Facing the Taiwan Strait in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung (pronounced ‘gow shung’) is the main city of the county of the same name and the second largest city on the island. Kaohsiung has one of the largest ports in the world and is somewhat more relaxed than Taipei, owing to its planned streets and many recreational areas along its lake shores, river banks and amid its beautiful parks.

Kaohsiung boasts a huge amount of history and there are ancient pagodas, shrines and temples all over the place, while the huge city walls are still intact in places. Kaohsiung also has some great shopping options in the glitzy electronics malls and its many buzzing night markets.