Hi, welcome to Enjoy Your Life! Today, I’ll be sharing about my trip to Kaohsiung and Taipei.
Kaohsiung
I decided to take a taxi to get a feel for Kaohsiung. My first destination was the Kaohsiung Confucius Temple. It’s a beautiful structure, originally built in 1684. However, it was damaged during the Japanese colonial period and later rebuilt in 1976.
I walked around slowly and even took a moment to pray. Since many parts of Asia share similar cultural influences, the architecture didn’t feel particularly unique to me. The temple grounds were quiet, with hardly any people around. After making a quick lap, I headed toward the nearby lake.
My next stop was the Zuoying Yuandi Temple, home to a huge statue of Guan Yu. I went inside, prayed again, and then continued exploring.
Soon, I arrived at the famous Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. True to their name, one is shaped like a dragon and the other like a tiger. There’s a local superstition that says you should enter through the dragon’s mouth and exit through the tiger’s mouth for good luck. Keep this in mind if you plan to visit!
Overall, walking from the Confucius Temple to the other sites was a great experience. If you’re planning a trip to Kaohsiung, I definitely recommend including this area in your itinerary.
For dinner, I headed to Ruifeng Night Market. The market wasn’t very large, but it was lively and packed with people, especially young crowds. I tried some food from a stall that looked delicious—it really was! Afterward, I grabbed some bread for dessert. However, I personally didn’t find the market that impressive. It felt a bit dirty, so I was a little concerned about sanitation.
The following evening, I tried the famous Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung. Since it also has branches in Korea and the U.S., I’ve eaten there many times. No matter where you go, Din Tai Fung tastes consistently the same, which is reassuring but not surprising.
After exploring Kaohsiung, it was time to move on to Taipei. I took the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), which is similar to Korea’s KTX. The ride took about two hours. To me, Kaohsiung felt like a quiet city—worth visiting once, but not a place with endless things to see.
Taipei
I’m sure those of you preparing to travel to Taipei have often come across the term “YeShiJinJi.” It’s actually an acronym.
Ye: Yeliou
Shi: Shifen Railway Station
Jin: Jinguashih
Ji: Jioufen
It is said that “YeShiJinJi” refers to Yeliu, Shifen, Jiufen, and Jinguashih. I visited Yeliu, Shifen, and Jiufen, but I personally skipped Jinguashih because I thought it might not be very fun.
Let’s start with Jiufen. Many people recommend visiting in the evening for the atmosphere, but I ended up going during the day. I took a taxi to get to the main tourist spots.
Compared to Ruifeng Night Market in Kaohsiung, Jiufen felt a little cleaner, but it was definitely more crowded. There was a wide variety of food, though the smell in some areas was quite strong as I walked by. I wandered through the streets for a while, and then climbed up the stairs—where I was rewarded with a stunning view.
Yehliu Geopark is about an hour’s drive from Taipei. The park is famous for its unusual rock formations, making it a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Taipei, Taiwan. I found it especially fascinating because of its unique natural environment, something you can’t see in Korea.
Next, we headed to Shifen Railway Station, famous for its sky lanterns. People write their wishes on lanterns and release them into the sky—it’s a beautiful sight.
Taiwan also seems to have an endless variety of delicious desserts. Personally, I love mango, so I couldn’t resist trying mango ice cream. It was absolutely delicious.
To wrap up my Taipei trip, I visited Shifen Waterfall, often called the “Little Niagara of Taiwan.”
On the way to the airport, I also passed by the Grand Hotel Taipei, a five-star landmark hotel, and managed to get a quick look.
Enjoy Your Life Recommended [Taiwan] Kaohsiung City -> Taipei Travel Route!!
Kaohsiung City -> Taipei
About 2 hrs by HSR
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Travel Period:
Kaohsiung City One night and two days
Taipei Two nights and three days
Enjoy Your Life Pick Hotel:
Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel (5 Star) - Taipei
Silks Club Hotel (5 Star) - Kaohsiung City
Enjoy Your Life Pick Pick Restaurant: Ya Ge - Michelin One Star Restaurant
Address: No. 158, DunHua N Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10548
Phone #: 886-2-2715-6788
Hours: Mon~Fri (12PM-3PM; 6PM-10PM)
Sat~Sun (11:30AM-3PM; 6-10PM)
Summary: If I had to choose between Kaohsiung and Taipei, I would recommend Taipei without hesitation. Of course, it depends on your personality, but Taipei felt more like a vibrant city with more sights, activities, and food options compared to Kaohsiung. Personally, I would rate both cities 3 out of 5.
Have a great day.
I forbid unauthorized use of my writing and photos!!
