Kaohsiung Shore Excursion

One Day Kaohsiung Shore Excursion - Highlights of Kaohsiung City (Private Tour)

In this Kaohsiung cruise itinerary, we have carefully selected must-visit attractions to give you a comprehensive introduction to the city in a short time. First, visit the spiritual sanctuary—the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum—where you can find inner peace and tranquility. Next, admire one of Kaohsiung’s iconic landmarks, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Before departing, take a leisurely stroll through the nearby Pier-2 Art Center, a vibrant hub of contemporary culture and creativity that perfectly captures the charm of this bustling port city.

Highlights of the Kaohsiung Shore Excursion

Dragon and Tiger Pagoda with Lotus Lake

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: A Symbol of Chinese Tradition

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are a famous local landmark, featuring designs rich in traditional Chinese cultural symbolism. Visitors enter through the dragon’s mouth, pass through the pagoda’s murals and carvings, and exit through the tiger’s mouth—symbolizing the transformation from bad to good fortune and turning danger into safety. 

Beyond its cultural significance, the pagodas are situated in a beautiful environment near Lotus Pond, where visitors can climb the towers to enjoy panoramic views of the pond and the surrounding scenery.

A view of a building with a large, golden Buddha statue, at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Learn About Buddhist Culture at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Kaohsiung is one of Taiwan’s most renowned religious and cultural landmarks, offering travelers a unique opportunity to explore Buddhist philosophy. In addition to its magnificent Buddha statue and elegant pagodas, we highly recommend trying a quiet sutra-copying experience, allowing you to slow down and find a moment of peace during your journey.

Kaohsiung The Pier-2 Art Center

Pier-2 Art Center: Kaohsiung’s Hub of Creativity and Harbor Charm

The Pier-2 Art Center is one of Kaohsiung’s most vibrant and creative cultural landmarks. It transforms historic warehouses into dynamic exhibition spaces and creative shops, regularly hosting local art exhibitions and handmade craft markets. The area is also home to numerous unique cafés and restaurants. Located near Kaohsiung Harbor, Pier-2 offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience the charm and relaxed atmosphere of this bustling port city.

Itinerary for the Kaohsiung Shore Excursion

08 : 30 Pick you up at Kaohsiung Port
* The pick-up time can be adjusted to match your cruise’s arrival, so you don’t have to worry about timing

09 : 15 Dragon and Tiger Pagoda with Lotus Lake

11 : 00 Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

13 : 00 Lunch at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

14 : 45 The Pier-2 Art Center 

17 : 00 Drop you off at Kaohsiung Port

book your experience

Tour Details

number icon
Minimum Numbers

2 adults

availability icon
Availability

Daily departure (No tours during the Lunar New Year period.)

meeting point
Meeting point

At Kaohsiung Port, the meeting time will be flexibly adjusted based on your cruise's arrival time.

when to book icon
When to book

Book 7 days in advance

icon
What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection measures

Price

adult icon
Adult (Over 6 years old)

2 travelers: USD 280 per person
3travelers: USD 200 per person
4–5 travelers: USD 175 per person
6–9 travelers: USD 140 per person
10-19 travelers: USD 120 per person
20 or more travelers: USD 85 per person

child icon
Child (3 to 6 years old)

120 USD per person (If the group size exceeds 20 people, the rate will be USD 85 per person.)

infant icon
Infant (0 to 2 years old)

Free of charge. (Please note that at least one adult must accompany any infant on the tour.)

Inclusion

accommodation
Accommodation

None. You already have your lovely room on the cruise.

food icon
Food

Lunch

admission icon
Admissions

All attractions included are free of charge

tour guide icon
Tour Guide

A great English speaking guide (All of our guides are fluent in Mandarin as well.)
* Change to a Spanish-speaking guide available for an additional USD 250 per group.

transport icon
Transportation

4–7 people: 8-seater van
8–12 people: 20-seater minibus
13 people and above: 40-seater bus

paperclip icon
Others

A bottle of mineral water, travel insurance and of course, memories that money can't buy!
Please note that tips for your tour guide are NOT included.

Contact us to Book the Kaohsiung Shore Excursion

Tour Reviews

Don’t just take our word for it. Read what our previous clients have to say about us!

