Kaohsiung is Taiwan's sunny maritime capital, offering a relaxed pace and wide-open spaces that are perfect for families. Unlike the dense bustle of the north, Kaohsiung features broad boulevards and a stunning harborfront district. The Pier-2 Art Center is a must-visit: formerly abandoned warehouses transformed into a vibrant creative hub with whimsical sculptures, murals, and grassy areas where children can safely run and play.
A highlight for kids is the short ferry ride to Cijin Island. The journey itself is an adventure, and once there, you can rent a four-seater electric surrey bike to cruise along the coast, visit the black sand beach, and explore the historic lighthouse. Back on the mainland, Lotus Pond fascinates children with its larger-than-life statues; entering the dragon's throat and exiting the tiger's mouth at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas is said to bring good luck and makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Nearby Tainan, Taiwan's ancient capital, offers a history lesson with its Dutch-era forts like Anping Old Fort. The Ten Drum Rende Creative Park, a repurposed sugar refinery, offers high-energy drumming performances and a massive indoor slide that thrill-seeking kids adore. Food is a major draw in the south; the night markets are less crowded than Taipei's and offer kid-friendly treats like candied fruit and sweet potato balls.
Public transport is excellent, with a light rail system that circles the main attractions. The weather is warm year-round, so pack sunscreen and hats. Whether exploring the huge National Science and Technology Museum or watching ships pass by the harbor, Kaohsiung offers a diverse and stress-free family holiday.
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Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Maolin’s Purple Crow Butterfly migration is a world-class ecological phenomenon, and Kenting offers unique limestone landscapes. Winter and early spring provide the dry, mild conditions (18-22°C) necessary for safe hiking and wildlife viewing, whereas the summer rainfall (>400mm) creates landslide risks and poor trail conditions.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Tainan's heritage as Taiwan's oldest city is nationally significant, but 'excellent' city_cultural ratings should be reserved for cities with UNESCO World Heritage density or globally significant cultural institutions (Kyoto, Florence, Istanbul, etc.). Tainan is very_good but not internationally top-tier.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
The region features world-class institutions like the Chimei Museum and the National Museum of Taiwan History, offering deep insights into East Asian colonial history. Dry months allow for comfortable transit between indoor galleries and outdoor archaeological sites; summer is off-peak due to high humidity and heavy storms.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
The region hosts authentic, high-impact cultural events like the King’s Boat Ceremony and the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival. Peak months align with major traditional festivals and stable weather; summer is avoided due to the intensity of the rainy season affecting outdoor celebrations.
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
Kenting National Park provides solid snorkeling and diving with high marine biodiversity, though it lacks the ultra-luxury resort infrastructure of the Maldives. April and October offer the best balance of warm air (24-26°C) and manageable rainfall; summer months are off-season due to typhoons and extreme precipitation (>400mm).
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
Guanziling features rare mud hot springs—one of only three such sites globally—offering a unique and authentic wellness experience. These are best enjoyed during the cooler winter months (min 14-16°C); the sweltering tropical heat and high humidity of summer make hot spring bathing uncomfortable.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Driving the scenic coastal routes toward the southern tip offers spectacular maritime vistas and well-maintained infrastructure. The dry season (Oct-Mar) ensures high visibility and safe road conditions, while the torrential summer rains (up to 528mm in August) can cause significant travel disruptions.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Excellent harbor-front cycling paths and modern light rail integration make Kaohsiung a standout for active urban families. The winter and spring provide peak fitness conditions, while the intense summer monsoon season makes outdoor exertion uncomfortable.
Attractions (73 total)
Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Anping Old Fort
Tainan City
Originally built by the Dutch in the 17th century, this historic fortress features brick walls and a lookout tower perfect for history-loving families.
Visit website →Chihkan Tower
Tainan City
Also known as Fort Provintia, these ornate Chinese-style pavilions built over Dutch foundations offer a glimpse into Taiwan's layered colonial past.
Visit website →Tainan Confucius Temple
Tainan City
Founded in 1665, this 'First Academy of Taiwan' is a serene complex of red buildings and ancient trees central to Taiwanese culture.
Visit website →Eternal Golden Castle
Tainan City
A 19th-century western-style red brick star fort surrounded by a moat, featuring large cannons and spacious greenery for kids to explore.
Visit website →Fongyi Academy
Kaohsiung City
The largest preserved Qing Dynasty academy in Taiwan, featuring life-sized cute statues that explain ancient civil service exams to children.
Visit website →Hengchun Old Town South Gate
Hengchun
The best-preserved city gate in Taiwan, marking the entrance to a historic walled town dating back to the Qing Dynasty.
The British Consulate at Takow
Kaohsiung City
A stunning hilltop colonial red-brick building offering panoramic views of Kaohsiung Harbor and interactive historical wax figures.
