Kaohsiung Location Map - On the Southern Seaside
Kaohsiung is located in southern Taiwan, right along the island’s southwest coast, facing the Taiwan Strait. It’s Taiwan’s second-largest city and the biggest port, often described as the more laid-back, seaside sibling to Taipei.
If you look at a Taiwan island map, Kaohsiung sits near the bottom — below Taichung, Chiayi, and Tainan, and just above Kenting and Pingtung.

On administrative maps, Kaohsiung City covers a long, narrow area that stretches from the mountains to the sea. However, for most travelers, "Kaohsiung" refers mainly to the urban coastal core — the downtown, harbor, and cultural zones near the port and Love River.
Its central location in the south makes it a convenient base for exploring southern Taiwan, or as a key stop on a Taiwan round-island trip.
Kaohsiung Attractions Map - Find What to See on a Map
Kaohsiung is a big city, but most top attractions are clustered in a few easy-to-explore zones — around the harbor, city center, and a bit in the northeast. With a good tourist map, you can plan your days efficiently and avoid long commutes.

Here’s a simple breakdown of where Kaohsiung’s top attractions are located:
Harbor Area (City’s West Side)
- Pier-2 Art Center – trendy creative zone with murals, exhibitions, and quirky cafés.
- Cijin Island – take a 5-minute ferry from Gushan; visit Cihou Lighthouse, beaches, and seafood street.
- Xiziwan Bay & British Consulate at Takow – best sunset spot over the harbor.


Downtown Area
- Formosa Boulevard Station – home to the Dome of Light, the world’s largest glass art installation.
- Liuhe Night Market & Ruifeng Night Market – top places for street food.
- Love River (Ai He) – scenic river cruise area that lights up at night.
- Kaohsiung Main Station - Railway station for TRA trains.
Zuoying District
- Lotus Pond – iconic pagodas and temples, including Dragon & Tiger Pagodas, Spring & Autumn Pavilion.
- Zuoying HSR Station - Train station for high speed rail trains.
- Ruifeng Night Market - popular night market
Fengshan & East Kaohsiung
- Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum – Taiwan’s most famous Buddhist site with a giant sitting Buddha statue.
This spread of attractions is very manageable in 1 to 2 days. A good Kaohsiung tourist map marks metro stations and ferry terminals nearby, so you can plan routes by MRT, ferry, or taxi easily.


Kaohsiung City Map - How to Reach Kaohsiung by Air & Train
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s largest port city, and its layout naturally spreads along the coast. Understanding how the city is organized will help you plan your visit more efficiently.

The harbor and Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) are located in the southern part of Kaohsiung, mainly in Xiaogang District.
Just north of the harbor sits the popular Cijin Island — a favorite getaway spot known for seafood and beaches.
Heading east of the port, you’ll arrive in central Kaohsiung, the main tourist zone. Here you’ll also find Kaohsiung Main Train Station, the Kaohsiung MRT Red and Orange Lines, and long-distance bus terminals. This is the best base for exploring the city.
Further north is Zuoying District, where the Kaohsiung High-Speed Rail (HSR) station is located — known officially as Zuoying HSR Station.
Kaohsiung Metro/MRT Map - How to Get Around by MRT
Kaohsiung’s MRT (Metro) system is simple, clean, and super useful for tourists. With just two main lines and one light rail (LRT), you can get to many top attractions without stress.

Red Line (R)
Runs north to south, connecting Zuoying HSR Station, Kaohsiung Main Station, Formosa Boulevard, and Siaogang (near airport).
Orange Line (O):
Runs east to west, linking Daliao to Sizihwan (Xiziwan) near the harbor.
Circular Light Rail (LRT):
A tram-style line that loops through the harbor and Pier-2 Art Center, eventually connecting with the MRT.
Useful MRT Stations for Tourists:
- Zuoying Station (R16) – For Lotus Pond and HSR trains.
- Formosa Boulevard Station (R10/O5) – Famous Dome of Light, and transfer point between Red & Orange Lines.
- Sizihwan Station (O1) – Walk to Xiziwan Bay and British Consulate.
- Central Park Station (R9) – Near shopping and parks.
- Kaohsiung International Airport (R4) – Direct MRT access!
To go to Cijin Island, take MRT to Sizihwan (O1) and walk 5 minutes to Gushan Ferry Pier.


Kaohsiung Travel Map - Travel to Kaohsiung with Map
Thanks to the efficient High-Speed Rail (HSR), intercity trains (TRA), and highways, getting to or from Kaohsiung is easy and flexible, whether you’re doing a full island loop or planning side trips.

Destination | Distance from Kaohsiung | By HSR | By TRA Train | By Car/Bus | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taipei | ~350 km | 1.5 hrs | 4.5–5 hrs | 5–6 hrs | Fastest via HSR; direct connections |
Taichung | ~200 km | 1 hr | 2.5–3 hrs | 3 hrs | Great stopover on the way to Sun Moon Lake |
Chiayi | ~130 km | 40 mins | 1.5–2 hrs | 2 hrs | Gateway to Alishan Mountain |
Tainan | ~50 km | 20 mins | 1 hr | 1–1.5 hrs | Easy day trip from Kaohsiung |
Kenting | ~100 km | N/A | N/A | 2–2.5 hrs | Only accessible by bus, car, or private transfer |
Travel Tip:
- HSR departs from Zuoying Station in northern Kaohsiung.
- TRA trains depart from Kaohsiung Station in the city center.
- Long-distance buses leave from multiple terminals near Kaohsiung Station or Zuoying.
Kaohsiung Itinerary Map - How to Plan Kaohsiung Tour
Kaohsiung is often one stop on a Taiwan island loop or a West Coast travel route, rather than a stand-alone destination. Most travelers spend 1 to 2 days here — just enough time to enjoy its relaxed harbor vibe, cultural landmarks, and famous night markets.
The map below shows how Kaohsiung connects with other popular cities in Taiwan, and how it fits into multi-day itineraries.

Taiwan Loop Itinerary (Counterclockwise Route)
Day 1–4: Taipei & nearby (Jiufen, Shifen, Beitou, Yangmingshan)
Day 5: Taipei → Sun Moon Lake (via Taichung)
Day 6: Sun Moon Lake → Alishan → overnight in Chiayi
Day 7: Chiayi → Tainan → Kaohsiung (overnight)
Day 8: Kaohsiung (explore city, then travel south to Kenting or east to Taitung)
Day 9–10: Taitung → Hualien → return to Taipei
Kaohsiung Itinerary: 6 Routes for 1,2,3 Days in Kaohsiung
Taiwan West Coast Route (HSR-based)
- Taipei → Taichung → Chiayi → Tainan → Kaohsiung
Perfect for 5–7 day trips using Taiwan High-Speed Rail.


Travel to Kaohsiung with Asia Odyssey Travel
Asia Odyssey Travel with trusted local experts bring you seamless, worry-free journeys through Kaohsiung. Whether you're here for street food, sunsets, or spiritual landmarks, we make sure every moment counts.
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