中文 (香港)
Yancheng is the oldest part of Kaohsiung and was once one of the most important ports of the city and therefore, Taiwan. It has become a revitalised district home to charming old streets, local eateries, as well as artsy former industrial warehouses and cute cafes.
If you are travelling to Kaohsiung, make sure to put this district on your list!
- For a full guide to Kaohsiung, see here (coming soon)
- See more travel information to Taiwan here
Table of Contents
How to get to Yancheng District
Yancheng district is connected by both the orange metro line and the circular green light rail line, and of course, you can also take a taxi.
Kaoshiung Museum of History 高雄市立歷史博物館
The Kaoshiung Museum of History is located in a western-style favoured by the Japanese called the Imperial Crown Style. The pastel mint green and limestone facade give it a refreshing look. It was once the Kaohsiung City Hall and built in 1939, and eventually became the Kaohsiung History Museum in 1998.
The best part is that it’s free to visit the museum, and it is air-conditioned – making it a great reprieve from the summer heat. They have 2 floors of great exhibitions that cover the entire history of the city. Some highlights for us are the beautiful models of the port that we can walk through and look at closely and the room that turned into a full map to showcase the rivers in the region.
Audio guides are available for 80 NTD and most of the exhibits are bilingual in English and traditional Chinese.
Tues – Sun 9:00 – 17:00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q69EbP74VXnabutCA
Love River 愛河
The museum is close to the Love River, which runs 12km long through the city and is considered the spine of the city. It was a flat channel river used for irrigation before the Japanese dredged it and turned it into a canal at the end of the 19th century. It was used as a transport canal and eventually got really polluted when the city became an industrial hub.
The government cleaned up the river in the 70s, and now it’s a place of leisure with parks and ferry rides.
Kaoshiung City 228 Peace Monument Park
Also next to the Kaohsiung History Museum is the 228 Peace Monument Park. It is a tribute to the 228 Incident in 1947, where a Taiwan-wide protest against the oppressive governance of the Kuomintang post Japanese occupation had led to many turning against friends and neighbours, as well as deaths.
Today, the park is both a memorial and a vibrant public space. It’s a lovely place for a stroll with exhibitions and educational initiatives.
Tarun Man Fried Chicken Stand | Soba x Udon | Street Store 塔魯南蠻炸雞專販所｜蕎麥麵x烏龍麵｜
This homey little street store was started by a local housewife who wanted to share her passion for cooking. She specialised in soba noodles and fried chicken in the Japanese style and soon became so popular that she now has her stall in the Yancheng First Public Retail Market.
It’s close to the Yancheng Metro Station and a great no fuss place for lunch. A set meal costs 150 NTD so it’s really affordable and comes with a free tea.
Opening times: Weds 17:00 – 20:30; Thurs – Fri 15:00 – 20:30; Sat – Sun 12:00 – 20:30
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DHKg6JyUdFLRbEg3A?g_st=ipc
Shoushan Love Lookout
Shoushan Love Lookout is one of Kaohsiung’s iconic viewpoints, nestled against the majestic Shoushan and overlooking the ocean views as well as the Kaohsiung city center to the south.
It has been a popular gathering place for locals since the Japanese occupation era, particularly with couples, hence its name as the ‘Love Lookout’. It’s walkable from the station in 30 minutes, but does have a steep incline, and parts of it are without pavement.
You can also get an Uber to go up.
You can get an even better view on the viewing platform at the top, since there are tall hedges around the ground level. They also have landmarks printed and listed, which does make it more enjoyable. Of course, don’t miss the giant LOVE letter in the middle of the viewpoint square.
Note: do take the stairs going up to the temple and then continue up the road.
Note2: It is technically not in Yancheng district, and you can go further up to The British Consulate at Takow but it’s best to Uber than to walk there.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5db6gBuZ6XYKJApd7?g_st=ipc
Hamasen Rail Park 哈瑪星鐵道園區
Hamasen Rail Park is at the end of Sky Balcony by the Hamasen Station, a shockingly expansive patch of grass growing over the railway tracks that is now decommissioned.
This used to be a vital transport hub in the early 20th century since it’s right by the port. The government decided to revitalised it as a space for culture and art. We saw some modern metal sculptures and also giant bananas spilling out of abandoned train carriages.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pPgfPpvYaz6m3BtU8?g_st=ipc
Pier 2 Art Zone 駁二藝術特區
The Pier 2 Art Zone was originally a bustling cargo dock that served the port, but it slowly went into decline.
