Kaohsiung’s “Taroko Mall Caoya” Opens – Don’t Miss These 5 Must-Try Exclusive Attractions

▲ Taroko Mall Caoya will officially open on May 9. (Photo / Provided by Taroko Mall Caoya, the same below)

Reported by reporter Tsai Wen-jun

Taiwan’s first-ever mall where you can check in for flights in advance – Kaohsiung’s “Taroko Mall Caoya” – will officially open on May 9. In addition to 220 brands setting up shop in the shopping mall, many exclusive amusement facilities touted as “the first in Taiwan” have also drawn attention. Below is a roundup of 5 exclusive attractions where visitors of all ages, from families to couples, can find fun tailored to their tastes.

▲ A 1:10 scale miniature version of the Suzuka Circuit.

1. Taiwan’s Only Exclusively Licensed “Mini Suzuka Circuit”
Taroko Mall Caoya states that the Suzuka Circuit Park within the mall is exclusively licensed by Japan’s Suzuka Circuit and is Taiwan’s first admission-free theme park. In Japan, the Suzuka Circuit is a Formula 1 racetrack, while the mall features a 1:10 scale “mini Suzuka Circuit” spanning 600 meters in total, allowing visitors to race go-karts around the figure-eight track.

▲ Experience off-road thrills with an all-terrain vehicle attraction.

In addition to mini car racing, Suzuka Circuit Park also offers several self-drive attractions, such as an off-road vehicle challenge where you can drive your own off-roader through rugged terrain, with various realistic vehicles providing plenty of excitement.

▲ The carousel in the park is claimed to be the largest in Taiwan.

2. Taiwan’s Largest Carousel
The carousel in Suzuka Circuit Park is also said to be the largest in Taiwan. Taroko Mall Caoya notes that the carousel has five loops and can accommodate 88 riders at once, making it a must-see highlight of the park.

▲ Taroko Mall Caoya’s park ride, the “Caoya Tram.” (Video / Authorized use by JR Chen's Transportation World)

3. Taiwan’s First Park Ride Tram
The retro red wooden European-style streetcar “Caoya Tram” can be considered Taiwan’s first park ride tram. Taroko Mall Caoya says the tram runs from the mall entrance deep into the Suzuka Circuit Park, allowing passengers to enjoy the European-style streetscape inside the park while riding the vintage tram.

Riding the Caoya Tram also comes at a fee: NT$60 per one-way trip, NT$50 for children aged 3–12 with a discounted ticket, and NT$30 for those eligible for a concessionary ticket.

▲ A children’s ball pit spanning 150 ping (approximately 495 m²). (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Fu-min)

In addition to the park’s attractions, the mall also offers “on-site entertainment,” including a top-tier bowling alley with a British pub vibe, basketball courts, mini golf courses, as well as an exclusive trampoline facility in Fitness Factory.

Parents looking to keep their kids entertained need not worry about boredom either – Japan’s children’s amusement park “Game Tainment” has set up Taiwan’s largest children’s ball pit here at Taroko Mall Caoya, covering 150 ping and accommodating up to 320 children.

Another highly anticipated feature isTaroko Mall Caoya’s flight check-in service. However, the mall states that this service will not be available when it opens on May 9 and is currently only scheduled to begin in the second half of the year.