Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Overshadowed in almost every respect by Taipei in the north, Kaohsiung – the second largest city in Taiwan – has a small but vibrant gay scene, but is worth visiting just for the sheer variety of attractions and slower pace of life.
An under-the-radar gay tourist destination Kaohsiung has a vibrant arts scene culminating in the newly opened Pier-2 Art Centre, incredible food options, plenty of nature and lower prices than Gay Taipei (which is only two hours away via high-speed train)
GBT acceptance in Kaohsiung is high as in the rest of the country, and the gay scene here is more vibrant than in other popular cities, Tainan and Taichung.
Gay Taiwan is well-known as the most LGBT-friendly destination in Asia, so you are highly unlikely to have any issues here concerning public displays of affection or discrimination.
The Taiwanese are among the most delightful, friendliest people in the entire world and during our time in Gay Taiwan, we did not experience anything except warm welcomes – a nice change after visiting Shanghai and Hanoi.
You can see plenty of younger gay couples wandering the street, or getting cozy over cocktails – although you will quickly notice the culture of Taiwan is not big on public displays of affection of any type.
Along with diverse gay nightlife options, Kaohsiung’s gay scene also offers up a variety of cultural events, the biggest of which is the Kaohsiung Gay Pride, held every year in December; however, there are plenty of smaller events throughout the year. You can find out about it by asking around when you arrive.
While Kaohsiung might still be a little conservative compared to Taipei, gay travelers can feel entirely at ease in this liberal society and will not have any problems.
In this article we will cover...
Attractions in Kaohsiung Taiwan
Naturally, being gay does not define which attractions most of us will want to see in each city, and most queer travelers will simply want to check out the top things to see in Kaohsiung during the day! There is so much to do here – but we found our favorite memories were wandering along waterside parks, making use of the city’s extensive bicycle lanes (and promptly getting lost) and brunching in modern cafés.
One of the best tips we can give you for exploring Gay Kaohsiung is to pre-order a travel SIM card for easy airport pickup and activation the moment you arrive, so you will not pay a fortune in international roaming charges.
Get restaurants recommendation and reservations on the fly, public transport instructions up to the minute, bar opening hours and, if it is your thing – access to gay hook-up apps to find out more about the local scene.
Mobile data is fast, cheap and available almost everywhere in Asia, so it is no wonder most travelers choose to stay connected and get off the beaten track (without ever worrying about getting lost). So why wait? Pre-order the best local SIM card now to have it waiting for you in Taiwan when you arrive.
Still – it helps to have some kind of idea of what is going on, so here are our must-see attractions in Kaohsiung that you should not miss!
Our favorite thing to do in Kaohsiung, this recently opened district, has transformed industrial buildings into an uber-cool spot filled with cafés, museums, galleries, boutique shops _ street and modern art installations. Especially popular during the weekend, the vibe here is just infectious, and you will want to go back over and over again.
Hike up this mountain for incredible views over the city and for a bit of fresh air. Bring some beers to enjoy at the top but watch out for the naughty macaques that live here. It was named Ape Hill by the Dutch in the 17th century, and the name is just as appropriate today.
Next to Pier-2 Art Centre, this old railway yard is now an outdoor exhibition space for modern art. You can just wander around and enjoy, but on the weekend, the main show is all the kites and bubble blowers that gather here, and plenty of dogs (and unique pets such as rabbits out for some fresh air).
One of the top ten landmarks of Taiwan, this newly opened museum features plenty of photogenic pagodas and a giant Buddha and even houses one of the tooth relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist faith.
The largest shopping mall not just in Taiwan but in all of East Asia (Gay Bangkok has the biggest shopping malls in Asia). There is pretty much every brand you can imagine here, plus plenty of local boutique shops and even a roof-top Ferris wheel in case it wasn’t over the top enough already.
A modern temple on the beautiful Lotus Lakes that are fun to explore. If you’re heading out all this way, you won’t want to miss the nearby Spring and Autumn Pavilions too!
