🇹🇼 Kaohsiung with Kids: A Family Guide to Enjoying Southern Taiwan 🧡
- hummblylife
- 6 nov
- 10 Min. de lectura
Introduction
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city. Unlike Taipei, it feels much more “spacious”, you’ll notice it in the size of the markets, shopping malls, museums, etc.
Also, the pace of life isn’t as hectic as in the northern metropolis. Thanks to Kaohsiung’s lower density, you usually don’t need to make restaurant reservations (of course, there are exceptions for the most popular ones, especially during weekends or holidays), and you rarely have to wait in long lines for activities.
Why is it ideal destination for families?
Just two hours from Taipei on the High-Speed Rail (HSR).
Warm climate, and it rains less in the winter than up north.
Lots of parks, interactive museums, and family-friendly attractions.
Excellent public transport with two metro lines and a Light Rail line.
Kaohsiung is a great base for exploring southern Taiwan: easy trips to Tainan or Pingtung, especially for its aquarium and the famous beaches in Kenting!
A bit of Kaohsiung history
Kaohsiung (高雄) started out as a small fishing village called Takao during the Qing dynasty. Its strategic location turned it into a key port during the Japanese occupation (1895–1945), when shipyards, railways, and industrial zones were built.
After World War II, Kaohsiung became Taiwan’s main commercial port. Over time, it transformed from an industrial city into a modern, artistic urban hub with large parks, contemporary architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene by the sea.
📅 When to visit
Best time: Late October to March, when the weather is cooler.
Honestly, you can visit Kaohsiung any time of year — if you don’t mind the heat and humidity.
Important note: Typhoons are more common in summer.
Air Pollution: The southwest coast of Taiwan can experience air pollution, especially in winter. Some people aren’t affected, while others are more sensitive. Some hotels offer air purifiers and/or dehumidifiers in rooms. It’s worth asking if you’re prone to congestion or have asthma/allergies. Click here to check Air pollution in Kaohsiung.
🚆 How to get there and Transport
By plane: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)
By High-Speed Rail (HSR): From Taoyuan, Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, or other HSR stations.
Public transport: Kaohsiung MRT (Red & Orange lines) and the Green Light Rail line. It’s really easy to navigate since there aren’t too many stations.
Transport cards (EasyCard 悠遊卡 or iPass 一卡通). You can find them at any convenience store or metro station.
Taxi option: We rarely take taxis, but Uber works well too!
Bike rentals (YouBike): The first half-hour of rental is free!
💡 Useful Tips
What to pack: Personal toiletries, many travelers mention that there are limited brands/options for things like deodorant.
But there are a few items we recommend buying once you’re in Taiwan if you need them, such as:
Sunscreen (very good quality and affordable)
Portable fan
Mosquito repellent
Cream for insect/mosquito bites — Japanese brands are much more effective!
Cash: Bring some, as some places don’t accept cards, especially at night markets.
Hot weather: Light clothing, a reusable water bottle, and an umbrella in case it rains.
Recommended apps: Google Maps, Google Translate, Taiwan Weather, Uber, Booking, or Trip.
If you have a young child, you’ll be happy to know that almost every shopping mall and the airport has nursing rooms and diaper-changing facilities.
If you need to visit a doctor during your trip, we recommend this family clinic: Pojen Clinic 柏仁醫院
🏨 Where to stay
Recommended Areas
Aozihdi 凹子底: Central area where many families live. The park is beautiful, and you’ll see lots of kids playing in the afternoons. Since it’s a more residential area, strolling through these neighborhoods gives you a real sense of everyday life in Kaohsiung!
Kaohsiung Arena: Near Ruifeng Night Market and Hanshin Shopping Mall. In the afternoons, the school’s athletic track is open to the public for jogging or walking.
Pier-2 Art Center: An artistic, central neighborhood. Much more touristy and busier than the previous two areas.
Family-friendly hotels (not in the neighborhoods above but highly recommended for their size and amenities):
🎡 Things to do in Kaohsiung with kids (From North to South)
This museum is located on the site of Taiwan’s first mechanized sugar factory (founded in 1901 during the Japanese era). Today, it has been transformed into a rich cultural park preserving original machinery, sugarcane railway tracks, and colonial architecture.
Kids can walk among old locomotives, explore outdoor exhibitions, and enjoy ice cream.
Opening Hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: 80NT for adults, 50NT for children
Lotus Pond 蓮池潭 (Zuoying Station)
Take a stroll around the pond, explore the Dragon and Tiger temples 🐲🐯.
About a 15-minute walk from here is a playground: Lianchitang Children Playground.
