Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
The Chinese settled on Cijin Island in the late Ming dynasty, and throughout the Qing
period Kaohsiung was an administrative centre for the Taiwan territory. As usual, the
Japanese were responsible for its modern character. 'Rice in the north and sugar in the
south' was the colonialist policy, and under it Kaohsiung became a major port for the ex-
port of raw materials. During this time the grid pattern of streets was laid out, the harbour
was expanded and rail lines were built.
The Japanese called the harbour area Hamasen, a name still used by older residents
and the tourism bureau. The area lay in ruins after Allied bombing at the end of WWII
but was slowly rebuilt under the KMT. Once again, with central planning, Kaohsiung be-
came the heavy industry centre.
Under mayor Frank Hsieh (1998-2005) the city started to clean up and to shift its in-
dustrial base towards tourism, high technology, automation and other capital-intensive
industries. These days a massive land-reclamation project called South Star is creating
space for a pop-music centre, and for the expansion of Kaohsiung's yacht-building in-
dustry, already the largest in Asia.
Sights
Kaohsiung has two decent beaches right within the city borders, open for swimming
from May to October. At both you'll find showers and changing rooms.
Ciaotou Sugar Factory
NOTABLE BUILDING
(Qiáotóu Tángchǎng)
Ciaotou consists of a defunct factory (which you can walk into, and
explore the old mechanisms and vats) and an old village that retains most of its
early-20th-century flavour. There are also some handsome old offices in what is called
the Japanese Dutch Colonial style.
The sugar factory and village grounds begin as soon as you exit Ciaotou Sugar Factory
KMRT station. There are good English interpretation signs around.
Lotus Pond
SCENIC AREA
(Liánchí Tán)
The pond in the north of the city has been a popular destination since the
Qing dynasty and is well known for the 20 or so temples dotting the shoreline and nearby
alleys. At night coloured lights give the lake a very festive appearance.
Starting from the southern end and heading clockwise around the lake, you'll first en-
counter sections of the
Old Wall of Fengshan
(Fèngshān Jiùcháng), built in 1826. The
intact north gate wall runs along Shengli Rd.
