Kaohsiung (Taiwan), China

Cruises from-to Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung - Taiwan's largest port city and the island's main sea gateway to Southeast Asia. It is Taiwan's second-largest city by area and third-largest by population, stretching along the island's southwestern coast, facing the Taiwan Strait. Within just a few kilometres of one another you'll find centuries-old Buddhist temples, the futuristic National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts with the world's largest single roof over its stages, and the Love River waterfront, where illuminated pleasure boats cruise by every evening.
For a cruise traveller, Kaohsiung is above all a convenient port of call and an increasingly popular home port in Southeast Asia: ships departing from here sail to Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Korea and the nearby Penghu Islands. In 2025 the port welcomed around 95 international cruise ship calls — 42 as a home port and 53 as a port of call. That is the second-best result in the port's history, after the record year of 2023, when Kaohsiung logged 104 calls as a home port. 🚢

📋 Before setting off on a cruise from Kaohsiung, or stepping ashore for a few hours during a call, here's what matters most:
🇹🇼 Country: Taiwan
📍 Region: southern Taiwan; a special municipality that merged with the surrounding county of the same name in 2010
👥 Population: about 2.72 million residents — Taiwan's third most populous city (after New Taipei and Taichung)
📐 Area: 2,952 km² — the largest city in Taiwan by area
🗣️ Languages: Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien (both used daily); English is mostly spoken by younger residents and tourism staff
💰 Currency: New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
🕐 Time zone: UTC+8 year-round, with no daylight-saving switch — 5 hours ahead of Kyiv in summer and 6 hours ahead in winter
☀️ Climate: tropical, with hot summers (+30…+34 °C, April–November) and a mild “winter” (around +20…+25 °C, December–March); most rainfall falls between June and August
✈️ Nearest airport: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) — 9 km from the cruise terminal
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Port of Kaohsiung (高雄港)
🗺️ Port area: around 177 km² of waters and adjacent land — nearly 1.7 times the area of Paris within its ring road

🏛️ The history of Kaohsiung — from the bamboo shores of Takau to Taiwan's leading port
⏳ Over 5,000 years of coastal history
Kaohsiung's history is, above all, the history of its bay. Long before any written records existed, its shores were settled by the Austronesian Makatao people of the Siraya group, and archaeologists have traced human activity here back 4,700–5,200 years. Locals called their bay “Takau” — meaning “bamboo forest” — a name that, in various spellings, followed the city through every era since. In 1603 the Chinese traveller Chen Di, who accompanied a Ming expedition against pirates, was the first to record these lands under the name “Takau Island.”
In 1624 the Dutch East India Company founded a trading post here called Tancoia, though the main Dutch stronghold on the island remained the neighbouring city of Tainan. In 1662 the general Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) drove the Dutch out of Taiwan, and after his death, in 1684, the island was annexed by the Qing dynasty, which renamed the area Fengshan County; the bay gradually grew into an important trading port. Following the Treaties of Tianjin, the port officially opened to Western trade in 1864, and fifteen years later, in 1879, the Former British Consulate at Takao was built on Shaochuantou Hill overlooking the harbour entrance — it still stands above Sizihwan Bay today as a monument to the treaty-port era.
⚔️ From a Japanese port to a modern metropolis
Following the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan came under Japanese rule in 1895, and it was the Japanese administration that turned the modest harbour into a modern port: the first and second construction phases ran from 1908 to 1912, and in 1920 the city was officially renamed Takao — the characters of that name later gave rise to the modern Taiwanese pronunciation “Kaohsiung.” The third phase of the port's expansion was halted by the Second World War, during which the city suffered heavy Allied bombing.
After Taiwan's retrocession to the Republic of China in 1945, the city took its present name, Kaohsiung, and began developing rapidly as an industrial and port hub. In 1975 a new entrance channel was cut to expand the harbour, splitting the land between the Siaogang and Cijin districts. By the late 1970s Kaohsiung had overtaken Tainan to become Taiwan's second-largest city, and in 1979 it was granted special municipality status. In 2010 the city merged with the surrounding county of the same name, substantially expanding its borders and population. 🏙️

⚓ The Port of Kaohsiung — Taiwan's largest sea gateway
📊 Scale and structure of the port
Today's Port of Kaohsiung is, first and foremost, one of the world's largest container ports: in 2025 it ranked among the top ten in the global port quality index compiled by the Norwegian classification society DNV, although by container throughput (8.89 million TEU in 2025) it ranks 20th worldwide. More than two-thirds of Taiwan's entire container trade passes through Kaohsiung. The port complex comprises 9 terminals and around 39 berths, spread across an area of roughly 177 km².
For cruise passengers, though, it is the passenger terminals that matter most, not the cargo facilities. Until recently, ships were handled by the compact Penglay International Passenger Terminal (Pier 9) in Gushan District, next to the Pier-2 Art Center cultural quarter. In March 2023, a new terminal opened at Pier 20 in Lingya District — the Kaohsiung Port Passenger Center, a sweeping 80,774 m² facility designed by the Taiwan-based Zong Mai Architects together with the American firm Reiser + Umemoto (RUR Architecture). Its curving white forms are deliberately reminiscent of a whale's silhouette and a ship's hull, while an open public promenade runs across the roof, letting pedestrians pass through even while the terminal is serving passengers. ✨ The new terminal can accommodate two ships simultaneously, each of up to 225,000 gross tons and roughly 5,400 passengers, and can process up to 2,000 passengers per hour.

🚢 How many liners the port can handle
In 2025 the Port of Kaohsiung logged around 95 international cruise calls: 42 as a home port and 53 as a port of call. That is the port's second-best result on record, after the peak year of 2023 (104 calls as a home port and 29 as a port of call), when the island saw a post-pandemic surge in cruise tourism. For 2026, the port operator forecasts around 75 calls and is positioning Kaohsiung as the main hub for Southeast Asian itineraries, as part of Taiwan's nationwide goal of 600 cruise calls a year across all of the island's ports.

