Kaohsiung Weather in December

Mild days by the harbour

December is one of the easiest months to get around Kaohsiung. Days reach about 25°C and evenings stay mild, so you can walk around Cijin Island or take in the harbour views at Pier-2 Art Center without summer's sticky heat.

Rain is modest, with showers on about seven days. That makes outdoor sightseeing a good bet, though a wet spell can still spoil a beach afternoon. November is noticeably wetter, and January is a touch wetter than December too, so December is one of the drier stretches in the city's best window from December to March. The days are short, though, so you'll have less daylight for long outings. Keep an eye on the clock if you want to see Lotus Pond as well as the city centre.

December lights and New Year

Kaohsiung's Christmas events often bring lights and seasonal displays to the city centre, including around Central Park. New Year's Eve draws people to public gatherings and concerts, so the streets get busier as the month ends. Taiwan's school winter break also falls around this period, which adds local families to the popular sights.

If you hate crowds, visit Pier-2 on a weekday and save the New Year's Eve area for another night. December is part of the city's high season, and the comfortable weather draws more visitors than the hotter, rainier months do. Accommodation can feel tighter near the holidays, though it's generally not as busy as Lunar New Year.

A cool evening, done right

Travelling with kids? The mild weather makes a relaxed walk along the Love River much easier than it is in the humid summer. Pair it with dinner in Yancheng, where old shops and cafés give the area a slower feel after dark.

For a practical tip, take the ferry from Gushan to Cijin rather than treating the island as a quick beach stop. The ride gives you harbour views, and you can explore Cijin Old Street for seafood before heading back. If wind or showers make the shore unappealing, spend more time at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, known as Weiwuying, instead.