Qihou Lighthouse Cijin Island Kaohsiung: Panoramic Views & Cafe

Of all the amazing places my son and I visited on our Kaohsiung trip to Taiwan,

Cijin Island remains one of my most cherished memories.

Perched atop Cijin Island is the historic Qihou Lighthouse, built in the 19th century.

The views from this lighthouse are truly spectacular.

What makes Qihou Lighthouse even better is the cafe inside, making it the perfect spot to relax.

It's easily one of Kaohsiung's best scenic viewpoints!

How to Get to Cijin Island

Qihou Lighthouse

The Cafe

To reach Cijin Island, you'll need to take a ferry. From Kaohsiung MRT's 'Hamasen' Station (Exit 1), it's a short walk to the 'Gushan Ferry Terminal' where you can board.

Ferry fares are 30 Taiwanese Dollars for adults and 25 Taiwanese Dollars for students. While cash is accepted, paying with an EasyCard is also an option.

I found it super convenient to purchase a pre-loaded EasyCard online before my trip and pick it up at the airport. It helped me get around quickly. I bought mine through the link below:

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Taiwan EasyCard (Taoyuan / Kaohsiung Airport pick-up) - MyRealTrip

Qihou Lighthouse, famous for its stunning panoramic views of Kaohsiung, requires a bit of an uphill walk to reach. While Cijin Island is generally great for cycling, I'd actually recommend coming here without a bike.

When I visited, it was March, and while mornings and evenings were cool, the daytime was quite warm, even a bit hot. I worked up a sweat on the climb, so I imagine it would be quite challenging to visit in the peak of summer (like July 2026).

The walk, though paved, felt like climbing a mountain, and I was pretty tired. But then, this beautiful, low-rise building appeared, and instantly I knew the effort was worth it!

Upon entering the lighthouse grounds, I immediately spotted clean restrooms and sinks. Washing my hands with cool water felt incredibly refreshing after the climb. What a relief!

Qihou Lighthouse was originally built by the British in the 19th century. This Baroque-style lighthouse was constructed to guide ships entering and leaving Kaohsiung Harbor during that era.

It was initially made of red brick but was remodeled into a white lighthouse in 1916. The white color actually complements the blue sky beautifully, making me grateful for whoever came up with that redesign! :)

The main reason I recommend Kaohsiung Lighthouse as a must-visit spot in Kaohsiung is because it offers stunning panoramic views of the Taiwan Strait and the Kaohsiung city skyline.

Inside the Kaohsiung Lighthouse grounds, you'll find 'Shoreline Coffee & Roaster'. It's not an indoor cafe but features charming outdoor tables.

You can enjoy an Americano brewed with freshly roasted beans right here. After the warm climb up, just being able to get an iced coffee was incredibly satisfying!

My Taiwanese friends were with me that day, and they effortlessly took care of ordering, which made everything super easy. :)

Since Taiwan is a tropical country, they also have shaved ice, along with various drinks and simple desserts. I had already planned to get shaved ice at a famous spot once we descended from the lighthouse, so I opted for coffee here.

There was a standee of a Japanese anime character, which, of course, called for a quick photo op! Haha!

The cafe is more about enjoying the scenery than being a gourmet destination, so the coffee was perfectly satisfying for the setting.

After the challenging climb to the top, having coffee and a light dessert was wonderful for recharging our energy. :)

Qihou Lighthouse, Cijin Island's top scenic spot, also boasts a very popular photo zone. I think we took a ton of pictures here!

Many visitors, dressed in beautiful dresses, were also capturing their moments here.

Even my Taiwanese friends, who live here, couldn't stop exclaiming how beautiful the colorful buildings and views were.

"Haven't you guys been here before?"

"Yeah, but it's always great every time we come!"

It's a highly recommended scenic spot in Kaohsiung, even by locals. So, if the weather isn't too sweltering, I definitely encourage you to visit.

Today, I shared my experience at Cijin Island's

'Qihou Lighthouse' and its charming cafe, one of the best places to visit in Kaohsiung.

Even if I were to revisit Kaohsiung,

this would be a recommended spot I'd definitely return to.

It's beautiful at sunset and offers different scenery between day and night,

so next time, I plan to visit around dusk.

It truly was a touch of 'romance' I found during my Kaohsiung trip. :)

▼ More Recommended Kaohsiung Travel Guides ▼

Kaohsiung Formosa Boulevard Station: Laojiang Taiwanese Breakfast – Danbing & Milk Tea

Taiwan Kaohsiung Trip: Local Recommended Cijin Island Ferry – Times & Fares Guide

Words/Photos by: Saeronde