🏢 Which cruise lines operate from Kaohsiung
Ships that regularly depart from or call at Kaohsiung include Star Cruises (Star Voyager, Star Navigator) and Costa Cruises, for which Kaohsiung has now served as a home port for a third consecutive year, as well as Dream Cruises and selected sailings by Regent Seven Seas Cruises and other operators that include the city on itineraries across the Taiwan Strait and to Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan and Korea. 🌏

💡 Interesting facts about Kaohsiung and its port
A few lesser-known details that round out the picture of the city:
🐋 Kaohsiung's new cruise terminal was deliberately designed in the shape of a whale — the architects wanted to underline the city's connection to the sea even before passengers step ashore.
🎭 The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) has been called “the biggest arts venue on Earth” by the British press: its undulating 35,000 m² roof, made of 4,500 aluminium panels, is considered the largest single roof over a performing-arts complex in the world. The centre opened on 13 October 2018, designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo, and its concert hall houses Asia's largest pipe organ — 9,085 pipes built by the German company Johannes Klais Orgelbau.
🌈 At Formosa Boulevard metro station stands the “Dome of Light” — a stained-glass installation 30 metres in diameter made of 4,500 glass panels, created over more than four years by the Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. It is considered one of the largest single works of glass art in the world.
🎶 At the mouth of the Love River, on the border of the Yancheng and Lingya districts, the Kaohsiung Music Center opened in October 2021 — one of Asia's largest waterfront music complexes, covering 11 hectares, whose main hall seats 6,000 people, with the adjoining Hi-ing Breeze Square accommodating up to 10,000.
🏙️ The 85 Sky Tower (Tuntex Sky Tower), standing 347.5 metres tall with 85 floors, was Taiwan's tallest building from 1997 to 2004, before being overtaken by Taipei 101 in the capital; the building has no 44th floor due to superstition.
🛕 Kaohsiung has more than 1,480 temples — the second-highest number of any city in Taiwan, after Tainan. It is also home to Fo Guang Shan Monastery, the island's largest Buddhist temple complex.
⏳ The Port of Kaohsiung predates Taiwan's written history: Austronesian inhabitants had been using Takau Bay for millennia before the first Chinese written record of the island appeared in the early 17th century.

📍 Kaohsiung's must-see landmarks for cruise travellers
A cruise ship call in Kaohsiung usually lasts between 8 and 12 hours, so it pays to set your priorities in advance. You'll find a detailed list with addresses, prices and opening hours in the “Landmarks and Places of Interest” section; below is a short overview of the iconic locations that define the city.
🐉 Lotus Pond — an artificial lake with the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and a statue of Confucius, one of Taiwan's most recognisable postcard images.
🎨 Pier-2 Art Center — former harbour warehouses turned into galleries, street art and workshops, just a few minutes' walk from the old cruise terminal.
🏔️ Shoushan (Monkey Mountain) — an urban nature reserve with wild macaques and a viewpoint over the port and bay.
🎭 National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) — the world's largest performing-arts centre under a single roof, with four halls and an open-air public park.
🌊 Cijin Island — a sandbar at the port entrance with a lighthouse, an old fort, a beach and a seafood market; reachable only by ferry.
🎶 The Love River waterfront and Kaohsiung Music Center — a promenade area with night cruises, cafés and illuminations, the heart of the city's evening life.
🏙️ 85 Sky Tower — a skyscraper with an observation deck and one of the city's highest restaurants.
🛕 Fo Guang Shan Monastery — Taiwan's largest Buddhist temple complex, with a giant Buddha statue, 30–40 minutes from the port.

✨ Why choose a cruise from Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung — a port that combines convenient logistics with authentic Taiwanese flavour.
First, the airport and terminal are close together: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) is just 9 km from the pier, a 10–15-minute drive. ✈️
Second, the port offers excellent geography for Southeast Asian cruising: itineraries from Kaohsiung head to Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Korea and the nearby Penghu Islands. 🌊
Third, the terminal itself is already an attraction: even a few hours ashore are enough to admire the wave-shaped Kaohsiung Port Passenger Center, stroll along the Love River waterfront and sample dishes at one of the night markets. 🍜

The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you choose the ideal ship, itinerary and cabin, take care of the details of your flight to Taiwan and airport transfer, and offer attractive rates from Star Cruises, Costa Cruises, Dream Cruises and other leading brands we work with as a priority partner in Ukraine. 🤝

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, itineraries and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with your Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by professionals

How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung — one of Taiwan's largest cities and the island's main maritime gateway, cannot be reached from Ukraine without a connection, so almost every cruise traveler arrives here via Taipei or another Asian hub. The new cruise terminal, Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (Pier 20), is located in the Lingya District, just a few kilometers from downtown, and is beautifully integrated into the city's transport network — a light rail station sits right at the terminal's exit. Below is a verified step-by-step guide with every transfer option, current prices, and tips from the Four Gates Group cruise specialists. 🎯

📍 Exactly Where the Kaohsiung Cruise Port Is Located
The Port of Kaohsiung serves cruise ships at two terminals located in different parts of the harbor:

⚓ Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (旅運中心, Pier 20) — the city's main and newest terminal, opened in March 2023. This futuristic building, shaped like an undulating ship's hull, spans over 80,000 m&sup2 and can berth up to two large cruise ships simultaneously (up to 225,000 tons each). The terminal is equipped with 22 customs counters, facial recognition systems, duty-free kiosks, and a 24-hour waterfront promenade on the third floor.
📌 GPS address: No. 5, Haibian Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City (海邊路5號, 苓雅區)
☎️ Terminal phone: +886 7 561 2311

⚓ Penglai Cruise Terminal (蓬萊, Pier 9) — an older terminal near the Pier-2 Art Center district and the Da-Gang Bridge, used as a secondary terminal or for smaller vessels.
📌 GPS address: No. 1-8, Penglai Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City (蓬萊路1-8號, Gushan)

❗ Important: the exact terminal and pier for your ship are always listed in your cruise voucher. Check this information 48–72 hours before boarding — the terminal is sometimes changed depending on the port's vessel schedule.

