New Year's Eve in Kaohsiung: Must-See 3 Major Events & Transport Info

In response to the massive crowds and transport demands of the three major New Year’s Eve events in Kaohsiung, Era Boulevard, the World Games Main Stadium, and the E-Da World area will undergo traffic control. To quickly and safely disperse the crowds, Kaohsiung MRT services will be extended until 3:00 AM on New Year’s Day, with possible flexible extensions as needed. At peak hours, trains will run every 2.5 minutes. It is recommended that the public park their vehicles at one of the seven MRT transfer parking lots and then take the MRT, shuttle buses, or walk to the event venues.

 

For city buses, those holding an EasyCard can ride for free until the end of the year. Shuttle buses along MRT lines (Red 2, Red 3, Red 8, Red 9, Red 10, Red 18, Red 33, Red 53, Red 58, Red 60, Red 69, Red 70, Red 71, Red 72, Orange 7, Orange 12, Orange 20B), as well as Bus 168 Circular, Bus 70, and China Main Line Bus 205, will also extend service until 2:00 AM. Due to rerouting for the countdown, Bus 205 China Main Line will change its route from 0:00 AM on December 31 to 7:00 AM on January 1: Original Route – China 5th Road – Zhengqin Road – Chenggong 2nd Road – Fuxing 3rd Road – then back to Original Route.

 

To serve visitors from outside Kaohsiung, the municipal government has coordinated with Taiwan Railways and Taiwan High Speed Rail to add extra services. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, the latest northbound train from Kaohsiung Station to Chiayi departs at 1:45 AM, the latest northbound train to Tainan departs at 2:40 AM, and the latest southbound train to Pingtung departs at 2:20 AM. For the Mayday “Just Rock It” concert on January 1, additional regional trains will be added: the latest northbound train from Taiwan Railways’ Xinzuoying Station to Chiayi departs at 1:22 AM, and the latest southbound train to Pingtung departs at 1:10 AM.

 

To accommodate the Dream Mall New Year’s Eve event, from now until 0:00 AM on January 4, Era Boulevard (between Chenggong 2nd Road and China 5th Road) will be closed to traffic. From 0:00 AM on December 30 to 7:00 AM on New Year’s Day, China 5th Road (between Zhengqin Road and Xingfa Road) will also be closed.  

 

On December 31 for the Dream Mall New Year’s Eve party, from 0:00 AM to 3:00 AM on New Year’s Day, a three-phase traffic control will be implemented in the area east of Chenggong 2nd Road, south of Fuxing 3rd Road, west of Zhongshan 3rd Road, and north of Xin Kai Xuan 4th Road. Phase 1 includes Era Boulevard (from Chenggong Road to Zhongshan Road) and China 5th Road (from Zhengqin Road to Xingfa Road). Phase 2 affects the area east of Chenggong 2nd Road (included), south of Fuxing 3rd Road (excluded), west of Zhongshan 3rd Road (excluded), and north of Xingfa and Old Kai Xuan 4th Roads (included). Depending on traffic conditions, Phase 3 may be initiated, expanding the zone to the area east of Chenggong 2nd Road (included), south of Linkou 4th Road (excluded), west of Zhongshan 3rd Road (included), and north of Xin Kai Xuan 4th Road (excluded).

 

Except for buses (including city and intercity buses), ambulances, and other emergency vehicles, no other vehicles are allowed to enter the controlled zones. Sidewalks within the control areas are completely off-limits for parking, with enhanced towing and enforcement. Vehicles should be parked at the New Shinkong Parking Lot next to the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center on Chenggong 2nd Road, then take a free shuttle bus using your EasyCard. The parking lot inside the Dream Mall will be closed for departures until 2:00 AM on New Year’s Day. The outdoor third parking lot has limited spaces and is expected to reach capacity by 6:00 PM on the day; the public is advised to take the MRT to the Kai Xuan Station and walk over instead. Those wishing to take taxis should walk to one of the three taxi stands located at the intersections of China Road/Old Kai Xuan Road, Zhongshan 3rd Road/Old Kai Xuan Road, and Guanghua 3rd Road/Zhongshan 3rd Road.

 

For the Mayday concert at the World Games Main Stadium, from 4:00 PM on December 31 and 3:30 PM on January 1, traffic on World Games Boulevard (from Zuonan Road to Junxiao Road) will be controlled. The World Games Main Stadium parking lot will not be open to the public. Enhanced towing and enforcement against illegal parking will be in place. The public is advised to take the MRT directly to the World Games Main Stadium Station or park cars/motorcycles at the “Free Temporary Parking Lot on South Station Road in front of Xinzuoying Station” and then transfer to a free shuttle bus to enter the venue.

 

The E-Da World New Year’s Eve Party will implement a three-phase traffic control starting from 6:00 PM on December 31 until 3:00 AM. The first phase begins at 6:00 PM, restricting private cars from entering E-Da World. The second phase at midnight limits departures to shuttles and motorcycles only. The final phase after 1:30 AM allows private cars to exit, but those parked at I-Shou University and the first and second parking lots can only leave via Provincial Highway 186A towards Daxu. Others may exit via Provincial Highway 186A towards Daxu or E-Da 2nd Road. The three-phase traffic control zones include Shuiguan Road, E-Da 2nd Road, Xuefu Road, Xuecheng Road, County Highway 46, and the Daxu Peace Bridge.