Kaohsiung, in Taiwan's south, has gone from an industrial harbour to a cultural hotspot, writes Kathleen Davidson.
Compared with many parts of Taiwan, the huge southwest port city of Kaohsiung is a relatively new city. The second capital of Taiwan, it has been experiencing a post-industrial renaissance with a burgeoning arts and culture scene, trendy restaurants and cafes and a buzzing nightlife. Here are a few reasons why you should go.
The sights to see
It's worth making a trek uphill to the former British Consulate at Takao, which was built in the late 1800s and now serves as a gallery and museum of British history in the area. The red brick building sits high on a cliff next to the equally impressive Cijan Tianhou Temple; once you get to the top of its big stone staircase you can enjoy views of Xiziwan Bay and Kaohsiung port while grabbing a bite to eat and a cool drink at the onsite cafe.
The city's famous Love River is also a major drawcard thanks to the boardwalk, parks and open-air cafes that line its pretty banks — and don't miss the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple complex with its 480 golden Buddha statues, or the multi-coloured glass-domed roof of the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station.
Foodie heaven
Regional specialities include indigenous Hakka cuisine from the small town of Meinong — think pork hock, knuckle, braised streaky pork, and pickled pineapple with soy beans and tomatoes — and Jiaxian taro. Wild pig sausage and roasted turtledove are also popular dishes. The cafe scene is thriving in Kaohsiung with cool spots including the creative meccas of the Arthouse and Ruh cafes and the stylish Apartment Cafe, while you'll find awesome coffee at Caffe Artigiano.