✈️ From Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) to the Cruise Terminal
The international Kaohsiung International Airport (code KHH) is located in Xiaogang District, roughly 8–9 km from the Pier 20 cruise terminal. It is the main air gateway to southern Taiwan, receiving flights from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asian countries; from Ukraine, the most convenient route is via Taipei (Taoyuan Airport) with a connecting domestic flight or a THSR high-speed train. The trip to the port takes anywhere from 15 minutes (taxi) to 35–40 minutes (public transport).

🚕 Taxi — the fastest and most convenient option
Official taxis queue right outside the arrivals hall of both the domestic and international terminals.
• Travel time: 15–20 minutes (depending on traffic and your ship's terminal)
• Estimated fare: base fare of 85 TWD + roughly 20–25 TWD per additional kilometer — totaling around 280–380 TWD to Pier 20
• International terminal surcharge: +50 TWD
• Payment: cash or card (in most taxis)
• Apps: Uber operates in Kaohsiung as a taxi service; LINE TAXI, 55688 (Taiwan Taxi), and Yoxi are also popular
💡 Four Gates tip: show the driver the terminal name in Chinese — «高雄港旅運中心» (Pier 20) or «蓬萊郵輪碼頭» (Pier 9) — it will speed up communication considerably.

🚐 Private transfer — the most comfortable option
The best choice for families, groups, or passengers with heavy luggage. A driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and takes you straight to the correct pier for a fixed price.
• Travel time: 15–20 minutes under normal conditions, up to 30 minutes during peak disembarkation periods
• Benefits: fixed price, flight monitoring, English-speaking driver, no waiting in the taxi queue
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — simply share your flight number when booking your cruise.

🚇 Metro (MRT) — the budget option
The airport has its own metro station right inside the terminal, making public transport a genuinely practical alternative to a taxi.
Route:
1️⃣ Kaohsiung International Airport (R4) station on the Red Line — entrance directly from the arrivals hall
2️⃣ A direct ride with no transfer to Sanduo Shopping District (R8) station — 4 stops, about 11–15 minutes
3️⃣ From Exit 5 of Sanduo Shopping District station — about an 18-minute walk along the waterfront to the Pier 20 terminal, or transfer to the light rail to Cruise Terminal (C9) station, a one-minute walk from the terminal entrance
Cost: metro approximately 25–30 TWD + light rail (if needed) 20 TWD
Travel time: 30–35 minutes including the transfer and walk
⚠️ Important: the metro runs from 6:00 to midnight, with trains every 4–8 minutes. With heavy luggage, the walking section can be inconvenient — a taxi may be the better choice in that case.

🚄 From Kaohsiung's Train Stations to the Cruise Terminal
Most tourists arriving in Kaohsiung from Taipei or other cities on the island use the High Speed Rail (THSR) or conventional trains (TRA) — the city has two key stations.

🚅 Zuoying High Speed Rail Station (左營高鐵站)
The southern terminus of the Taiwan High Speed Rail, where trains from Taipei arrive in approximately 1.5–2 hours (depending on the number of stops); standard-class tickets cost from 1,445 TWD (non-reserved) to 2,440 TWD (with a guaranteed seat).
• Taxi to Pier 20: 25–40 minutes depending on traffic, roughly 400–500 TWD
• Metro: Zuoying (R16) station on the Red Line → direct ride with no transfer to Sanduo Shopping District (R8), about 20–25 minutes, 40–45 TWD → then an 18-minute walk or light rail to Cruise Terminal (C9) station
Total time for the combined route: about 50–60 minutes

🚂 Kaohsiung Main Station (高雄車站)
Serves conventional Taiwan Railway (TRA) trains from all regions of the island and is located right in the city center.
• Taxi to Pier 20: 10–15 minutes, roughly 200–250 TWD
• Metro: Kaohsiung Main Station (R11) → direct ride with no transfer to Sanduo Shopping District (R8), 3 stops, about 10 minutes, 20–25 TWD → then walk or take the light rail to the terminal
💡 Tip: if you have heavy luggage, the simplest option is to take a taxi straight from either station. It costs relatively little and saves considerable time.

🏙️ From Downtown Kaohsiung to the Cruise Terminal
If you spent a night or a few days at a hotel in the city center, several convenient options will get you to your ship:

🚕 Taxi from your hotel — roughly 150–250 TWD depending on the district, 10–20 minutes travel time. The most convenient option with luggage.

🚊 Circular Light Rail — the most convenient public transport option:
• Stop: Cruise Terminal (C9) station — the exit leads directly to the entrance of the Pier 20 terminal (about a 1-minute walk)
• Fare: 20 TWD for the first 5 km, then +5 TWD for each additional 2 km, capped at 35 TWD per ride (15% discount when paying with an EasyCard)
• Frequency: every 10–15 minutes
• Operating hours: 6:30–22:00
• Payment: EasyCard/iPASS (sold at any convenience store) or QR code

🚇 Metro (MRT) — Sanduo Shopping District (R8) station, Exit 5, then an 18-minute walk along the waterfront to the terminal, or transfer to the light rail to Cruise Terminal station.

🚶 On foot from the Pier-2 Art Center district — a scenic waterfront walk to the Pier 20 terminal takes about 12–15 minutes along a flat pedestrian promenade.

🛵 Scooters and bicycles: bike-sharing (C-Bike) and scooter rentals are popular in Kaohsiung, but entering the port's secured zone requires a boarding pass or permit.

