| Kaohsiung City, the second largest city in
Taiwan, is comprised of eleven districts; each with its own unique
character.
Qi Jin (Chi Chin)
Qi Jin Island is one of the oldest districts in Kaohsiung. Together with
Gu Shan, Yen Cheng, and Zuo Ying, it forms what is commonly called the
"old city". The first signs of permanent residents on the island
can be traced back to the 17th century. These early settlers were
fishermen who saw the island as the ideal place from which to launch their
fishing boats. Not much has changed: Today the island still retains much
of the charm of a sleepy fishing village despite the fact that it now
forms part of a bustling city. Three-wheeled carts, once common all over
Asia but now largely a thing of the past, are still a familiar sight here.
The island is home to one of the oldest temples in the Kaohsiung area: the
Matsu Temple (also known as the Tien Hou Kung Temple) is dedicated,
appropriately, to the patron goddess of fishermen. The temple dates back
to the late 1600s. The popular Qi Jin Beach runs along the west coast of
the island. The Qi Jin Lighthouse and Qi Jin Seashore Park can also be
found here-testament to the nautical origins of the local population.
Yan Cheng (Yencheng)
Yan Cheng is the original downtown area of Kaohsiung. In spite of the
shift in focus to the east bank of the Love River, this district has
remained a popular hangout because of the many restaurants, pubs and
nightclubs in the area. Yan Cheng has a reputation for being a bit rowdy
because it is frequented by sailors from nearby Kaohsiung Harbour: This
district never sleeps! It is full of interesting people and interesting
little shops selling everything from souvenirs to hard-to-come-by imported
foodstuffs.
Gu Shan (Kushan)
This district is dominated by the beautiful vista of Shoushan Mountain,
which is also called Longevity Mountain. The mountain is home to hundreds
of indigenous Taiwanese monkeys who roam freely around Shoushan Park. It
is also the home of many other animals in the Shoushan Zoo. It is in this
district that much of the upgrading initiated during the Japanese
Occupation took place-such as the extensive development of the harbour
facilities. Chungshan University sits at the foot of the mountain with the
Hsitzu Bay Beach forming part of its pretty campus. But not everything in
Gu Shan is modern: This district has its roots and memories firmly
anchored in the past as local monuments such as the Yuanheng Temple and
the Martyrs' Shrine will testify. The Former British Consulate, the first
foreign consulate in Taiwan and now a history museum, is also found in
this district.
Zuo Ying (Tsoying)
Zuo Ying is full of reminders of Taiwan's history: Remains of the military
fortress established in the mid-1600s are dotted around the area. Today
the district still has a distinct military flavour-not surprising with the
large Navy Harbour situated here. The most popular attraction in Zuo Ying,
however, is the Lotus Lake scenic area. The Confucius Temple can be found
on the shores of the lake-the largest temple in Taiwan dedicated to the
great sage. The lake is also the site of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas as
well as the Spring and Autumn Pavilions.
Downtown
The downtown area is comprised of the districts of Xin Xing, Chian Jin and
Ling Ya. It is the area where the pulse of Kaohsiung beats the strongest;
where old meets new and East and West exist side by side.
Xin Xing (Hsinhsing)
Xin Xing is the heart of the city in more ways than one. Situated roughly
in the middle of Kaohsiung, this district has numerous bars and
nightclubs, as well as interesting little shops catering to the teen and
young twenties crowd. This district is always humming day or night. One of
the most popular attractions is the Liu He Night Market, a shopping
paradise for locals and tourists alike. The Xin Xing Market on Nan Hua
Road is a great place to shop for inexpensive clothing or to go to watch
the crowds.
Qian Jin (Chienchin)
The Love River borders this district on the west with the Shoushan
Mountain rising in the background. With such a setting it is not
surprising that Qian Jin is home to some of the best hotels in Kaohsiung.
It is also a good place to go shopping as both the Tali Department Store
and the Hanshin Department Store are situated here. If you are in the mood
for a spot of sightseeing, this district boasts the Holy Rosary Cathedral,
as well as superb views from the banks and bridges of the Love River.
Alternatively, you can relax under the trees in Rotary Park - Kaohsiung's
own "Central Park".
Ling Ya (Lingya)
Ling Ya forms the bulk of the downtown area and is known for its wide
variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as many of the top
hotels in the city. It is a shopper's dream because of the many department
stores, smaller specialty stores and souvenir shops in the area. You can
also find the Garbage Market (don't be mislead by the name-the produce
sold is of the very best quality) and Flower Market here. The district is
home to Kaohsiung's tallest building, the Tuntex T&C Towers. The view
over the city and harbour from the top of this building is breathtaking.
Ling Ya is also the cultural heart of Kaohsiung: the Chiang Kai Shek
Cultural Center has many exhibition galleries as well as performance halls
where all sorts of artistic productions, from opera to contemporary dance,
take place regularly.
The City Outskirts
Four districts lie on the outskirts of Kaohsiung, namely San Min, Nan Zi,
Qian Zhen and Xiao Gang. These areas tend to be predominantly residential
or industrial in nature.
San Min (San Ming)
San Min is a popular residential district because it is a little quieter
than the downtown area, but is still close enough to be infected with the
vibe of the city. San Min is also the market district: in addition to the
big food markets on San Feng Zhong Street and at the intersection of Min
Zu and Shi Chuan Roads, San Min is also the site of the Jade Market.
Situated on Shi Chuan Road, this is the best place to shop for souvenirs
and to take in some local culture at the same time. This district will
also find favour with museum lovers as both the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine
Arts and the National Museum of Science and Technology are in this area.
If architecture is your passion, take a trip to the Grand 50 Tower. This
impressive, beautifully designed building has become a trademark feature
of the San Min District.
Nan Zi (Nantze)
Nan Zi is the most northerly-situated district in Kaohsiung. It is in
equal parts a residential district and industrial area. The export
processing zones are situated here. It is possible to shop at the export
processing factories for inexpensive items of all descriptions, but you
must present your passport if you wish to make a purchase.
Qian Zhen (Chien Chen)
Qian Zhen is situated to the south of the city's downtown area. This is a
district dominated by the fishing industry. Qian Jin Fishing Harbour is
very pretty at night when the lights from the fishing boats sparkle across
the water.
Xiao Gang (Hsiaokang)
This is the most southerly of Kaohsiung's eleven districts and the first
place visitors see because it is home to the Kaohsiung International
Airport. The area is heavily industrialized, but Kaohsiung Park near the
airport goes some way to inject a bit of greenery into the otherwise grey,
man-made landscape. |