Kaohsiung sits in the middle of the south, so the trips out go in every direction. Fo Guang Shan and Meinong are inland by bus; Xiaoliuqiu is an island a bus and ferry away; Kenting, at Taiwan's southern tip, is about 140 minutes by bus and deserves a night; and Tainan is half an hour north by train.
- South, by busKentingBeaches, coral coast, Eluanbi Lighthouse and the aquarium. Stay a night.
- Inland, 30 minFo Guang ShanThe Buddha Museum: free, vegetarian lunch, closed Tuesdays.
- Inland, 1 hourMeinong and QishanHakka rice noodles, paper umbrellas, a banana town and Moon World.
- Bus and ferryXiaoliuqiuA coral island with sea turtles, and the rules for seeing them.
- North, by trainTainanHalf an hour by express train, and a new underground station.
Two more, in season
Maolin's purple butterflies. From November to March, 100,000 to 200,000 purple crow butterflies spend the winter in the valleys of Maolin, in the mountains northeast of the city; it's one of only two places in the world where butterflies overwinter like this. Go between December and February, from 08:30 to 11:00 on a sunny morning. Check the Maolin National Scenic Area's site for how to get there before you go.
Xingda Harbor. On the coast at Qieding, this fishing harbor's market fills with sellers when the boats come in at dusk. Bus 8043 runs from Kaohsiung Main Station. Inside Tainan has a full guide to Xingda's fish market, since it's just as close to Tainan.
Sources: Maolin: Maolin National Scenic Area and Kaohsiung Travel. Xingda: Kaohsiung Travel and Kaohsiung Bus. Other sources on each page. Checked October 2026.