The aroma of mud bursts into your senses as you journey through time into Kaohsiung’s arts and culture scene

Reported by You Ru / Special Feature

In recent years, Kaohsiung has blossomed into a region rich in artistic and cultural charm. It’s home not only to the historic Shiyue Drum Bridge Sugar Cultural and Creative Park, filled with historical landmarks, but also to Meinong, known as the “Land of Smiles,” and the Fo Guang Cultural Park that blends education, culture, and art. There’s also the Pier-2 Art Center, a creative hub jointly developed by artists. Each destination is worth a visit, offering visitors a chance to savor Kaohsiung’s journey where past and present intertwine. It’s recommended to plan a two-day, one-night trip to explore these cultural and artistic sites and enjoy the beauty unique to Kaohsiung.


▲%The rice bowl... the aroma of the dish from the mud volcano area... (Taiwan, photo by You Ru)


Arriving in Kaohsiung in the morning, you can start your day withShiyue Drum Bridge Sugar Cultural and Creative Parkas your first stop. This park is a brand-new tourist attraction built by the Shiyue Drum Troupe, transforming the long-shuttered, century-old sugar refinery site. It combines drum performance art with the human history and natural ecology of the sugar factory, preserving the original look of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation site while injecting new life with drum art. Turning decay into something magical, it creates a miracle in the history of Taiwan’s sugar industry and drum art. With both artistic and humanistic depth as well as a natural ecological environment, the fusion of old and new cultures presents a rich and diverse tourism experience, making it an ideal spot for leisure, travel, and school field trips.


▲%The performance stage... the expressive dance art and the profound humanistic and natural settings blend seamlessly... (Taiwan, photo by You Ru)

After spending a morning enjoying performances and exploring the Shiyue Drum Bridge Sugar Cultural and Creative Park, head to Tianliao District for lunch to try the “Mud Volcano Chicken.”Touqianyuan Native Chicken Restaurantis the largest native chicken eatery in Tianliao, and its most praised signature dish is the “Mud Volcano Chicken,” made by wrapping free-range chicken in mud volcano mud and roasting it for three hours.When served, the hard shell of dried mud is cracked open, releasing an immediate burst of roasted chicken aroma. Because the volcanic mud has a tighter seal than regular soil, it fully preserves the freshness and flavor of the ingredients. The clean, sweet taste leaves food lovers craving more. Due to its popularity, the restaurant recommends making a reservation in advance—otherwise, you might not get a chance to try this iconic Mud Volcano Chicken.


▲%The freshly cracked mud reveals the tender chicken inside, still glistening with savory juices. (Taiwan, photo by You Ru)

After lunch, head to theHongmaogang Cultural Park, located at the entrance of the second harbor in Kaohsiung, covering an area of 3.42 hectares.The park features six major zones: the High Tower Revolving Restaurant, exhibition halls, outdoor display areas, a skywalk, a dock and waiting room, and a seaside observation platform.The exhibits showcase the Holoong fishing grounds, shrimp seedling farming, cuttlefish and kahwee fishing, local temples, and the romance of sail rafts through settlement imagery and creative curation. These highlight the five major cultural traits accumulated over generations of residents and condense 400 years of Hongmaogang community heritage, bearing witness to a century of development since Kaohsiung Harbor opened.


▲%The vibrant murals near the seaside pavilion in the park. (Taiwan, photo by You Ru)

Next, proceed to theFo Guang Memorial Hall, located next to Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung. It embodies educational, cultural, artistic, and historical significance, featuring a grand layout described as “eight stupas in front, a giant Buddha behind, Mount Ling to the south, and a lotus garden to the north.” It radiates the beauty of Buddhist art, including the world-renowned Fo Guang Buddha, which stands at an impressive height including its 108-meter base, exuding compassionate light over the land. The hall also houses various sacred relics related to the Buddha, such as Ganges River golden sand, Dharma Wheel pagoda stones, and relics from Nirvana. Visitors can deeply feel the serenity and inspiration here, experiencing both spiritual and cultural enlightenment.


▲%The serene lotus pond area in front of the grand memorial structure. (Photo by reporter You Ru)

After completing the day’s itinerary, check into a refined business hotel in the Kaohsiung area,Hotel duawhose name “dua” is inspired by the Hokkien homophone for “stay,” aiming to blend Taiwan’s people-centered living concept with the warmth of local hospitality.

On the second morning, visitPier-2 Art Center. What was once an abandoned warehouse district has become a must-visit attraction for tourists in Kaohsiung. Thanks to the efforts of artists and cultural workers, old warehouses have been infused with new life to create the “Pier-2 Art Center.”Along the way, you’ll encounter endless creative inspiration and artistic vibes—murals on walls and warehouses, installation art along the pathways, and regularly changing exhibitions. On weekend evenings, there’s also live music at THE WALL LIVE HOUSE. In addition, Pier-2 is part of Kaohsiung’s most popular cycling route, with colorful large-scale sculptures of fishermen and dockworkers lining the path. It’s a cultural and creative art space that combines cycling, art, food, shopping, and leisure. You can also have lunch here.


▲ Pier-2 Art Center. A gathering place of abandoned old warehouses that has now become a must-visit popular attraction for tourists in Kaohsiung. (Photo / Provided by Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau)

After lunch, head to the beautiful southern Hakka town ofMeinong, which was ranked the highest in an online survey titled “Hometown of Smiles” organized by CommonWealth Magazine and the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications. With its profound Hakka culture, rural scenery, and sincere, down-to-earth locals, it attracts travelers seeking unique experiences to immerse themselves in the richest aspects of Hakka culture and lifestyle.

In the evening, enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view from the Gaotower Revolving Restaurant, overlooking massive ships entering the harbor against the backdrop of the sunset – a view that feels like traveling through a time tunnel, with breathtaking scenery that leaves you in awe. Conclude your perfect two-day, one-night journey in Kaohsiung.

Ten Drum Cultural Village
Address: No. 24, Sugar Refinery Rd., Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City (Exit 1 of Qiaotou Railway Station)
Phone: (07)611-9629
Website:http://www.ten-hsieh.com.tw/cultrue/ciatou/main.html

Touqianyuan Local Chicken Restaurant
Address: No. 9, Chongde Rd., Tianliao District, Kaohsiung City

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center
Address: No. 1, Tongling Rd., Tongling Li, Dashu District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)656-1921

Hotel Dua
Address: No. 165, Lin Sen 1st Rd., Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)272-2999

Pier-2 Art Center
Address: No. 1, Dayong Rd., Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)521-4899

Antonio Waterfront European-style Art Restaurant
Address: No. 7-1, Hexi Rd., Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)533 5330

Hongmaogang Cultural Park
Address: No. 2808, Nanxing Rd., Xiaogang District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)8711815