Text & Photography / Kaohsiung City - Government Information Office
Since the opening of the metro and Provincial Highway 88, traveling from downtown Kaohsiung to Daliao has become much more convenient. On Fenglin 3rd Road in Daliao’s old town area, Zhang Family’s Rice Ball is a spot almost exclusively frequented by locals. This third-generation family-run eatery started when Zhang’s grandfather peddled rice balls on the street with a shoulder pole. Now, the unmarked shop has become what foodies call the “nameless rice ball.”
Zhang Family’s Rice Ball is a braised variety—steamed first, then simmered in an earthenware jar over low heat so the sauce fully penetrates the rice ball. They’re served still bathed in the savory broth, and even without dipping sauce, they’re delicious. A tip: go early. Sometimes, by 8:30 a.m., the jar is already empty.
The signature dish: braised rice balls that are steamed before being simmered. (Photo provided by Huang Ssu-tzu)
Revisit the Sugar Transport Route Along the Daliao Bicycle Path
Daliao was once one of Taiwan’s major rice-producing regions. It later earned the nickname “Red Bean Town” as part of a campaign to promote local specialties. With the establishment of the Dafa Industrial Park and the newer Hefa Industrial Park, Daliao transitioned from a purely agricultural area to a mix of industry and farming.
The current site of the 88 Night Market Flea Market was once the Daliao Sugar Refinery, also known as the Shanziding Sugar Refinery. Today, only one warehouse and a narrow-gauge train engine remain. The Shanziding Sugar Refinery was heavily damaged by bombing during World War II and was eventually shut down after equipment was relocated.
The renovated warehouse of the Daliao Sugar Refinery is the only remaining structure from the original site.
The Daliao Bicycle Path repurposes the abandoned sugar transport railway, winding through Salong, Liuchiu, Wengyuan, and Xiliao, forming a 3.8-kilometer green corridor for bicycles and pedestrians. The scenery changes with the seasons: in spring, waves of green rice fields sway in the breeze; in summer, golden cassias bloom; and in winter, during fallow periods, you might even encounter a stunning sea of cosmos flowers.
The Daliao Bicycle Path was built on the former sugar transport railway.
A Hidden Green Curtain Spot to Be Unveiled
Daliao isn’t coastal, but it is home to the Gaoping River basin, which has played a crucial role in the lives and development of local residents. The fertile land of the riverbanks gave rise to settlements as people farmed the area. Huang Ssu-tzu explains, “In the old days, farming families made a living along the river. While working in the fields, they’d rest under shelters made of sugarcane leaves by the water. With so many ‘shacks’ (寮) gathered together, the area became known as Daliao (大寮).”
The Gaoping River Dyke Bicycle Path connects Linyuan and Dashu. Unlike the pastoral views along the Daliao path, this route offers wide, open vistas with no visual barriers. The Wanwan Bridge spans the Gaoping River, and cycling here in the winter sun is a truly relaxing experience. Some visitors even come specifically to check out the remote-controlled car racing track, where top-tier players show off their skills. As you continue, the lush green curtain of the riverside secret spot suddenly comes into view—walls of hibiscus flowers, often called “Chinese roses,” grow as tall as a single-story building, creating what’s likely to become the next hot Instagram photo spot.
Walls of blooming hibiscus flowers form the green curtain secret spot along the Gaoping River Dyke Bicycle Path.
The remote-controlled car racing track often hosts gatherings of expert-level players.
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