Text & Photography / Kaohsiung City Government
Gangshan has three treasures: mutton, honey, and bean paste. It’s said that traditional Gangshan cuisine blends the cultures of military dependents’ villages from all over China. Whether it’s the street food stalls at the old market, nostalgic old-fashioned shaved ice, or flavors that take you back to childhood memories, a foodie journey to Gangshan is sure to delight!
Agongdian Forest Park – The butterfly backyard and a new hotspot for firefly watching. (Photo / Kaohsiung City Government, the same below)
With dense woodland, rich ecology, and the beautiful lake and mountain views of Agongdian Reservoir, Agongdian Forest Park has become the latest popular spot for picnics and nature walks. Located northwest of Agongdian Reservoir, the park borders Little Agongdian Mountain to the north and extends to Agongdian Creek to the south.
The natural landscape covered in greenery is truly refreshing.
At the park entrance, a gracefully fluttering butterfly art installation leads you into this real-life Land of Oz. A check dam diverts water from the stream to an ecological pond under the rain trees, naturally creating a paradise for dragonflies, frogs, and water birds. Following the trail to the banyan-themed square, the cool shade of the lush trees offers the perfect respite on a hot summer day. The Fuxing Canal beside the path accompanies you with its gentle bubbling sound. The irrigation water flowing from the reservoir nourishes the land, and the poetic scene of “a small bridge, flowing water, and quaint houses” fits perfectly.
The butterfly art installation at the park entrance.
Venturing deeper into the park, you’ll find the butterfly’s backyard, which is also the newest secret spot for firefly watching. This is a firefly habitat conservation area. From early April to mid-May each year is firefly season. Just visit during the best viewing hours around 8 or 9 pm, and you’ll find yourself in a dreamy forest glowing with tiny lights. On the opposite side of the park, the Agongdian Reservoir Dam has an eight-kilometer cycling path around the reservoir. From the dam, you can see the flood discharge outlet designed like a dragon’s mouth swallowing water. Take a relaxing ride along Taiwan’s longest dam, enjoy the sunshine, and feel the breeze.
Info
Address: Cailiao Road, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City
Tangbo Pork Liver Rolls – Old market eatery full of eighty years of charm
What locals call Gangshan Old Street may seem a bit quiet and less bustling compared to today’s trendy old streets. The once-bustling Ping’an Old Market has also fallen into disuse as vendors moved away. But Tangbo Pork Liver Rolls has remained steadfast in the old market, like a hidden gem, serving simple, sincere flavors day after day.
The shop has been open since the Japanese colonial period and has been passed down through three generations.
In the dimly lit Ping’an Market, the lights of the Tangbo Pork Liver Rolls stall brighten the space as a steady stream of customers come and go. In the early morning before dawn, the owners are already hard at work. The empty market makes the prominent sign of Tangbo Pork Liver Rolls stand out even more. The words “80-year-old shop in the old market” evoke a sense of nostalgia. The founder, “Uncle Tang” Wu Mantang, started by carrying a shoulder pole and hawking his wares, before setting up a stall in the market. From the Japanese colonial period to the present, the shop has always been run by the family. Two generations of daughters-in-law — Wang Lizhen, Huang Xiujuan, and Chen Yuzhen — greet regular customers, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere.
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the multi-layered pork liver rolls are a crowd favorite in the market.
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