🚗 By Private Car — Parking Near the Terminal
If you're heading to the port by your own or a rented car, an official underground car park operates beneath the Pier 20 terminal:

🅿️ Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal Parking (正好停, Positive Parking):
• Address: beneath the terminal building, entrance from Haibian Road
• Rate: roughly 15 TWD per 30 minutes for cars (no free period), 20 TWD per entry for motorcycles
• Phone: +886 7 536 0258
• Features: separate entrances for cars (left side) and motorcycles (right side), open 24 hours
💡 Tip: a dedicated drop-off zone near the elevators on basement level B1 is available for a quick passenger drop-off — no need for long-term parking there.

🛣️ GPS route: the terminal is located along Haibian Road on the waterfront in Lingya District; from any direction, head for the coastal expressway that runs past the Asia New Bay District.

♿ Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility
The Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal was designed with modern accessibility standards in mind:
✅ Elevators, escalators, and ramps on every floor of the terminal
✅ The light rail is wheelchair-accessible, with platforms level with the train floor
✅ The metro (MRT) is equipped with elevators at every station
✅ A wheelchair or stroller can be borrowed free of charge at KHH airport's passenger service desk
✅ Terminal staff are available to assist with boarding — inform your cruise line of any special needs in advance

⏰ When to Arrive at the Cruise Terminal
Your arrival time depends on whether Kaohsiung is your departure port (the start or end of your cruise) or a port of call during a stopover.

🛳️ If Kaohsiung is your departure port (embarkation or disembarkation):
🕐 Check-in counters usually open 3–4 hours before the ship's departure
🕐 The optimal arrival time at the terminal is 2.5–3 hours before sailing, to avoid queues at passport and customs control
❗ Boarding deadline: usually 60–90 minutes before departure — being late means watching your ship leave from the dock
🧳 On disembarkation at the end of a cruise, baggage claim and immigration clearance can take 1–1.5 hours — plan your transfer to the airport or train station with enough buffer time

⚓ If Kaohsiung is a port of call (a stopover of a few hours during your cruise):
🕐 You can go ashore as soon as customs clearance is completed on board, usually 30–60 minutes after the ship arrives in port
❗ The «all aboard» rule: you must be back on board 60 minutes before the stated departure time — the ship will not wait for latecomers
💡 Since the terminal is a 12–15-minute walk from the Pier-2 Art Center district and just a few light rail stops from downtown, even a short stopover leaves enough time for an independent stroll without an organized shore excursion
📌 All Four Gates Group vouchers include the exact stopover time and return deadline for your specific cruise.

💡 Insider Tips from the Four Gates Group Experts
Over years of working with Asian cruise destinations, our specialists have gathered tips that will save you time, money, and stress in Kaohsiung:

🌅 Fly into Taiwan a day before your cruise if you're connecting through Taipei. A domestic flight or high-speed rail trip from Taipei adds another 1.5–2 hours to your journey — it's better to build in a buffer.

💳 Get an EasyCard right at the airport. It works on the metro, light rail, buses, and even at convenience stores — far more convenient than single-ride tickets.

💼 Book your transfer in advance, especially if your ship arrives during peak disembarkation hours with several vessels in port at once — the taxi queue at the terminal can grow long at such times.

📱 Download apps in advance: Uber or LINE TAXI to call a car, Google Maps with an offline map of Kaohsiung, Google Translate with Traditional Chinese support — English is spoken only to a limited extent around the city.

💶 Carry cash in TWD. While cards are accepted at hotels and large stores, taxis and markets more often expect cash.

🎒 Use the terminal's luggage storage if you have time before or after boarding and your bags would get in the way of exploring the Pier 20 waterfront or the Pier-2 district.

🏨 Choose a hotel near the Sanduo Shopping District or Formosa Boulevard light rail/metro stations — from there it's 15–20 minutes by taxi to the terminal, or a convenient public transport connection.

📞 Kaohsiung Cruise Terminal Contacts
Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (Pier 20, general information):+886 7 561 2311
Terminal parking (Positive Parking):+886 7 536 0258
Kaohsiung International Airport (international flights):+886 7 805 7631
Taxi hotline (Taiwan Taxi):55688
Taiwan emergency services (police): 110
Taiwan emergency services (ambulance/fire): 119
24-hour Taiwan tourist hotline (English):0800 011 765
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients):+38 097 653 05 53

Cruise logistics in Kaohsiung may seem unfamiliar simply because of its distance from Ukraine, but in practice the city has a modern, well-organized transport system built around a world-class new terminal. The Four Gates Group cruise experts help our clients with every step of the journey — from choosing the best flight connection through Taipei to arranging a private transfer with a name sign in the KHH airport arrivals hall. Reach out to our manager, and your cruise from Kaohsiung will start without a hint of stress. 🛳️✨

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for informational purposes and is current as of the date of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises from the Professionals

Kaohsiung Landmarks and Attractions: A Complete Guide for Cruise Passengers

Kaohsiung is a city of contrasts, where in a single day you can travel from a century-old consulate from the era of the tea and sugar trade to the world's largest performing arts complex under one roof. There are no endless queues here like in Europe's major capitals: the sights are compactly arranged along the waterfront and the circular light rail route, and the most striking spots — a Buddhist museum with a hundred-metre Buddha, Lotus Pond with its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Cijin Island and colourful night markets — can easily be combined into one rich itinerary even during a single port call. For a cruise passenger with 8–12 hours ashore, the key is to plan the time wisely. Below is a verified guide to the main attractions with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours and precise directions from the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal to each site. 🎯

🪷 1. Lotus Pond (蓮池潭)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
Lotus Pond is Kaohsiung's most photographed landmark and perhaps the only place in the city where a dragon and a tiger fit into a single frame. The star attraction is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔), built right on the water in 1976. By tradition, visitors enter through the dragon's mouth, climb the spiral stairs, and exit through the tiger's mouth — said to turn bad luck into good fortune. 🐉🐯
🔹 Inside the pagodas are vivid Taoist murals depicting scenes from classic Chinese legends.
🔹 Nearby stand the Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣) — two eight-storey pagodas from 1951, linked by a dragon-shaped walkway to the Wuli Pavilion (added in 1978), where the goddess of mercy Guanyin «rides» on the dragon's back.
🔹 On the northeastern shore, on a tiny islet amid a five-turn bridge, sits a classic Confucius Temple — one of the largest in Taiwan.
🔹 Back in the Qing dynasty, the pond was already listed among the «eight scenic sights of Fengshan», the historic county this area once belonged to.

