Ranked 10th Among World's Top 20 Travel Destinations! The Times Recommends Kaohsiung as a Must-Visit City in November

Kaohsiung's international tourism appeal has once again earned recognition from global media. The UK's prestigious newspaper, The Times, recently released its list of the '20 Best Destinations to Visit in November,' ranking Kaohsiung 10th—making it the only city in Taiwan to be included. It stands alongside world-renowned tourist cities such as New York (USA), Kyoto (Japan), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Lyon (France), Florence (Italy), and Buenos Aires (Argentina), highlighting Kaohsiung's growing international tourism appeal.

The Times noted that November falls between the autumn holiday season and the peak of year-end tourism, offering relatively stable travel prices, fewer crowds, and pleasant weather with seasonal festivals—making it an ideal time to travel. The article featured Lotus Pond, one of Kaohsiung's iconic attractions, and recommended visitors take advantage of the city's dry and comfortable November weather to explore its harbor culture, cuisine, and natural landscapes through walking, cycling, and ferry rides.

Gao Minlin, Director of the Kaohsiung City Government's Tourism Bureau, stated that being the only city in Taiwan to make the list reflects international recognition of Kaohsiung's harbor scenery, food culture, and visitor-friendly environment, as well as the results of long-term efforts by the city government and tourism industry to promote urban tourism. Moving forward, Kaohsiung will continue to follow the development strategy of 'rooted in Taiwan, anchored in Asia, and aiming globally,' enhancing international marketing and improving tourism service quality to build a more welcoming and competitive international tourism destination.

The Times specifically recommended exploring Kaohsiung by bicycle. Every November, Kaohsiung enters its dry and comfortable tourism season, with average temperatures around 20°C—perfect for outdoor activities. Visitors can cycle along the Love River, stroll around Lotus Pond to admire religious architecture and lakeside views, explore night markets to savor local delicacies like salted fried chicken, mochi, zongzi, and bubble tea, visit Fo Guang Shan to experience religious culture, and take a ferry to Cijin to enjoy the black-sand beach, coastal bike paths, and fresh seafood—experiencing the diverse charm of this port city.

The Tourism Bureau noted that Kaohsiung's tourism performance has consistently received acclaim both domestically and internationally. In the 2024–2026 mayoral policy satisfaction survey by CommonWealth Magazine, Kaohsiung ranked first among the six major cities for three consecutive years in the 'Tourism and Leisure' category. In 2026, it was once again awarded 'Outstanding County/City' in the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' 'National Accommodation Industry Management Performance Evaluation,' marking its eighth time receiving this honor.

Additionally, Kaohsiung has recently been featured in multiple international tourism rankings, including Agoda's '8 Most Fun and Affordable Cities in Asia 2024,' Klook's 'Top 10 Most Anticipated Emerging Travel Destinations 2025,' and Expedia Japan's Golden Week 2026 list of 'Hidden Gems: High-Value Overseas Travel Destinations,' where it ranked 4th—the best or only Taiwanese city on each list. These achievements demonstrate Kaohsiung's continuous rise in cultural tourism, urban appeal, and international visibility.

The Tourism Bureau invites domestic and international travelers to consider Kaohsiung as a top destination for November, encouraging a light urban getaway to experience its mountains, seas, rivers, harbor, cuisine, and diverse tourism charm—discovering the city's unique character across all seasons.