Kaohsiung City

Located in the southern part of Taiwan, the city of Kaohsiung is the island's largest industrial center. It has stayed abreast of Taiwan's recent progress and prosperity; expanding and modernizing, the city strides into the 21st century as a newly emerging international metropolis. Beginnin centuries ago, Kaohsiung was called "Dagou" or "Dahgu, "transliterated from the name of local aborigines. Disturbed by the violence of pirates in the area, in 1563, the"Takuo"tribe eventually moved to the site of present-day Pingtung city. This name persisted until 1920,when the city's name was changed to Kaohsiung.

Cheng Cing Lake

Cheng Cing Lake is located in Kaohsiung County's Niaosong Township. It is the largest lake in the Kaohsiung area, developed originally as a reservoir to meet the need for water for industrial use. Later on the lake was improved through environmental landscaping, until today it offers the beauty of a forested park. It was opened to the public as a tourist destination in 1960. The surface of the lake has a water area of more than 300 hectares, and the highway that has been built around it stretches for a total of seven kilometers. The tranquil beauty of the area has led it to be given the sobriquet, "West Lake of Taiwan." The best known of the lake's attractions is probably its Bridge of Nine Turns, which was built in 1960; it is 230 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, and does indeed have nine turns. Under the hill behind the Chuanxizhai is an aquarium that was originally built in 1961 as an anti-nuclear underground bunker. Its winding, 200-meter length was later remodeled into a tourist aquarium with exhibits of all sorts of oceanic organisms divided into eight display areas: special animals, treasures of the sea, shellfish, coral, strange rocks, and sperm whales. It is a place that is perfect for both entertainment and education.

Former British Consulate

The former Ching means the Ching Dynasty while Taka is the ancient name of Kaohsiung. The consulate was built in 1865 with more than a hundred years of history. It is now the most antique western building preserved in Taiwan, which is listed as the second-class historic spot. It was the western building designed by a British engineer and built by Chinese craftsmen, and it is the most meaningful ancient building of Chinese modern history with graceful and elegant proportion. Semicircle arches are rhythmically arranged in order with considerably rhyming. At the corner, the circle arch is smaller and the wall pillar is bigger, which has reinforced function in dynamics. It is the Baroque typed building of the Renaissance era. It emphasizes on the stylish regular pattern and its hollow pattern railings were built with excellent bricks. Harmonious sense of beauty is shown at every turn. Among the existing western style buildings in Taiwan, it provides an excellent example of technique and style and that possesses the value of historical architecture study and conservation value. The building brick and mortar used all continue using the traditional method of Fukien and Taiwan. Some parts are even filled with clay and soil, while wooden truss is built with complete western style. It is the building that has double function, administrative and residencial function, and its style also lies in between them. It is the portrayal illustration of modern Chinese and Western cultural communication, and also the first formal consulate built by foreigners in Taiwan. The occurrence of consulate opened up the development of western architecture for Taiwan in the future. The consulate is situated on Hsiao Chuan Tou Hill, Lian Hai Road of Ku Shan area with 900 square meters. Its site lies on Ku Shan on North bank of Kaohsiung Port with altitude 30 meters from water surface. East, west and south side are neighboring on steep cliff, while north side is neighboring on Ku Shan. Seating on North, it faces south with its back near the mountain, and forms the terrain of water circulating at three sides. The opposite bank of straight south is Chichin Mountain and it stands far apart from the lighthouse on mountain facing each other and jointly guards Kaohsiung port. Its lay of land is strategically located with exquisite landscape and for the field of view, also it can look down at Kaohsiung port from the east side, and look far into Taiwan straits from the west side. Formerly, Great Britain was a sea power country, which had trade relations with many countries and conquered many places as colonies. They built the buildings of their hometown style on the colonies or where having trade relations, which were called the western colony building. The consulate for performing official business was also built into western building style. Kaohsiung consulate was the first consulate in Taiwan, and the second consulate was built in Tainan Anpin. There was also a consulate in Danshuei, Hung Mao town. Formerly, the consulate had reserved plentiful rare photographs evolving the history during Taiwan development. The classical red brick building attracts numberless photographers and newly wedded pairs. Lovers come here to capture the instant of eternity, and overlook boundless seascape, which make people forget all noisy and annoying matters. In this land of humanism assembly, the spiritual land of pensive mood of memory valley, the Kingship Hotel will rebuild the atmosphere of poetry to let artists speak up and tell us the story. In the daytime, the mountain and sea are connected here. While leaning against the fence of winding corridor under gentle breeze, and quietly watching ships and boats sailing in and out of the port will outline the track of Kaohsiung port in opening up to world domain. In the dusk, the setting sun, the sun of fire appearance dyes the up surging seawater into red. The atmosphere of romance will be strengthened by sun set, and after dark, lamplights brighten the elegant demeanor of the whole place. Artists fitting works are the luminous body that knows focusing in the dark. In the space filled with English style, you can stop to embrace the most of Kaohsiung and take a broad view of the Taiwan under the edification of fine food, coffee, tea, art and culture, and beautiful scenery. Along with the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 (Hsien Feng 8 years) and the Treaty of Peking in 1860 (Hsien Feng 10 years), the Grate Powers enforced Ch'ing Dynasty to open up four ports, Danshuei, Anpin, Keelung (Chilung), Kaohsiung (Ta Kau) of Taiwan. Great Britain was the earliest country among the Grate Powers that established consulate in Taiwan, and the first consul accredited by the Great Britain to provide consular service in Taiwan commercial port was Robert Swinhoe and his formal Chinese name is Xun He or biological academic field translated it into Si Wen Hao with post title of vice-consul. He was born in Calcutta of India, and was educated in London University of Great Britain. He was the amateur naturalist, highly praised at the time. He found that Taiwan had quite plentiful animal and plant kinds, among which were many rare treasured objects of the world.

