Experience in Kaohsiung, Taiwan by Roderick

What is it like to live in Kaohsiung? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Kaohsiung is a very comfortable city with high quality transportations like: MRT, Light Rail, High Speed Rail, and Bus etc. To every traveler or person who wants to live here, you don't need to rent cars or bicycles, especially there are City Bikes for any people.

What is the student lifestyle like in Kaohsiung?

Most university students should go school from 8:00 -14 or 15:00, and you can choose the courses or time you like of course. After school, you can take part in any clubs you love, it will be pretty good.

How much does it cost to live in Kaohsiung?

Most people in Kaohsiung use IPASS card to take transportations, pay in convenience stores or many stores. Besides rental fee, I think NT$8000-10000 is enough for normal students.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Kaohsiung? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not difficult to find accommodations in Kaohsiung, but the main problem is that most landlords don't speak English. Thus the contract is in Chinese as well. Or you can find local students/ your class teachers to assist you to find accommodation. I have to say that people here are so kindly. Although we speak Chinese, and we use Chinese, the words are a little different from simplified and traditional.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

When it comes to foods, you have to go to night markets to try local foods. My suggestion is to find a Kaohsiung students, maybe he/ she is your classmate or roommate, because there are many people couldn't speak in English. Good news is in Liuho Tourist Night Market, you can speak Taiwanese, English, Chinese, Japanese, etc. the stand holders there can speak many kinds of Languages! On the other hand, the drinks in Taiwan are excellent. You've got to find Hua-Da bobble milk tea, and the price is cheaper than Taipei or Taichung.

What places would you recommend visiting in Kaohsiung?

If you love shopping, you can take MRT to (R8) Sando Shopping District and (R9) Central Park, you can find several department stores there. If you are interested in some nature views, you can take MRT to (O1) Sizihwan station, there are so beautiful stars on the sky at night, it located in National Sun Yat-sen University as well. By the way, the MRT system is not complex like Taipei, there are just 2 lines Red and Orange. The interchange station is (R10/ O5) Formosa Boulevard.

Is it good to eat out in Kaohsiung? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

As I said, there are so many methods for every student to find foods or drinks. The best thing here is that you can buy food almost anywhere, some super markets open 24Hr. You will never be worry about that you can't find food stands.

Is the nightlife good in Kaohsiung? Where is good to go?

I know that there are many bars are good in Kaohsiung, and some bars can speak in English. I will recommend Bar Nine between (R8) to (R9), you can feel free there and the bar holder is a nice person. If you just want to take a walk or drink coffees, you can go to harbor(wharf), it's good to relax.

What advice would you give future students heading to Kaohsiung?

Kaohsiung is a magnificent and wonderful city, the convenience is great as well, so don't worry about everything, just explore and enjoy your study life.