Visit website →Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Chimei Museum
Tainan
A world-class museum featuring a vast collection of Western art, musical instruments, and natural history within a stunning neoclassical palace.
Visit website →Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
Kaohsiung
Located within a scenic 40-hectare park, this museum offers diverse fine art exhibitions and a dedicated children's art museum area.
Visit website →Pier-2 Art Center
Kaohsiung
A sprawling creative hub in repurposed harbor warehouses featuring massive outdoor sculptures, vibrant murals, and rotating contemporary art exhibits.
Visit website →Tainan Art Museum Building 2
Tainan
An architectural landmark featuring a unique stacked-pentagon design and sun-drenched galleries showcasing modern Taiwanese art.
Visit website →Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Chimei Museum (Formal Gardens)
Tainan City
This world-class museum features expansive European-style formal gardens, an iconic marble fountain, and sculpture-lined bridges that delight visitors of all ages.
Visit website →Kenting National Forest Recreation Area (Botanical Garden)
Pingtung
Located within a national park, this tropical botanical sanctuary offers families a chance to explore limestone caves and ancient banyan forests.
Visit website →Kaohsiung Municipal Botanical Garden
Kaohsiung City
This educational garden near Lotus Pond features boardwalks through varied ecological zones, showcasing Taiwan’s native plant species in a family-friendly setting.
Tainan Park
Tainan City
As the city's oldest park, it offers a peaceful retreat with historic pavilions, a scenic lotus pond, and a diverse collection of tropical plants.
Science Museum / Natural History Museum / Discovery Centre
Chimei Museum (Natural History & Fossils)
Tainan City
A world-class museum housing an extensive collection of taxidermy and prehistoric fossils within a grand neoclassical building.
Visit website →National Science and Technology Museum
Kaohsiung City
One of Asia's largest science museums, offering hands-on exhibits on industrial development, aerospace, and physics in a massive multi-story complex.
Visit website →National Museum of Prehistory - Museum of Archaeology
Tainan City
A modern discovery center showcasing the prehistoric evolution of Taiwan through archaeological artifacts and immersive digital displays.
Visit website →Tainan City Zuojin Fossil Park
Tainan City
Taiwan's premier fossil-themed science center, integrating archaeology and geology through interactive displays and significant ancient mammal remains.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Cijin Beach
Kaohsiung
This popular black sand beach features shallow waters for swimming and giant public art installations perfect for family photos.
Visit website →Eluanbi Park
Pingtung
Located at Taiwan's southernmost tip, this park features an iconic white lighthouse and easy walking trails through unique coral reef landscapes.
Visit website →Nanwan (South Bay)
Pingtung
Kenting's most famous beach provides a wide stretch of golden sand and a variety of supervised water sports for all ages.
Visit website →Baishawan (White Sand Bay)
Pingtung
This serene white sand beach offers clear, calm waters and was featured as a beautiful backdrop in major international films.
Visit website →Sizihwan Beach
Kaohsiung
Famous for its romantic sunset views, families can enjoy the scenic coastline and visit the historic British Consulate nearby.
Visit website →Yuguang Island
Tainan
A peaceful escape offering a shaded pine forest and a calm crescent-shaped bay ideal for family strolls and watching the sunset.
Visit website →Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Cijin Island
Kaohsiung City
A slender island reachable by ferry offering sandy beaches, a historic lighthouse, and coastal trails with panoramic ocean views.
Visit website →Sicao Green Tunnel
Tainan City
Known as the 'Amazon of Taiwan,' this mangrove-lined canal offers boat tours through a dense, lush green natural canopy.
Visit website →Sizihwan Bay
Kaohsiung City
A beautiful natural bay known for its romantic sunsets, coral reefs, and views of the busy Kaohsiung Port.
Visit website →Tianliao Moon World
Kaohsiung City
A unique geological park featuring a desolate, crater-like 'badland' landscape with jagged mudstone ridges and peaks.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Cijin Island Coastal Bike Path
Kaohsiung City
15km easy loop, typical duration 1.5 hours, minimal elevation gain. A scenic seaside route passing the Cijin Lighthouse, Fort, and Star Tunnel. Bike rental: Multiple private vendors near Cijin Ferry Pier (khh.travel) or YouBike 2.0.
Visit website →Shoushan (Monkey Mountain) Hiking Trail
Kaohsiung City
5.5km moderate loop, typical duration 2.5 hours, 350m elevation gain. This trail features limestone caves, wooden boardwalks, and scenic viewpoints of Kaohsiung Harbor. It is famous for its large population of Formosan rock macaques.
