 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.
The city is split into several districts although only a few are of interest to tourists. Of these, Cijin district is one of the most interesting, located as it is on a little island just across from Kaohsiung Harbour. Tunnels connect the islet with the mainland and it is particularly popular with tourists at weekends when the numerous seafood restaurants here quickly fill.
 Along with Cijin district, tourists will find the bustling old Yencheng downtown area lots of fun, where amazing cultural sights are liberally scattered including the Confucius Temple and the 17th century Matsu Temple. Museums and galleries are also in evidence here.
Kaohsiung’s beautiful natural scenery is probably its greatest attraction, however. There are many lakes within the city that buzz with life year-round and are surrounded by attractive buildings. Cheng Ching Lake and Love River Park are a must for respite, while Shoushan Mountain lends perspective over the city and has several attractions worth looking at including a zoo, temples, and caves. Forests and beaches are also within easy reach of the city.
 Kaohsiung is loaded with great shopping options in its glitzy malls and night markets and you will also find much entertainment to boot. Downtown is the best place for a party, where numerous expat and international bars mingle with noodle stands and nightclubs. Festivals are also in abundance in Kaohsiung and there is always something going on in any given month.
Kaohsiung has a good selection of sophisticated hotels. Prices for top-end international hotels are expensive in Kaohsiung, however, and only a handful of recognisable brands are in evidence, such as Sheraton, Westin Stamford, and Hyatt. Other classy four to five-star hotels are also available and can be booked online. Most of the best hotels have a great location, and there are also some excellent mid-range hotel options in the same areas.
The most important aspect about Kaohsiung hotels is to book ahead as far as you can, particularly so during the summer months and trade fairs. The best way to get a good hotel at a discount in Kaohsiung is to book online for a mid-week stay.
History
Founded as a small fishing village towards the end of the Ming dynasty and originally named Takao, meaning ‘bamboo forest’, Kaohsiung was settled for its great location on a deep-water harbour. It was thus quickly taken by the Dutch who built Fort Zeelandia and crushed the local tribes in the 1630s.
The Dutch were expelled soon after by Ming dynasty loyalists and the town soon expanded with immigrants coming in from mainland China. The new Qing dynasty re-annexed Taiwan in 1684 and considered Kaohsiung part of Taiwan. The port was thus opened for trade soon after.
 The town prospered fairly over ensuing generations, but it wasn’t until the end of the 19th century when Taiwan was ceded to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki that large scale development took off. The Japanese built up the harbour area and established an important military base here which was consequently heavily bombed in WWII.
 At the end of the war, Taiwan was handed back to the Republic of China and the port town was renamed Kaohsiung. It took a further 30 years for Kaohsiung to become a municipality.
 Today Kaohsiung is Taiwan's second largest city and its largest port. Although other large ports around the world have diminished the importance of the port of Kaohsiung, it is still a world player. Steel production, shipbuilding, and container exports are Kaohsiung's main earners. All this heavy industry has had a serious effect on the environment, and pollution is evident when you climb Shoushan Mountain during the day to observe the city skyline.
Despite its industrial flavour, Kaohsiung has developed wide, planned boulevards. Many areas have been upgraded and restored, including the banks of the Ai and Love rivers, while many gorgeous city parks and lakes have also added to the city’s appeals.
Weather
Taiwan has a marine tropical climate, with very hot summers and cool winters. Summer spans June to September, when temperatures usually average above 30°C with high humidity.
Temperatures in winter time (December to March) often drop as low as 15°C, while one of the best times of year to be in Kaohsiung is in the autumn, between October and December.
Taiwan also sees a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year with the highest amount falling in July and the lowest in December. Typhoons (tropical hurricanes) are also prevalent towards the end of the summer season. Spring time is one of the best times to visit, when temperatures, rainfall, and tourist numbers aren’t extreme.
 Kaohsiung has some wonderful sights for the culture-conscious as well as those who enjoy just browsing. There are several lakes in and around the town that offer much recreation and sightseeing, while Cijin Island features intriguing temple architecture and beaches. For people-watching and parties, head for the interesting Yencheng area of downtown Kaohsiung.
Taiwan’s third largest city, Taichung is located west of the country’s central region and just 40 minutes drive from the larger cities of Taipei and Kaohsiung. Despite a predominantly urban environment, the city benefits from relatively close proximity to the coast and has the highest concentration of parks of any city on the island.
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