Twin Visits from Kaohsiung to Historic Tainan

Sailing into the Kaohsiung cruise port gave me a front-row seat to southern Taiwan’s blend of tradition, modern city life, and centuries-old landmarks. Kaohsiung (高雄 – Pronounced [Gāo xióng]) is Taiwan’s second largest city and serves as a jumping-off point for day trips to nearby Tainan.

Once the island’s capital, Tainan (台南 – Pronounced [Tái nán]) holds a deep connection to Taiwan’s spiritual and political roots. From Confucian teachings to Dutch colonial ruins, the area invites visitors to step back in time.

On two separate cruises—one in December 2024 and another in April 2025—I joined excursions into this fascinating region and found that each visit offered something new to appreciate.

Both trips began at Chihkan Culture Park, home to the striking red buildings of Chikan Tower. I wandered the peaceful garden paths, admired the stone bridges over koi ponds, and soaked in the soft hum of water fountains. It’s the kind of place that feels timeless, and returning in different seasons only enhanced its charm.

At the nearby Tainan Confucius Temple, I walked through open courtyards framed by red walls and banyan trees. The atmosphere is quiet and reflective. Prayer boards hang under the eaves, and golden characters adorn the wooden beams. Whether you follow Confucianism or not, there’s something grounding about being in a place dedicated to thoughtfulness and education.

In 2024, our stops also included Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple, with its colorful roof guardians, and Fort Zeelandia, where Dutch colonial influence still lingers in the brick walls. My favorite surprise was the Anping Tree House, where banyan roots twist through the remains of a warehouse like nature reclaiming its territory. In 2025, instead of those stops, we visited Koxinga’s Shrine, where a statue of the famed Ming general on horseback anchors the peaceful garden, followed by the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung. The tradition of entering through the dragon and exiting through the tiger is meant to bring good fortune, and the views from the towers over Lotus Pond made it a satisfying end to the day.