Wo Long Breakfast (臥龍手作早餐) @ Kaohsiung City in Taiwan

I wasn't that full after breakfast and decided to search on google map for a nearby breakfast eatery, and decided to go with Wo Long Breakfast, which had a high review score of 4.7 from 150 reviewers! 

Thumbs-up for the specific dish was helpful as I wouldn't have to deliberate too long on what to have, although I had to admit that the Taiwanese egg crepes/pancakes I had so far, didn't appeal to me, and I wondered then if this would be any better.

Soy Milk - ordered this warm, with no sugar. Even though this (right one in the photo) appeared pre-packed, the beverage was rich of soybean aroma and better than Singapore's Mr Bean, which can taste powdery sometimes. 

Traditional Taiwanese Egg Crepe - one look and I knew this would not fare any better from the past. What would be the giveaway from this pre-taste review? The dough skin.

It was just flour with egg, and the texture was gelatinous with just the edges having a light, hardly discernible crisp. There wasn't much taste, with just simple pepper and salt. For a traditional dish; it didn't taste fantastic for my amateur taste buds. 

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Leaving the dough skin untouched.

Address

No. 223-2, Datong 1st Rd, 

Sinsing District, Kaohsiung City, 

Taiwan 

Map

As above. 

Menu (in Chinese)

As above

Pricing

Soy Milk - NT$35

Traditional Taiwanese Egg Crepe - NT$35

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)

Raw Tomato with Ginger Juice along Cijin Old Street @ Kaohsiung City in Taiwan

While researching for things to do and eat at Kaohsiung City, I chanced upon an island known as Qijin / Cijin, and one of the must eats was said to be raw tomatoes dipped in ginger juice! 

Now that's a strange edible conception but since tomatoes were said to be super healthy and I am not totally resistant to drinking raw tomato juice, with honey that is; I guess it would be worth a try, at just NT$70 (about S$3) a serving. 

Preparation for the tomato was so easy that I could have done myself; please be assured that I am fully capable of slicing open a fresh tomato and cut it into bite-sized pieces. 

Key to this dish was the sauce; I had assumed it was juice from the ginger but it appeared to be more like thick soy sauce or even sugar syrup. Now, dipping slices of raw tomato in sugar syrup would be quite similar to my tomato juice with honey, I feel.

One question; could I eat the tomato with the skin? It's supposedly "rich in beneficial antioxidants like lycopene" and it's only when cooked that the taste turned bitter. Well, raw should be fine then.

What I was more surprised to see was the small bowl of sauce. It had added ingredients like grated ginger (seemed more like granular ginger essence) and a powdery stuff I assumed was starch although online sources mentioned it could have been icing sugar. 

A thorough mix was necessary. 

Work those fingers, with a toothpick! 

Don't just dip; better to soak the raw tomato for a few seconds before throwing it into your mouth! To be honest, it was an acceptable taste; sweet with a touch of saltiness and a strong dose of ginger that was surprisingly not spicy. 

I would think some might prefer to just dip the tomato in honey although there could be variations across the many stalls along the Cijin Old Street. For me, I am neutral and treat it as a unique experience, and not something I would reject given that the nutritional benefits of having raw tomatoes! 

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Address

No 127, Miaoqian Rd, 

Qijin District, Kaohsiung City, 

Taiwan (along Cijin Old Street)

Pricing

One Serving - N$70

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)

Great Harbor Bridge (大港橋) @ Kaohsiung City in Taiwan

From far, the Great Harbor Bridge at Kaohsiung City doesn't seem like your typical bridge. If I didn't know better, it felt more like a yacht with a single mast, sans the sails. 

Once up close, it was a different feel altogether; more like a futuristic contraception of a satellite with the ability to shoot laser beams into the sky, somewhat like ability of the death star showcased in Star Wars film franchise.

Spanning 109.5 metres in length with a width ranging from five to 11 metres, this bridge starting construction in 2018 and inaugurated in 2020, well smacked in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic. 

While it might look "anchored", the bridge main support was actually only in the middle since it's a swing bridge that rotated once a day at 3pm on weekdays, with an additional timing at 7pm on weekends. Each rotation / swing takes 30 minutes.

Note: this is a pedestrian bridge. 