Visit website →Lotus Pond Scenic Bike Path
Zuoying, Kaohsiung
4km easy loop, typical duration 45 minutes, flat elevation. Circles the famous Lotus Pond passing the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Spring and Autumn Pavilions. Bike rental: YouBike 2.0 (youbike.com.tw) kiosks located around the lake.
Visit website →Wulong Hiking Trail (Meiling)
Nanxi District, Tainan
4.2km moderate out-and-back trail, typical duration 2 hours, 420m elevation gain. Located in the Meiling Scenic Area, famous for plum blossoms in winter and fireflies in spring. Offers sweeping views of the Chianan Plain.
Visit website →Agongdian Reservoir Scenic Bike Path
Yanchao District, Kaohsiung
7km easy loop, typical duration 1 hour, 50m elevation gain. Taiwan's first dedicated reservoir bike path, featuring ten scenic spots including the 'Agongdian Sunset'. Bike rental: YouBike 2.0 (youbike.com.tw) available at the park entrance.
Visit website →Sheding Nature Park Trail
Hengchun (Kenting)
3km easy-moderate loop, typical duration 1.5 hours, 100m elevation gain. Features unique uplifted coral reef topography, limestone caves, and narrow fissures. Offers views of the Bashi Channel and Pacific Ocean meeting point.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Kaohsiung
Iconic colorful pagodas on Lotus Pond where visitors enter through a dragon's mouth and exit through a tiger's for good luck.
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Kaohsiung
A sprawling Buddhist complex featuring a 108-meter-tall bronze Buddha and eight towering Chinese-style pagodas along a grand pathway.
Visit website →Dome of Light
Kaohsiung
The world's largest public glass art installation, located inside a metro station, depicting the story of human life through vibrant colors.
Theme Park / Amusement Park
E-DA Theme Park
Kaohsiung
Taiwan's first Greek-themed amusement park featuring a massive Ferris wheel, diverse thrill rides, and an extensive indoor play area for families.
Visit website →Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Kenting National Forest Recreation Area
Hengchun Township
A government-run natural adventure area featuring limestone caves, botanical gardens, and hiking trails through ancient coral landscapes.
Visit website →Ten Drum Cultural Village
Tainan City
An industrial-themed adventure park in a former sugar refinery featuring high-altitude swings, ziplines, and drumming performances.
Visit website →Lotus Wakepark
Kaohsiung City
Taiwan's first international-standard cable wakeboarding park, offering water-based thrills for beginners and professionals on the scenic Lotus Pond.
Visit website →Suzuka Circuit Park
Kaohsiung City
A motorsports-themed park featuring a licensed karting track and outdoor driving activities for families and racing enthusiasts.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Kenting National Park (Eluanbi Park)
Hengchun
A stunning coastal park featuring the iconic white Eluanbi Lighthouse and panoramic views of the Bashi Channel and Pacific Ocean.
Visit website →Taijiang National Park (Sicao Green Tunnel)
Tainan
A serene boat ride through a lush mangrove forest often called the Little Amazon for its beautiful water reflections and diverse ecosystem.
Visit website →Longpan Park
Hengchun
A vast limestone plateau within Kenting National Park offering dramatic cliff-side views and unique coral reef topography.
Visit website →Maolin National Scenic Area
Maolin
An ecological sanctuary famous for hosting thousands of migrating Purple Crow butterflies in its lush mountain valleys during winter.
Visit website →Shoushan National Nature Park
Kaohsiung
A coastal mountain park known for its wild Formosan macaques, limestone caves, and expansive views of the Kaohsiung skyline.
Visit website →Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Lotus Pond
Kaohsiung City
A man-made lake known for its cultural significance and stunning temples, including the iconic Dragon and Tiger Pagodas.
Cihou Fort
Kaohsiung City
A 19th-century coastal fortress on Cijin Island offering historical Chinese military architecture and sweeping sunset views over the ocean.
Shennong Street
Tainan City
One of Tainan's best-preserved historic streets, featuring traditional two-story wooden houses converted into charming boutiques and cafes.
Anping Tree House
Tainan City
A former salt warehouse where massive banyan tree roots have grown through the walls and roof to create a mystical, natural sanctuary.
Visit website →The Former British Consulate at Takow
Kaohsiung City
A refined 19th-century colonial building on a hill offering panoramic views of Kaohsiung Harbor and the Taiwan Strait.
Visit website →Aquarium / Sea Life Centre
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
Pingtung
Taiwan's largest aquarium featuring an immense underwater tunnel and diverse zones dedicated to coral reefs and waters of the world.
Visit website →Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium Splash Area
Checheng
A massive outdoor aquatic play area featuring iconic life-sized whale sculptures and interactive fountains at Taiwan's premier marine museum.
