Create meetup in Kaohsiungchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Kaohsiung Guides
Kaohsiung Etiquette 2026: What Not to Do
effi
Kaohsiung Name Origins & Local Words 2026
danny
Typical Souvenirs from Kaohsiung (2026)
jolandebuescher
First Time in Kaohsiung: Complete Guide 2026
bianka
Kaohsiung Nightlife Guide (2026)
sophia
Best Day Trips from Kaohsiung (2026)
marlit
Kaohsiung Airport to City Center (2026)
luciasaur
Kaohsiung Hidden Gems (2026)
rohanj
Kaohsiung on a Budget: Tips 2026
siskaschlesinger
Where to Stay in Kaohsiung (2026)
karstaorlowski
bar_chart Trends in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung Etiquette 2026: What Not to Do
A slight nod or a soft "ni hao" works well when you meet someone in Kaohsiung. Handshakes are common in business settings, but avoid hugging or kissing on the cheek unlessβ¦ π Greetings and Respect
A slight nod or a soft "ni hao" works well when you meet someone in Kaohsiung. Handshakes are common in business settings, but avoid hugging or kissing on the cheek unless you know the person well. When you enter a shop or restaurant, a simple "ni hao" to the staff is polite. If someone offers you a business card, take it with both hands and read it before putting it away.
π Temple Etiquette Rules
At famous temples like Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum or Lotus Pond's Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, dress modestly: no tank tops, short shorts, or flip-flops. Remove your shoes before entering indoor worship areas, and never point your feet at a Buddha statue. Do not take photos of monks or worshippers without permission, and avoid loud conversations. If you want to burn incense, follow the local custom of using your right hand to place it in the burner.
π₯’ Dining Dos and Don'ts
Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, as this resembles funeral incense. When sharing dishes, use the serving chopsticks provided, or turn your chopsticks around to take food from communal plates. Tipping is not expected in Kaohsiung; leaving a few coins is fine at upscale places, but most locals do not tip. If you are invited to a meal, the host usually pays, so offer to split once, then graciously accept if they insist.
π Dress Code Basics
Kaohsiung is casual and hot, so shorts and T-shirts are fine for street food and night markets like Liuhe Night Market. However, for temples, upscale restaurants, or business meetings, cover your shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing only a swimsuit outside of beach areas like Cijin Island; change in a restroom or at your hotel. When in doubt, carry a light scarf or jacket to cover up.
π€« Public Behavior and Volume
Keep your voice down on the MRT and in buses; locals speak softly in public spaces. Queueing is taken seriously: stand in line for the MRT, elevators, and even at popular bubble tea shops like 50 Lan. Do not cut in line, and let passengers exit before you board. On escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left, as in Taipei.
πΈ Photography and Privacy
Always ask before taking photos of people, especially at religious sites or in traditional markets. At attractions like the Pier-2 Art Center, photography is allowed, but do not block walkways or climb on art installations. Drones are banned in many areas, including around Kaohsiung Main Station and the port. If you see a "no photography" sign, respect it.
π Transit and Queueing
On the MRT, give up priority seats (dark blue) to the elderly, pregnant, or disabled. Eating and drinking are prohibited on the MRT, including water, with fines up to NT$7,500. When taking a taxi, sit in the back seat unless there are three or more passengers. At bus stops, flag the bus clearly and have your EasyCard ready.
π Gift Giving and Tipping
If you visit a local home, bring a small gift like fruit or pastries from a shop such as Wu Pao Chun Bakery. Avoid giving clocks, umbrellas, or white flowers, as they have negative associations. Tipping is not customary in Kaohsiung, but you can round up the bill at restaurants or leave spare change for excellent service. Never tip in a temple or government office.
the bit about taxis is the one i'd push back on slightly, sitting in the back is normal for solo rides but if you're with one other person locals often both hop in the back, and if you're a group of three someone takes the front. drivers here don't really care either way, just don't slam the door, that genuinely bugs them
one thing the guide skips is the youbike situation. you need to register with your easycard or a credit card at the kiosk first and there's a 30 min free window if you use the same card to tap in and out, but the racks near cijin ferry and the art center fill up fast on weekends so plan to dock somewhere else
also appreciate you flagging the drone thing bc most people don't know the port area is strict about it
nice rundown, the funeral chopsticks thing is real. one thing i'd add is about the night markets, at Liuhe and Ruifeng you're supposed to hand your money to the vendor and take your change with both hands or at least one hand, not just grab it off the counter. sounds minor but older vendors notice. also for the love of god don't haggle at food stalls, that's for the clothing and trinket booths only and even then its pretty mild here compared to other places in Asia.
fwiw the gift section is where i'd add something. if you're visiting a local home here, don't bring a knife or anything sharp even as a joke, and scissors are on the same no-no list as clocks. also if someone gives you a gift, dont open it in front of them unless they tell you to, which is opposite of what a lot of westerners do out of habit.