Sizih Bay (Sizihwan)

Sizih Bay is perched on the sea at the western edge of Kaohsiung City, just southwest of Mt. Longevity, with the Qijin Peninsuna stretching southward. Its main feature is a swimming beach known for its clear blue water, the beauty of its sunsets, and its natural reef. The atmosphere and the scenery here change from morning to night; each time of the day has its special attraction, but the brilliant colors of the sunset are unparalleled in their beauty. The long breakwater here is the landmark of Sizih Bay, and basking in the sea breeze on the breakwater gives the most pleasant and comfortable sensation imaginable. The vessels both large and small scattered like stars on the surface of the sea are entertained by the intermittent sound of foghorns; and as the day darkens and the air of romance deepens, pairs of lovers stroll along the breakwater listening to the waves and watching the lights of fishing boats on the sea. From the parking lot at the entrance to the bay you can also get a good view of Kaohsiung Harbor. National Sun Yat-sen University is situated within the Sizih Bay Scenic Area, adding a bit more of a cultural flavor; here you will also find, in addition to the swimming beach, a salt-water aquarium, Seaside Park, and National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall . The swimming beach has fine, soft sand and a grove of stately coconut palms, filling the area with the flavor of the South Seas. In the summer this is a perfect place for enjoying the water, playing beach volleyball, and sunbathing, and in peak seasons the crowds are dense and the activities intense. Lounging under a palm tree and basking in the soft cool breeze as the sun goes down is an experience that lifts you out of the mundane world.

Spring & Autumn Pavilions

Two massive pavilions dedicated to Kuan Kung, the God of War, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions were completed in 1951. In front of the pavilions is a statue of Kuanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, riding a dragon. According to legend, Kuanyin appeared above the clouds riding on a dragon, signifying that believers must erect an image depicting this event between "pavilions of summer and autumn": The present-day structures are a result of this vision.

Fokuangshan (Light of Buddha Mountain)

At the north-east of Tashu village in Kaohsiung county on the left bank of the Kaoping river, a famous tourist destination is located. Here you will find the Buddhist center of South Taiwan, established my Master Hsing Yun and his disciples. The architecture of the temples is very characteristic, and at the southeastern side of Fokuang Mountain the most prominent landmark of the region is found: a huge golden statue of Buddha Amitaabha which measures some 120 meters. The main square is surrounded by 480 standing Buddha's, while water and mountains form the magnificent scenery. The main structures consist of four temples, namely the Tahsiungpao, the Tapei , the Tachih and the Dashu shrines. The Tahsiungpao shrine covers a large area and is the most imposing of all four shrines. The main god of worship here is Sakyamuni, while statues of Amitaabha is placed on the left and right sides. More than 10,000 Kuanyin statues surround the temple. Buddha statues and lanterns of light rest in the 14,800 holes in the walls of the four shrines. The site counts more than a thousand buddha statues, large and small.