Go South!
Kaohsiung, Port City of Taiwan
By Chung Ah-young
Korea Times Correspondent
KAOHSIUNG ― Kaohsiung, the second largest city in Taiwan with 1.5 million inhabitants, is known for its harbor located in the south of the island more for commercial than tourism reasons.
But in recent years, the city called ``the Harbor Capital of Taiwan'' is striving to attract tourists from around the world, particularly Korea, with its year-round moderate weather and low cost of living.
The city is transforming itself from a primarily industrial city into an Asian metropolis, keeping old vestiges alongside modern landscapes.
Kaohsiung is often compared with Busan, the southern port city of Korea. In this port city, there are numerous exotic scenic tourist spots that are not to be missed.
Former British Consulate
Built in 1865 during the Qing Dynasty, the Former British Consulate is located on a small hilltop overlooking Hsizuhwan Bay. It was the first consulate and Western-style architecture constructed by the British in Taiwan.
The beautiful terrace retains the core of the British architecture and design. Inside features a display of precious historical artifacts, while outside, views of Hsizuhwan Bay and Kaohsiung Port can be seen.
The former consulate is deemed as a museum of history but recently leisure and dining areas have been added. Visitors can now enjoy a meal or a pot of tea within the building, overlooking the scenic ports. A new vitality has been given to the building, making it one of the most popular attractions in Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung Harbor
Situated in the southwest part of the city, Kaohsiung Harbor spans a large area of 26.66 square kilometers in the vast hinterland. It is Taiwan's largest international port and the world's sixth-largest container harbor. The harbor has 18 kilometers of navigation channels and can accommodate ships of more than 100,000 tons.
Love River
The Love River is one of the most renowned tourist destinations in the city, flowing 12 kilometers through Kaohsiung city center.
In the daytime, tourists can enjoy relaxing, jogging or riding a bike by the riverside. At night, the river is lined with romantic and fascinating lights. A night market operates in the Love River Park, and there are three outdoor cafes with live bands.
Visitors can take the ferry from the Love Harbor Ferry Pier to enjoy the scenery or cross the harbor to Ci-Cin Island.
The river divides the city into two. The Jianguo, Cisian and Jhongjheng Bridges connect the two sections and the river flows directly into the sea.
Love River was originally a shallow creek, which could only be crossed by ferry. During the Japanese colonial era, it was dredged into a canal and named the Kaohsiung River. This was the first time the river had been given an official name. It was formally referred to as the Kaohsiung Waterway or the Kaohsiung Canal.
In 1948, the Love River Boat Company opened near Jhongjheng Bridge. This gave people the opportunity to row up and down the river. This became a particularly popular pastime for local couples and therefore acquired the name ― Love River.
The river was previously used for shipping, transportation and leisure. Over the years it slowly became a polluted open-air sewer. But recently, through the cooperation of Kaohsiung residents, the city government and the private sector, it has been restored to its former splendor.
The city government has recently renovated bridges along the river, now emitting rainbows of light after dark, creating a delightful visual effect.
Cheng Ching Lake's Exotic Marine Life Museum
The aquarium was an abandoned underground tunnel-structure built in 1961 as a nuclear fallout shelter. The former president Chiang Kai-Shek established the underground military command post near his villa for protection in case of nuclear war. This 200-meter tunnel has a massive bomb-protection door that weighs 5,000 kilograms. Chiang used to spend his holidays here.
After lying unused for years, the underground base has been transformed into Cheng Cing Lake Exotic Marine Life Museum.
Specialists carefully look after hundreds of species of rare and unusual marine life. Inside the aquarium, there is a fantastic world that connects history to the ocean.
The aquarium has eight major exhibits ― a global special ocean animal area; a world-rated exotic marine exhibition area; a world aquatic shells area; an unusual corals area; an aquatic developing life area; a strange stones from the seafloor; a world spectacular fishes area; and a sperm whale area.
Shen Wei Tian Tai Mountain Temple
Located on Mt. Shen Wei Tian Tai, a neoclassical style temple features steel frame, colossal columns, golden glazed tile roofs, marble walls and color combinations of gold and white. The temple complex is a mix of classical and modern architecture, and took about 10 years to build from 1997 to 2007.
Visitors can enjoy the peaceful ambiance when rambling in the mountains with magnificent views. The main buildings that comprise the front hall, nave and back hall are surrounded by facilities such as the stadium, Shen Wei Zhao Bi, Lake to the Sun and Moon, the Accommodation Mansion, Zong De Auditorium, Yuan Jue Garden, Yao De Garden, Four-faced Ji Gong Living Buddha, and a camping area.
Shen Wei Tian Tai Mountain is land blessed by Lao Mu (Heavenly Mother) and protected by many mighty divinities. Through the providence of Lao Mu, Great Master Yao Wu Nien of Tian Tai Sheng Gong (a temple located in Kaohsiung City) donated the land, and Grand Master Lin has endeavored to provide a well-equipped space for both Tao practitioners and the general public. More than that, other religious groups and institutions are welcome to use the facilities.
Visitors marvel at the splendid palace buildings constructed according to the terrain when walking around them or viewing them from a distance.
Liouhe Tourist Night Market
The city has several famous night markets. Among others, this Liouhe Tourist Night Market is a popular tourist-shopping place and is always busy from dusk to early dawn.
In the daytime, the Liouhe 2nd Road is a major traffic road. But around 6 p.m., it transforms into a popular place to enjoy Taiwanese snacks. When the night market is open, the street becomes a pedestrian-only area. On the weekend vendors exhibit traditional maritime friendliness and set up a number of dining areas, so tourists can enjoy sit down meals.
Tourists can also see local and foreign street performers here. It also features a variety of low priced snacks and a comfortable and safe dining atmosphere.
In 2005, the Kaohsiung City Government installed a new tourist information center and public restrooms.
Fo Guang Shan Monastery
Venerable Master Hsing Yun, a renowned Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar, founded Fo Guang Shan Monastery in 1967, located west of Kaoping River. His aim was to propagate Buddhism through culture, to foster talent through education, to benefit society through charitable programs, and to purify human minds through Buddhist practice.
The headquarters of Fo Guang Shan located in Kaohsiung is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. It supports temples worldwide. Since 2001, the monastery has been open to the public and became a leisure tourism spot to promote living culture.
The architecture comprises of four main temples: the Great Compassionate Shrine, Great Wisdom Shrine, Great Vow Shrine and Great Practice Shrine. The most representative icon is a 36-meter-tall Buddha, surrounded by 480 smaller golden Buddha statues.