Leaving Steps On Every Possible Ground: Kaohsiung, Taiwan (高雄)

Kaohsiung City (高雄) is the second largest city after New Taipei City, found in the southern of Taiwan. It houses the largest harbor and the second largest international airport in Taiwan. It is also the top 3 city where tourist would like to visit.

A 350km road trip in Taiwan begin from Kaohsiung, for 3 families of 10 people. Went through a complex itinerary planning in order to have a satisfactory activities for everyone, from 8 years old to 44 years old... lol

We boarded our flight early in the dawn at 6am. After in the air for 4 hours, we finally touch-down Kaohsiung International Airport. Everybody still look fresh, as we are ready for shopping and foods...

After settled down in the Airbnb, everyone start to get hungry. There is a shopping street (南華觀光購物街) that is 5 minutes walk from our accomodation. We decided to head down to look for food. Quite disappointed though, no wonder there is no recommendation in TripAdvisor. 南華觀光購物街 looks more like a local market, we saw some fish and meat stall. By the time we reach there, the morning session is doing their closing. There are a few fashion stalls which are still open. Luckily there are still some push cart selling snacks like fishcake and grilled sweet potato.

Left: In the land of bubble tea, how can princess miss this out.
Middle: Cheok family snacking along the street.
Right: Street view of 南華觀光購物街

美麗島站 (pinyin: Měi Lì Dǎo Zhàn) Formosa Boulevard Station - is the sole metro interchange between the orange and red line. This beautiful metro station is known for its "Dome of Light", the largest glass work in the world, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. It is 30 metres in diameter and covers an area of 2,180 square metres, made up of 4,500 glass panels.

棧貳庫 KW2 (Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No.2) - Was a warehouse during the olden days used for storing sugar. It was once converted into a Fisherman's Wharf, but it has gradually declined. In the most recent year, it has converted into a attraction mall for tourists. The mall consist of eateries, cafe, handcrafts, decorations and able to take a ferry to the nearby island.

Walk from the metro station (O1-Sizhiwan)

Exterior look of KW2

Several abandon railway tracks can be found outside KW2

雪花冰 @ 高雄捷運中央公園 (Free Shaved Ice @ Central Park Station)

New opening promotion! Free shaved ice for the first 100 customers from 2pm-3pm.

Yeah!!! We are the 81th customer when we are there...

With funny caption for customer to take their selfie...

六合夜市 (pinyin: Liù Hé Yè Shì) Liuhe Night Market - is the most popular tourist night market in Kaohsiung, where all the local delicacy can be found here. There are tables set up in between 2 rows of stalls for visitors to take their seat, however, there are indication on the table showing which stall does it belongs to. Some visitors would prefer to enjoy their food while walking along. Street game can be found too... Street game that look simple but it seems like achievable after trying.

Left: One of the entrance to the night market.
Center: Seafood stall to try the bamboo clams.
Right: Taiwanese sausage with Sticky Rice.

Left: Sweet Potato Balls... One of princess' favorite
Center: Grilled Squid... This is my favorite
Right: Decided to take a seat because we are too tired...

Left: Meat skewers...
Center: Soft toy picker is going to obsolete, future will be lobster picker.
Right: Miracle street game: A wooden stick connected to a metal ring with a string,
player suppose to lift the glass bottle and make it stand upright.
If you got it, you can choose one of the soft toy behind the scene. Isn't it attractive???

興隆居 (pinyin: Xing Long Ju) - Most popular local breakfast, top pick are the 湯包 (soup bun) and 燒餅 (fried crepe). People travel a distance to get their top pick, as such, it is common to witness long queue in front of the shop. I personally like it too.

Left: 湯包 (soup bun)
Right: 燒餅 (fried crepe)

佛光山佛陀紀念館 (pinyin: Fó Guāng Shān Fó Tuó Jì Niàn Guǎn) - one of Taiwan's largest Buddhist organizations. The museum houses one of the tooth relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist faith. This place is real huge and built on a mountain, I estimate to spend 4 hours to view every sections of the museum if the weather is good. We covered around 25% of the museum as the weather is hot and every sections are reachable by stairs or steep slope.

The overall map resemble a theme park.

Left: Wonderful pure white Laughing Buddha.
Right: Gorgeous golden Goddess of Mercy.

Human size statue donated by doners.

Left: View from the high point of the museum.
Right: Hit the bell thrice to increase luck for the following year.

瑞豐夜市 (pinyin: Ruì Fēng Yè Shì) Ruifeng Night Market - considered as the largest and greatest night market in the city. As the fact that the location is not within the city center, she is more welcome by local youngster, rather than tourist. Ruifeng Night Market comprise of foods, fashions, games...

All time favorite: German Pork Knuckle
Super crispy pork rind and tender, flavorful meat.

E-DA Outlet Mall & E-DA Theme Park - E-Da Outlet Mall and the Theme Park are built next to each other, a brilliant idea to have various entertainments for different age. It is the first Greek Style Theme Park in Taiwan.