Photo: Tiouraren (Y.-C. Tsai) / CC BY-SA 4.0Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Lotus Pond
Two seven-storey pagodas of 1976 on a zigzag bridge over Lotus Pond in Zuoying. Custom says enter by the dragon’s mouth and leave by the tiger’s. The pagodas were renovated from 2023 into early 2025 and are open again (news reports). The lake and its walks are open 24 hours; the pagodas’ own hours are not published on the city’s page.
Taxi about 20 min, 9.2 km, about NT$285 each way, our estimateGoogle MapsThe ferry to Cijin
The city ferry crosses the harbour from Gushan to Cijin in about five minutes for NT$30. The counter gives no change; iPASS, EasyCard and icash cards work. Children under 6 or under 115 cm ride free. On the island the Tianhou Temple and the seafood street are by the pier.
Light rail to Hamasen NT$20, walk about 10 min, ferry NT$30Google MapsKaohsiung Lighthouse on Qihou hill
The lighthouse on the hill at Cijin’s north tip, over the harbour mouth. Open daily 10:00–21:00 since April 2023, when the Maritime and Port Bureau dropped its Monday closing (news report). The Star Tunnel through the hill comes out on the sea side.
Ferry to Cijin, then about 10 min uphill on foot, our estimateGoogle MapsPier-2 Art Center
Harbour warehouses on the third basin turned into an art district, with the old harbour railway as a cycle trail. The outdoor areas are free. Ticketed venues open Monday to Thursday 10:00–18:00 and Friday to Sunday and holidays 10:00–20:00; the Pier-2 Tower is a NT$10 coin entry.
Light rail C9 → C12 Dayi Pier-2, NT$20Google MapsKaohsiung Music Center
The hexagon towers on Love River Bay, 1.6 km from the cruise terminal: the Wave Towers, the Coral Zone and the Whale Bridge with a lookout over the harbour. The terraces are free; building hours are not confirmed. Lit after dark.
On foot about 25 min, our estimate; or light rail to Love PierGoogle MapsThe Dome of Light
A glass dome by the Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata over the concourse of Formosa Boulevard station, where the Red and Orange lines cross. It took four and a half years. The station is open 05:55–00:25.
Walk about 20 min to Sanduo, MRT 2 stops; or taxi about 6 min, ~NT$140, our estimateGoogle MapsThe British Consulate at Takao
The red-brick consular residence and office on the headland above the harbour mouth. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00–19:00; weekends and holidays 09:00–19:00; last ticket 18:30. Closed on Wednesdays unless a holiday. Adult NT$99, NT$39 for over-65s; the ticket includes a voucher for food in the park.
Taxi about 15 min, ~NT$190, our estimate; or 7 min uphill from the Gushan ferry pierGoogle MapsBeef noodles at Gangyuan
Gangyuan in Yancheng is the beef-noodle shop on the city tourism bureau’s own map of the port area. Its hours are not confirmed, so check on the day. Yancheng’s milk-tea street, also on the map, is nearby.
On foot about 25 min, or taxi about 6 min, ~NT$110, our estimatesGoogle MapsLiuhe Night Market
Kaohsiung’s best-known night market, 3.6 km from the ship. It runs in the evening only; opening times are not confirmed. For late sailings: Le Soléal 18 September (to 21:30), Asuka III 4 May (to 22:00) and Spectrum of the Seas 29 December 2027 (to 22:00).
Taxi about 7 min, ~NT$145, our estimate; a few minutes on foot from Formosa BoulevardGoogle MapsThe waterfront by light rail
The light rail runs from the terminal along the harbour: Glory Pier, Love Pier for the Music Center, Dayi and Penglai for Pier-2, Hamasen for the Cijin ferry. 06:30–22:30, every 10–15 minutes. The machines take coins only; iPASS and EasyCard work at the readers.
Light rail from the terminal door, NT$20 a rideGoogle Maps
