By / Kaohsiung City - Bureau of Information & Tourism Photos provided by / Lingya District Office
As you step out of Exit 5 of the Weiwuying Metro Station, the winter sun warms the pavement. Looking up toward the light, you’ll see a massive wall covered in a book-themed mural—rows of book spines with titles painted on the wall, attracting many passersby to stop and take photos.
There are anthropomorphic, lifelike murals as well as cute, playful works reminiscent of comic art—when you look up and discover them, they’re sure to bring a smile.
Venture deeper into the neighborhood, and you’ll find even more colorful surprises. Since its inception in 2016, the “Lingya International Street Art Festival” has invited artists from Taiwan and around the world to collaborate not only on completing over a hundred large-scale murals but also on creating a colorful mural boulevard along the streets. Moreover, if you observe closely within the community, you’ll spot murals everywhere—from utility poles and electrical boxes to building pillars, walls, and underpass surfaces. Cats, fish, sheep, and other designs pop up in every corner. Once you step inside, it’s like entering an animated world, where reality and fantasy blend—a truly unique experience.
Created by an artist from Osaka, the piece titled “Sky,” with blue skies and oceans as its backdrop, is the first massive wall mural completed this year.
Old Neighborhood, New Murals – Art Seeds Take Root in Daily Life
This edition, themed around the ocean city, features mural-covered walls mainly located along sections of Chengqing Road and Jianjun Road, centered around Xingren Road and Shangyong Road. Most of the buildings in this area are early-era residential apartments. Occasionally, you’ll see green potted plants at apartment entrances, laundry and quilts drying in the sun, neighbors chatting or playing chess by the door—an everyday scene of ordinary life.
The ocean-themed murals painted by Taiwanese creators from Huixiang Cultural Creatives create a spectacular effect across the large walls, making them highly eye-catching.
Interestingly, this everyday scenery complements the artists’ murals beautifully. Clownfish swim among coral, whales glide gracefully through the sea, mermaids radiate serene charm, and elegant female figures grace the blue ocean—all are breathtaking. Turn a corner, and suddenly you’ll find a colorful pathway adorned with the auspicious “surplus every year” fish symbol, making it feel as if you’ve stepped into an outdoor art gallery where artistic discoveries await at every step.
The boldly colored murals immediately draw your attention as you enter the neighborhood, adding vibrancy to the city’s art scene.
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