Cheap Hotels in Kaohsiung

Cheap areas to stay in Kaohsiung

It’s easy to see why travellers are being enticed back to revived Kaohsiung. Once a city of industrial sprawl, the place now bustles with boho neighbourhoods and one of Taiwan's most boundary breaking arts scenes. Thankfully, plenty of cheap hotels have been part of the reinvention too, and folk can now opt to bed down in pint-sized hostels with clean common rooms on the edge of heady Liuhe Night Market. They can bag bargain beds in backpacker haunts around the well-connected KMRT Station. And they can even get stays close to the salt-washed cliffs of Sizihwan, overlooking pretty Cijin isle.

Cheap hotels in Kaohsiung

Budget travellers heading for the Backpackers Inn on Zhongshan 2nd Road will not only be greeted by a multi-coloured building that's designed to resemble a robot, but also quirky common lounges and comfy pod-style beds. Single Inn is closer to the transportation hubs of the city, and has classic dorm rooms that are bolstered by an on-site sauna and deli. And then there's the option with a dash of luxury: 85 Jiafei Suite. This high-perched guesthouse offers coolly decorated doubles that have awesome views of the city, air conditioning and cable TV.

Where to find cheap food in Kaohsiung

Hit the Liuhe Night Market when the sun drops behind the South China Sea and you'll get to taste your way through Taiwan's famous medley of street food – think sticky rice spheres, tofu skewers, sizzling squid, soy-scented stir fries – the list goes on. The Rueifong Night Market is a similar affair that attracts a more local crowd to its bubble tea shops and pancake touting holes-in-the-wall, while the island of Cijin boasts a smattering of earthy local seafood joints. These serve up fresh Taiwanese home cooking right on the edge of the city's harbour.

Cheap things to do in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung's place on the edge of the South China Sea gives it an enviable line-up of coastal attractions – most of which are totally free to enjoy. Take the endless cycle paths of Cijin island, which weave and wind past seafood eateries and lighthouses, and finish at the striking Cihou Fort that dates from the days of the Qing Dynasty. You won’t have to fork out any Taiwanese dollars to spend a day lazing on the golden sands of Sizihwan Beach either, which is perfect for sunset viewing and the occasional bout of windsurfing. And then there's the enchanting patchwork of temples and pagodas that pops up from the lily-padded ponds on the north side of Kaohsiung. These are dotted with Confucian temples and mysterious shrines, and can be explored on foot for free.

Cheap ways to get around Kaohsiung

Most of the points of interest in the centre of Kaohsiung can be explored easily on foot. However, to get to further away attractions, or if you're short on time, the Kaohsiung MRT will be your best bet. This has 2 lines operating east to west and north to south across the city, meaning you might just have to walk a while if you're looking to get to a specific neighbourhood. Another cheap way of getting around is by bike. Many Kaohsiung locals do the same, and there are plenty of public city bikes for rental on the street corners.