Cyclists have to walk, not ride their bikes.

Spectacular views on both facings at the bridge. 

This bridge cost NT$320 million, about S$14 million. 

The 356 meters tall Shoushan in the background of this picture. One of the reasons why I would return to Kaohsiung City is to hike up Shoushan, and I presume the view on top would be stunning, and by then, I would be able to share another picture that shows the Great Harbor Bridge instead.

Kaohsiung Music Center; an icon at the start of Love River, similar to the Merlion of Singapore River but this was a much larger, unique structure that shines at night.

Let's climb up to level two! 

Always nice to have an elevated view and I was hoping for some time-lapsed video recording here. But, it's midday and scorching for a December weather. I like being fair nowadays. 

Honestly, these looked like a pair of gigantic wings, arched up in flight! The material appeared to be steel painted white but it's "fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP), which is the same material used in the fibreglass hull of luxury yachts."

Traffic lights; I am guessing this is for the periods that the bridge close for its daily (weekday), or twice a day (weekend) rotation! Nope, I didn't stick around till 3pm or 7pm (weekends only).

Penglai Commercial Area; with restaurants, souvenir shops etc.

There were also alfresco seating for some restaurants, which looked out to Kaohsiung Music Center and Kaohsiung's tallest building, 85 Sky Tower, which stands at 347.5 meters high. 

Video of  a replica of the bridge revolving.

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Address

Pier 2 District, Yancheng District, 

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 

Map

As above

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)

Day Four of the 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip 2025

<<< Day Three

Detailed Postings for the Day

• 8.30am Complimentary Guided Tour 
• Renting Car in Taiwan via Ho Ing
• Crayon Shinchan McDonald Capsule Machine
• Chateau de Chine Hotel (高雄翰品酒店) 
• Dome of Light (光之穹頂) 
• Liuhe Night Market (六合觀光夜市)
• Prawn Bee Hoon and Stinky Tofu @ Liuhe
• Freshly Grilled Squid 夜鱿现烤鱿鱼 @ Liuhe
• Wild Boar Sausage 阿猪嫲 @ Liuhe Night

The thing I dislike travelling during winter is that the sun rises much earlier and for a person sensitive to light; it means I can't get back to sleep unless there is total blackout curtains. The good thing, however, is that I wouldn't wake up to hot and humid weather. 

Walking on the empty streets within fenqihu railway town. Apparently, many locals and travellers didn't share the sleep problem I faced. Envious.

Old street of Fenqihu. 

Again, devoid of people.

Continuing our way. Fenchihu Hotel didn't provide for breakfast at their resident restaurant; instead, vouchers were provided for guests to buy food from the 7-11 convenience store beside its hotel. So, our objective was to have a suitable place to sit and enjoy our breakfast.

Viewing platform on the left would be the perfect place, with the mountainous view in front of us, and that the rising sun was hidden behind the mountain, slowly ascending to the sky.

Preparing to dig into our breakfast, while anticipating the warm rays of sunlight hitting our cold faces! p.s. well, nothing much to talk about the breakfast.

Here's the sun! 

Enjoying the warmth from the sun even though it only lasted a few minutes! Typical of Singaporeans, we refrain from constant exposure of sun, unless we are on a beach vacation, and preferably soaked in water, fresh or salt. 

Flowers in winter.

Splashes of color in the cold. 

Building where we had dinner the night before. There were actually a few minsus in this area but I find it tedious to navigate their website, preferring to go with international booking platforms like trip.com instead.

Back to the empty old street again and I spotted a familiar face! 

I can confidently say this ginger cat is the mascot of Fenqihu Old Street! While I like cats, I have a particular affinition for ginger / black cats! Can someone persuade my mom to have a cat in their house?! 

The setting moon, and the spider.

Come, let us have ChatGPT weave a story.

Paying our last visit to the century old railway tracks, the station, and the loco shed. Would we be back again? We might although Alishan is a huge area and there were other smaller towns, and areas with trails said to be breathtaking. 

Railway information and rates; full fare means for adults whereas half fare is for children. Only two trains a day and good luck to those who are able to secure a ticket! 

An eatery next to the railway station that's supposedly famous for their railway bento. With a facade similar to a train, I actually wanted to lunch there on day 3 but decided to go with Yahu Ekiben. 

