Travel Budget for Kao-hsiung Visit Kao-hsiung on a Budget or Travel in Style

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Kao-hsiung

If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid ), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.

Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:

• Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) for $35 details
• Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) for $78 details
• Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port for $78 details

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Kao-hsiung is around $54 (NT$1772) per person, with previous travelers spending from $22 to $118. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Kao-hsiung are as follows:

• Breakfast: $5 to $16
• Lunch: $8 to $21
• Dinner: $16 to $37
• Coffee: $4
• Fast Food or Street Food: $8

Kaohsiung boasts the biggest night market in all of SouthEast Asia, so it's no question that you have to make a stop in at least one of them if you want to experience eating about town like a local. Two night markets, Kaisyuan and Jin-Zuan are located right next to each other and it's been much debated which one is bigger and better as both have hundreds of stalls and will take at least an hour just to walk through.

Kaisyuan is famous for its Bin Bin hand squeezed lemon juice and mini Phra Phrom, or four-faced buddha statue, where Jin-Zuan is known for beer shrimp, handmade pan-fried noodles and excellent restroom facilities.

Since Kaohsiung is a port city, seafood is plentiful. Local specialties to try include oyster omelettes and barbecued squid, which you can find at many food stands, in and out of the night market. Don't forget to try boba tea and shaved ice with fruit, as Taiwan is known to serve the best shaved ice anywhere.

For a sit-down meal, Hi-Lai Kaohsiung Arena is one of the most popular buffets in town, especially because of its vast selection of seafood, highlighting sashimi as well as cooked seafood, not to mention reasonable prices.

Food & Dining Tips

Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.

Instead of buying drinks, bring a water bottle. It's also an environmentally friendly option.

Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.

If you want to experience the culture in Kao-hsiung, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:

• Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain for $100 details

Enter the dragon's mouth and exit the tiger's mouth at the the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, among dozens of temples and pavilions at the Lotus Pond.

Though it's away from the main city of Kaohsiung, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Centre is a must-see, clean, quiet and beautiful in its architecture, gardens and especially religious and ethnic culture. The memorial center is huge so be prepared with comfortable walking shoes. There is such a thing as a free vegetarian lunch here as well as free admission.

Take a ten-minute ferry ride from the Qijing Ferry at Gushan Station to Chichin Island and explore black sand beaches, ride bikes around the light tower and enjoy the food stalls.

The Pier-2 Art Center by the harbor used to be a warehouse, but is now a huge outdoor attraction with interesting art exhibits, flea markets and plenty of open spaces to run wild or fly kites.

The Kaohsiung Main Public Library is the world's first green suspension structure. A clean and modern green building, it has eight floors and plenty of open spaces to read or relax. Don't forget to visit the rooftop garden for sweeping views of the city and harbor, especially at night.

While visiting a metro station may sound mundane, if you love art, this one is sure to amaze you. Visit the three-story station and see the Dome of Light, which the world's largest glass installation, with a glass mural built into the ceiling at the KMRT's Formosa Boulevard Station.

With tourist in the name, it's expected that the Liuhe Tourist Night Market will be crowded nightly. Most locals do not visit this market, but it may be worth a stroll for papaya milk. Just be aware that the prices will likely be higher because it's known as a tourist trap.

If you love to shop, the Dream Mall is a dream come true, with high-end international designer names and even a ferris wheel on top to see the city. A free shuttle bus to get there is available from the Kaisyuan MRT.

Taiwan Sugar Museum is not a traditional museum, but actually an old sugar refinery where tourists can view old machinery, art sculptures, explore bomb shelters, and learn the history of the days when Japan ruled Taiwan. Before you leave, try the red bean ice cream.

Take a bicycle along the Ai He or Love River for great views of the city. For a panoramic views, head toward Xiziwan and see the original site of the first British Consulate in Taiwan and watch the sunset over the hills.

Visit Xin Jue Jiang (in Mandarin) or ShinKuchan commercial district after dark, where lots of youngsters hang out in the alleys and shop at boutique stores, snack at food stalls and play with dozens of claw machines and other games at arcades.

Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Kao-hsiung. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

• Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan for $78 details
• Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City for $199 details
• Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour for $100 details

Nightlife Tips

Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.