Written / Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network
What do netizens want to do when they visit the vibrant and energetic port city of Kaohsiung? Indulge in delicious food, enjoy beautiful scenery, or go cycling for a laid-back experience? No matter your choice, heading to the West Bay and Qijin area allows you to take a ferry ride, enjoy a seaside cycling adventure on the Qijin Coastal Bicycle Path that you can’t find in the city, and take in the famous West Bay sunset. Plus, you’ll get to savor fresh and rich seafood dishes and enjoy refreshing sea ice. Want to know how to make the most of an exciting one-day trip to Qijin and West Bay? Keep reading below.
A cool sea breeze brushes against your face, making this relaxing port city holiday truly unforgettable. (Photo provided by David Chen)
Qihou Lighthouse & Qihou Battery
Qihou Lighthouse, considered a landmark building in the Qijin area, is a Grade III historical site. In the ninth year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1883 AD), British technicians were hired to build a Western-style lighthouse on Qihou Mountain. The tower is white, and in front of it stands a Western-style white-walled office that has a history of nearly a hundred years, displaying instruments once used at the lighthouse, photos, and location maps. The lighthouse is located atop Qihou Mountain, the highest point in Qijin.
The “Mighty Guardian of Southern Skies” Qihou Battery was completed in 1876, primarily to defend against enemies approaching from the sea. Together with the “Heroic Guardian of the Northern Gate” in the West Bay area, it forms a pair of visible and hidden fortifications. Although the battery never saw actual combat use, it may be the first in modern Chinese history to blend Western and Chinese architectural styles and fully adopt Western technology, creating a Sino-Western fusion fortress.
[Info]
Qihou Lighthouse
Address: No. 34, Xiamian Lane, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-571-5021
Hours: 09:00–16:00
Qihou Battery
Address: On Qihou Mountain, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-571-6624 #304
During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese began reconstructing the lighthouse in 1916 to expand Kaohsiung Port and completed the current structure in 1918. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Starlight Tunnel
The Starlight Tunnel is a tunnel in Qihou Mountain that connects downtown Qijin with the entrance dike of Kaohsiung Harbor’s First Port. This historic tunnel has been transformed into a starry passageway for cyclists, linking unique sights such as Qihou Lighthouse, Qihou Battery, and coral reef formations. Inside the tunnel, look up to see an artificial Milky Way sky adorned with night light paintings, driftwood, and phosphorescent stones, creating a romantic atmosphere.
[Info]
Location: Follow the straight path of Miaolian Road in Qijin District, Kaohsiung City, to the end
The tunnel features twelve zodiac constellations painted in night lights, making it fun to find your own and your friends’ signs. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Miaolian Road (Qijin Tianhou Temple)
Miaolian Road is the liveliest street in Qijin, where seafood restaurants line the way from here all the way to Zhongzhou Third Street and the Coastal Park. Each restaurant displays large aquariums where you can pick fresh seafood to be cooked on the spot. In addition to historic buildings representing both Eastern and Western faiths, many large public artworks have been integrated into the area as part of art-focused street revitalization efforts.
[Info]
Address: No. 93, Miaolian Road, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City (Qijin Tianhou Temple)
Phone: 07-571-2115
Hours: 05:00–22:00 (Qijin Tianhou Temple)
The current appearance of Qijin Tianhou Temple was renovated in 1948 with funds raised by devotees, yet it retains its original simple and classic charm. The temple houses numerous cultural relics, including an ancient bronze bell cast in 1886. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Hai Zhong Bao Live Seafood Shop
At noon, everyone is sure to be getting hungry. If you come to Qijin and don’t try the seafood, that would be a real pity. Among the many seafood shops on Miaodian Road, the most historic is Hai Zhong Bao Live Seafood. The husband-and-wife owners have been in the seafood business for over 30 years. To have stood their ground for so long in this fiercely competitive, compact area, besides offering absolutely fresh seafood, they rely on the owner’s unique cooking style. Two of their secret weapons are minced garlic and homemade pickled vegetables, and their garlic lobster is absolutely unbeatable!
[info]
Address: No. 66, Miaodian Road, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-572-1658
Hours: 11:00–21:30
To cater to the current market situation, Hai Zhong Bao has also introduced dishes priced at NT$100 per plate. However, this doesn’t really showcase their true cooking skills. It’s recommended to order directly from the menu to fully enjoy the authentic flavors of Qijin. (Photo provided by Magnum Editorial Department)