KaohsiungTravel Tips

Typical weather seasons by month.

When the city is peak, balanced, or quieter.

Typical monthly AQI index trends.

What to know before drinking water, eating street food, or dining out.

• Tap water is treated but locals usually boil or filter it; use bottled or filtered water in older buildings.
• Night market stalls with fast turnover are safer than quiet counters with food sitting out.
• Seafood is a strength here; choose busy harbor restaurants and avoid display tanks that look poorly maintained.

Common scams and safety precautions during your stay.

• Kaohsiung is low-risk by big-city standards; the bigger issue is scooter traffic, not street crime.
• Use metered taxis or app booking late at night from harbor bars.
• At markets, confirm prices before ordering anything priced by weight.

Respectful behavior for temples, neighborhoods, and restaurants.

• Keep MRT carriages quiet; loud calls read badly.
• Queue discipline matters at stations, bakeries, and ferry piers.
• Give and receive payment with both hands in traditional shops.
• Do not block shrine entrances for photos; step aside quickly.

Plugs, voltage, and electrical charging standards.

Tipping customs for dining, taxis, and services.

• Tipping is not expected in casual restaurants, taxis, or cafes.
• Upscale hotels may add a service charge; extra cash is only for exceptional handling.
• Rounding up a taxi fare is acceptable but not required.

Essential local laws and regulations to respect.

• No eating or drinking on the MRT, including platforms.
• Stand on the right side of escalators unless signage says otherwise.
• Carry an EasyCard; it makes metro, buses, ferries, and convenience stores smoother.
• Cyclists and scooter riders move quickly through narrow lanes; check both directions before stepping out.

Health advice for climate, insects, and well-being.

• Summer heat is serious; plan outdoor work early and keep afternoons flexible.
• Mosquitoes spike after rain, especially near parks, harbor edges, and older courtyards.
• Sensitive lungs should check AQI in winter before hiking Shoushan.
• Pharmacies are efficient for minor issues; bring your prescription details in writing.

Simple local phrases that help with greetings and polite conversation.

Useful phrases for shopping, bills, and price negotiations.

Phrases for dietary preferences, vegetarian choices, and water.

Polite ways to decline offers, transport, or street vendors.

Directions for finding toilets, basic shopping, and asking help.

Emergency calls, hospitals, and help phrases in the local language.