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Tainan

city in southern Taiwan

37km

22.983333120.18333

Taitung

A county-controlled city of Taitung County

99km

22.7583121.1444

Alishan

mountain

108km

23.51666667120.8

Taichung

city in Taiwan

161km

24.15120.6667
Sights (19)

Kaohsiung Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built by English technicians in Ching Dynasty (1883). In 1916, the Japanese remodeled it into Baroque stye and painted it white. This renovation was made as part of the expasion of Dagao port. The lighthouse has played a crucial role in guiding ships since 1918 during night sailing

1.6km

22.615417120.264944

Central Park (Kaohsiung)

park in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

4.4km

22.624943120.29925

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

One of Taiwan's largest Buddhist monasteries – Chan (Zen) tradition. While amount of impressive monasteries in Taiwan is rare, this place is the one must see destination, even if you are not into Buddhism. The monastery area is the manifestation of a new and modern Buddhism interpretation (Fo Guang Shan), founded in 1967. Like the Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa (Israel), this place is free and offers complementary tours. Do not miss out on this picturesque and unique monastery. Arrive early (09:00) and get some unspoilt pictures. Also try this email address.

24km

22.75708120.44135

Great South Gate

37km

22.98688889120.20352778

Taiwan Confucian Temple

A serene destination surrounded by a small park. Explore the temple, then go to the incredibly popular shaved-ice store right on the opposite side.

37km

22.99027778120.20416667

National Museum of Taiwan Literature

public art museum in Tainan, Taiwan

37km

22.99166667120.20444444

Koxinga Ancestral Shrine

A small shrine dedicated to Koxinga, with plaques and information about his life. Locally known as Zheng Chenggong, Koxinga is an intriguing iconic hero of Taiwan, symbolic in different ways to different people and his image bent to fit whoever is in charge. He was a pirate to the Dutch, a brave and loyal general to the Chinese, a brutal conqueror to the Aboriginal tribes and a favored son to the Japanese through his mother. He was even a beacon of hope to the KMT in their aims to reclaim the mainland, though perhaps not the best example for them. The garden is quiet and serene, and a statue of Zheng Chenggong on horseback guards the entrance.

37km

22.992597120.203054

State Temple of the Martial God

38km

22.99638889120.20222222

Fort Provintia

Chihkan Tower s the landmark of Tainan and its most famous historic site. In 1653 the Dutch built "Fort Providentia" in the area, and the Chinese named it "Tower of Savages" or "Tower of Red-haired Barbarians." Even though Chihkan Tower has survived different historical periods, it retains its rich and graceful architectural aspects. Crammed with various kinds of steles, stone horses, weight lifting rocks, stone weights, ponds with colorful fish and nine stone tortoises carrying royal stele carved in Chinese and Manchurian, the courtyard looks like an outdoor museum. Chihkan Tower is particularly attractive at night.

38km

22.9975120.20281111

Eternal Golden Castle

A 19th-century coastal fortress, it was built during the Qing dynasty and armed with cannons to defend against the threat of Japanese invasion. Bricks from the remains of Fort Zeelandia were used during the fort's construction. The squarish fort feels like a very big park aside from its thick walls and gate tunnel, and paddle boats are even available for rent in the moat surrounding the fort. There are sometimes musical events and performances in the evening.

38km

22.9875120.15888889

Fort Zeelandia (Taiwan)

In the early 17th century, European seafarers came to Asia to trade and develop colonial outposts. In 1624, the Dutch occupied today's Anping and took ten years to build a fort named "Fort Zeelandia." After 1662, because Koxinga and his son lived here, it was named "King Castle," "Anping Castle" as well as "Taiwan Castle." The Japanese rebuilt it and named it "Anping Old Fort." Today, the only Dutch remains are the ruins of a semicircular bulwark and a section of the outer fort's brick wall; the root of an old banyan tree on the wall remains a witness to the fort's long history. Its commanding views of the ocean make it a popular place to watch the sunset. Nevertheless, the fort itself is not that impressing, and neither is the view from the tower during the day. Also, there is not much space in the tower, so it is questionable that many people will be able to enjoy the sunset. Hence, you could skip it for Anping Tree House instead.

