<strong>Eclectic city: </strong>Taiwan's southern port city of Kaohsiung is a rich destination with plenty to offer, including Taiwan's biggest night market, maybe the world's coolest metro station and unique temples entered through a dragon's mouth.
Eclectic city: Taiwan's southern port city of Kaohsiung is a rich destination with plenty to offer, including Taiwan's biggest night market, maybe the world's coolest metro station and unique temples entered through a dragon's mouth.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Kaohsiung cuisine: </strong>Seafood from Shin-Da Harbor and Cijin Island are just some of the culinary highlights.
Kaohsiung cuisine: Seafood from Shin-Da Harbor and Cijin Island are just some of the culinary highlights.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Formosa Boulevard: </strong>The Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung is the most beautiful metro station in Taiwan, if not the world. The centerpiece is the 2,180-square-meter Dome of Light, a glass mural built into the ceiling of the station.
Formosa Boulevard: The Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung is the most beautiful metro station in Taiwan, if not the world. The centerpiece is the 2,180-square-meter Dome of Light, a glass mural built into the ceiling of the station.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Tianliao Moon World: </strong>The northern side of Kaohsiung is known for Tianliao, a stretch of heavily eroded hillside. Moon World is set up for visitors to enjoy this "badlands" scenery.
Tianliao Moon World: The northern side of Kaohsiung is known for Tianliao, a stretch of heavily eroded hillside. Moon World is set up for visitors to enjoy this "badlands" scenery.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Lotus Pond: </strong>This man-made lake has more than a dozen temples, pavilions and pagodas. It opened in 1951 but some of the religious buildings are more than two centuries old.
Lotus Pond: This man-made lake has more than a dozen temples, pavilions and pagodas. It opened in 1951 but some of the religious buildings are more than two centuries old.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Lotus Pond:</strong> It's also famous for the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and the Confucian Temple.
Lotus Pond: It's also famous for the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and the Confucian Temple.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: </strong>The two seven-story pagodas guarded by crouching tiger and dragon statues. Visitors enter through the dragon's mouth into a tunnel (inside the dragon's body) with walls embellished with carvings.
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: The two seven-story pagodas guarded by crouching tiger and dragon statues. Visitors enter through the dragon's mouth into a tunnel (inside the dragon's body) with walls embellished with carvings.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: </strong>Visitors exit the temples via the mouth of the tiger for good luck.
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: Visitors exit the temples via the mouth of the tiger for good luck.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Night markets</strong>: Kaohsiung is home to two vast night markets that claim to be the biggest in Taiwan. Kaisyuan or Jin-Zuan? It's a hot debate, but both have hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of fare.
Night markets: Kaohsiung is home to two vast night markets that claim to be the biggest in Taiwan. Kaisyuan or Jin-Zuan? It's a hot debate, but both have hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of fare.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Night markets:</strong> Jin-Zuan wins over visitors over with delicious beer shrimp, handmade, pan-fried noodles and luxury, lounge-like toilet facilities. Kaisyuan wows visitors with a mini Phra Phrom (four-faced Buddha) and hand-squeezed Bin Bin lemon juice.
Night markets: Jin-Zuan wins over visitors over with delicious beer shrimp, handmade, pan-fried noodles and luxury, lounge-like toilet facilities. Kaisyuan wows visitors with a mini Phra Phrom (four-faced Buddha) and hand-squeezed Bin Bin lemon juice.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Pier-2 Art Center:</strong> Huge public artwork is everywhere to be seen at Pier-2, formerly a warehouse complex near the harbor.
Pier-2 Art Center: Huge public artwork is everywhere to be seen at Pier-2, formerly a warehouse complex near the harbor.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Pier-2 Art Center: </strong>Here warehouses have become art spaces, coffee shops and theaters. In Our Time is a gallery/restaurant/live music house/radio station. Diners can oversee the in-house web radio station from the restaurant.
Pier-2 Art Center: Here warehouses have become art spaces, coffee shops and theaters. In Our Time is a gallery/restaurant/live music house/radio station. Diners can oversee the in-house web radio station from the restaurant.
Maggie Wong/CNN