Kaohsiung Love River Cruise Guide 2026: Booking & Best Views
Experience the magic of Kaohsiung with a romantic Love River cruise. Discover stunning cityscapes, perfect sunset views, and local charm on this unforgettable boat trip.
Loading...
Experience the magic of Kaohsiung with a romantic Love River cruise. Discover stunning cityscapes, perfect sunset views, and local charm on this unforgettable boat trip.
My Honest Review (Paid for by me!)
Kaohsiung
Recommended Kaohsiung Travel Itinerary
Love River Cruise: Booking and Boarding
A Great Travel Destination for March & April
My son and I recently visited Kaohsiung, Taiwan! :)
Since it was a short 2-night, 3-day trip to Kaohsiung this time,
I really wanted to take in Kaohsiung city and its main attractions all at once.
Even though it's a city, there aren't too many towering buildings,
which meant we got fantastic views of the sky in Kaohsiung.
Since time was a bit tight, I wondered what the best way to see Kaohsiung all at once would be,
so I did some research.
And that's when the Love River Cruise caught my eye!
After experiencing it firsthand, I realized it's a fantastic way to see Kaohsiung's famous spots,
and depending on the time of day, you can catch stunning nightscapes or sunsets.
#KaohsiungTravel
Kaohsiung Travel Itinerary: Love River
Boarding Location & How to Book
Cruise Schedule & Duration
Love River Cruise Route
My Cruise Experience
The Love River
Kaohsiung's Love River literally means 'River of Love'.
It's a river that flows right through the heart of downtown Kaohsiung,
much like Seoul's Han River for us.
It's also wonderful for walks along the riverbank,
making it a popular spot for locals too.
Boarding Location & How to Book
⭐ How to get to the 'Ai He Ai Zhi Xian' boarding point ⭐
20-minute walk from the 'Love Pier' tram station
While it’s quite a walk after getting off the tram,
it's a pleasant stroll with plenty to see if the weather is nice.
However, when I visited in March, it unexpectedly got quite chilly in the evenings,
so after transferring from the MRT, I opted for a taxi instead of the bus.
Since Kaohsiung in March can get surprisingly cool,
make sure to bring a warm jacket when you board the cruise.
I booked and bought my tickets in advance from Korea,
and you'll find the physical ticket exchange booth in a very visible spot.
I'll attach the exact location on the map below!
I booked 2 tickets for my son and me through 'Klook',
and received a QR code voucher via email.
For just ~$6, you get to see the truly wonderful Kaohsiung Love River area,
making this a highly recommended travel itinerary.
▼▼▼
Since so many travelers visit,
communication is perfectly smooth, even if you don't speak English.
Just saying 'QR code' is enough for them to understand right away,
and after they ask to see it, they'll exchange it for your physical ticket.
This is the Love River Cruise boarding ticket I received in exchange.
You'll need to present it when boarding, so keep it handy.
River Cruise Operation and Duration
⭐Operating Hours⭐
3:00 PM ~ 10:00 PM
⭐Duration⭐
25 minutes
After I exchanged my tickets and turned around,
I saw a cruise ship that had just finished its tour pulling in.
People disembarked, and we also queued up
and waited to board.
It seems like they depart approximately every 30 minutes.
It's a solar-powered, silent Love River cruise ship,
so it's known for its generally quiet operation.
You can sit wherever you like.
Since the cruise route completes a full loop, you can
get great photos of all the attractions no matter which side you sit on.
I boarded around 6 PM!
Love River Cruise Course
⭐Cruise Course⭐
Love River National Guest Station
Zhongzheng Bridge
Constellation Pier
Kaohsiung Museum of History
Love River Ren'ai Station
228 Memorial Park
New Optimism Station
Kaohsiung Film Archive
True Love Pier
Kaohsiung Pop Music Center
Pier 2 Harbor Bridge
Guangrong Pier
Kaohsiung Bridge
Aoyue Longxiang
Looking at the course, it seems like you'll see a lot of places,
but in reality, you just zip past, so only the major landmarks really stick in your memory.
Normally, there's a commentary on the cruise ship in Chinese.
However, on the day I went, I rode with a group of Japanese tourists,
so the commentary was in Japanese, making it difficult to understand.
Whenever we passed a noticeable landmark,
I used Google Maps to compare and figure out what it was.
This is Kaohsiung's famous 'Municipal Music Hall' building.
I imagine it would look even more magnificent as a night view.
Actually, the Love River cruise is highly recommended for its night views.