There are places to eat near Lotus Pond, but if you want more options, you can walk to Xinzuoying Train Station / Zuoying MRT Station, right next to: Mitsukoshi.
If you’re curious about everyday life in Kaohsiung, we recommend wandering through this traditional market — maybe pick up a snack, some fruit, etc.
Hanshin Arena Shopping Plaza 漢神巨蛋購物廣場 (Kaohsiung Arena Station)
Pop-up fairs are common outside this mall, especially around Christmas.
The "Kaohsiung Arena" is right next door, making it a busy area when concerts or other events are on.
When our kids were younger, we took them to play at Tom’s World (8th floor).
Many people also visit the mall for Din Tai Fung or Haidilao.
If you’re not just passing through Kaohsiung but living here with young children, we recommend visiting the: Parent-Child Center Zuoying.
Ruifeng Night Market (Kaohsiung Arena Station)
Very close to Hanshin Mall, this night market was our favorite in Kaohsiung. We have many memories of playing “fishing” games and winning prizes (which don’t last long but kids love them!).
If you’re still around Zuoying and don’t feel like night market food, we recommend this Japanese restaurant: 墨吉日本料理.
Nearby Ruifeng Night Market, we also tried this delicious dessert — the best, especially in summer!
Near the Ferry pier for Cijing Island there are also many of these dessert shops.
This is the kids’ section of the Kaohsiung Museum of Arts. Volunteers (many of them grandparents!) are incredibly friendly. If your kids are older, we also recommend visiting the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts 高雄市立美術館.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. / closed Mondays and Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Tips:
Dress kids in clothes that can get wet or dirty (sandbox area).
Ideally, spend at least 2 hours here — maybe more if you want to enjoy the outdoor park and sandbox.
Since it’s in a park and a quiet area, you can combine your visit with a picnic or rest on the grass (if it’s not too hot).
Kaohsiung Station 高雄車站 and the Dome of Light 光之穹頂 (Formosa Boulevard Station)
The recently renovated train station is a pleasant place to stroll with kids and explore a bit more of Kaohsiung. It’s not a must-see, but a fun stop if you’re nearby.
Nearby, at Formosa Boulevard MRT Station, you’ll find the famous Dome of Light, a colorful illuminated artwork that delights both adults and children.
Kaohsiung Science and Technology Museum (Science and Technology Museum LRT Station)
Great for rainy days.
Practical tip: Allow at least 2 hours for your visit and take advantage of the café and rest areas inside the museum.
The National Science and Technology Museum of Kaohsiung is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00.
Entry fees: NT$120 for adults; children under 6 usually free. Discounts available for students, seniors, and special exhibition packages.
National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts-Weiwuying 衛武營國家藝術文化中心 (Weiwuying Station)
Designed by Dutch architect Francine Houben, this center is one of the largest performing arts spaces in East Asia, with a continuous roof housing multiple concert halls, theaters, etc.
For families, it’s ideal because it’s next to the MRT station (“Weiwuying Station”), making it easy to get there. Many areas are open, letting children roam freely while adults enjoy the architecture or a café. There’s also a playground inside the park.
Public access hours: Daily, 11:00 – 20:00. Check the official website for current events.
Dadong Arts Center (Dadong Station)
Another arts and music center, a bit farther from downtown. We discovered this area when attending a family musical. It’s very family-friendly, with a small park (Datong Wetlands Park), a few cafés, and a small library. Worth a visit if you have multiple days in Kaohsiung.
Here's the official website to check out what shows are on their schedule!
E7Play Sanduo (Wuquan Elementary School LRT Station)
On a rainy day, you can visit E7Play in Sanduo. This indoor amusement center offers many activities (bowling, arcades, shooting games, etc.) for the price of a single entry ticket.
The city "center", with malls, shops, and cafés. For a family, it might be fun if you are looking for some souvenirs or want to do some shopping, but it's not a must visit district.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00 (last entry ~16:30). Closed Mondays.
Entry: ~NT$40 for adults; children or certain categories have reduced/free entry.
Includes a Water Plaza to cool off on hot days — perfect after walking a lot (bring a change of clothes for kids!).
For hiking Monkey Mountain, start at Shoushan Hiking Trail Start or the south entrance.
Bring water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.
The trail has stairs and uphill sections, and the sun can be strong, especially with children.
Important: Don’t carry visible food and teach kids not to feed wild monkeys — they can become aggressive.
🎨 Outdoor art installations, murals, galleries, and temporary events. Also a miniature train. Spend 2 hours to half a day here.
Kids’ favorites:
Free play around Hamasen Heritage Railroad
Museums: Hamasen Museo de Trenes and the Takao Railway Museum.
