The Kaohsiung City Xiziwan port area are great ways to get spectacular harbor views of the city and the coastal areas of the city.
Kaohsiung City Xiziwan Area
Xiziwan is an old area tucked next to Longevity Mountain at the entrance to Sun Yat Sen University. (Zhong Shan University)
Xiziwan is accesble by MRT and on foot. Bicycling is also very popular and it’s become very easy to rent bicycles to ride around the neighborhoods and take a ferry to Cijin Island.
What to do at Xiziwan:
If your are on foot or have rented a bicycle, bring along your camera and explore the old seaside neighborhood. There are many vistas of the harbor and city as well as many boats, old building, and waterways.
When you get hungry, stop at any of the many food stalls or restaurants around the Cijin ferry pier. From snacks, to coffee, to ice, Xiziwan is a nice afternoon and evening destination to explore the older part of Kaohsiung City.
Getting to Xiziwan:
The Kaohsiung MRT Orange Line ends/begins at Stop #1 called Xiziwan. Walk out the exit and you are just a few streets away from the Cijin Ferry Terminal. There are touts with maps and bicycle rental rates all around the station.
FAMOUS ICE SHOP AT XIZIWAN: SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE WALL IF YOU CAN FIND ANY SPACE!!
EAT A GIANT BOWL OF FRUIT ICE AT XIZIWAN!!!
Zhong Shan University Entrance
Wind your way around the small water inlet at Xiziwan and you’ll end up with a magnificent view of the Kaohsiung Harbor Entrance and the open waters of the Taiwan Straits.
There is a nice walking park here to enjoy a beautiful sunset or just a big blue sky and ocean breeze.
The former British Consulate Building of Kaohsiung
In the 1860’s, Kaohsiung (known as Takao) was designated as a port for Qing Dynasty government overseeing Taiwan (Formosa). The British set up their consulate building high on a hill at Xiziwan overlooking the harbor.
The buidling still stands today and is a wonderful tourist attraction offering magnificent views of Kaohsiung, the harbor, and the Taiwan Straits.
What to do at the Kaohsiung British Consulate:
Walk up the stairs to the Consulate after parking in the parking lot below. There is a 30NT entrance fee which will be discounted if you buy food inside the consulate. The consulate building is a fine brick structure with pretty archways. It is now a museum of Kaohsiung’s harbor/trading past.
The “Afternoon Tea” selections of coffee, tea, fruit juices, and other cold drinks along with small sandwiches and snacks is a relaxing way to spend a few hours along the coast.
Other Articles Related to Xiziwan: What to do on Chijin Island | Chijin Lighthouse/Fort Walk | What to eat on Chijin Island | 12 Great Bars in Kaohsiung
