Wen Bin Hotel

Chiji

by yatingchen

Chiji district is big beach. There is tunnel underground from Koahsiung port to it.
Chiji is popular trip destination for elementary schools. The big sheet beach is water playing paradise for childred.

Santimen

by kenmerk

Though Kaohsiung is the smogged choked sorta place that it is, it is pretty easy to get out into the mountains for some more breathable air. One good option, which isnt so far away is Santimen, which is home to the Paiwan tribe of aborginals.

The town of Santimen itself is nice and all, though has a bit of a tourist feel to it. A better option is to head a bit further into the brush to find a more authentic village.

If you head up the mountain road (rte 24) east from Santimen, there is a turn off about 10 kms up. Follow the switchback path down the hill (4WD recommended) till you dead end at a suspension walkway.

Cross the river here and follow this path uphill for about 40 minutes and you will come across a real Paiwan aboriginal farming village complete with the original stone houses that they build here. (Pretty amazing, the construction method seems to be just piling on one stone after the other. Best I can tell no mortar or wood...)

All in all a nice day out of the big city....

The Martyr's Shrine

by IreneMcKay

This shrine is in the Shoushan area. We got to it by taking the metro to Sizihwan Station, exiting via exit one, walking straight towards the harbour, but then turning right when we saw a sign for the Wude Martial Arts Centre. We walked along the road then climbed some steep steps up to a main road. The Wude Martial Arts Centre was across the road. Facing the Wude martial Arts Centre you will see more steep stairs on the right hand side climb these. You will reach a pavillion beyond which is a road, cross the road walk through the tori, temple gateway and you will come to the Martyr's Shrine. There are lovely views over the harbour from here.

The shrine was build by the Japanese when they occupied Taiwan during the war. It is in typical Japanese temple style. After the war the shrine became a peace shrine to remember those lost in the conflict. There are photos commemorating historical events from China's past around the walls. The shrine was very quiet and peaceful during our visit.

Keeweechic's Kaohsiung

by keeweechic

Located in the southern part of Taiwan, the city of Kaohsiung is the island's largest industrial centre. It has managed to stay ahead of Taiwan's recent growth and prosperity in its expansion and modernizing to emerge as an international metropolis. Its origins began centuries ago. Kaohsiung was called 'Dagou' or 'Dahgu' which was the name of the local aborigines living there at the time. In 1563 pirates disturbed this local community by violence when caused the Takuo tribe to eventually move to Pingtung city, their present day home. The name persisted until1920 when the city's name was changed to Kaohsiung.

Kaohsiung Harbour is an important transport point for the Indian Ocean and the Northeast Asia Shipping Centre. Kaohsiung leads the nation in steel, cement and petrochemical production. It is also the fourth largest container port in the world Two-thirds of Taiwan's import-export volume passes through the harbour. Kaohsiung City is divided into eleven districts and is more Taiwanese than the northern cities and its close proximity to the beaches of Kenting makes Kaohsiung a very appealing city to be based.

I flew to Kaohsiung from Taipei on a 3 day trip around the southern part of Taiwan. There was some of the most gorgeous scenery to be seen down there especially the Kenting National Park area and the Taroko Gorge. I didn't spend much time in the Kaohsiung city itself and I think maybe a little confused over the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the Autumn and Spring Pavilions, so if anyone can enlighten me if the photos are back to front, please go ahead.

More in my Travelogues

Photos which are taken by myself and all headings are copyright and digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission. Thanks.(c) keeweechic 2001-2007 (copyright)