📜 History:
The pond began as a small natural spring near the Confucius Temple in the Zuoying district. After Qing forces conquered Taiwan in 1683 — territory that had previously belonged to the Kingdom of Tungning, ruled by the Zheng family — the body of water was gradually expanded from 1686 onward for irrigation and freshwater storage. Lotus flowers were later cultivated here, giving the pond its present-day name. The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas came much later, in the second half of the 20th century, and quickly became a symbol not just of the pond but of Kaohsiung as a whole.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Taxi (fastest): 25–35 minutes, approximately 400–450 TWD one way
• Light Rail (LRT) + MRT: LRT from Cruise Terminal Station (C09) to Hamasen Station (transfer to the Orange MRT line), then the Orange line to Formosa Boulevard (O5/R10), transferring to the Red line to Zuoying (R16), Exit 2, then a 10–15-minute walk. Total time about 70–80 minutes, cost 90–120 TWD
• Bus from Zuoying Station: routes 301, Red 51, or 6, 17, 29, 31, 38, 219 go straight to Lotus Pond

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Entry to the pond grounds and pagodas: free
• Opening hours (2026): daily 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (Dragon and Tiger Pagodas)
• Confucius Temple: daily 8:30 AM–5:30 PM, free admission
⚠️ Tip: the best light for photos is early morning or an hour before sunset, when the pagodas reflect on the still water.

🏝️ 2. Cijin Island (旗津)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
Cijin is a narrow sandbar that separates Kaohsiung's harbour from the Taiwan Strait and is, in fact, the oldest inhabited part of the city: this fishing settlement is where the story of Kaohsiung, once known as Takao, began. Today it's a favourite getaway for locals and tourists alike — a 10-minute ferry ride away, yet it feels like another world.
🔹 Cijin Lighthouse — the island's highest point, first built during the Qing dynasty and later rebuilt in a white Western style under Japanese rule.
🔹 Cihou Fort (旗後砲台) was built in 1720 to guard the entrance to Kaohsiung's harbour.
🔹 Cijin Tianhou Temple — Kaohsiung's oldest temple dedicated to Mazu, the sea goddess, with a history dating back to 1634.
🔹 Cijin Beach's 1.5-kilometre black sand is of volcanic origin, and a cycling path runs the length of the waterfront, offering views of ships entering the port.
🔹 Among the island's modern art installations are the colourful «Rainbow Church» and a ten-metre shell-shaped sculpture called «Sea Pearl».

📜 History:
The very name «Takao» (打狗), by which all of Kaohsiung was once known, comes from the Siraya people, who inhabited this coastline long before Chinese settlers arrived. A fishing settlement grew here in the 17th century, and forts guarded the entrance to the natural harbour. As the port developed under Japanese colonial rule (1895–1945), Cijin remained a traditional fishing quarter, while commercial life shifted to the opposite side of the bay. Today, old temples, fishing boats and modern waterfront promenades peacefully coexist here.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Light Rail (LRT): a direct ride from Cruise Terminal Station (C09) to Hamasen Station, about 20 minutes, 30 TWD (10 TWD with an EasyCard/iPass)
• Ferry: from Gushan Ferry Pier (Exit 1 at Hamasen Station) to Cijin — 8–10 minutes, 30–40 TWD for a walk-on passenger
• Taxi to the pier: 15–20 minutes, 250–300 TWD, then the ferry

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Entry to the island, beach and waterfront: free
• Ferry: runs daily every 10–15 minutes, roughly from 5:00 AM to midnight
• Lighthouse and Cihou Fort: free admission, daily roughly 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
⚠️ Tip: rent a bicycle right at the pier (from 100 TWD per hour) — the easiest way to see the island within a limited timeframe.

🎨 3. Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
The closest landmark to the cruise terminal — and arguably the most «Instagrammable». Former 1970s port warehouses, left abandoned for years, were converted into an art space in 2006, and the district has since grown from a single pier into a whole quarter spanning former piers 1–10.
🔹 The main photo spot is a giant transformer-robot sculpture assembled from scrapped parts and metal debris.
🔹 The warehouse walls are covered with large-scale murals, including a detailed depiction of Kaohsiung Railway Station.
🔹 A rainbow-coloured «Kaohsiung» lettering painted on the pavement is one of the most popular photo spots in the city.
🔹 The area is alive with ever-changing installations: contemporary art exhibitions, design fairs and open-air music events take place here regularly.
🔹 In the evening the quarter lights up and becomes especially atmospheric — which is why many travellers save Pier-2 for the afternoon or evening.

📜 History:
The Pier-2 warehouses were built throughout the 1970s to serve Kaohsiung's cargo port, then one of the world's largest container ports. As industrial cargo traffic in this part of the harbour declined toward the end of the 20th century, the buildings fell into disuse. In 2006, the city government, together with a group of artists, relaunched the space as a cultural district, and Pier-2 has since become a symbol of Kaohsiung's transformation from an industrial port into a city of art and leisure.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• On foot: 15–20 minutes along the waterfront
• Light Rail (LRT): from Cruise Terminal Station (C09) to Love Pier (C11) or Dayi Pier-2 (C12) — 10–15 minutes, 30 TWD (10 TWD with a card)
• Taxi: 5–8 minutes, 150–180 TWD

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Entry to the grounds and outdoor installations: free, accessible 24 hours
• Hamasen Railway Museum: 149 TWD, daily roughly 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
• Most shops, cafés and galleries operate roughly from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
⚠️ Tip: allow at least 1.5–2 hours — the district is far larger than it looks on the map.