Shirley C
Shirley C
An unforgettable day trip with Topology
This is the first time I've booked the tour with Topology, the experience with them was fantastic! Penny who has communicated with me from beginning to the end, she is very responsive with all the questions I had or requested, and well informed about tour guide's info and pickup time. Fun time seems to pass by quickly, Spencer surely made our trip so memorable, we will always remember him and hopefully one day we will meet up again. =)
Angelina C
Angelina C
Amazing trip and amazing guide
It was a very interesting trip. We knew unique places and very beautiful views. I recommend it and thank our guide Mr. Clint Liang for his help and kindness. It was very important that he knew the area so well.
kentucky
kentucky
Excellent agency, wonderful tour guide
We were a family of 13 that did 2 private day tours and airport transfers with Topology. Peter was excellent with all communications from the beginning. Airy was a wonderful bilingual guide thar really made us feel at home. The kids in our group also warmed up to her quickly. The included lunches were sumptuous and extensive. They are a little pricey but well worth every penny.
Andrea
Andrea
Week in Taiwan
We had an amazing time in Taiwan! Allen from Topology was responsive throughout the planning stages. We have a child with many food allergies and requested an English-speaking guide to accompany us for the entire trip. We could not have been happier with Spencer! We spent 7 days with him touring Taipei, Jiufen, Yehliu National Park, Kaoshiung, and Kenting National Park. He kept that pace quick for the kids and most of our free time was spent exploring different markets sampling street food. Spencer kept my son safe during the entire trip, and by the end he was like a part of the family.
Ltran
Ltran
8 day private tour of Taiwan
Our 8 day private tour of Taiwan included Taipei, Jiufen, Shifen, Taroko, Sun Moon, & Taichung. Both our consultant, Vivi, & our driver, Henry, were excellent. We felt well taken care of from beginning to end. Henry was especially accommodating to our changing needs and requests. He was punctual, patient and attentive to our interests, even suggesting extra stops that may appeal to us & taking pictures for us. Despite some minor stomach issues at the first half of the trip (we were not able to eat some of the planned dinners), we still got to see many scenes & sites that surprised us: Taroko gorge was stunning; releasing sky lanterns was fun; the local wet market was lively; the oyster/clam digging area looked like a wet sand desert complete with a windy sand storm. Over all, everything went smoothly, and our group of 4 adults + 1 child, enjoyed our trip immensely. Thank you

Looking for a customized, tailor-made itinerary for your Kaohsiung shore excursion?

Stop browsing countless websites — simply fill out our Create Your Trip form and tell us your preferences. Our experienced Taiwan tour consultants will contact you to design a custom shore excursion that fits your interests, schedule, and cruise itinerary.

Create Your Trip!

Frequently Asked Questions for the Kaohsiung Shore Excursion

Is Topology Travel's Kaohsiung shore excursion a private tour or a group tour?

Topology Travel’s shore excursions are private tours, allowing you, your family, or friends to explore at your own pace without interruptions. While there are many similar tours available on the market, most are large group experiences with 20 to 30 travelers. Such large groups can affect the quality of your trip, and delays caused by other guests might cut into your valuable sightseeing time.

Can I Create a Customized Taipei Cruise Shore Excursion?

Of course! If you like one of our tours but would like to make some adjustments, or if you prefer to design your trip entirely from scratch, feel free to contact us at TW@topologytravel.com or fill out our Create your Trip form. 

We’ll be happy to personalise your itinerary, but please note that the pricing for customised tours will differ from standard package tours.

Is this Kaohsiung itinerary suitable for children or seniors?

Yes, this tour is suitable for all ages.

Is this itinerary wheelchair accessible?

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas have staircases inside, so wheelchair users can enjoy viewing the pagodas from the outside. Please note that our Kaohsiung Shore Excursions uses standard vehicles. If you require an accessible vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift, please contact us at TW@topologytravel.com or fill out Create your Trip form to customize your itinerary.

Can the itinerary be adjusted based on my actual arrival and departure times at the port?

Yes, we can adjust the schedule to fit your cruise arrival and departure times.

What if I have special dietary requirements—can the lunch menu be adjusted to accommodate my needs?

Yes, absolutely. If you have vegetarian, halal, or other special dietary needs, please let us know in advance, and we will make the necessary arrangements for you.

Do I need to exchange money? If so, where can I exchange it?

Our tour package already includes expenses during the trip, such as meals and entrance fees (only tips are not included). If you wish to buy some souvenirs, some small shops on the streets may only take cash. In that case, you can withdraw cash from convenience store ATMs (please make sure your card is enabled for international withdrawals before your trip). If you only need a small amount of cash, you can also exchange money with our tour guide (based on the exchange rate of the day).

How to book this private Kaohsiung shore excursion?

Please fill out the online form and our tour consultant will contact you. Your reservation will be confirmed once full payment is received.

What if I need to cancel my Taiwan tour?

For details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

What should I prepare before visiting Taiwan?

Please make sure to check whether you need a visa to enter Taiwan.
You can find up-to-date information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

If a visa is required, please apply according to the official government regulations

How should I pack for my Taiwan Tour?

Please refer to our “Read Before You Go” guide to help you choose appropriate clothing based on the season of your visit.