Last Updated on May 2, 2026 by Erin Donahue

As a travel photographer who’s half-Taiwanese, I keep going back to Kaohsiung. This might be a controversial take, but while Taipei has a lot of photo spots, Kaohsiung feels more photogenic to me. I only add locations to this list when I’ve personally photographed them, so everything here is first-hand. Be sure to check back periodically since I travel to Taiwan frequently, and this list keeps growing.

Map of Photo Spots in Kaohsiung

Free Modern Architectural Photo Spots in Kaohsiung

The waterfront by the harbor is where Kaohsiung’s architectural ambition is most concentrated. Since there are a lot of open areas, it’s also one of the best locations for photographing the sunset.

85 Sky Tower (高雄85大樓)

As you make your way deeper into the city center, you can’t miss 85 Sky Tower (高雄85大樓). Formerly known as the T & C Tower or Tuntex Sky Tower, it’s a defining feature of Kaohsiung’s skyline and Taiwan’s second-tallest building. Built between 1994 and 1997 by the same architectural firm behind Taipei 101, this 85-story skyscraper reaches a height of 347.5 meters, with an antenna extending its pinnacle to 378 meters. Its design cleverly incorporates the Chinese character ‘Gāo’ 高 — meaning tall, and part of the city’s name.

While it remains the second-tallest building in Taiwan, the tower’s glory has faded in recent years and is largely abandoned. The once-bustling shopping mall has closed, offices have emptied, and even the observatory deck, which offered spectacular city views, now stands vacant. I witnessed this decline during my first visit to the city in 2018. When I was up there, though, I was able to capture progress shots of the Port Cruise Terminal construction, part of the Asia New Bay Area project. Despite its current state, the prime location makes it an enduring landmark and a compelling subject.

Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (高雄展覽館)

The Exhibition Center’s curvilinear architecture makes it one of the most distinctive buildings in Kaohsiung. The sweeping façade gives you a strong foreground element for wide compositions. It’s also one of the best spots to catch Kaohsiunghenge in winter. I accidentally rediscovered the phenomenon here when I was staying at the nearby TAI Urban Resort, one of my favorite hotels in Taiwan.

Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (高雄港旅運中心)

I first saw this building in 2018 when construction had just started. Returning in 2025, I found it completed. In person, it looks like a massive whale to me. The building’s design, with a towering chimney, makes for a dramatic silhouette against a setting sun. Like the Exhibition Center, this is also a prime Kaohsiunghenge shooting location in the winter months.

Kaohsiung Music Center (高雄流行音樂中心)

Designed by a Spanish architecture firm, the Kaohsiung Music Center (高雄流行音樂中心) is one of the most ambitious buildings along the port. The center is marine-inspired and consists of the Wave Tower, Coral Zone, Whale Bridge, Dolphin Walk, and Live Warehouse. Each structure offers a different compositional opportunity, and it’s best to take pictures here at night when it’s lit up.

Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區)

As Taiwan’s largest port city, Kaohsiung harbors a rich maritime history that’s beautifully preserved at the Pier 2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區). This creative district emerged from a collection of abandoned shipping warehouses that once served the bustling Kaohsiung Port. Most of these structures date back to the 1970s and stand near the port entrance, directly across from the northern tip of Qijin Island. While it’s named Pier 2, the district has grown to encompass piers 1 through 10 out of Kaohsiung Port’s impressive 122 piers.

Today, photographers visiting this unique photo spot in Kaohsiung will discover a treasure trove of visual opportunities. The converted warehouses now house hundreds of shops, cafés, artist studios, music venues, and bars. The juxtaposition of industrial architecture with colorful street art creates compelling compositions at every turn. I particularly enjoy shooting here during the golden hour when the low sun casts dramatic shadows across the textured warehouse walls.

Intersection of Dayong Rd and Bisin St

(在高雄市鹽埕區大勇路與必信街口)

This isn’t a popular photo spot, but it provides the perfect compression shot of the residential and commercial buildings framing the 85 Sky Tower in the background.

I first took a photo of the intersection in 2018, without realizing it. I just saw the building looming down the street and snapped a pic. At the time, I still didn’t know how to shoot in manual mode, which is why there are a bunch of dust particles visible in the left photo. Thankfully, I was finally able to go back and get a proper shot!

