Kaohsiung Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Tainan Temple Courtyards

Warm humid air drifted across the harbor as the ship eased into port and the skyline of southern Taiwan slowly came into view. Arriving by cruise in Kaohsiung meant stepping directly into a city that balances busy port activity with quiet temples and lakeside pagodas. From the pier we boarded a motorcoach heading north toward Tainan for a day exploring gardens temples and historic landmarks.

Once the excursion was underway the guide introduced the area as we approached Tainan. Kaohsiung (高雄 – Pronounced [Gāo xióng]) is Taiwan’s second largest city and a major gateway to the south while nearby Tainan (台南 – Pronounced [Tái nán]) served as the island’s historic capital for centuries. The cities sit close enough together that cruise visitors can easily experience both in a single day.

Our first stop was Chihkan Culture Park, where Chikan Tower rises above quiet ponds and carefully maintained gardens. Stone bridges cross small fountains and koi glide through the water beneath shaded trees. Later we walked through the open courtyards of the Tainan Confucius Temple, where red walls and lanterns frame peaceful prayer boards covered in handwritten wishes. The atmosphere felt calm and reflective compared with the busy streets outside.

Other stops filled out the day depending on which visit I was on. In one excursion we explored the colorful roof carvings at Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple, walked the brick grounds near the Zeelandia City Museum, and wandered through the remarkable Anping Tree House where banyan roots twist through the walls of an abandoned warehouse. On my later visit we instead stopped at Koxinga’s Shrine and finished at the lakeside Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung where visitors enter through the dragon and exit through the tiger for good luck.

Southern Taiwan carries layers of history shaped by Indigenous cultures Chinese migration and periods of Dutch rule. Tainan’s temples shrines and colonial structures reflect those influences while Kaohsiung has grown into a modern maritime city. Visiting both together provides a quick window into how Taiwan’s past and present sit side by side.