3From its affordable accommodations, vibrant street culture, modern malls, delicious eats and unique cultural attractions, Taiwan is fast becoming the destination of choice for many Filipino travellers. The visa-free access to the country also makes it easier for us Filipinos to experience Taiwan.
I had been to Taiwan during my high school break for a six-week study tour. Back then we stayed at Taipei, the country’s capital, for our Chinese language and culture schooling and took a week off to tour the southern cities and provinces of the country which I found, were full of historical and cultural spots.
Fast forward to the present and I am back in Taiwan, flying in from Manila to Kaohsiung on AirAsia’s newest international connection that, for the first time, connects Manila to Taiwan’s largest port city, taking travellers direct to Taiwan’s more historic and charming southern gateway. The flight means that I can bypass Taipei Taoyuan International Airport in the north and skip the High Speed Rail trip going south.
Culture trip
Athough Taipei is where most travellers to Taiwan go to, Kaohsiung has stands on its own when it comes to serving up cultural experiences. A short bus ride from the city centre takes you to the city’s famous Lotus Pond.
Aside from the millions of lotus that cover the lake, there are old historic walls around the area. Also on the lake itself are many pavilions and pagodas where one can have a better view of the lake. The most famous pagoda is the Dragon Tiger Pagoda which is said to take away bad luck and turn it into good luck by entering through the dragon’s mouth and exiting out the tiger’s mouth.
There are also many buddhist temples that surround the Lotus Pond, the most notable is the Kaohsiung Confucius Temple located at the Northern end of the pond. The original temple was built in 1684 during the Qing Dynasty but fell into disrepair, the current structure was built in 1977 but is still as ornate and features many traditional Chinese details.
A day at Pier 2
Art and local craft aficionados will want to spend a day at Kaohsiung’s famous Pier 2. A redevelopment project of the city, the once disused pier is now an art zone and hosts many exemplary pieces of street art by local Taiwanese artists.
Old warehouses in the area are turned into cafes, bookstores, art galleries, museums, and hipster stores carrying locally crafted goods. With so much creativity in the area, one is sure to find a perfect Instagram moment as well as find something unique to buy and take home.
If you have the time, you can also book yourself on a cruise boat to explore the harbour as well as the city’s famous Love River.
Lost at the night markets
Taiwan is known for their night markets and Kaohsiung is also a hotbed of night markets with six officially recognised markets which sell anything and everything. From clothes, to accessories, to toys, electronics, and of course glorious Taiwanese street food at affordable prices.
Dishes to look for and eat at a typical night market are grilled Taiwanese sausages, dumplings, and my favourite oyster omelettes stuffed with plump oysters. There are also a multitude of milk tea stands in the areas featuring an even bigger number of delicious drink concoctions to taste.
If you go as a group, also try to look for hot pot places which serve seafood and meat steamboat style. You purchase the different ingredients you like and then cook it in a hot pot of bubbling broth. For those who don’t eat meat, vegetarian options are widely available.
Kaohsiung’s night markets are truly fun to explore, so go in hungry and leave full and happy.
I will go into more details on my stay in Kaohsiung but I hope this teaser will tickle your wanderlust and take you beyond Taipei to explore a more authentic and traditional Taiwan.
Airasia is the only local carrier in the Philippines that flies direct from Manila to Kaohsiung on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The flight leaves Manila at 4:35 in the afternoon and arrives at Kaohsiung at 6:15 in the evening. The return flight is at 6:40pm and arrives in Manila at 8:25pm.
