More about Kaohsiung
Why go to Kaohsiung?
Kaohsiung is a trendy city, with its art galleries and music venues -- there's even a Hello Kitty Ferris wheel
English is not widely spoken, so if you don't know a bit of Mandarin you might want to have Google Translate handy
There's a lot of culture to soak up in Kaohsiung, both modern and historic
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD or NT$). Check www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for current conversion rates. You can get money from ATMs in banks and the 7-Eleven shops located on every other block, or so. You'll need small bills or coins for the Liouhe Night Market to barter for handicrafts and snacks.
Language?
Mandarin Chinese is the primary language. Some shopkeepers and restaurant workers speak English. For your best chance of finding an English speaker, look for teens or young adults.