Lighten Up!

The city, enclosed by Kaohsiung County, with the west facing the Taiwan Strait, has transformed from its industrial past, and is now the second-largest city in Taiwan, and the most rapidly developing urban center

The city's recent addition of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit, similar to Taipei's Metro Rapid Transit, speeded up the pace of life in Kaohsiung and made it easier than ever to get around.

Plus, Kaohsiung shone on the world stage earlier this year, hosting the 2009 World Games.

So, lets go and explore some modern faces of the island!

I Heart River

Love River, or Ai River in Chinese, originates in Renwu Township in Kaohsiung County and flows 12 kilometers to Kaohsiung Harbor. Often referred to as Kaohsiung's spine, the Ai River plays a very similar role to the Thames in London.

The river holds great cultural significance to the people of Kaohsiung, but also plays a vital role in the city's economy and tourism.

Back in the Qing Dynasty, the river was called Takao. Before the city was urbanized in the late 19th century, the river flowed in a wide and flat channel and was the surrounding farmlands' main water source.

Then during the Japanese colonial occupation, the river was made into a canal for transporting goods. Meanwhile, Kaohsiung Harbor was built in 1908, replacing the former mangrove forest.

Many thoughtful plans have gone into some of the buildings and other structures alongside the river, including Kaohsiung Bridge and the Kaohsiung District Court, enhancing the overall beauty of the view.

Grand cultural events, like the Lantern Festival or New Year's Eve, often take place on the banks of the Love River, attracting thousands of people.

Riverside parks and outdoor cafés with live bands bring life to the area; night markets operate there in the evenings.

The river was actually once badly polluted – locals described it as “a black river” that smelt like a sewer. As Taiwan's economic core transformed from agricultural to industrial, more and more waste flowed into the water. It apparently started when paper mills ejected waste into the river, and in the mid-1960s, raw sewage began mixing with that.

Good thing though, since the city government's attempt to divert the wastewater, the water quality has vastly improved, providing locals and visitors pleasant moments at Love River.

Want to be closer to the water? Hop on the Love River boats!

Tour in Love Boats

Small boats that can hold twelve to eighteen people provide visitors with a Love River tour every evening from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The boats are available on the east and west banks of the river for about NT$80 per person. Every tour is an approximately 20-minute ride.

For those who may be worried about becoming seasick, don't! These boats are guaranteed to be calm and very gentle. The journey is comfortable and safe.

Unlike most boats, the seats on the boats face the riverside views, allowing passengers to easily take pictures and embrace the charming scenery.

When rainbow lights dance on the rippling water at night, the river transforms into a fairy city and the boat ride becomes a magical experience.

Once off the boat, get ready for another type of illuminating experience around the corner, next to the city's Central Park.

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