3 Days Kaohsiung Food Tour - Try Taiwan Food at Kaohsiung & Tainan

Today, you will explore Kaohsiung, the third largest city & the largest port city in Taiwan. Enjoy your time at Lotus Lake, Pier-2 Art Center, and Cijin Old Street for food exploration.

In the morning, head to Lotus Lake (Lianchitan), one of the must-visit spots in Kaohsiung. Every summer, lotus flowers bloom, filling the air with a delightful fragrance, hence the name Lotus Pond. It is not only a great place to admire lotus flowers but also a destination for experiencing Eastern religious culture due to its pavilions, giant statues, and surrounding city walls. When you visit Lotus Lake, you cannot miss the iconic "Dragon and Tiger Pagodas" by its shores. This pagoda was recommended by CNN, making it one of Kaohsiung's most traditional religious scenic areas.

Built in 1976, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas stand at seven stories tall and are connected to the Nine-Turn Bridge, reflecting on the lake's surface to create a picturesque scene. It's said that there's a tradition when visiting the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas – you should enter through the dragon's mouth and exit through the tiger's mouth, which brings good luck and wards off evil. The pagoda's interior walls are adorned with exquisite ceramic artwork depicting moral stories, crafted by renowned artists. Additionally, along the shores of Lotus Lake, there are many temples and attractions like the Spring and Autumn Pavilion and the Beiji Xuantian Shangdi Temple. It is a popular spot for locals to stroll, cycle, and relax by the lake.

After that, pay a visit to the Pier-2 Art Center, a must-visit "urban memory container" in Kaohsiung. Located at the junction where Love River meets Kaohsiung Harbor, adjacent to the city landmark Great Harbor Bridge, its predecessor was the Kaohsiung Harbor warehouses built in 1973, which once stored fish meal and sugar. With industrial transformation, the old warehouses fell silent and idle until 2000, when, by chance of a fireworks display, they were transformed into a paradise for artists.

Named "Pier-2" for its location at Kaohsiung Harbor's second pier, the district is now divided into three major warehouse groups: Dayong, Penglai, and Dayi. It integrates exhibitions, music, design, and railway culture, interconnected by a waterside light rail, creating a vibrant artistic space.

Take your time to explore giant Transformers, sculptures symbolizing industry and fishing, oversized suitcases, and container blocks. Railway enthusiasts can also encounter surprises: trains occasionally pass on the tracks, the Hamaxing Pier-2 Miniature Train, Taiwan Railway Museum, Banana Train (Kaohsiung produces bananas), and other distinctive experiences allow you to relive the transport memories of the port. If you visit on weekends, the handcrafted jewelry and design brand booths at the cultural and creative market will allow you to bring back this unique local culture. 

There are diverse Cafés and restaurants at Pier-2 Art Center, making it an interesting spot for a foodie to explore. Locals like to queue at the Sunny Hills Kaohsiung Store for a cup of tea and apple/pineapple cake/pie.

Then, transfer to Cijin Old Street of Cijin Island by Cijin Ferry.

Cijin Old Street is located on Cijin Peninsula, the earliest port in Kaohsiung, which was once primarily centered around fishing. Later, due to the construction of Kaohsiung Port, Cijin became an outlying island. As a must-visit tourist spot in Kaohsiung, Cijin Old Street, adjacent to the Cijin Ferry Terminal, is renowned for its fresh seafood and traditional snacks. 

You'll find numerous restaurants and stalls where you can pick your fresh seafood (fish, squid, prawns, crabs, etc.) directly from tanks, and they'll cook it to order in various delicious styles (grilled, stir-fried, steamed). Here, you can savor Grilled Squid, Swordfish Fried Cakes, Swordfish Ball Soup, Oyster Omelets, Peanut Coriander Ice Cream Rolls, Sweet Potato Cakes, Pig Blood Cake, 50 Lan milk tea, and more. The street is lined with traditional old shops and unique vendors, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere.

Near Cijin Old Street, you can find Cijin Mazu Temple (Kaohsiung's first Mazu temple; Since 1673) for Mazu culture and Minnan architecture, or stroll on Cijin Beach for its black sands and sea view, perfect for experiencing the fishing village charm and harbor allure of the port of Kaohsiung!

After the food tour in Cijin Old Street, go back to your hotel in Kaohsiung.

