HARBOR & OLD CITY
two days in port,
Altitude day.
I will stay in Kaohsiung for 3 consecutive nights without changing accommodation. The first day is Pier-2, the second day is Lotus Pond and Cijin, and the third day is only by high-speed rail to and from Tainan. THSR Tainan Station is outside the old city center, so transfer times for the Salun Line were added separately.
3 NIGHTS · 4 DAYS
Schedule to follow
From the airport to the port, the first day goes only west.
- 01Arrive at Kaohsiung International Airport around 13:30 · Immigrate and secure baggage for 60-90 minutes
- 0215:00 Airport Station (R4) → Meili Dao Station (R10) MRT approximately 15 minutes · Fare approximately NT$30
- 0315:30 Hotel check-in or luggage storage → MRT Yanchengpu Station
- 0416:30–18:30 Pier-2 Special Art Zone, Daehang Bridge, Warehouse Walk · Outdoor free, check times and fees for indoor exhibitions by facility
- 0518:40 Gangyuan Beef Noodle · Approximately 12–15 minutes walk from Pier-2
- 0620:00 Night view of Love River Bay and Kaohsiung Music Center by light rail → Return to hotel
See the pagoda on the lake and take a boat to Cijin at sunset
- 0108:00 After breakfast at the hotel, go to MRT Zuoying Station → 5–10 minutes by taxi or bus to Lotus Pond
- 0209:00–10:20 Lotus Pond, Dragon Tiger Pagoda, Spring and Autumn Pavilion Walk · Outdoor free, opening of the pagoda is subject to on-site notice
- 0310:30 Go to Yancheng District by taxi or bus · Approximately 20–30 minutes depending on traffic conditions
- 0411:10 Yarrow pancake, duck rice bowl and duck meat early lunch
- 0512:10 Move to Shiziwan Station → Approximately 10 minutes walk to Gusan Ferry Terminal
- 0612:40 Gusan-Cijin ferry approx. 5 minutes · Adults pay NT$30 in cash, check on the day for transportation card discounts
- 0713:00–18:00 Last entry to Qihou Battery, Lighthouse, Tunnel, Beach, Lighthouse and confirmation of rain control.
- 0818:30 Return to ferry → Dinner at Meili Island Dome of Light and Liuhe Night Market
You have to transfer once more after the high-speed rail to reach Tainan old city center.
- 0107:30 Depart from hotel → Take MRT to THSR Zuoying Station
- 02Around 08:20 high-speed rail Zuoying → Tainan about 12-15 minutes · Reserved seat one way around NT$140
- 0308:40 Transfer to TRA Salun Line at THSR Tainan Station → Approximately 25 minutes to Tainan Station · 10–20 minutes to secure transfer
- 0409:30 Go to Chihkan Tower by taxi or bus Check opening areas and maintenance notices
- 0511:00 Du Xiaoyue Main Branch · Danzhaimian and Tainan cuisine lunch
- 0612:15 Go to Anping by bus or taxi · 25–40 minutes on weekends
- 0713:00–15:20 Anping Gobo · Anping Water Prison · NT$70 for each adult, usually 08:30–17:30
- 0815:30 Zhou Shajuan Anping Main Branch · Shrimp roll and fish cake soup
- 0916:30 Return to Tainan Station → Return to Zuoying by Salun Line/High-Speed Rail · Hotel around 19:00
Spend our last morning in the park and head straight to the airport.
- 0108:00 Breakfast · 09:00 Check out and store luggage
- 0209:20–10:30 Walk around Central Park and Shinkujang commercial district · Many stores open after 11 o’clock
- 0310:40 Retrieve luggage from hotel → Move to the nearest MRT Red Line station
- 04Approximately 15 minutes from Kaohsiung International Airport and Meili Island by MRT around 11:20
- 05Arrive at the airport around 12:00. International flights are recommended to arrive 2 hours and 30 minutes before departure.
- 06Schedule tailored to flights departing after 14:30 · Skip the park walk if your flight is in the morning.
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
In beef noodles
Even Tainan’s shrimp rolls.
Opening hours and prices are approximate as of confirmation in September 2026. Please check the linked official/tourist information just before departure as cash payment, regular closures, and material shortages apply.
DAY 1 · Dinner
Gangyuan Beef Noodles
- movement line
- Approximately 10–15 minutes walk from Yanchengpu Station and Pier-2 Art Zone
- menu
- Beef noodle in clear soup or beef noodle without soup, pork noodle
- budget
- Approximately NT$140–200 per bowl of noodles · NT$200–320 per person
- sales
- Around 10:30–20:00 every day · Check for supplies running out and temporary closures
It is easy to stick to the port night view time if you go at 18:00 before the evening peak. Be prepared to pay in cash.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Yarrow match
- movement line
- Wufu 4th Road, Yancheng District · Route before taking the Gushan Ferry
- menu
- Duck rice bowl, thinly sliced duck meat and intestine soup
- budget
- Duck rice bowl approx. NT$60–70 · NT$120–250 per person
- sales
- Around 10:00–20:20 · Closed on Tuesdays
The motorcycle and waiting line in front of the store are visible before the sign. Eat at 11 o'clock and then take the ferry.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 3 · Lunch
Du Xiaoyue Tainan Main Branch
- movement line
- Approximately 12–15 minutes walk from Chikan Tower, No. 16 Zhongzheng Road
- menu
- Dan Chai Mien, golden shrimp roll topped with pork sauce and shrimp
- budget
- Small noodles approx. NT$60–90 · NT$350–750 per person
- sales
- 11:00–21:30, last order 21:00 notice
The portion size of Dan Chai Mien is small. Serve two or three dishes for two people and depart for Anping before 12 o'clock.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 3 · Afternoon
Zhou Shajuan Anping Main Store
- movement line
- Approximately 5–10 minutes by car from Anping Waterhouse · 408-1 Anping Road
- menu
- Freshly fried shrimp rolls, fish ball soup, seafood snacks
- budget
- Shrimp roll around NT$80 · NT$180–350 per person
- sales
- Daily 10:00–21:30 Notice
After finishing sightseeing in Anping, I had it as a snack and early dinner. Eat the fried food immediately after ordering.
