background.

6. Taipei 101, Xinyi District

How to go: 15 minutes walk from MRT Xiangshan Station to arrive at 

this Japanese restaurant along Song Ren Lane:

竹村居酒屋, 台北市信義區松仁路253巷1弄2號

Taking a shot of Taipei 101 right in front of the building is too mainstream. If you want to capture Taipei 101 with a different feel, it takes some extra effort to hunt for this restaurant with a clear backdrop of Taipei standing prominently between the alleys. An evening shot would be perfect!

7. Taipei 101 Backdrop at National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館)

How to go: Exit 4 of MRT Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station

For a closer view of Taipei 101, there are a couple of locations worth going for. The open space in front of Taipei City Hall or Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall give an equally good, unobstructed view.

8. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念公園)

How to go: Exit 5 of MRT Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station

There is something artsy to capture at this most prominent historical landmark in Taiwan. You can angle your camera from the direction of Liberty Square (自由廣場) towards the CKS Memorial Hall, so you will get a picture of the Memorial Hall "framed" by an arch.

Anyway, the open space is real huge here, so be creative and have fun!

9. Raohe Rainbow Park / Bridge

How to go: 1 minute walk from Exit 1 / 2 / 5 of MRT Songshan (松山) Station

Not many people would stroll along the Rainbow Park when the famous Raohe Night Market is full of delicious temptations. But be sure to take a walk here and you'll love the serenity amidst myriads of lights in the evening. Perfect for lovebirds to spend some quality time together too.

10. Cute cafes in Dongqu ('East District') (東區)

How to go: Exit 3 of MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Station

Welcome to Taiwan's version of Singapore Orchard Road where all the cutesy cafes and beautifully-concepted eateries are located at. Plenty of Instagram-famous locations are spotted here, including the famous Rilakkuma Cafe (拉拉熊咖啡廳) (unfortunately, it has closed down now).

#BONUS. Chaojing Park (潮境公園), Keelung

How to go: Take TRA Fuxing Shuttle from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, then switch train to Badouzi Railway Station (八斗子火車站), then take free shuttle to Chaojing Park (only available during weekend)

If you have one day to spare, head up to Keelung and mark the following Instagram spots:
❤ Badouzi Railway Station (八斗子火車站)
❤ Chaojing Park (潮境公園)
❤ Wangyougu (望幽谷)
❤ Badouzi Seaside Park (八斗子海濱公園)
❤ Zhengbin Fishing Port Nostalgia Pier (正濱漁港-懷舊碼頭)
❤ Heping Island Park (和平島公園)

....and you'll be satisfied with your photo collection for this trip!

More posts about Taiwan:

#1 Taichung, Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing 3D2N itinerary
#2 How to travel around Jiufen, Shifen and Pingxi Railway Lantern Towns

#3 10 things we do in Danshui seaside town

#4 1 day trip to Yangmingshan National Park

#5 Top 3 Japanese Restaurants You Must Try in Taipei
#6 Ningxia Night Market and Ximending

Taiwan Medical Travel: How Does Taiwan Healthcare Technology Help You?

Hello, Taiwan! ❤

I guess Taiwan is a popular travel destination among Malaysians, but do you know that apart from fun and leisure purposes, Taiwan is a popular option for professional medical treatments too?

So I have recently attended the Taiwan Healthcare Technology Introduction and Patient Sharing Session organized by Ministry of Health and Welfare Taiwan and TAITRA to explore how Taiwan medical care helps patients from all walks of life.