Few more photographs as we returned to Fenchihu Hotel.

Participating in the hotel's 8.30am Complimentary Guided Tour! Conducted by Shujuan, it was a much easier tour with not much climbing. Highlight of the tour was the bamboo that looked roundish yet felt squarish.

Only hard climb post tour; this steep slope super near to the donut shop.  

Oh my gosh, 街仔尾阿嬤草仔粿 was open for business! I recalled how this ang ku kueh alike snack appealed to my taste buds and couldn't wait to introduce to Alex! 

Sadly, quite disappointing. The skin was thicker and the taste didn't overwhelm and surprised me, as I did back in 2023. Was it my problem? Clearly, Alex wasn't sold too.

He was much more impressed with the hot aiyu drink at Fenqihu Old Street! And enthusiastically asked to take a photograph with the store operator! 

Persuaded to step into a tea shop for some sampling and eventually purchased the extreme top oolong tea at NT$390 a box for my parents. Unfortunately, I don't indulge in much tea nowadays given the high caffeine and its association with insomnia.

Preparing to leave fenqihu, via the private shuttle arranged with Fenchihu Hotel. It cost us NT$1800, payable in cash, and took us about two hours to reach Chiayi City. 

Spectacular views along the way, although they couldn't beat the views when we travelled by the forest railway train from Alishan to Fenqihu!

Collecting our rental car, making it Alex's first time driving on the left side of the car! Car was rented via Klook.com; click here for the detailed posting! 

First stop after driving; taking back our large pieces of luggage from Mega Hotel. I had stored them in the hotel as it would be a dread to move them at Alishan and Fenqihu. 

Driving towards the third largest city in Taiwan; Kaohsiung City! There were two highways and we took the advice of the couple who was with us for the 8.30am Complimentary Guided Tour by taking national highway 3; the less crowded one.

It's important to take a rest every now and then when you are driving, especially for Singaporean drivers who are not accustomed to long distance driving! p.s. driving from Tuas to Changi is not considered long distance driving! So, here we were at Guanmiao Service Area (Southbound).

Took a bet with the capsule machine as it was dispensing Crayon Shinchan McDonald's themed products! I am actually a bigger fan of Crayon Shinchan, instead of McDonald's! 

For a vehicle commander, who doesn't have to drive, I was marvelling at the stunning sight of sun rays breaking through the clouds. Beautiful. Too bad for Alex who insisted I wasn't capable to drive, and he treasures his life more. 

Into the tunnel! Do you know there are a few tunnels for motor vehicles in Taiwan rumoured to be haunted!? Most famous would have to be Xinhai Tunnel (台北辛亥隧道) at Taipei! 

This one along national highway 3 not so scary lah.

Skyline of Kaohsiung City in front of us! You know why I knew? The appearance of 85 Sky Tower on my right; the tallest building in Kaohsiung and second tallest in the whole of Taiwan! 

And also, the higher density of buildings.

As we neared Kaohsiung City.

Checking in to Chateau de Chine Hotel (高雄翰品酒店) 

You may check out the details of my stay here! 

After taking a much required rest, for Alex that is, we were out hitting the streets! More so for me as I didn't want to spend too much time in a hotel when there's so much more to see and do outside of the hotel, and it's my first time to Kaohsiung! 

Gigantic cat with the mechanical eyes to open and shut.

Can't remember where I got this but I guess this would serve as a food recommendation map for those looking for reputable / famous food near train stations.

Ceiling of stars, with planets at Formosa Boulevard Station. 

Finally here at Liuhe Night Market (六合觀光夜市); one of Kaohsiung oldest night market that was said to be the most touristy, which can't be helped given its conveniently centralized location! 

We had quite a lot of food for two persons; and you may also refer to the separate postings as follows; Prawn Bee Hoon and Stinky Tofu, Freshly Grilled Squid 夜鱿现烤鱿鱼 and Wild Boar Sausage 阿猪嫲!

In our haste to get to Liuhe Night Market, I told myself to return back to Formosa Boulevard  MRT Station to take more photographs of Dome of Light (光之穹頂)! Pity, the lights were already out by the time I was there at 9.08pm! :( 

>>> Day Five

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Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)