Where to go in Kaohsiung: 9 Exciting Destinations for Your Taiwan Road Trip

Wondering what to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan? There are a bunch of spots you can discover and things to do in the Maritime Capital of Taiwan! You could taste Kaohsiung’s freshest seafood at their night markets, take a romantic boat ride along Love River, learn more about Kaohsiung’s culture while exploring the largest Buddhist monastery at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, and even enjoy a scenic drive to Maobitou Park where you’ll have a clear view of the Taiwan strait, just to name a few!

Kaohsiung is also perfect for a sunny road trip, especially when it’s actually really easy to rent your own car abroad! If you want to make the most out of your Kaohsiung trip and see as many sights and explore as many destinations, you should definitely consider renting a car. That way, you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to explore all of Kaohsiung at your own pace.

It’s actually easy to get a car rental in Taiwan — you could even book directly on Klook! All you have to do is input the dates of your road trip, select a car, choose add-ons you prefer (e.g., English GPS, toddler seats, etc), and input your driver information. You can check out A Short Guide to Booking a Klook Car Rental and Driving Abroad for more details as well as how to get your international driver’s license if you don’t have one yet.

If you’re a bit nervous going off-the-beaten-path, you could always rent a portable WiFi that you could pick up at the airport as soon as you arrive. Your portable WiFi will be your best travel buddy as you go from destination to destination! You’ll need it most especially for directions, recommendations, and even help with translating.

A road trip is a great way to experience all the exciting activities and amazing sights Kaohsiung has to offer! You could live out your F1 dreams in Suzuka Circuit, enjoy the ultimate glamping experience in YuanShan WangYueh’s hot springs, bike along Love River, and indulge in mouthwatering street food at Liuhe night market. You could also make the most out of your car rental with a coastal drive to Kenting National Park and witness Taiwan’s most picture-perfect landscape. With so many things to do and sights to see, you’re bound to fill up your Kaohsiung itinerary in no time!

Just an hour’s drive away from central Kaohsiung is where you can find the ultimate glamping experience! Take in the beautiful mountain scenery at YuanShan WangYeh Hot Spring Compound, where you can enjoy a variety of healing activities like soaking in the hot springs, having hearty hot pot meals, and being surrounded by amazing views of nature. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the complete outdoors with the comfort and convenience of amenities like showers, baths, and full beds. Choose between  glamping luxury with their Camper Vans or opt for the regular tents if you prefer a more rustic camping experience.

Experience the thrill of high-speed driving in Suzuka Circuit Park, the only authorized replica of the original Suzuka Circuit in Japan! Aside from the circuit, you can also find several rides and attractions for both kids and adults. Try out rides like the Mini Suzuka Circuit and feel like an F1 driver, Off-Road Adventure where you can experience all the bumps and water splashes, or fly up in the air with Air Racers where you can control the wings! You can actually spend a whole day here to enjoy all the rides and outlets you can manage to fit in a day.

Go through Kaohsiung’s bustling night markets and discover some of the best street food you’ll ever sink your teeth in. If you’re a foodie, Kaohsiung’s Liuhe and Ruifeng night markets should be on your list! Liuhe is more known for its seafood, so you can spot usual favorites like fried oyster balls and huge skewered grilled squid. Ruifeng, on the other hand, is a much bigger night market and is actually known as the largest in Kaohsiung. Here you can find all kinds of food like milk tea, fried octopus balls, and even sushi. Aside from the food, you could also find clothes to buy here!

If you like interactive exhibits for both adults and kids, you can check out the National Science and Technology Museum that’s just nearby Liuhe and Ruifeng!

A trip to Kaohsiung isn’t complete without taking a stroll along the Love River! It’s the main river of Kaohsiung where both locals and tourists can enjoy the charming scenery of green spaces amidst the modern structures of the busy city. You could also rent a bike or enjoy a leisurely boat ride along the river.

More like a lake than a pond, Lotus Pond is a massive man-made lake with a handful of temples and gardens that have also become a space of tranquility within the city. You can find the must-see Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in the southern part of the “pond”. Apart from its unique design, the symbolism here is that as you enter the dragon’s throat and exit from the tiger’s mouth, you’re turning bad luck into good fortune.

Get to know the spiritual history of Buddhism in the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. It's a massive compound filled with gardens and striking architectural designs and is home to Buddha’s tooth relic! The museum hosts exhibits, events, and tours that focus on a variety of aspects from food, architecture, photography, and more.

About a 14-minute drive away from the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is the Greek-inspired E-Da Theme Park. Choose from a number of roller coasters, thrilling rides, and games! A must in all theme parks, you could try the E-Da Ferris Wheel which is known to be the tallest in Taiwan at 230 meters above sea level. If you want more thrill, you could also get on the “Fly Over Aegean Sea” roller coaster that has a 33-meter drop!

The park also has parades and themed shows you can catch and a hi-tech monorail to get around the three main areas.

Enjoy a coastal drive to Maobitou Park that’s about an hour and a half from Kaohsiung City, you’ll be able to see the Taiwan Strait and huge waves that make for great photos. The area is also known for its interesting large rock formations with one prominent one that looks like a crouching cat!

Just a short drive from Maobitou Park is Kenting National Park, the southernmost part of Taiwan. You can enjoy warm weather all year round and activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and hiking! Here you can find the best beaches in the country, as well as many accommodations if you’d like to stay for more than a day or two.

Excited about your Kaohsiung road trip? Make sure to check out these Taiwan travel restrictions and requirements before your much-awaited adventure!