Kaohsiung has a number of options for those with active young ones. There are waterways and beaches where families can go boating and swimming, and the Cheng Ching Lake has many types of activities that include horseback riding and a water park.

Boating
There are many spots in Kaohsiung away from the bustle of the city where you can take your kids for a boat ride. Several lakes and waterways surround the city, and the Cheng Ching Lake to the north of downtown Kaohsiung is one of the best for outdoor activities.

Horseback Riding
Cheng Ching Lake has the best facilities for horseback riding. Kids are particularly well catered for here and animals can be rented out by the hour or day for guided or independent excursions.

Water Parks
The Blue Lagoon Waterpark is close to Kaohsiung city centre and an ideal stop-off when visiting in the hot summer months. The set up here includes an amusement park with a Caribbean theme, tropical landscape and a seven-storey water slide as the main attraction. There are also a number of other activities that the whole family can enjoy, such as raft rides along the lazy river, a wave pool, and a tree house, while pleasant seating areas and picnic tables are also available.

There are many cultural activities in and around Kaohsiung City including fine museums and shrines. The Buddha is celebrated at Fo Guang Shan with a massive gold statue in his image, while martial arts, paper umbrella making and interactive exhibits at the National Sciences and Technology Museum also provide interesting options.

Fo Guang Shan
Fo Guang Shan lies just outside the city near Tashu village and is the main Buddhist centre of South Taiwan. The centre was established by Hsing Yun, and the fascinating temple architecture and huge golden Buddha statue are worth the trip out here alone. The Buddha statue rises 400ft, and the main square also has many standing Buddha images as well as various shrines including that of Tachih, Tahsiungpao, Tapei, and Dashu. Tahsiungpao Shrine is the largest and most striking of these with its 10,000 Kuanyin and numerous Buddha statues and lanterns. Website: www.fgs.org.tw.

Holy Hall of Martial and Literary Arts
Located on Fu-Yeh street, this three-storey Taoist temple, dedicated to the deity Kuan Kung and cohort Confucius, is resplendent in wall frescoes and well crafted stone. The ground floor is devoted to the martial arts deities and features finely crafted altar tables; the second floor revolves around Confucius and has his name carved on stone steles; and the third floor is the resting place of the Jade Emperor.

Jheng Culture
The Jhueng Jheng Culture Centre is a good place to view artwork which is representative of artists throughout the region. The centre puts on regular displays and the sculpture park outside is particularly worth a look with its many fine sculptures.

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
Opened in 1994 and located in the Neiweipei Cultural Park, the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is a must-see for those into the visual arts. The main galleries display many famous calligraphic works and also feature exhibitions of classical and contemporary arts, while outside are the sculpture grounds with their elaborate artwork. Phone: +886 7 316 0331.

National Sciences and Technology Museum
The National Sciences and Technology Museum is Taiwan’s largest museum of applied science and features some natty hands-on exhibitions. There are many permanent galleries here as well as three temporary galleries and an IMAX theatre which focus on Taiwan’s rise and contribution to the field of technology. The museum is a must for those with inquisitive kids. Phone: +886 7 384 6471.

Paper Umbrellas
If you want to see how paper umbrellas are made, then a trip to Meinong is recommended. The umbrellas are synonymous with Hakka culture and the importance of the family. There are loads of other attractions in the Meinong district worth seeing as well as the paper umbrella shops, including the Yong-An Old street which features many traditional houses, handmade pottery and three interesting kilns. In addition, Chung-Cheng Lake is also nearby as well as the Yellow Butterflies Green Valley and Mr Chung-Li-Ho Memorial Museum.

Shrine of the Three Mountain Kings
The 300-year-old Shrine of the Three Mountain Kings on Yeh-Huang street is a Buddhist shrine that commemorates the three brothers that tutored the man who saved the Chinese emperor’s life. The emperor subsequently made all three men 'King of the Mountain' in different regions of Fujian province. The shrine is located near Holy Hall and has some ornate features inside

Wall of Kaohsiung
The ancient Old Wall of Fengshan Hsien (Chiucheng) is one of Kaohsiung city’s classic historic items. The huge red-brick wall can be found at Tsuoying surrounding the moat and Chen Fu village.

