Lotus Pond

Lotus Pond (蓮池潭) is a popular tourist destination on the east side of Zuoying District in Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan. Opened in 1951, it is famous for the lotus plants on the lake and for the temples which ring the lake. This lovely man-made lake is situated between kueishan (Turtle Mountain) and Panpingshan (Half-Level Mountain). Various Chinese-style structures located in and around the lake give it an intensely traditional Chinese flavor, to which a touch of mystery is added as night falls. The crowds of visitors here are especially thick during holiday periods. Some famous tourism spots nearby or on Lotus Lake are the Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣), the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔), and the Confucian Temple (孔廟).

Chijin

Originally named Cihou, Cijin is a long, narrow island that forms a natural breakwater protecting Kaohsiung Harbor. The island can be reached from the city either by ferry or through the Harbor Tunnel. This small but scenic island features an over 300-year-old Tienhou Temple, devoted to Matsu, Goddess of the Sea, which is designated as a third-grade national historic site. Cijin is also the only place in Taiwan where you can still ride a three-wheeled pedicab a risk shaw powered by a man dressed in traditional Chinese costume. Yet another favorite attraction here is fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced seafood. 

Dashu

The best way to describe Dashu is the rural suburbs. But for being on the outskirts of the city, Dashu contains some major tourist attractions, for example, EDA World, the largest outlet mall and tourist resort in Taiwan, FoGuangshan, the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, and Jiutieqiao, the Old Railroad bridge, formerly the longest bridge in Asia… until it fell down.  

Qiwei - Qishan

Qishan and Meinong have fantastic hiking trails that are close to town and very popular with local residents. From Qishan district starts a mountain range just over the river toward Meinong. The mountains line the border between Meinong and Shanlin districts and can be hiked from beginning to end. The entire hike would take you about four hours. From the Qishan side you can go to Qiwei Mountain (旗尾山). Cross the footbridge from McDonalds and turn left. Follow the road until you see a small scooter parking lot on your left and a big entrance way for the hiking trail. There are approximately 940 steps to the pavilion/resting spot at the top from Qiwei with fantastic views. From there just head east along the mountains for as long you want. Be forewarned that this is a mildly dangerous hiking trail. Sometimes there will be no more than a few ropes for support and many of the steps on the staircase are damaged from monsoons and earthquakes.

Lingshan – Meinong

Lingshan (靈山) is at just about the middle of the major mountain range between Qishan, Shanlin, and Meinong districts. If you want a longer hike, you can park your scooter at the bottom of the mountain and walk all the way up. If you prefer a shorter, but still challenging hike, drive up to the temple (GPS: 22.909305,120.519859) and then hike the rest of the way up. It should take you about 30 minutes to reach the viewing point and rest area. From the top you can enjoy the views and hike east or west along the range. Toward the west is Rentoushan (人頭山) that is reachable along the path behind the little temple at the rest area. Bring a stick with you because plenty of monkeys live here.

Shuangsi Tropical Viviparous Forest - Meinong

This is an easy to find destination. Just head into Meinong’s “downtown” and follow the signs for “Viviparous Forest” and “Yellow Butterfly Valley.” A scooter ride from Qishan should take you about 30 minutes. The Viviparous Forest is an easy hiking trail. A relic of Japanese colonization, the forest was originally a Japanese testing ground to see what animals and plants could survive in a Southern Taiwan climate. You can still find strange animals and plants here from all over the world, and contains the most diverse array of plant life in Taiwan. Once you’re done visiting, you can back track on the road you took to arrive and visit nearby Hakka tourist attractions like the Hakka Cultural Museum and Village (normally open on weekends, but check ahead online).

Meinong Folk Village - Meinong

The Meinong Folk Village is a great place to get a taste of traditional Hakka culture.  It’s located off the main street of Meinong (中山路), right next to the Sage restaurant (mentioned in the restaurant section). This place is a hot spot for tourists on the weekends and has just about everything you can think of when it comes to local Hakka culture. Perhaps the most prevalent mark of Hakka cultural influence in Taiwan is the vibrant Hakka flower pattern textiles, used to decorate storefronts, lanterns and paper umbrellas; you can see these textiles everywhere in the Folk Village. You can also find paper umbrellas, Hakka food and snacks, local produce, traditional Hakka clothing, and hand crafted souvenir shops. My favorite thing about this place is the little toy shop hidden in the back corners of the village owned by an old man who plays music with a broomstick and saw.

Address: No. 80, Lane 421, Sec. 2, Zhongshan Rd., Meinong Township, Kaohsiung County

Traditional hand painted oil paper umbrella - Meinong

These shops are right off of the main road (中山路) in Meinong. From the Qishan bus station, it’s about a 20 min bike ride. You can also catch a bus from Kaohsiung main station which drops you off right in front of the Jing Zih Ting Umbrella Store (bus #8025 or 8035, bus stop: 雷音寺). Handmade oil-painted  umbrellas are made out of paper and bamboo and are a staple of Meinong’s Hakka culture. They are a symbol of good luck and prosperity for Hakka people and were brought to Taiwan in the late 1800’s. Once a central export item to the Japanese, they are now used primarily as a decorative item. The friendly shopowners make them right in their shops and offer DIY lessons on the weekends. If you’d like to purchase one or learn about how these intricate umbrellas are made, visit these shops.

Address: Meinong Prosperity Paper Umbrella Store (美濃廣德興紙傘店) - No. 362, Sec. 1, Jhongshan Rd., Meinong Township, Kaohsiung County 843, Taiwan (R.O.C.) - Tel: 07-6810451.