Kaohsiung Name Origins & Local Words 2026
The name Kaohsiung comes from the Taiwanese Hokkien phrase 'tak-kau-suann', meaning 'the mountain of the Takau people', referring to the indigenous Makatao tribe that once livedβ¦ ποΈ City Name Roots
The name Kaohsiung comes from the Taiwanese Hokkien phrase 'tak-kau-suann', meaning 'the mountain of the Takau people', referring to the indigenous Makatao tribe that once lived there. The current spelling was set in 1920 during Japanese rule, when the city was renamed Takao and later romanized as Kaohsiung by the Republic of China government. You'll still hear locals say 'Takao' in historical contexts, especially when talking about the old harbor district.
π£οΈ Everyday Greeting
A common local greeting is 'Li-ho' (you're well), which is the Taiwanese Hokkien equivalent of 'hello'. Unlike Taipei, where Mandarin dominates, Kaohsiung residents often greet each other in Hokkien, so learning this simple phrase will earn you smiles. You'll hear it at morning markets like the Cianjhen Traditional Market (Cianjhen District, open 6 a.m. to noon) and from shopkeepers along the Love River.
π Foodie Phrase
When locals say 'chia-pa' (have you eaten yet), they're not just asking about your meal; it's a warm way of showing care, similar to 'how are you' in English. Use it at night markets like Liuhe Night Market (Liuhe 2nd Road, open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.) and you'll get a friendly response. The phrase reflects the city's food-loving culture, where sharing a bowl of danzai noodles is a social ritual.
π Harbor Slang
The word 'kΓ‘ng' means harbor in Hokkien, and you'll hear it in compound words like 'kΓ‘ng-khΓ‘u' (harbor mouth) to describe the port area. Locals use it to refer to the working docks near Pier-2 Art Center (Dah-Rong Road, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), where old warehouses now host art exhibitions. The term carries a sense of pride, reminding everyone that Kaohsiung grew around its busy international port.
ποΈ Nature Terms
For the hills that ring the city, locals say 'suann' (mountain), as in 'Takao-suann' for Shoushan (Monkey Mountain). Hikers often use the phrase 'peh-suann' (climb the mountain) when heading to trails like the Shoushan Nature Park (Gushan District, free entry, trails open sunrise to sunset). These words connect daily life to the landscape, reminding you that Kaohsiung is both a busy metropolis and a green escape.
π² Getting Around
To say 'go for a ride' on the city's bike paths, locals use 'khia-kha'-thia' (ride a bicycle), often heard near the Love River bike trail. You can rent a YouBike at stations throughout the city for NT$10 per half hour, and the flat terrain makes cycling easy. The phrase is also used metaphorically to mean 'take it easy', reflecting the city's laid-back vibe.
π Cultural Idiom
An idiom you'll hear is 'chhut-thau-thiβΏ' (see the sky again), meaning to finally have a breakthrough after hard times. It's used in everyday conversation, like when a local business finally succeeds or a student passes a tough exam. The phrase has roots in Kaohsiung's industrial past, when workers in shipyards and factories looked forward to breaks under the open sky. You might hear it at cultural events in the Weiwuying Performing Arts Center (Fengshan District, box office open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.).
the takao thing is real but u hear it more in like old photos and the ferry to cijin, the signs still say takao in japanese sometimes. honestly the best hokkien word to learn is 'boe hiao' for 'i dont understand', cause everyone will test u with some slang and u just say that and they laugh and switch to mandarin. also the pier-2 area is cool but the real harbor vibe is walking from the banana warehouse to the gushan ferry at sunset, u get the working docks smell mixed with the art crowd, very kaohsiung. oh and for the bike thing, people do say 'khia-khia' but only when theyre actually on the youbike, if theyre just talking about plans they'll say 'lai khia' which is more like 'come ride with me'. the guide oversimplified a bit but the spirit is right, this city really does live in hokkien more than mandarin, even the bus drivers will shout stops in both
yo this is a solid breakdown, never knew 'takao' was still floating around in convo. one thing the guide missed tho is how locals actually say 'good morning' more than 'li-ho' at the fish market. like at the qianzhen market near the harbor, you'll hear 'zao-an' mixed in with hokkien, it's a weird mandarin-hokkien mash that feels super kaohsiung. also if u wanna sound less touristy, drop 'kia-khia' for 'let's go' instead of 'khia-kha'-thia' when talking about biking. nobody says the full bike phrase, it's like saying 'i shall ride my velocipede' haha.
oh and the 'chhut-thau-thiβΏ' thing, real talk it gets used a lot at the night stalls by the love river when the weather finally cools down after summer. u'll hear old uncles say it while fanning themselves like they just survived the heat, which honestly is a breakthrough in itself. but yeah, dope guide, just wanted to add that local color.
fwiw the guide nailed the 'li-ho' part but skipped the most useful word for getting around, 'tshit-tho' which means to hang out or wander. like if someone asks what ur doing this weekend, u say 'tshit-tho' and they know ur just gonna roam the city with no plan, maybe hit the lotus pond or grab a drink at the harbor. it's the whole vibe of kaohsiung honestly, nobody rushes anywhere. also the mention of pier-2 is fine but the real locals go further south to the red hair harbor area near the old salt fields, way quieter and the sunset hits different with the shipping containers in the background. anyway good writeup, just felt like the guide was missing that lazy sunday energy the city runs on.