Kaohsiung Port

Kaohsiung Port

The Pier-2 Art Center in Kaohsiung Port is a stylish spot that combines old warehouses with modern art, and is not to be missed. Guide

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Kaohsiung Port is located in Kaohsiung City. Formerly known as Takao Port, it is the most important commercial port in southern Taiwan and also the largest port in Taiwan. Visitors can admire the water city charm of Kaohsiung Port and the beauty of its harbor as one of the world’s famous port cities. On both sides of the harbor entrance of the Port of Kaohsiung’s Second Port, there stand two uniquely designed signal towers shaped like the Chinese character “高” (Kaohsiung), which are also a major feature of the port. Introduction

Introduction

The Story of Kaohsiung Port

The area where Kaohsiung Port is located was a small fishing village in the late Ming Dynasty. It saw development during the periods of Dutch invasion and Koxinga’s arrival in Taiwan, and by the early Qing Dynasty, it had become the commodity distribution hub of the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region. In 1858, Kaohsiung Port was opened for trade under the Treaty of Tientsin between China and Britain, and in 1863, the Kaohsiung Customs Office was established. A key figure in the Kaohsiung Harbor Construction Plan was civil engineer Koju Kawakami from the Public Works Bureau of the Taiwan Governor-General’s Office, who launched multiple expansion projects after 1900.

Kaohsiung Port once ranked as the third-largest maritime cargo port in the world, following Hong Kong and Singapore. However, in recent years it has faced competition from other ports. Nevertheless, Kaohsiung Port continues to strive to enhance its competitiveness. Currently, cargo throughput at Kaohsiung Port accounts for about 66% of Taiwan’s total.

Kaohsiung Port Sightseeing Cruises

Visitors to Kaohsiung Port can take a sightseeing cruise to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the port. The cruise route is counterclockwise, circling around Kaohsiung’s First and Second Ports and Qijin Island. During the cruise, recorded commentary is played on board, or visitors can enjoy lively, informative explanations provided by guides, covering various aspects of Kaohsiung Port.

Pier No. 3 of Kaohsiung Port faces directly toward the First Port of Kaohsiung. To its left is Qijin Island and to its right is Shoushan Mountain. From the ocean viewing platform, visitors can enjoy a full view of ships entering and leaving Kaohsiung Port, as well as take in the beautiful scenery of Shoushan.