The local authorities turned it into a hub for art and culture in the early 2000s, and it’s now a space where markets, performances, exhibitions, and cute shops and cafes live. Plus, it’s probably the most popular place in Yancheng!
They invited many artists to decorate the area with murals, sculptures, and it’s a beautiful walk between the Pier 2 warehouses and the waterfront as well. Let me recommend some cafes as well:
Ruh Cafe No.5 路人咖啡5號店
Ruh Cafe No.5 is a local cafe brand that was started by a coffee lover in 2015, and their location in Pier 2 Art Zone is a charming place with a high ceiling and comfortable chairs. They don’t have a time limit, which is lovely, but it does mean you’d have to wait for a seat.
Aside from their special brews, they also have homemade desserts, and we tried their basque cheesecake which was really good! If you get tired from roaming around Pier 2, it’s a great place to stop for coffee and snack.
The coffee prices ranges from NT$100 to NT$180, while signature desserts like Honey Toast are priced around NT$150.
Mon – Fri 13:00 18:00; Sat – Sun 11:00 – 19:00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1qgXzazk74uK52og7
Sunny Hills Kaohsiung Store 微熱山丘
Sunny Hills is a well-known cafe famous for its delicious pineapple cakes and quality Taiwanese tea. The café has futuristic white oval exterior and an open kitchen for people to peek into. They are quite popular with long communal tables and also quite long waiting time.
We wanted to try their signature Pineapple Cake and oolong tea, but ended up going to Ruh Cafe No 5.
But you just want to buy their pineapple cake, you can go directly inside to purchase. They cost around NT$120 for a single piece or NT$600 for a box of six.
Daily 11:00 – 19:00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DX9eKVuDoHh48ija8
YONSHIN FUDOPIA 永心浮島
YONSHIN FUDOPIA offers a unique dining experience with its floating island theme. This café is known for its inventive desserts and light meals. Open from 12:00 to 0:00 on weekends and 12:00 to 23:00 on weekdays, it attracts a diverse crowd looking for both sweet treats and savory snacks. A must-try signature dish is the Mango Float, a refreshing dessert perfect for warmer days.
Dining prices at YONSHIN FUDOPIA typically range from NT$200 to NT$400, with the Mango Float around NT$180. Guests frequently comment on the vibrant atmosphere and creative menu options, making it a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a trendy dining experience.
Fri – Sun: 12:00 – 0:00; Mon, Tues, Thurs 12:00 – 23:00; Weds 12:00 – 22:00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DxiLp3WVPcm5CndZ8
Great Harbor Bridge 大港橋
The Great Habor Bridge is an iconic white bridge between Pier 2 and Pier 10. Built in 1982, it was considered one of the most modern transportation hubs of its time. This bridge is not only part of Kaohsiung Harbor but also a crucial passage connecting the city with the sea.
Nowadays, however, it’s most popular as a photo spot for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its beautiful architecture and picturesque views. It has a direct view of the sunset.
There is a viewing platform as well and it allows passage for both cyclists and pedestrians! The beautiful hood shape also makes it a great backdrop.
Kaohsiung Music Center
The Kaohsiung Music Center stands out in the Kaohsiung skyline, designed by the innovative MADE IN Architects from Spain. It’s a tribute to the pop music culture essence in Asia. This multifunctional space boasts a 12,000-seat open-air auditorium, a 3,500-capacity concert hall, and six whimsical “Whales” live houses, all interconnected by an elevated walkway lined with five diverse restaurants.
Established in 2019, this modern structure serves as a gathering place for various musical events, offering state-of-the-art facilities designed to provide the best experience for artists and audiences alike. Even before its inception, Kaohsiung was a hotspot for music lovers, hosting countless concerts and cultural festivals.
Currently, the Kaohsiung Music Center not only hosts performances but also engages in various arts education programs, allowing more people to connect with music.
Since opening, numerous national and international musicians and bands have graced its stage, establishing it as a new landmark for Kaohsiung’s music culture. To say it is the most iconic building in Yancheng is probably accurate, so make sure to pay a visit here!
Opening times: Tues – Sun 10:00 – 22:00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4rLGLtR6UG6W38Sm8?g_st=ipc
