How to Pronounce Kaohsiung

Meaning and Context

Kaohsiung is a major port city and special municipality located on the southwestern coast of Taiwan, serving as the island's largest harbor and a critical hub for international maritime trade. Incorporated as a special municipality in 1979, the city is renowned for its dynamic blend of industrial might and cultural vibrancy, featuring landmarks such as the Pier-2 Art Center, the towering 85 Sky Tower, and the serene Love River. As a cornerstone of Taiwan's economy, the Port of Kaohsiung facilitates immense volumes of container shipping, while the city's advanced infrastructure, including a comprehensive MRT system and the High-Speed Rail link, supports its role as a key destination for tourism and business in Southern Taiwan. Its urban development is characterized by expansive parks, a thriving arts scene, and annual events like the Lantern Festival, solidifying Kaohsiung's reputation as a must-visit city for culture, commerce, and coastal scenery.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard romanization for the city is "Kaohsiung," derived from the Wade-Giles system for the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation. However, alternative spellings and common errors frequently arise. The most notable official variant is "Gaoxiong," which is the Pinyin romanization used in mainland China, though it is not commonly used in international contexts referring to the city in Taiwan. Frequent misspellings and typos include "Kaohsiung" (omitting the 'h'), "Kaoshiung," "Kaohsuing," and "Kaoshiung" (replacing the 'h' with an 's'). Travelers and writers may also mistakenly refer to it as "Kaohsiung City," which is redundant as "Kaohsiung" already denotes the municipality, though this is a minor stylistic error rather than a spelling mistake.

Example Sentences

After disembarking from the cruise ship at the Port of Kaohsiung, we spent the afternoon exploring the innovative installations at the Pier-2 Art Center.

Many international businesses choose Kaohsiung for their regional headquarters due to its strategic location and world-class port facilities.

To experience the city's natural beauty, take a leisurely evening cruise along the Love River, where the city lights create a dazzling reflection on the water.

The annual Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, often held at the Lotus Pond, attracts thousands of visitors with its spectacular displays and cultural performances.

For a panoramic view of the harbor and the city skyline, visitors can ascend to the observation deck of the 85 Sky Tower, Kaohsiung's most iconic skyscraper.

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