💠 4. Dome of Light, Formosa Boulevard Station (光之穹頂)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
A metro station worth visiting for its own sake. At the heart of the Formosa Boulevard interchange sits the world's largest single-piece stained-glass installation — a dome 30 metres in diameter, assembled from more than 4,500 glass panels.
🔹 The work was created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, who spent over four and a half years on the piece.
🔹 Its four thematic sections symbolise the birth, growth, destruction and rebirth of the world, and the artwork commemorates the 1979 «Formosa Incident» — a pivotal event in Taiwan's democratisation.
🔹 The American travel site BootsnAll named this the second most beautiful metro station in the world.
🔹 Every evening a free light-and-sound show illuminates the dome to classical music, open to all passengers.

📜 History:
Formosa Boulevard Station opened in 2008 as the main interchange between Kaohsiung MRT's Red and Orange lines. The name refers to the pro-democracy publication around which mass protests against the authoritarian regime took place in this part of the city in 1979. The Dome of Light became an artistic reflection on that history and, at the same time, a symbol of how modern Kaohsiung reinterprets its own past.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Taxi: 15–20 minutes, 250–300 TWD
• LRT + MRT: light rail from Cruise Terminal Station (C09) to Hamasen Station, transfer to the Orange MRT line to Formosa Boulevard (O5/R10) — 30–40 minutes total, 60–90 TWD

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Viewing the dome: free — you only need a metro ticket to enter the station (cheapest fare 20 TWD)
• Station hours: daily 5:55 AM–12:25 AM
⚠️ Tip: the best time for photos is early afternoon, when natural light passes through the glass and the dome «comes alive» most vividly.

🙏 5. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山佛陀紀念館)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
One of the largest Buddhist complexes in the world and Kaohsiung's major spiritual landmark. Its dominant feature is a seated Buddha statue over 100 metres tall including its base — the largest and tallest of its kind in Asia.
🔹 The museum's architecture blends Indian and Chinese traditions: the central hall, flanked by eight pagodas, is often compared to a mandala rendered in stone.
🔹 The museum houses a Buddha tooth relic — one of the few relics of its kind recognised as authentic anywhere in the world.
🔹 The grounds also include a children's museum, a botanical garden, a tea area, and the Pagoda of the Five Harmonies.
🔹 The complex is fully barrier-free, with ramps, lifts and free wheelchairs available for visitors with limited mobility.

📜 History:
The museum was completed in 2011 as part of the Fo Guang Shan monastery, one of Taiwan's largest Buddhist orders, founded in 1967 by Master Hsing Yun. The complex combines the functions of a museum, research centre, educational institution and pilgrimage site, and its scale — covering more than 100 hectares — makes it one of the largest religious complexes in East Asia. Despite its monumental size, admission to the grounds is entirely free — the founders made it a principle to keep this spiritual and cultural heritage accessible to everyone.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Private transfer/charter (recommended): 45–55 minutes one way, 2,500–3,000 TWD for a round-trip car with waiting time
• Taxi one way: 45–55 minutes, approximately 700–900 TWD
• Public transport: MRT to Zuoying Station, then EDA bus 8501 (Fo Guang Shan line) — 45 minutes, 65 TWD. Total travel time from the port is around 2 hours, so this option only suits a longer port call

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Entry to the museum grounds: free
• Opening hours (2026): Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
⚠️ IMPORTANT: the museum is closed on Tuesdays (with occasional exceptions announced on the official site, fgsbmc.org.tw). Given the distance from the port, this site is best planned only for port calls of 10 hours or longer.
👕 Dress code: clothing covering the shoulders and knees is expected as a sign of respect within the monastery grounds.

🍜 6. Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
One of Taiwan's most famous «tourist-friendly» night markets and the easiest way to sample genuine Taiwanese street food in about an hour. More than 100 stalls line Liuhe 2nd Road right in the city centre.
🔹 Signature dishes include eel noodles, fried oyster omelettes, Taiwanese dumplings, and a papaya milk drink from a family stall that has been running for more than 65 years.
🔹 The market sells more than just food — handicrafts, clothing, knives and cameras are all on offer, a typical Taiwanese mix of traditional trade.
🔹 Since 2019, some stalls have received halal certification with support from the city government, as Kaohsiung actively develops tourism for travellers from Muslim-majority countries.
🔹 The market grew from a small cluster of food stalls in the Dagangpu area back in the 1950s and gradually became a flagship of Kaohsiung's food scene.

📜 History:
The market's story began in the 1950s, when the first street food vendors gathered spontaneously in the Dagangpu area. Over time, the authorities organised the site, and the market gained official status as a tourist attraction. Today, Liuhe is one of the symbols of southern Taiwan's street food culture, drawing both tourists and locals alike.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Taxi: 15–20 minutes, 250–300 TWD
• LRT + MRT: light rail to Hamasen Station, transfer to the Orange MRT line to Formosa Boulevard, Exit 1, 9 or 11 — 30–35 minutes, 60–90 TWD

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Entry to the market: free
• Food: averaging 60–150 TWD per dish
• Opening hours: daily roughly 5:00 PM–midnight, with most stalls opening around 5:30–6:00 PM
⚠️ Tip: the market rarely gets too crowded, so there's no need to rush there right at opening time — arriving around 6:00–7:00 PM is perfectly comfortable.

