When it comes to Kaohsiung's natural environment, many people first think of the Love River, Lotus Pond Lake, or Sizi Bay, but the mountain trails of this industrial port city hide surprisingly rich stories. A geographical fact must be clarified first: there are currently 8 national parks in Taiwan, and Kaohsiung is not among them. However, Kaohsiung possesses natural protected areas with national park-level ecological value, especially the trail system developed from military heritage, forming Taiwan's unique "battlefield natural landscape."
Kaohsiung's mountain trails are mainly distributed around Shoushan, Half-Ping Mountain, and Qihou Mountain. This area was designated as a fortress zone during the Japanese colonial period, and half a century of military control actually preserved the original natural ecology. After the lifting of martial law in 1989, these areas were gradually opened as hiking trails for citizens, but most military tunnels, bunkers, and artillery positions were preserved, creating a unique landscape where "nature and war memories coexist." According to data from the Forestry Bureau, more than 200 butterfly species have been recorded in the Shoushan area, and the coral reef limestone terrain has created a unique low mountain ecosystem, which is quite rare among the plain cities in western Taiwan.
Shoushan National Nature Park
Shoushan is Kaohsiung's most representative nature trail, and one of the few national nature parks located within a metropolitan area in Taiwan. The "Tianyu Cave" inside the park is a military tunnel dug during the Japanese colonial period, approximately 200 meters long. Walking through it, you can still see the military wires embedded in the walls from that time. The cool summer temperatures have made it a secret escape for Kaohsiung residents. The observation platform on Shoushan offers the best views of the city; on clear days, you can see as far as the 85 Sky Tower and Kaohsiung Port, especially beautiful at sunset. The hiking trail is divided into main and branch routes. The main route takes about 1.5 hours to reach the summit, while branch routes lead to military bunkers from various periods, suitable for adventure-seeking travelers.
Half-Ping Mountain Limestone Trail
Half-Ping Mountain is known for its "stone mountain" landscape, where exposed coral reef limestone presents gray-white gradients under sunlight, making it a unique geological textbook in Kaohsiung. Along the trail, you can see weathered limestone caves and uniquely shaped massive rocks. Some areas require rope assistance for climbing, offering a beginner-level outdoor adventure experience. The ecological highlight of Half-Ping Mountain is its "rock plants," including Taiwan's native species of giant taro and stone板菜, which only grow in limestone crevices, demonstrating the special soil conditions of this area. At the mountain summit sits an abandoned military guard post, now a popular photo spot, offering views overlooking the Kaohsiung Refinery and the downstream estuary of the Jin-Gang River.
Qihou Mountain Hiking Trail (Qihou Artillery Position Area)
Qihou Mountain is located at the northernmost tip of Cijin Island, facing the Sizi Arch Tunnel on the opposite shore. The core highlight of the Qihou Mountain trail is the "Qihou Artillery Position," built in 1887 (during Qing rule) and later expanded during the Japanese colonial period. It is one of the few forts that completely preserve military facilities from both the Qing and Japanese periods. Walking into the artillery area, the weathered walls and gun holes are still clearly visible, transporting visitors back to the military preparations of a century ago. The other end of the trail leads to the "Star Sky Tunnel" on Qihou Mountain—a military tunnel from the Japanese colonial period now open for walking. The fluorescent art installations inside give nighttime hiking a different experience. Qihou Mountain is only 70 meters above sea level, making it an easy hike, suitable for a day trip combined with Cijin's Old Street.
Chai Mountain Nature Trail (Sun Yat-sen University Campus)
Chai Mountain (also called Shoushan Chai Mountain) is Kaohsiung's first nature protected area, with the trailhead located on the Sun Yat-sen University campus. Its special feature is the "Taiwanese macaque habitat."groups of macaques are commonly seen along the hiking path, but visitors must strictly follow the "do not feed, do not provoke" principle and maintain a safe distance. Most trails on Chai Mountain are natural dirt paths, with dense shade along the way and high oxygen content, making it one of the best areas for air quality in Kaohsiung's city center. The "Haian Road" behind Sun Yat-sen University leads to "Yili坡," a secret spot for watching the Sizi Bay sunset. On clear days, you can even see the flames of offshore oil rigs on the sea.
Golden Lion Lake Butterfly Garden (City Ecological Park)
Although not a traditional mountain trail, the Golden Lion Lake Butterfly Garden in Lingya District is an excellent starting point for understanding Kaohsiung's natural ecology. Originally a city flood detention pond, it was later transformed into an ecological park, featuring butterfly netting houses and native plant areas. The park's biggest highlight is the "butterfly emergence" observation experience. The best observation period is from April to October each year, when visitors have the chance to witness butterflies breaking out of their chrysalises. The Butterfly Garden is free to enter and suitable for family visits. The surrounding Golden Lion Lake trail also connects to Zhongdu Wetland, making it a rare ecological green corridor in Kaohsiung's city center.
Practical Information
Shoushan National Nature Park is open year-round with no admission fee. Parking costs approximately NT$50-100 per time. Half-Ping Mountain and Qihou Mountain, both part of areas opened after martial law was lifted, have certain areas closed after 5 PM. Golden Lion Lake Butterfly Garden is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, and remains open during the Chinese New Year period.
To reach Shoushan, take the MRT to "Yanchengpu Station" or "Sizi Bay Station," then transfer to city bus routes 56 or 219 to "Shoushan Station." For Qihou Mountain, take the MRT to "Sizi Bay Station," walk to Gushan Ferry Station, take the ferry to Cijin (one-way NT$15), then walk or rent a bicycle to get there. The Chai Mountain trailhead is on the Sun Yat-sen University campus, accessible by walking from "Sizi Bay Station."
Travel Tips
The biggest difference between Kaohsiung's mountain trails and other national parks in western Taiwan is the "military heritage" element. These tunnels, bunkers, and artillery positions are not additional tourist attractions added later, but authentic historical slices of this land. Consider planning a "half-day tour": visit Shoushan National Nature Park's Tianyu Cave and observation platform in the morning, enjoy shaved ice at Gushan Old Street (a famous shop with great value) at lunch, then visit Qihou Mountain's artillery position and Star Sky Tunnel in the afternoon. Remember to wear shoes with good grip—some limestone sections can be slippery. In summer, bring mosquito repellent, as sand flies in shaded trail areas can be numerous. The true value of Kaohsiung's mountain trails lies not in majestic mountain scenery, but in demonstrating how an industrial city can preserve nature amid urban development.