Visit website →Wushantou Reservoir Water Park
Tainan City
A large seasonal outdoor water park located within a scenic reservoir area, offering family-friendly slides, tunnels, and multiple swimming zones.
Visit website →The Spring
Tainan City
An award-winning urban splash park and public lagoon designed by MVRDV, featuring shallow wading pools and misting systems in a minimalist setting.
Visit website →Road Trips & Scenic Drives
Provincial Highway 26 (Kenting Coastal Highway)
Hengchun
93km paved coastal road (3-5 hours) circling the southern tip of Taiwan. Highlights include Kenting National Park, Eluanbi Lighthouse, the dramatic cliffs of Longpan Park, and the Pacific coastline of Fengchuisha.
Visit website →Southern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 20)
Tainan City
203km paved high-mountain road (6-8 hours) crossing the Central Mountain Range. Key highlights include the Meishan Visitor Center, the high-altitude Yakou tunnel, and the famous 'sea of clouds' vistas at elevations exceeding 2,700 meters.
Visit website →Provincial Highway 17 (Southwest Coast Scenic Road)
Tainan City
70km paved coastal stretch (2-3 hours) through the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area. Highlights include the Cigu Salt Mountain, Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields, and vast wetland areas populated by migratory black-faced spoonbills.
Visit website →Provincial Highway 182 (Moon World Scenic Drive)
Tainan City
30km paved regional road (1 hour) connecting Tainan to Neimen. Known for the 'Caoshan Moon World' landscape, featuring jagged mudstone badlands, sharp ridges, and the unique 'Tianliao Moon World' park area.
Visit website →Provincial Highway 24 (Wutai Indigenous Scenic Road)
Sandimen
45km paved mountain road (2 hours) ascending into the Pingtung highlands. Highlights include the towering Guchuan Bridge (the tallest in Taiwan), the Rukai indigenous village of Wutai, and views of the Ailiao North River valley.
Visit website →Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Shoushan Zoo
Kaohsiung City
Kaohsiung's premier zoo, recently renovated with elevated walkways and diverse species including lions, tigers, and primates.
Visit website →Natural Hot Spring / Thermal Bath / Historic Bathhouse
Sizhongxi Hot Spring Park
Checheng Township
Major public park and thermal facility featuring a large public foot soak, Japanese-style wooden architecture, a Shinto shrine, and seasonal light displays. The area utilizes natural alkaline sodium bicarbonate water, historically favored by the Japanese imperial family.
Visit website →Baolai Flower Space & Hot Spring Park
Liugui District
Public thermal park in the mountains of Kaohsiung featuring outdoor soaking pools, hand soaks, and foot baths. The 'skin-beautifying' sodium bicarbonate water ranges from 40-52°C. The facility is set within a landscape of cherry blossoms and native trees.
Visit website →Xuhai Public Hot Spring
Mutan Township
A standalone, township-managed public facility in a remote coastal setting. It features modern stone-tiled outdoor pools and private cabins using natural sodium bicarbonate water at 45°C. Known for its quiet atmosphere and connection to the local indigenous community.
Sizhongxi Public Bathhouse
Checheng Township
A historic, standalone public bathhouse offering a traditional experience with separate indoor communal pools for men and women. The facility provides clear, odorless 50°C natural mineral water and is a cultural landmark of the Japanese era in Taiwan.
Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Wanpi World Safari Zoo
Tainan City
The largest safari zoo in Southern Taiwan, featuring interactive animal encounters with capybaras, giraffes, and servals in a semi-open environment.
Visit website →Nanyuan Garden Resort Farm
Tainan City
An eco-friendly resort farm featuring a bird park, botanical gardens, and scenic lakeside views perfect for a tranquil rural escape.
Visit website →Jing Yuan Leisure Farm
Kaohsiung City
A popular family destination near the airport combining an alpaca petting zoo with a viewing terrace for watching airplanes take off.
Visit website →Tsou Ma Lai Farm
Tainan City
A vast recreational ranch offering diverse rural activities including horseback riding, grass skiing, and ecological tours in a scenic valley.
Visit website →Major International Festival / Cultural Event
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival
Tainan
February (15th day of the Lunar New Year), 2-day event. Ranked among the world's most dangerous festivals, it celebrates the end of a 19th-century plague with thousands of bottle rockets fired into crowds. Attracts over 200,000 visitors. Families can safely enjoy the spectacle from designated distance zones while wearing full protective gear.
Visit website →Maolin Purple Crow Butterfly Migration
Kaohsiung
November to March. A globally rare natural spectacle where millions of Euploea (Purple Crow) butterflies migrate to the valleys of Maolin to overwinter. It is one of only two mass butterfly migrations of this scale in the world. Features family-friendly eco-trails, observation decks, and educational centers in the Maolin National Scenic Area.
Visit website →