This is the place to be in Kaohsiung for art-lovers.
Kaohsiung’s Pier II Art Center is housed in what used to be warehouses in Yancheng District. The warehouses were built in 1973 but were later abandoned, as Kaohsiung shifted from being an industrial city to a service city. They were later given a new lease of life and now a vibrant arts hub, thanks to the persistence of local artists.
You know you are in an art district when everywhere you turn, you see art works of some sort.
Wall murals, sculptures and even the electrical distribution boards are painted!
Different thematic exhibitions are being held in the various warehouses, each with its own admission fee structure and selling point. Attracted by moving dinosaur exhibits, I nearly gatecrashed an exhibition via the exit as I was too engrossed in trying to get a nice photo for my little paleontologist at home. The staff stopped me in time but I sadly ended up without a photo. There was another on Pocky graphics and packaging. In case you are from outer space, Pocky is a Japanese snack that started as chocolate coated biscuit sticks and now comes in a variety of flavours. There was yet another one on children art. And since these exhibition depends on paid admission, some had staff going around giving pamphlets and brief introductions. Nothing pushy so that was fine.
There are some retail units selling novelty stationery and gifts which are great places to both shop and window shop.
The bubble human sculptures shown in some travel literature are now gone, replaced by light rail transit in 2015. I went round and round looking for them, thinking I got the place wrong until I decided to check with a staff. So don’t make the same mistake as I did. The LRT goes to Love Pier too, which is a popular place to enjoy the seaside and view of Kaohsiung skyline. Love Pier was closed for renovation during my visit so no luck. This photo of the skyline was taken from the LRT station.
Takao Railway Museum is part of Pier II Art Center and just a short walk from the warehouses. The museum is housed within the first railway station in Kaohsiung, built during the Japanese rule. It was classified as a historical building in 2003 and ended its service as a railway station in 2008. The Takao Railway Museum was subsequently opened in 2010, exhibiting old-fashioned steam engines from the yesteryears and history of the station.
Art sculptures made from railway relics are also displayed on the tracks. A place especially recommended for train enthusiasts.
There is also a highly-rated Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway in one of the old warehouses. Upon ticketed entry, visitors get to see a large collection of model trains and railway, complete with landscaping and lighting. Outside the museum visitors get to take a ride in a kiddie train, also known as Pier-II Line, around the building. The young gets a ride at NT99 while the young-at-heart pays NT149 per pax. Looks fun! Admission fees ro the museum itself are at NT149 per adult and NT99 per child.
Also, getting to Pier II Art Center is easy, just a couple of minutes walk from Sizihwan MRT Station.
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Read about my trip itinerary and the places visited in Taiwan – City of Kaohsiung Itinerary 2018 .
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