Taiwan boasts the world's best Chinese food and Kaohsiung offers some of Taiwan’s best restaurants. Although a little different from the parent country, the food is excellent here, with every type of Chinese food available as well as lots of Western cuisine and fast food joints.

Taiwan cuisine is generally mild and sweet, and soups and seafood dishes are particularly abundant. Seasoned gourmets of Chinese food will find Taiwanese equivalents, particularly Cantonese dishes, which can be quite oily.

Typical Kaohsiung specialities include beef noodles; oyster omelette including local chrysanthemum leaves with a sweet red sauce; and aiyu jelly. Aiyu jelly has local fig seeds in it and is great on a hot day as it is usually served on ice.

The Taiwanese enjoy snack food and there are many places throughout Kaohsiung known as xiaochi where you can find dim sum. Fast food places such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, and MOS Burger are also ubiquitous, as are 7-Eleven outlets and other franchised convenience stores that sell snacks and drinks.

Back-alley noodle shops and hawker stalls in the night markets are the easiest and cheapest places to pick up a bowl of noodles. The night markets are also good for barbecued squid and red bean pancakes, while lunchboxes are another common fast food usually consisting of fried meats and mixed vegetables.

Most shopping malls have a healthy selection of eateries in Kaohsiung including the Tuntex Sky Tower, which serves up one of the best vegetarian all-you-can-eat lunches in town. Those into seafood should check out Cijin Island, which has many seafood restaurants.

Regards shopping, Kaohsiung is right up there with Taipei and other major Asian centres for electronics, clothing and jewellery. There are loads of glitzy shopping malls and computer chain shops while night markets are also in abundance, where food, entertainment, and shopping can be had in excess. Prices in the night markets are usually much lower than in the stores, although you will need to haggle and watch your bag as pickpockets can be a problem.

Hsinle street runs next to Wufu road, Kaohsiung’s other main shopping area, between Love River and the harbour and is among the best shopping areas in the city. Here you will find markets, unique Chinese shops and larger stores. Books, souvenirs, pharmaceutical medicines, and knick-knacks are all available here.

There are also lots of department stores on Wufu 3rd road, near Central Park. The area around Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store, FE21' Mega Shopping Centre, Sogo Department Store, and the shops on Santo road are all particularly popular.

Opportunities to get active in and around Kaohsiung abound. The city has many quality parks and recreational areas, and happens to be surrounded by some of the most gorgeous landscapes in urban Asia. Fishing, golfing, walking, and hiking can all be enjoyed here.

Fishing
Fishing opportunities abound in Kaohsiung where lakes, the beach and the South China Sea all provide ample opportunity to hook some lunch. Going at it alone is feasible here with many hotels offering equipment for hire, while several fishing charter companies organise fishing day tours of the coast and nearby lakes.

Golf
There are several quality golf courses within easy reach of Kaohsiung city, many of which accept guests. You can book online for a slot at one of the more established courses. Some of the popular courses in the region include: KIM Golf & Country Club in the city; Ta Kang-Shan Golf Course, Tien-Liao; and Hsin Yi Golf Club, Jong Ling village.

Hiking
Kaohsiung happens to be located amid some fascinating country where hiking and trekking opportunities are endless. Mountains, valleys and rivers reminiscent of the American wilderness shock many first-time visitors to Kaohsiung who are awed by the splendour of the place. There are many walking trails in the area which are particularly suitable for those with active kids.

Tsoying Lotus Basin
Tsoying Lotus Basin is great for families, with many activities going on here throughout the year. The Lotus Basin can be found next to the Confucius Temple in Zuoieng city.

Walking and cycling
Kaohsiung comes with a surprising amount of green space in the city, ideal spots of walking, jogging and cycling. Most of the parks have good paths and facilities. The Love River Park is perhaps the most popular green space, where paths meander and bikes and rollerblades can be rented out by the hour or day.