Free Time Ideas:
1.Taiwan Food Tour in Kaohsiung Night Markets: (Double-check with locals for the opening date & time.)
a. Ruifeng Night Market (瑞丰夜市; Closed on Mondays & Wednesdays) in Kaohsiung is known for being more local, as many Kaohsiung residents go to eat and socialize there. Must-Try Local Delicacies: Oyster Omelet, Stinky Tofu, Papaya Milk, Grilled Squid, Taiwanese Fried Chicken, Sweet Potato Balls, Teppanyaki Noodles/Steak, Shrimp Rolls...
b. Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市; Opened Daily) in Kaohsiung is one of Taiwan's most well-known night markets, particularly popular with tourists due to its convenient location near Formosa Boulevard MRT Station. Liuhe offers a strong emphasis on seafood. You can try Seafood Porridge, Grilled Squid, Eel Noodles, Fried Oyster Omelet, Bird Egg Shrimp Balls, Taiwanese Sausage, Scallion Pancake, Dumplings, Luwei...
c. Notes: Most stalls are cash-only. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends and evenings. Don't be afraid to try new things.
2.Love River Night Boat (The Love Boat; Self-pay): Enjoy a romantic boat trip on the Love River, the mother river of Kaohsiung, for the landmarks of Kaohsiung, such as Kaohsiung Music Center (junction between Love River & Kaohsiung Port) & Great Harbor Bridge (longest cross-port rotating bridge in Asia; next to the Pier-2 Art Center).

Today, head to Tainan from Kaohsiung (60 km, 1.5h). As the island's oldest city & former capital for over 200 years, you can explore Tainan’s Top Attractions like Anping Tree House, Anping Fort, Chihkan Tower, Tainan Confucius Temple. As Taiwan's "Food Capital" or "Gastronomy Capital", you can explore local food through its streets like Anping Old Street & Tainan Garden Night Market.

First, visit the Anping Tree House at Anping (the earliest port in Taiwan's history), which was constructed at the end of the 19th century. Originally one of the five major trading firms, the Tait & Co. Warehouse was primarily used for exporting sugar, camphor, tea, and other goods. During the Japanese colonial period, it become a salt warehouse. After World War II, the warehouse was abandoned, allowing the banyan trees - a species that can grow into a forest on its own - to thrive. This led to the unique phenomenon of "Trees Within the House, House Within the Trees," resembling the large tree enveloping the "Ta Prohm Temple" in Angkor Wat.

Today, you can stroll through the house, experiencing the power of time and nature. You can also walk along the rooftop trail, witnessing the sight of "Tree Trunks Standing as Walls, Leaves Covering as Roof," and might even chance upon squirrels or birds playing among the treetops. If you get tired, you can take a break at the Tree House Café, where the NINAO Gelato Ice Cream is highly popular among locals.

Not far from Anping Tree House is Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia). As Taiwan's first fort, it was built in 1624 by the Dutch. Initially serving as the Dutch center of power in Taiwan and a key hub for foreign trade, it has witnessed nearly 400 years of Taiwan's tumultuous history. In 1662, after Koxinga (郑成功) expelled the Dutch, the area was renamed "Anping Town" and became the administrative center of the Zheng Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), Fort Zeelandia gradually fell into disrepair, with much of its outer red brick walls dismantled to build Eternal Golden Castle. During the Japanese colonial period, the original Dutch structures were demolished and replaced with Japanese-style customs offices, residences, and a red brick watchtower. After renovations in 1975, the present-day white watchtower was established, becoming one of Tainan's landmarks.

Here, you can visit the only remaining Dutch period relic - the 65.8-meter-long red brick walls made of a mixture of sugar water, glutinous rice juice, and oyster shell lime. You can also climb the white watchtower to overlook Anping Harbor and the Saltwater River or explore the Fort Zeelandia Museum, delving into Dutch trade artifacts, a model of Fort Zeelandia, ships, cannons, and excavated ceramics. You can also take photos with the statue of Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong; Chenggong means Success in Chinese ), purchase cultural and creative products like "Success Beer" & "Success Popcorn." Additionally, Anping Fort is a filming location for the popular Taiwanese drama "Someday or One Day" (《想见你》2019), which has also brought attention to the delicious food on Anping Old Street (near Anping Fort).

Anping Old Street is the oldest street in all of Taiwan and was also the first street established by the Dutch. The narrow street is lined with many historically significant houses and temples, such as the Anping Mazu Temple and the Anping Guanyin Pavilion. Strolling through the alleyways of the old street, you will discover numerous traditional snacks that evoke nostalgia and preserve the flavors of locals' childhoods. These include Anping Tofu Pudding & Tainan Beef Soup, White Gourd Tea, Shrimp Rolls, oyster omelets, shrimp cakes, and sour plum soup.

You should try the signature "Sweet Rice Cake" featured in the "Someday or One Day", which is freshly made and fried on the spot. You can choose to dip it in toppings like ground peanuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, white sugar, or matcha. Breaking through the crispy outer layer reveals a chewy white cake inside, but be careful as it can be hot! Enjoy Tainan food on Anping Old Street.

