Kaohsiung

Taiwan may be small compared to the U.S., but its well-known destinations are spread across the island. I finally took my first trip beyond Taipei and Hsinchu and made my way down to Kaohsiung.

Thanks to the high-speed rail, Kaohsiung is just a little over an hour from Hsinchu, making it an easy and comfortable journey.

Each city in Taiwan has its own character—Taipei feels like a bustling metropolis, Hsinchu is clearly a tech hub, while Kaohsiung left me with a more grounded, almost timeless impression. The Lotus Pond stood out to me with its serene beauty, flanked by temples and traditional sculptures. The atmosphere felt calm and reflective. I noticed many people fishing—not commercially, but leisurely, just enjoying the moment.

After a long walk, I decided to try a local buffet that came highly recommended. Buffets usually don’t make much sense for me since I’m a light eater, but I was curious to try the variety. It was a good experience overall, though I’d say I still prefer the buffet at Shangri-La in Taipei.