Free Cultural Photo Spots in Kaohsiung

Taiwan has become an increasingly popular travel destination, and a lot of Westerners are drawn to its cultural landmarks specifically.

Dome of Light (光之穹頂)

Formosa Boulevard Station (美麗島車站) is widely considered one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world, and its centrepiece, the Dome of Light, is the reason why. This breathtaking glass art installation spans 30 meters in diameter, created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata over four years using over 4,500 glass panels. The work tells the story of human life through four themes: water, earth, light, and fire.

The station takes its name from the historic Formosa Incident (美麗島事件) of 1979 — a pivotal pro-democracy demonstration that helped shape Taiwan’s path to democracy. The dome’s message of love and tolerance serves as a tribute to those who fought for the civil liberties Taiwan enjoys today.

Lotus Pond (蓮池潭)

Lotus Pond is a stunning artificial lake that has been drawing visitors since 1951. What makes it a photographer’s destination is the density of temples and structures around its perimeter.

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔)

The most photographed spot has to be the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. These seven-story towers sit right on the lake. Be sure to enter through the dragon’s mouth and exit through the tiger’s for good fortune. Across from these pagodas stands the historic Chiji Temple (慈濟宮), which was actually what commissioned the construction of the pagodas back in 1974.

Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣)

A short walk away is the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. These yellow and green octagonal structures are connected by a winding bridge, with a remarkable statue of Guanyin riding a dragon between them. Legend has it that the Goddess herself appeared in the clouds and requested builders to construct this statue.

Pei Chi Pavilion (北極亭)

Further down stands the impressive Pei Chi Pavilion, housing some of Asia’s tallest water statues. It features a massive 38.5-meter sword in the hand of Xuan Tian Shang Ti, the ‘God of War’.

Sanfong Temple (高雄三鳳宮)

Sanfong Temple (高雄三鳳宮) primarily serves as a worship site, but its display of hanging crimson lanterns has made it one of the city’s most photogenic locations. That being said, temples lined with hanging crimson lanterns are a common sight across Taiwan and broader Asia, but to a Western eye, it’s an entirely new visual, which is probably why spots like this tend to go viral.

The temple comes alive after sunset when all the lanterns illuminate the space with a warm glow. Each row of lanterns creates leading lines, making for a compelling composition. If you visit Kaohsiung during Chinese New Year, you’ll find the density of the lanterns has increased significantly.

When shooting here, stay in the peripheral areas and use a lens that lets you capture the scene without disrupting worshippers. This balance of cultural appreciation and photography etiquette will help you capture authentic images while honoring the temple’s primary purpose.

Kaohsiung LRT Green ‘Totoro Tunnel’

If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, you’ll immediately recognize why Kaohsiung Light Rail’s ‘Totoro Tunnel’ earned its nickname. Honestly, unless you have a photographer’s eye, you might find this underwhelming, but part of our job is finding the beauty in unexpected places. The best way to showcase the tunnel is to photograph it with a telephoto lens to compress the canopy. Remember to keep a safe distance from the tracks and mind the warning signals.

Photographing Kaohsiunghenge

For a photo opportunity that costs nothing but perfect timing, don’t miss Kaohsiunghenge, Taiwan’s answer to Manhattanhenge. It’s when the setting sun aligns with the city grid during the winter months from November through January. The waterfront spots above are your best vantage points.

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FAQ of Free Photo Spots in Kaohsiung

What are the best photo spots in Kaohsiung? The best free photo spots in Kaohsiung are the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station, 85 Sky Tower, Lotus Pond and its temples, Pier-2 Art Center, the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, and the Port Cruise Terminal. All are free to access and photograph.

Where are the best sunset spots in Kaohsiung? The waterfront is one of the best spots to photograph sunset in Kaohsiung. The Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, Port Cruise Terminal, and Music Center all face west across the water, giving you iconic landmarks with the setting sun.

Is 85 Sky Tower still open? The observatory deck and shopping mall inside 85 Sky Tower are currently closed. The building itself remains standing and is still one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kaohsiung’s skyline.

What is the Dome of Light in Kaohsiung? The Dome of Light is a 30-meter glass art installation inside Formosa Boulevard Station, created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata using over 4,500 glass panels. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.