Take the Lightrail and see all the landmarks: Kaohsiung Music Center, Hi-ing Musical Hall, Kaohsiung 85.
Kaohsiung’s tallest and most iconic building: 85 Sky Tower
Nearby Historical Spots (Near Pier-2)
Consulado Británico en Takow (打狗英國領事館) - Built in 1865, Taiwan’s first foreign consulate. The viewpoint offers panoramic port views, and the interior explains 19th-century trade and foreign presence.
Xiziwan Tunnel - Connects the university area with the port. Formerly a Japanese military route, now a historic walkway with urban art.
National Sun Yat-sen University (國立中山大學) - By the sea at Xiziwan Bay. Campus occupies a former Japanese military zone, with bunkers and trails perfect for sunsets.
Museo de Historia de Kaohsiung (高雄市歷史博物館)
In a 1939 Japanese building, documents urban development, social movements, and economic changes.
Evening strolls along the Love River: by boat or on foot. Especially magical during events like the Lantern Festival!
Kaohsiung Main Public Library (Sanduo Shopping District Station)
Has a large, modern children’s section with books in Chinese, English, and Japanese in a safe, climate-controlled environment.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 22:00; closed Mondays.
Access: Red Line MRT (Sanduo Shopping District Station) or Light Rail to Exhibition Center Station, then a few minutes’ walk.
Nearby: Kaohsiung Exhibition Center.
Indoor playgrounds and other entertainment options for kids. Many restaurants — perfect for an afternoon or evening!
Famous for Suzuka Circuit Park. Offers indoor baseball, Cinema, Austin Land and more.
Tickets for the Suzuka Circuit can be purchased on the official website.
Christian Community
If staying in Kaohsiung for longer and you’re Christian, these bilingual churches are recommended:
Day trips
Cijin Island 旗津島
Short ferry from Gushan Ferry Pier. Family bike rental (a must!), Beach, Qihou Fort, Cijin Tunnel, Faro, Cijin Old Street, Rainbow Church — perfect for a day trip.
Taiwan’s largest aquarium, among Asia’s most impressive.
📅 Operating hours: 9:00 – 17:30 (last entry 16:00)
💰 Tickets: Adults NT$450 / Kids NT$250 / Free for under 6yos
💡 Tip: Plan at least half a day; the aquarium is extensive with outdoor play areas by the sea.
From Kaohsiung:
By car: Most convenient for families; parking available.
By bus: ~2 hours, NT$350–400 per person. Buses from Zuoying HSR to Checheng (Kuo-Kuang, Pingtung Bus, Kenting Express). Bring snacks for kids.
Tip: Arrive early at 9:00 a.m. to enjoy the whole day.
Combine your aquarium visit with 1–3 nights in Kenting for exploring southern Kaohsiung:
Recommended family spots in Kenting:
Scenic Drive to Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔
Continue driving to reach Longpan Park
Favorite family resorts: Caesar Park y Howard.
Xiaoliuqiu
Also known as Lambai Island, a small coral island off Pingtung, 30 minutes by ferry from Kaohsiung. Famous for clear waters and swimming with sea turtles. Ideal for a day trip or weekend getaway.
Ferry: Donggang Ferry Terminal (Pingtung), ~25–30 minutes.
From Zuoying HSR: Bus to Donggang (~50 min), then ferry.
Ferry fares: NT$380–450 adults round trip, half price for children 3–12, bookable via KLOOK.
We drove to Donggang and used this Parking.
Book your ferry tickets through KLOOK.
Low cost Accommodation: Lala Bed & Breakfast
Most people rent a scooter to explore the island, but as we don't have a scooter license we managed by doing lots of walking, took the island public bus. If you have a driver's license, you can also rent a car for the day to go around the island.
Things to do and see in Xiaoliuqiu
Hiking Trail: Wild Boar Trench Trail 山豬溝生態步道
Watch the sunset: Sunset Pavilion 落日亭
Beach time and seeing so many sea turtles real close! Secret Beach 厚石魚澳
We haven’t been yet, our kids were too young. Could be a great day trip; includes an outlet.
❤️ Final Reflection
After seeing all that Kaohsiung has to offer, you’ll understand why this city deserves a spot on your Taiwan itinerary!
Writing this post made us nostalgic for our time there: a perfect balance of fun activities, manageable city size, low density (no crowds!), by the sea, and so much greenery everywhere.
It’s also a great base for day trips to Xiaoliuqiu, Kenting, Pingtung, Cijin Island, etc.
We recommend 2–3 days in Kaohsiung itself, plus 2 extra days for nearby trips.
We hope this guide helps plan your next trip or inspires your adventures!
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