Check the latest information ↗CIJIN AT SUNSET
5 minutes by boat,
Half a day on the island.
The boat ride from Gushan to Cijin takes about 5 minutes, but walking uphill to the battery and lighthouse and to the beach requires at least 4 hours. The most natural way is to go in the afternoon, watch the sunset over the lighthouse hill and the sea, and then return.
Lighthouses and coastal passages may be closed during strong winds and heavy rain. In this case, replace it with Pier-2 indoor exhibition and Kaohsiung Museum of Art.
ONE DAY IN TAINAN
Just look at the station name
Don't shorten the time.
THSR Tainan Station and Old City Tainan Station are far away. In addition to the 15 minutes for the high-speed rail, you will need to take an additional 35 to 45 minutes to transfer and travel on the Salun Line. If you go to Chihkan Tower in the morning, Duxiaoyue for lunch, and Anping in the afternoon, there is no going back.
WHERE TO STAY
luxury two,
Two cost-effective
Recommendation Conclusion
InterContinental is better for port views and facilities, and THE AMNIS is better for the largest and quietest rooms. Kindness is right for travel efficiency and breakfast, and Brio is right for Central Park, design, and night walks.
InterContinental Kaohsiung
Walking distance from Shanduo Commercial Area Station / Between the airport and Asia New Bay Area
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$6,800–13,000+ per night
- breakfast
- Seeds All-day dining buffet · Check included plan, excluding adult costs around NT$1,000
- Dinner
- Numerous hotel restaurants including Chinese, Japanese, and steak · Not included in basic room rate
- parking
- Free self-parking for hotel guests, 86 spaces, no reservations, full parking available.
- Advantages
- Strengths include rooms over 36㎡, an indoor swimming pool, and a southern location connecting Pier-2, the port, and the airport.
- Cons
- The MRT ride to Tainan THSR Zuoying Station is long and the additional cost for breakfast is high.
THE AMNIS Kaohsiung
Near Shanduo Commercial Area, former Silks Club, converted to luxury collection in 2026
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$7,500–14,000+ per night
- breakfast
- Breakfast at hotel restaurant · Regular 06:30–10:30, check availability
- Dinner
- UKAI affiliated dining and bar available · Normally not included in room rate
- parking
- Announcement of free self- and valet parking for guests · Check vehicle conditions
- Advantages
- Spacious rooms starting from about 60㎡, outdoor infinity pool, and quiet adult-friendly atmosphere.
- Cons
- After the brand switch in 2026, rates are high, and old reservation pages and reviews are mixed, so it is necessary to check the reservation name.
Kindness Hotel Kaohsiung Main Station
Opposite TRA Kaohsiung Station · Convenient for round trip to MRT Red Line and Tainan
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$2,100–4,200 per night
- breakfast
- 07:00–10:00 Buffet · Check reservation plan for inclusion
- Dinner
- Dinner service is not available at this branch. Check whether snacks and drinks are provided in the 24-hour lounge.
- parking
- Limited parking, first-come-first-served basis, no reservations or guaranteed seats
- Advantages
- Practical for schedule-based travel thanks to convenient access to the station, spacious breakfast, and laundry and lounge facilities.
- Cons
- The room design is simple, and rooms facing the road due to station construction may be noisy. Parking lot is full, alternative is needed
Brio Hotel
Approximately 2 minutes walk from Central Park Station, between Meiridao and Shinkujyo
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$3,500–5,500 per night
- breakfast
- 14th floor Breakfast 07:00–11:00 · NT$549 per adult if not included
- Dinner
- 14th floor restaurant/bar available · Basic plan not included, check official reservation conditions for late-night snack bar on 2nd floor
- parking
- Limited parking space provided for guests · First-come, first-served basis, paid parking nearby when full.
- Advantages
- This 50-room design hotel has strengths such as access to Central Park Station, room ambience, and late check-out at 12 o'clock.
- Cons
- Some basic rooms are small and soundproofing reviews are mixed. No swimming pool or fitness center
Rate criteria · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night searchable in September 2026. Whether tax, breakfast, and parking are included and the brand name are based on the final payment screen.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
This is the cost per person for a two-person trip and excludes flights and shopping. Tainan coverage includes THSR regular reserved seats and some city taxi rides.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- Kaohsiung I stayed for 3 consecutive nights so I didn’t move my luggage.
- The three atmospheres of port, island, and altitude do not overlap.
- Restaurants do not deviate too much from the tourist route.
CHECK
Things to know
- THSR Tainan Station is a different station from the old city center.
- Cijin Lighthouse and Battery has stairs and uphill climbs.
- THE AMNIS confirms reservations under new brand name in 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Please check again before departure.
Kaohsiung MRT · Operation · Fare Information ↗Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau·Pier-2·Lotus Pond·Cijin Latest Information ↗Kaohsiung municipal vessel · Gusan-Cijin ferry fare · time ↗Taiwan High-Speed Rail · Zuoying–Tainan timetable search ↗Taiwan high-speed rail · General fare table ↗Tainan Cultural Bureau · Chikan Tower · Anping Historic Site Operation Notice ↗Anping Gobo · Official rates · Opening hours ↗Times and prices are as of confirmation on September 3, 2026. For flights, trains, and ferries, the official results of the travel date are the final criteria.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.