🎭 7. National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Weiwuying (衛武營國家藝術文化中心)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
The world's largest performing arts centre under a single roof — and one of Taiwan's most ambitious architectural projects of the 21st century. The undulating roof, spanning 35,000 m², is assembled from 4,500 aluminium panels and evokes both a banyan tree canopy and an ocean wave.
🔹 The complex was designed by Dutch architect Francine Houben of the firm Mecanoo, whose design won an international competition in 2007.
🔹 Four halls operate under the single roof: the Opera House (2,236 seats), the Concert Hall (1,981 seats), the Playhouse (1,209 seats) and the Recital Hall (434 seats), along with an outdoor theatre with a capacity of 30,000.
🔹 The building sits within the 66.6-hectare Weiwuying Metropolitan Park, built on the site of a former military base and now the largest urban park in southern Taiwan.
🔹 The public spaces inside — the lobby, terraces, and the covered promenade — are open for free visits even without a ticket to a performance.

📜 History:
Until the late 20th century, this site was home to the Weiwuying military base. After the troops were withdrawn, the area was earmarked for redevelopment as a cultural and park space for a rapidly growing Kaohsiung. Construction of the centre was completed in October 2017, and it officially opened with an inaugural concert on 13 October 2018. Today the complex hosts opera premieres, symphony concerts and international festivals, standing as a symbol of Taiwan's cultural decentralisation — venues of this calibre were previously concentrated solely in Taipei.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Taxi: 20–25 minutes, 300–350 TWD
• LRT + MRT: light rail to Hamasen Station, transfer to the Orange MRT line to Weiwuying (O10), Exit 6 — leading directly to the entrance. 45–50 minutes total, 60–90 TWD

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Entry to the public spaces and park: free
• Tickets for performances and concerts: price depends on the event, usually from 300 TWD
• Public area opening hours: daily, roughly 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (hours may be shorter on days without performances)
⚠️ Tip: even without a show ticket, it's worth climbing up to the rooftop terrace — one of the best panoramic views of Kaohsiung.

🏛️ 8. Former British Consulate at Takao (打狗英國領事館)
💡 Fun Facts & Background:
Kaohsiung's oldest Western building and the city's first official trace of European presence. This two-storey brick building in the Renaissance style sits atop Shaochuantou Hill, overlooking Sizihwan Bay and the harbour entrance — a view that makes the consulate one of the city's most romantic spots at sunset.
🔹 The building was constructed in 1879 for the British trading firm McPhail & Co., which served the first British vice-consulate in Taiwan (established back in 1861 under Robert Swinhoe).
🔹 The consulate operated until 1910, when the need for a British diplomatic mission ended after Taiwan came under Japanese rule.
🔹 Under Japanese administration the building was converted into a marine observatory (1931), and after World War II it housed the Central Weather Bureau.
🔹 In 1987 the site was designated a historic monument, and in the early 2000s it underwent a major restoration led by the Kaohsiung City Government.
🔹 Today the building houses a museum on the treaty-port era of Takao, a café, and a gift shop offering English-style afternoon tea.

📜 History:
In the mid-19th century, after Taiwan was opened to Western trade under the terms of the Treaty of Tianjin, the port of Takao (modern Kaohsiung) became a major centre for sugar and camphor exports. The British Empire, keen to secure control over this trade, established a consulate here, initially based in Tamsui before relocating to Takao in 1864. The building on the hill served not only as a diplomatic post but also as a symbol of Western influence over the port life of Taiwan at the time.

🚢 Getting There from Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal:
• Light Rail (LRT): from Cruise Terminal Station (C09) to the terminus at Hamasen, then a 10–15-minute walk uphill. About 30–35 minutes in total, 30 TWD
• Taxi: 15–20 minutes, 250–300 TWD

💶 Cost & Opening Hours:
• Adult ticket: 99 TWD
• Discounted ticket: 49 TWD (students, groups of 20+)
• Opening hours (2026): daily 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
⚠️ Tip: combine your visit with a walk along the trail to the top of Shaochuantou Hill — from there you can see the cruise port, Cijin Island and the sunset over the strait all at once.

🌆 9. Other Notable Attractions
• 🏙️ 85 Sky Tower (Tuntex) — Kaohsiung's tallest building (347.5 m) and a former symbol of the 1990s economic boom. The observation deck is currently closed to visitors, but the tower itself is clearly visible from the terminal — a great landmark for photos against the port backdrop. ❗
• 🖼️ Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts — the city's main hub for contemporary art, set within a park. Admission to the permanent collection is free.
• 🔬 National Science and Technology Museum — Taiwan's largest science museum, with interactive exhibits. 100 TWD.
• 🐒 Shoushan Nature Park («Monkey Mountain») — urban jungle right within the city, home to wild Formosan macaques, plus Shoushan Zoo. Free entry to the park.
• 💚 Love River — Kaohsiung's main promenade, with evening river cruises; especially scenic when lit up at dusk.
• 🌉 Dagang Bridge — a swing bridge right next to the cruise terminal that rotates 90 degrees every day at 3:00 PM to let large vessels pass. A free spectacle right from the port's waterfront.
• 🏞️ Chengqing Lake — Kaohsiung's largest urban park, featuring a lake, pagodas and a golf course; popular for cycling.

🗺️ Three Self-Guided Routes Through Kaohsiung in 9 Hours
A cruise ship's port call in Kaohsiung typically lasts 8–12 hours. Realistically, you can see 3–5 top attractions if you plan your route wisely. Below are three options depending on your budget and preferences.

🥉 Route 1. Budget — up to 400 TWD per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 300–400 TWD + food

🕘 9:00 AM — Leave the cruise terminal
Walk or take the LRT (30 TWD) to Pier-2 Art Center.

🕘 9:15–11:00 AM — Pier-2 Art Center
Free stroll through the street installations, photos with the transformer-robot sculpture, coffee at one of the galleries.