However, I chose 6 PM because I loved the feeling of the sun just starting to set.
The weather was a bit cloudy, but as the sunset began,
the views peeking through the buildings were still wonderful.
On the left, visible from almost anywhere in Kaohsiung city center,
is the towering '85 Sky Tower'.
I think the view from the cruise is even more spectacular than going inside,
and it lights up beautifully at night.
I thought it was just a small river, but then I saw a majestic
Taiwan Coast Guard ship.
It's truly enormous and impressive when you see it in person.
Eventually, we start making our way back from this very spot.
We go as far as the area near the Pier-2 Art Center.
This grand bridge is the Love River Bridge; after seeing it from the cruise,
and then revisiting it in person, I can confirm it's absolutely stunning at night!
We even passed by a yacht marina...
which gave me a slight Busan vibe!
My Cruise Experience
It was a wonderful moment, getting to truly soak in the atmosphere of Kaohsiung city
during those 25 minutes.
What I loved about Kaohsiung is that even though it's a city, it doesn't have an overwhelming number of skyscrapers,
so I really enjoyed seeing the open skies peeking through the buildings.
And it was fantastic to experience that very feeling from the Love River cruise!
The lights from the riverside restaurants weren't what you'd call a 'dazzling' night view, but...
there was something about them that felt like an analog, heartwarming movie scene, and I really loved that.
For a really affordable price, I felt like I'd explored a fantastic Kaohsiung travel route,
and my satisfaction level was incredibly high!
And it wasn't just the night view; I also loved the soft, subtle glow of the setting sun. :)
Evenings in Kaohsiung during March can be quite breezy, so make sure to pack a
thick jacket or a windbreaker!
If you're looking to truly immerse yourself in the Kaohsiung vibe,
and explore at a leisurely pace, then the Love River cruise is highly recommended!
For your Kaohsiung itinerary, definitely consider doing it around sunset or for the beautiful night views. :)
There are also fantastic food options and lovely walking paths to explore nearby.
▼ Essential Reads for Planning Your Taiwan Adventure ▼
▼ Check the map below for the boarding location of the pier ▼
📍 Love River Love Boat
No. 176號, Hedong Rd, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801
Text/Photos: Saeronde
You can walk for about 20 minutes from the 'Love Pier' tram station, or take a taxi after transferring from the MRT instead of a bus. In March evenings, the weather can get chilly, so it's advisable to bring a thick outer layer or consider taking a taxi.
You can book in advance through platforms like 'Klook' in Korea, and then exchange the QR code voucher received via email at the on-site physical ticket booth. Make sure to keep the exchanged ticket safe as it is required for boarding.
The cruise operates from 15:00 to 22:00, and one ride takes approximately 25 minutes. Cruises depart roughly every 30 minutes.
Kaohsiung in March can get surprisingly chilly in the evenings, so it's recommended to bring a thick outer layer or a windbreaker when taking the cruise. The author mentioned feeling cold when boarding around 6 PM.
Along the cruise route, you can experience the atmosphere of downtown Kaohsiung as you pass by attractions such as the Love Boat Presidential Pier, Zhongzheng Bridge, Kaohsiung Museum of History, 228 Memorial Park, Kaohsiung Public Library Film & Music Center, Kaohsiung Pop Music Center, and 85 Sky Tower. Explanations are usually provided in Chinese.
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Planning a trip to Taiwan's stunning Kenting? Discover essential tips for renting a car from Kaohsiung, comparing prices, and mapping out an unforgettable itinerary.
Kaohsiung locals love breakfast out! Lao Chiang, a 70-year-old institution near Formosa Boulevard, offers authentic Taiwanese morning delights. A culinary must-try!
Planning a trip to Kaohsiung? Our 2026 guide to Carrefour reveals local-approved souvenirs and must-have items for an authentic Taiwan shopping experience.
Discover the tropical charm of Cijin Island in Kaohsiung. Learn how to catch the ferry from Gushan, use your EasyCard, and explore this coastal gem by bike.
Discover Dai Po Teppanyaki in Kaohsiung, Taiwan—an incredibly affordable, solo-traveler-friendly spot serving up delicious, freshly grilled meats and seafood.
Discover the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan's cultural gem. Perfect for a rainy day, explore unique exhibitions and contemporary art. Plan your 2026 visit!
Taiwan Kaohsiung Travel Essentials: Buying and Using an EasyCard, Plus MRT Travel in Kaohsiung City
Taiwan Kaohsiung Flight Discount Tips: My China Airlines Ticketing Review