Flower season - Meinong

Spring is a great time of the year to visit Meinong. Meinong farmers are commissioned by the government to transform their vacant plots into flower fields. From January to March, Meinong is covered with vast fields filled with colorful cosmos flowers.

Xinwei Scenic Bridge – Liugui District

If you’re ever heading to the Baolai/Bulao hot spring area or Maolin, be sure to check out the Xinwei Scenic Bridge (GPS: 22°53'32. 4"N 120°37'30. 9"E). It is easily accessible by car and scooter (Taiwan provincial highway 28, 45 kilometer mark) and by public transportation (catch bus # 8038 or 8025 from KH Main Station, bus stop: 糖部). The Xinwei scenic bridge is built in the shape of a purple crow butterfly and lights up at night, giving the illusion of a gigantic butterfly from a distance. Although it only takes about 15 minutes by foot to cross, its convenient location makes it the perfect scenic pit stop. The bridge extends across the Laonong Stream, linking Meinong and Liugui to Maolin and Pingtung. At the end of the bridge, you will see signs for Maolin National Scenic Area to your right and Boalai/Bulao hot spring areas to your left. Both places are great for biking and hiking or as a relaxing getaway.

Eating in Kaohsiung

Eating out in Kaohsiung is inexpensive, delicious, and convenient. Some ETAs enjoy cooking but be aware that powerful ovens like you’re used to are not widely available in Taiwan. 

As a large city, Kaohsiung has many restaurant options and many different cuisines. Besides Chinese and Taiwanese food, Kaohsiung has many Thai, Japanese, and Korean options. "Western" food in Taiwan tends to differ from that of the U.S., but likewise, the U.S. certainly doesn't have soup dumplings, oyster omelets, and fried rice like those in Kaohsiung.

Restaurants

• Name: Xing Long Ju (興隆居)

Address:　No. 186, Liuhe 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, 801

Favorite dish(es):　youtiao (油條), baozi (包子), and danbing (蛋餅)

Review: Xing Long Ju is the most popular breakfast spot in Kaohsiung. This place serves classic Taiwanese breakfast, my recommendation is an off-the-menu item,  San-He-Yi Shao-Bing You-Tiao (三合一燒餅油條). Literally translated to a 3-in-1 donut, you get youtiao and egg omelets wrapped in a flaky bun. It’s best with soy milk. There is ALWAYS a line out the door. But the line should move fast. Be ready to order (or point at) what you want. See this gallery to get yourself familiarized with Taiwanese breakfast.

• Name:Gang Yuan Beef Noodle (港園牛肉麵)

Address: No. 55, Dacheng Street, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, 803

Favorite dish(es): Beef noodle soup, dry beef noodle

Review: On top of regular beef noodle soup, this place offers a dry beef noodle, which is a good option to have in hot summer. The beef is tender. The noodle has just the right amount of firmness, and they splash the noodles with a shot of rendered pork fat. Pork knuckles, beef tendons, and side dishes are all tasty. In summer, I like to drink their fresh-squeezed watermelon juice.

• Name: Gien Jia

Address: No. 80, Zhongzheng 4th Rd, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, 801

Favorite dish(es): Tiramisu, House Salad, Poached Chicken Pasta, Truffle Fries, French Bread

Review: Gien Jia could hold its own against an artisanal Italian place back in the States. It has a beautiful interior, solid drink menu, and Italian dishes made with fresh produce. The only caveats are that it is comparably expensive with comparably small portions. Very much like an artisanal Italian place back in the States.

• Name: Maharaja Indian Restaurant

Address: 392 Mincheng 2nd Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung

Favorite dish(es): Saag Paneer, Baingan Bharta (Eggplant), Lamb Korma

Review: The best and most authentic Indian food in Kaohsiung. Recommend going with a group though in order to get the most for your money. 3 main dishes usually serves 4 people. Nice atmosphere, English menu, and can accommodate 10+ people.

• Name: 厚得福湯包麵食專賣店

Address: No. 214號, Chenggong 1st Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City, 802

Favorite dish(es): Any of their dumplings, 牛肉捲餅, 甜烙餅,

Review: Located in the Ziqiang Night Market, it’s in between the Sanduo and Central Park MRT stations. Another great family-style Chinese restaurant, you can’t go wrong with any of their dishes! They also have an English menu if you ask for it.

• Name: 石頭日式燒肉 (Japanese BBQ)

Address: No. 481號, Dexian Road, Nanzi District, Kaohsiung City, 811

Favorite dish(es): Beef Slices

Review: This is an all-you-can-eat restaurant, ~$500 NTD for 2 hours. You BBQ the meat and vegetables yourself on a grill in front of you. They also serve sushi. Drinks are also included. They have an English menu. This is a review for the Nanzi branch, but this restaurant is a chain, so there maybe a branch closer to you, just google the restaurant name. Here is the website (all in Chinese,though): http://stone-yakiniku.com.tw/

• Name: 楊寶寶 (Yang Bao Bao Dumplings)

Address: No. 100, Chaoming Rd, Nanzi District, Kaohsiung City, 811

Favorite dish(es): Beef soup dumpling, pickled cucumber, chicken soup

Review: This restaurant is so renowned in Nanzi, that people travel to Nanzi just to eat there (crazy, right?) It is cheap, has fastservice, and is a large restaurant, so even if there is a wait time, it usually isn't more than 5 minutes. They have an English menu.

• Name: 小王牛肉麵

Address: 高雄市新興區六合一路94-1號

Favorite dish(es): Beef Noodles

Review: The staff is very kind, and the beef noodles are famous. They have won many awards for being the best in Taiwan.

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