39km

23.001747120.160919

Anping Tree House

Anping Tree House was built as the warehouse of Tait & Co. During the Japanese Occupation it was the office and warehouse of the Japan Salt Company. After World War II, the salt industry in Anping declined, and this area was abandoned. The aerial roots and branches of banyan trees wrapped around the building, combined with the soil, red brick and partial concrete wall creates an unusual sight.

39km

23.00375120.15980556

National Museum of Prehistory (Taiwan)

In the 1980s and 1990s, a team of archaeologists from National Taiwan University excavated over 1,500 stone coffins and more than 20,000 stone and pottery artifacts belonging to the Peinan culture. This museum is dedicated to this discovery and is located a few kilometers from the actual archaeological site. It also houses an extremely in depth exhibit on the current aboriginal groups in Taiwan. Outside the Museum building there are beautifully sculpted grounds and garden area.

93km

22.76027778121.09166667

Beinan Cultural Park

Associated with the Museum of Prehistory the Beinan Cultural Park contains the largest and most important prehistoric archaeological site in Taiwan. Beyond the archaeological site the park also consists of beautiful grounds with a commanding view of the surrounding area. Tours in Chinese begin twice a day at 10:00 and 15:00. English tours must be planned in advance.

96km

22.79425121.11644444

Yushan National Park

park in Taiwan

115km

23.47120.95726667

Zhushan, Nantou

An urban township in Nantou County

120km

23.68888889120.72888889

Jhen Wen Academy

121km

23.79441667120.46441667

Nantou County

county in Taiwan

139km

23.91535556120.68453333

Changhua

A city in Changhua County

149km

24.06666667120.53333333
Nature

we will see

Kaohsiung

Taiwan
Someday we will visit Kaohsiung or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung, with over 2.7 million inhabitants, is the third most populated city in Taiwan after New Taipei and Taichung. It in the south of the island on the west coast. Kaohsiung is known for its harbor, although more for commercial than tourism reasons. Hence it is also known as the Harbor Capital (港都) of Taiwan. Its year-round fine weather and the low cost of living makes Kaohsiung the place to visit.

The city sits on the southwestern coast of Taiwan facing the Taiwan Strait, bordering Tainan City to the north, Chiayi and Nantou County to the northwest, Taitung County to its northeast and Pingtung County to the south and southeast. The downtown areas are centered on Kaohsiung Harbor with Cijin Island on the other side of the harbor acting as a natural breakwater. The Love River (Ai River) flows into the harbor through the Old City and downtown. Zuoying Military Harbor lies to the north of Kaohsiung Harbor and the city center. Kaohsiung's natural landmarks include Ape Hill and Mount Banping.

The written history of Kaohsiung can be traced back to the early 17th century, through archaeological studies have found signs of human activity in the region from as long as 7,000 years ago. Prior to the 17th century, the region was inhabited by the Makatao people of the Siraya tribe, who settled on what they named Takau Isle (translated to 打狗嶼 by Ming Chinese explorers); "Takau" meaning "bamboo forest" in the aboriginal language.

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

24°C16
Precipitation: 16 mm

Feb

25°C17
Precipitation: 21 mm

Mar

27°C19
Precipitation: 39 mm

Apr

29°C22
Precipitation: 70 mm

May

31°C25
Precipitation: 197 mm

Jun

32°C26
Precipitation: 415 mm

Jul

32°C26
Precipitation: 391 mm

Aug

32°C26
Precipitation: 417 mm

Sep

31°C26
Precipitation: 242 mm

Oct

30°C24
Precipitation: 43 mm

Nov

28°C21
Precipitation: 19 mm

Dec

25°C17
Precipitation: 16 mm