From Kaohsiung’s Calm to Taipei’s Chaos—In the Best Way

✧Series Note – Once Again, Taiwan ✧
Feels like coming home. Feels like a chapter you’ve reopened with fresh eyes.
Here’s to solo travel, fourth times, and stories that keep unfolding. ✨🇹🇼
📅 Travel Dates: August 10–13, 2023

My Kaohsiung to Taipei travel experience was a journey of two halves—one part quiet reflection and one part neon energy. The sky hung low, wrapped in gray. After a quiet morning of packing, I grabbed a quick bite from the 7-Eleven inside Formosa Boulevard Station—my unofficial second living room during this trip. Though I had plans to explore more, I chose stillness, checking out early and leaving my luggage at the hotel so I could roam freely one last time.

🌊 Farewell to the South: Glory Pier and Love Pier

I boarded the Kaohsiung LRT (Light Rail Transit) to Glory Pier, a peaceful harborfront once used as a military outpost. Now, it’s a quiet sanctuary where yachts bob gently and the Kaohsiung Music Center rises like a futuristic seashell. I jogged along the coastal path, letting the rhythm of my steps match the soft drizzle falling from the sky.

To save on LRT fare and soak in the moment, I walked to Love Pier, the rain tapping gently on the pavement as I moved deeper into the harbor’s embrace. It felt like Kaohsiung was saying goodbye in its own poetic way.

🎶 Kaohsiung Music Center: Where Architecture Sings

This architectural marvel isn’t just a venue—it’s a love letter to the sea. The Kaohsiung Music Center is made up of five beautifully designed zones:

• Coral Zone: Inspired by reef textures and marine hues.
• Wave Tower: A sweeping structure with panoramic views.
• Whale Bridge: A graceful connector shaped like a breaching whale.
• Dolphin Walk: A playful path that invites exploration.
• Live Warehouse: A dynamic space for concerts and cultural events.

Even in the rain, the center radiated creativity and calm.

🎨 Art and Transit: From Dayi Pier-2 to Kaohsiung Main Station

I returned to Dayi Pier-2, drawn again to its warehouse-turned-art-space charm. Though the center was closed, I admired its bold exterior and made a quiet promise to return. Some missed moments are just bookmarks for future chapters.

With my luggage in hand, I took the MRT to Kaohsiung Main Station, a sprawling hub that reminded me of Taipei’s own transit maze.

I felt the prospect of discovering the creativity within. This experience, though yet another missed opportunity, serves as a reminder that I will definitely be returning to Taiwan soon.

🚉 Choosing the Scenic Route: TRA Train from Kaohsiung to Taipei

While I zipped into the city yesterday on the THSR (High-Speed Rail), today I chose the slower, more character-filled TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) train. With my luggage in hand, I took the MRT to Kaohsiung Main Station, a sprawling hub that reminded me of Taipei’s own transit maze.

At 12:05 PM, the train pulled away. The nearly five-hour ride north was one of the most reflective moments of my trip. We stopped at towns I’d never heard of but now want to explore. Sometimes, slowness is a gift. I watched Kaohsiung fade into the distance, the city’s rain-slicked streets and harbor breeze tucked into memory. 

🚆 The Long Ride North: TRA to Taipei

The TRA train took nearly five hours, stopping at towns and cities I’d never heard of but now want to explore. It was the longest train ride I’ve taken in Taiwan—and one of the most reflective. Sometimes, slowness is a gift.

A five-hour ride to Taipei, slow but scenic, affordable, and alive.

By 5 PM, I stepped into the organized chaos of Taipei Main Station. It had been three years since I last stood here, and the nostalgia hit hard. The city felt the same—buzzing, busy, and somehow still welcoming. It felt like flipping a page in a well-loved book.

Taipei City… Loud? Yes. Familiar? Of course. Undeniably Mine? Absolutely yes.

Rebel Tip: If you’re looking for a convenient home base, I checked in at Mr. Lobster’s Secret Den, a quirky hostel just 10 minutes from the station. It’s a perfect blend of a traditional Taiwanese shopfront and modern hostel charm.

I ate in the shared kitchen, stared out the rainy window, and felt Taipei wrap itself around me again. I let the city’s energy seep back into my bones. Taipei Main Station is unpredictable. If you see a short line at Coco Milk Tea, take it—don’t wait for ‘next time’ like I did.”

🌧️ Taipei 101 & Ximending: Rainy Reunions

I revisited Taipei 101, its glass façade catching the rain like a mirror to the sky. Its towering elegance was dimmed by the mist and rain.

Later, I wandered through Ximending Youth District, one of my favorite corners of the city. At Ximending Youth District, I let nostalgia pull me down familiar alleys. I missed out on Xin Fu Tang milk tea—a regret I’ll fix next time. But the neon lights, the drizzle, the hum of the crowd? That was enough. And some cravings are best saved for next visits.

✨ Two Cities, One Heart

Kaohsiung gave me quiet mornings and thoughtful rain. Taipei greeted me with noise, neon, and a strange kind of comfort. Together, they stitched together a chapter of Taiwan I’ll keep close.

*** This blog was first drafted on August 11, 2023, from a quiet hostel lounge in Taipei City. The rain hadn’t stopped, but neither had the wonder. I went to Taiwan from August 10 to 13, 2023. I visited Kaohsiung City, Taipei City, and New Taipei City. ***