🕚 11:00–11:30 AM — LRT to Hamasen Station
30 TWD (or 10 TWD with an EasyCard).

🕦 11:30 AM–12:15 PM — Former British Consulate at Takao
Ticket 99 TWD, panoramic views of Sizihwan Bay and the harbour entrance.

🕐 12:15–1:15 PM — Lunch in Gushan
Local Taiwanese dishes near Gushan Pier — 150–200 TWD.

🕜 1:15–1:25 PM — Ferry to Cijin
30–40 TWD, 10 minutes.

🕜 1:25–3:30 PM — Cijin Island
Lighthouse, Cihou Fort, black sand beach, bicycle rental (from 100 TWD/hour).

🕞 3:30–3:40 PM — Ferry back to Gushan
30–40 TWD.

🕞 3:40–4:15 PM — LRT back to the port
30 TWD.

🕟 4:15–5:00 PM — Return to the ship, check-in

💰 Cost Breakdown:
• LRT (2 rides): 60 TWD
• Round-trip ferry: 60–80 TWD
• Consulate: 99 TWD
• Lunch: 150–200 TWD
• Buffer: 50–100 TWD
💸 TOTAL: 420–540 TWD per person

🥈 Route 2. Optimal — 1,500–1,900 TWD per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 1,700 TWD + food

🕗 8:30 AM — Leave the port, taxi to Lotus Pond
400–450 TWD, 25–35 minutes.

🕘 9:00–10:30 AM — Lotus Pond
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Confucius Temple — free entry.

🕥 10:30–11:00 AM — Taxi to Weiwuying Center
300 TWD, 20 minutes.

🕚 11:00 AM–12:15 PM — National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts
Stroll through the public spaces and rooftop terrace — free.

🕧 12:15–1:15 PM — Lunch near the center
200–300 TWD for a main course with a drink.

🕐 1:15–1:45 PM — MRT to Formosa Boulevard Station
30–40 TWD.

🕜 1:45–2:45 PM — Dome of Light and a walk through downtown
Free.

🕝 2:45–3:45 PM — Liuhe Night Market (early visit)
Street food tasting — 200–300 TWD.

🕞 3:45–4:15 PM — Taxi to the port
250–300 TWD.

🕟 4:15–5:00 PM — Return to the ship

💰 Cost Breakdown:
• Taxi (3 rides): 950–1,050 TWD
• MRT: 30–40 TWD
• Lunch and tastings: 400–600 TWD
• Buffer: 100–200 TWD
💸 TOTAL: 1,480–1,890 TWD per person
💡 If you swap the Weiwuying Center for the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, add another 1.5–2 hours and 1,500–2,000 TWD in transport costs.

🥇 Route 3. Premium — private tour from 7,000 TWD per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 7,000–9,000 TWD + meals

🏆 What's included:
• ✅ A private driver meets you with a name sign right at the gangway
• ✅ A comfortable air-conditioned car/minivan for the whole day
• ✅ A professional English-speaking licensed guide (translation available on request)
• ✅ Priority, queue-free access to the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Lotus Pond
• ✅ Restaurant table reservation
• ✅ A flexible itinerary — adjusted on the go

You can book through your cruise manager, or contact us through whichever channel is most convenient:

Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell):    +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar):   +380 97 653 05 53

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🕗 8:30 AM — Meet your driver and guide at the terminal

🕘 9:00–11:00 AM — Guided visit to the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
A private, unhurried tour with explanations of the statues' symbolism and the architecture.

🕚 11:15 AM–12:15 PM — Transfer and Lotus Pond (fast-track)
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, no queues.

🕧 12:30–1:45 PM — Lunch at a recommended restaurant
For example, Taiwanese cuisine in the Zuoying area or seafood in Gushan — from 500 TWD per person. Reservation handled by the guide.

🕝 2:00–3:00 PM — Cijin Island
Lighthouse, fort, waterfront, private transport to and from the pier with no ferry queues.

🕞 3:15–4:00 PM — Pier-2 Art Center
A guided walk through the main installations and the port's history.

🕟 4:15 PM — Return to the port in a comfortable car

💰 Cost Breakdown:
• Private guide (9 hours): from 3,500 TWD
• Driver with car (9 hours): from 3,000 TWD
• Priority entry and transfers: included
• Restaurant lunch: from 500 TWD
💸 TOTAL: from 7,000 TWD per person (for a group of 2+, priced per group, not per person)

🤝 Four Gates Group organises private tours of Kaohsiung with licensed guides, gangway-to-gangway transfers, and a guaranteed return to the ship. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Kaohsiung will be perfectly tailored to your preferences. 🛳️✨

⚠️ Good to Know Before Heading Ashore
🕐 The «all aboard» rule: you must be back on the ship 60 minutes before departure. If you're late, the ship will not wait, and catching up with it at the next port will be at your own expense.
🪪 Documents: bring your passport and your cruise Ship Card.
💴 Cash: carry 1,000–1,500 TWD in cash for small expenses (the night market, ferry, bus) — not all small stalls accept cards.
👟 Footwear: comfortable shoes — you'll cover 10–15 kilometres. For the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, shoulders and knees should be covered.
📱 Internet: free Wi-Fi is available at the port and at metro stations. Download an offline Google Maps and the Kaohsiung MRT app for navigation.
🔐 Safety: Kaohsiung is one of the safest cities in Asia, with minimal petty crime, though basic caution with valuables is always advisable.
☀️ Sun and heat protection: summer temperatures reach +34°C with high humidity. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water are essential.
💳 Transit card: it's worth buying an EasyCard from a machine at any LRT or MRT station — it works on the light rail, metro, buses and even in convenience stores, and fares are noticeably cheaper with it than with single tickets.

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general guidance and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. For up-to-date information, please check with your Four Gates Group cruise specialist or the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises from the Professionals