Then, head to Tainan Confucius Temple in downtown of Tainan. The Master Confucius said, "Is it not a pleasure to have friends come from afar?" When you visit Tainan, how can you not pay a visit to the Tainan Confucius Temple? It is the first Confucius Temple in Taiwan and also the first official school in Taiwan, built by the descendants of Koxinga in 1665. During the early Qing Dynasty, it was a place where students from all over Taiwan came to study. Stepping into the Tainan Confucius Temple, the sound of diligent reading seems to echo through the 360 years of history - it is the starting point of education in Taiwan.

Every year on the 28th day of the ninth lunar month, which is the birthday of the "Most Holy Master Confucius" and also Taiwan's Teachers' Day, the Tainan City Government holds a grand Confucius worship ceremony here, following ancient rituals, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

After that, head to Chihkan Tower (Providentia). Built in 1665, it was initially a fortress constructed by the Dutch known as "Fort Provintia," commonly referred to as the "Fortress of the Red-Haired." It stood in distant opposition to the "Fort Zeelandia" in Anping. These two fortresses, one in the west and the other in the east, were once the "centers of power" for the Dutch in Taiwan. Over its more than 300-year history, the Chihkan Tower has transformed from a Western-style castle during the Dutch era to a Chinese-style pavilion in the Qing Dynasty, then to a Japanese military hospital in the Japanese era, and finally to its current state as a historical museum, silently narrating the gun smoke of the colonial era.

The Fort Provintia that we see today comprises the Sea-God Tower, the Wen Chang Pavilion, the Pongour Academy, and a beautifully landscaped inner courtyard, making it a must-visit spot for photography enthusiasts. The Wen Chang Pavilion, in particular, is a sacred place where students pray for academic progress. Furthermore, during the nighttime, the Chihkan Tower is illuminated, shining brightly and magnificently, presenting a stunning sight.

If time permits and you are interested, you can visit Tainan Grand Mazu Temple, which is near Chihkan Tower. Also, this area is a good place to explore more street food in Tainan.

Free Time Ideas:Taiwan Food Tour in Tainan Night Markets:
(Double-check with locals for the opening date & time.)
a. Tainan Garden Night Market (花园夜市; Opened on Thursdays/Saturday/Sunday)
b. Wusheng Night Market (武圣夜市; Opened on Wednesdays/Saturday)
c. Dadong Night Market (大东夜市; Opened on Mondays/Tuesdays/Friday)

This morning, pay a visit to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (Closed on Tuesdays). Then, end your Kaohsiung tour.

In the morning, head to visit Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (Closed on Tuesdays). Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山佛陀紀念館) is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, and its Big Buddha of Fo Guang is a famous landmark in Kaohsiung. The museum was founded in 1967 by Master Hsing Yun (星云大师; 1927-2023) and his disciples. Master Hsing Yun is the founding abbot of Fo Guang Shan, the 48th generation heir of the Linji Chan School, who was ordained at Qixia Temple in Nanjing and later propagated Buddhism in Taiwan at the age of 23. He introduced and advocated the "Three Acts of Goodness三好运动" in 1998 (Have Good Intentions, Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words存好心、做好事、说好话), which gained widespread popularity in schools and society.

You can explore the Path to Buddhahood (成佛大道), a 1.5-kilometer path lined with Bodhi trees symbolizing enlightenment and wisdom. Along the way, you can visit highlights such as the Eight Pagodas, the Pavilion for Ten Thousand People, the main museum, and the Big Buddha of Fo Guang. To reach the Pavilion for Ten Thousand People (万人照相台), you need to climb 37 steps, symbolizing the Thirty-Seven Practices leading to enlightenment. From the Pavilion for Ten Thousand People, you can take a photo with the Big Buddha by facing east and with the Eight Pagodas (八塔) by facing west. The Main Museum (本馆; only available on weekends) is one of the key structures of the Buddha Museum, which enshrines the true relics of Buddha. Finally, you will have a close-up view of the Giant Buddha of Fo Guang (佛光大佛), made of over 1,800 tons of bronze and iron, standing approximately 108 meters tall, making it one of the tallest outdoor seated Buddhas in the world.

Approximately 20% of the population in Taiwan are Buddhist believers, and the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is a popular destination for locals to pray, meditate, and contemplate life's philosophy. The museum hosts an annual Lantern Festival during the Chinese New Year, featuring blessing lantern displays, floral parades, markets, and other activities. 

Additionally, the vegetarian meals here are also quite popular. Locals like to visit Han Lai Vegetarian Restaurant within the museum complex for creative, refined vegetarian and vegan dishes. You'll find a range of dishes from dim sum to more elaborate stir-fries and soups, showcasing the richness of Taiwanese plant-based cooking.

It is time to end your Kaohsiung Food Tour. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your Asia Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to Asia. Safe journey!

Extension Ideas:
1.You can extend your Kaohsiung Tour to other cities in Taiwan, such as Taipei, Nantou, Chiayi, Taitung,Tainan, Taichung, Hualien, Kenting, etc. We can customize your itinerary.