A historic fort high on a hilltop with views back over Kaohsiung and out to see. Packed on the weekends, this is a great, albeit small outdoor hike. Located on Cijin Island – you can either take a ferry or ride-share over and be sure to wander along Cijin Beach and eat on the Cijin Market street. Plan to spend a whole day!
One of the most popular night markets in Kaohsiung – come and mingle with locals, find the busiest shop and wait for whatever it is selling or just come to hang out in the infectious atmosphere. An integral part of modern Taiwanese culture.
Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Kaohsiung
As Taiwan is the most progressive and gay-friendly country in Asia, pretty much every hotel in Kaohsiung Taiwan can be considered gay-friendly, and none of our readers will likely experience any issues here – after all, being gay-friendly is not all about upscale luxury, but about providing friendly service and welcoming everyone with open arms!
Having said that, everyone likes to be surrounded by people with common interests, and as such, there are a few popular hotels in Kaohsiung that are known hot spots for gay travelers to stay – either because of their location near gay clubs and sauna in Kaohsiung, or just thanks to their design and quality.
The following hotels in Gay Kaohsiung are only the most popular with gay travelers – but there are hundreds of other hotels in Kaohsiung if you don’t find quite what you are looking for. Whether you want a fun and social hostel, a cheap place to crash after a night of partying or a chic designer option to sip cocktails and surround yourself with fabulous people – Gay Kaohsiung has something for everyone!
Newly opened in a sleek, contemporary glass tower overlooking Kaohsiung Central Park, Hotel Indigo is our favorite luxury hotel in Kaohsiung – and previous guests agree! A hotel like no other we have stayed in; the highlights include a unique design fit-out with vibrant colors, a roof-top bar with expansive skyline views and a high level of service.
An iconic luxury hotel located in the tallest building in Kaohsiung. Enjoy city or sea views from a bed, an indoor pool, a sauna + gym, and even an observation level. Homely design but nothing to write home about. Here – location is everything.
An oh-so-hip hotel recently opened near Love River with minimalist decor and complimentary breakfast. We loved the luxe suite in particular, thanks to the private pool and garden terrace. Modern on-site dining and a trendy bar complete the package.
A contemporary hotel close to the subway line and gay nightlife spots. The outdoor dining from their restaurant with city views is incredible – so even if you don’t get to stay here, you should try to make a reservation. Elegant rooms and recently refurbished.
Legend Hotel Kaohsiung Pier2 ☆☆☆
A fun and vibrant hotel close to the Pier 2 Arts District with whimsical theming and plenty of colors. They have fabulous private rooms at very reasonable prices, but we also liked their very private dormitories if you’re on a budget.
Funky designer details with a roof-top swimming pool and garden. Each room has an individual theme – some of which are quite bizarre/creative. Close to the gay nightlife district.
Sexy, industrial design close to all of the gay nightlife in Kaohsiung. This is one of the most gay-popular hotels in Kaohsiung – in no small part thanks to viewing from their double-deluxe rooms with floor-to-ceiling curved glass with expansive city views. There is also a beautiful designer roof-top garden hangout space.
A fun, upscale hostel literally right on the intersection of Kaohsiung’s two subway lines and only a short walk to gay nightlife spots. Perfect if you are on a budget or traveling alone and want to meet up with other travelers before heading out for the night. They have a beautiful common area with views over Formosa Boulevard and nightly all-you-can-drink beer specials at the lowest prices in town.
Gay Bars and Gay Clubs in Kaohsiung
Like Kaohsiung itself, the gay nightlife scene in Kaohsiung flies under the radar and is often overshadowed by Gay Taipei or Gay Hong Kong – but if you know where to look, rest assured there are plenty of intriguing gay and gay-friendly bars in Kaohsiung!
Depending on your mood, you can find anything here, from a relaxed cocktail in an upscale bar to an all-night dance rave surrounded by your queer family!
New gay events in Kaohsiung are always taking place here, so it pays to ask around when you arrive (hostel staff is a good bet – as is logging into Grindr), but at the moment, these are the most popular nightlife spots, gay bars and gay clubs in Kaohsiung for travelers and locals.
