Travel Tips for new Visitors to Kaohsiung (Taiwan)

Kaohsiung Weather

Kaohsiung's climate is tropical with hot summers and mild-moderate winters.

Kaohsiung summers are hot and humid, and cooler in the evening due to the proximity to the sea.

The daily maximum temperature typically exceeds 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) during the warmer season (April to November); and

25 degrees Celsius (77°F) during the cooler season (December to March).

Usually, November to April is the best time to visit Kaohsiung considering Taiwan's heat and humidity.

Clothes & Shoes in Kaohsiung

If visiting in winter, bring a jacket as it can get cooler in the evening.

Bring a good pair of walking shoes as you will be walking a lot.

Kaohsiung Local transportation tips

Tourist attractions are connected very well either by Kaohsiung K-MRT (subway/train) network and/or feeder bus system.

Kaohsiung MRT and public buses are inexpensive, organized, efficient, and fastest way for local commute in the Kaohsiung.

Taxi cabs are inexpensive for short distances.

Kaohsiung MRT (KMRT or Metro Trains)

The Kaohsiung MRT trains are frequent, travels to most attractions, and fairly inexpensive. 

For your convenience, you can buy and reload an I-Pass Card at:

- 7-ELEVEN

- FamilyMart

- Hi-Life Convenience Store

- OK‧MART

Add Value machines in all Kaohsiung MRT (Metro) Stations.

Information Counter in all Kaohsiung MRT stations.

These cards save time and money every time you go on the metro and public buses. 

You can also make purchases at any shop that accepts the I-Pass Card. 

I-Pass can be used in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

The I-Pass card costs NT$100 plus the cost of your stored value amount.

Other card options include EasyCard, I-cash, and Happycash.  

Kaohsiung MRT offers tourists 1 and 2 day passes. ( KRTC multiple Day-Pass tab on the top)

Eating in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a Seafood town, especially known for its night markets and Cijin Island Seafood restaurant row.

Many local restaurants have English menus and are very affordable.

Many restaurants offer live seafood items that you select from tanks in front of the restaurant.

Point to the items you want and they will cook it for you in whatever way you want.

Caution, prices are usually posted but if not ask!

Use caution when eating at night markets. Make sure food is piping hot when given to you.

Avoid any drinks that use tap water or ice.

The larger bottles of water are half the cost of smaller ones.

Buy the largest water bottles and transfer them to smaller ones in case you want to refrigerate water in your room.

Tourist Safety in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a very safe city. People are friendly and always ready to help strangers.

Although Kaohsiung is safe, it is a city and you should consider these safety tips:

- Don't wear expensive jewelry and flash cash around.

- Always know where you are going and how to get there before you leave.


Languages Spoken in Kaohsiung

  

English is spoken by most hotel front-line staff, mall shops, big restaurants, and tourist places.
However, English is not as widely spoken in Kaohsiung.

The younger educated generation in Taiwan usually can communicate in English.  

Chinese (Taiwanese/ Mandarin) is the most commonly spoken language.

Remember to carry your hotel card and/or a map in case you need to ask directions.

Many big hotels have ready-made hotel cards or maps with the list of Kaohsiung attractions in English and Chinese to make visitors' life easy.
 

Electricity (Power) in Kaohsiung

  

Kaohsiung has a 110-120 Volts power supply.