The most popular gay event in Kaohsiung and the best way to get the weekend started early. Only on Thursday, the expat-popular Brickyard club gets taken over by the Rainbow crowd with cheap drinks, great DJs, shirtless guys and plenty of fun.
Check out their Facebook page, as the Rainbow event is occasionally held on other days – but if you’re looking for things to do in Kaohsiung on a Thursday night, look no further!
X-One Club (previously Hi-Bar Club)
(Temporarily or permanently closed. If you know something, please suggest an edit.)
The most popular gay club in Kaohsiung; check out their Facebook page for upcoming themed parties and events. Annoyingly the music kept getting stopped for Chinese ballads being belted out on stage, but after midnight on the weekends, it is pretty packed!
A small gay bar in Kaohsiung’s old town. Doesn’t often get pumping, but if you’re looking to meet gay locals, chat and sing a bit of karaoke, then it can be pretty fun here.
Probably the best nightclub in Kaohsiung, famous for its all-you-can-drink menu. Plenty of EDM music and newly renovated. Not a gay venue, but on Wednesday, many gay men flocks here on Wednesday when it’s Hunky Boys’ Night, and anything can happen…
Glow Kaohsiung
(Temporarily or permanently closed. If you know something, please suggest an edit.)
Organized 4-6 gay dance parties in Kaohsiung per year. Check out the events tab on their Facebook page to look for upcoming details, but often it is not up-to-date. If you get lucky and there is an event on, this is the place to go!
Black Dog Pub Kaohsiung
(Temporarily or permanently closed. If you know something, please suggest an edit.)
Not a gay bar, but a popular ex-pat hang-out with live music and daily drink deals that gets pretty busy every night of the week after 9 pm. Come for the wide selection of beer and to find out what else is going on.
A gay-popular but very mixed venue with a sophisticated crowd and luxurious vibes, Delicious cocktails and a great atmosphere with a strict dress code.
A great place for live music, food, and craft beers. An inclusive environment filled with hipsters on Sunday. In Our Time also houses an art gallery and radio station in the famous art district, Pier-2.
Gay Saunas in Kaohsiung Taiwan
Had enough of gay cruising in Kaohsiung – either in the bars or elsewhere?
For those who want a bit more guaranteed action, the gay saunas in Kaohsiung will not disappoint you (unlikely all those faceless accounts on Grindr or the other hookup apps…). In such a foreign-friendly city, you should have no issues visiting any Kaohsiung Taiwan gay sauna but be warned that we have heard reports that older, hairy or chubbier guys might not get much action.
The biggest and best gay sauna in Kaohsiung with everything you could want. Dry sauna, showers, busy steam room, a bar and a gym – and this is Asia, so there is even karaoke here! Check out their Facebook page for the theme of the night…
Think naked, towel, young, gym or even special events like Year of the Dog! Foreigners report, however, this is not the place for bears or more mature travelers, and if this is the case, you likely won’t see much action.
Station Sauna
(Temporarily or permanently closed. If you know something, please suggest an edit.)
The oldest Kaohsiung gay sauna and the largest – Station Sauna, caters to everyone, but it is popular with the military, mature guys and tourists – with all of the expected facilities, including a gym, steam room, private rooms, theatre zone and hot pool spread out across 5 floors and a roof-top terrace.
Most gay saunas in Taiwan can be a bit ‘clicky,’ but if you’re a bear or mature gay (or even a supporter), then Galaxy Sauna Kaohsiung is for you as a bear-friendly option. Basic facilities, however, and a location that is a bit far away (take a ride-share – it’s more comfortable!), but they do have a hot tub, lounge area, gym and roof-top terrace.
GHP and 101 Club Sauna in Kaohsiung are now permanently closed.
Gay Map Of Kaohsiung
Finding it hard to envisage where everything is in Gay Kaohsiung? Hopefully, this queer-centric map helps where we have marked all the bars, clubs, parties, hotels, saunas, massages and more will help you stay in the spot best suited to you!