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    Zuoying and Lotus Pond

    Taiwan

    Zuoying and Lotus Pond

    City

    The Lotus Pond in Zuoying District is Kaohsiung's open-air temple district.

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    9. Zuoying and Lotus Pond
    The Lotus Pond in Zuoying District is Kaohsiung's open-air temple district. Along the shore and on jetties in the water stand the colorful Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and the colossal statue of Xuantian Shangdi. On the north shore lies the sprawling Confucius Temple.Immediately south of the pond, remnants of Fengshan's old city wall from the Qing Dynasty still stand. Zuoying is also Kaohsiung's arrival station for the high-speed rail – the pond is just a short ride away.
    Zuoying is in northern Kaohsiung, around Lotus Lake. Walk or cycle the lake in an hour, passing its temples and pavilions. Late afternoon is most scenic, with light on the water. HSR arrivals can easily visit before or after their journey.

    Sights in Zuoying and Lotus Pond

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Spring and Autumn Pavilions
    Attraction

    1Spring and Autumn Pavilions

    The two pavilions are located a few hundred meters north of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Lotus Lake. In front of them, the Goddess Guanyin rides on a dragon; a zigzag bridge leads you to the pavilions and the Wuli Pavilion further out in the water.
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    Confucius Temple Kaohsiung
    Place of Worship

    2Confucius Temple Kaohsiung

    The Confucius Temple on the north shore of Lotus Pond is one of Taiwan's largest. This sprawling complex, built in Song Dynasty style, is quieter than the colorful folk temples on the south shore and well worth a stroll through its courtyards.
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    The Old City Wall of Fengshan
    Attraction

    3The Old City Wall of Fengshan

    Remnants of the Qing Dynasty city fortifications, built in the 19th century from coral stone and granite. Especially the North Gate, with its gatekeeper figures, is just a few steps from Lotus Lake.
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    Beiji Pavilion (Yuandi Temple)
    Place of Worship

    4Beiji Pavilion (Yuandi Temple)

    Out in the lake stands a gigantic statue of the Taoist god Xuantian Shangdi with a sword, connected to the shore via a long pier. Particularly beautiful in the evening light, when the figure is reflected in the water.
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    City walks in Zuoying and Lotus Pond

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Around Lotus Lake

    A walk along the West Bank of Lotus Lake from the old city wall to the Confucius Temple, just under 2 km, taking two hours with sightseeing. The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are at the start of the path. The walk is most beautiful in the late afternoon.

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    Restaurants in Zuoying and Lotus Pond

    1

    Guangdong Renji Shaola (廣東仁記燒臘)

    Cantonese BBQ spot with Char Siu, duck, and goose on rice, just minutes south of Lotus Lake. Scores 4.5 stars on Google from ~1,700 reviews.
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    2

    Youshushi – vegan Udon (有樹食)

    A small spot with Japanese-style vegan and vegetarian Udon dishes, a good alternative to meat-heavy food stalls. It has 4.7 stars on Google from nearly 1,000 reviews.
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    Folk Religion at Lotus Lake

    The temples at Lotus Lake display Taiwan's colorful folk religion, where Buddhism, Taoism, and local deities coexist. Many visitors follow the customs, such as entering the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas through the Dragon and exiting through the Tiger. In contrast, the Confucius Temple on the north shore stands for the scholarly, serene side of Chinese tradition.

    Arrival and Routes at Lotus Lake

    From Zuoying Station (High-Speed Rail, Local Train and Metro, Red Line), it's about a 20-minute walk to the Pagodas or a short taxi or bus ride. The Xinzuoying Local Train Station is closer to the south bank. At the lake itself, there's a lakeside path and rental bikes.

    Accommodations in Zuoying and Lotus Pond

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      Trip to Zuoying and Lotus Pond

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      • 1Spring and Autumn Pavilions3 days
      • 2Confucius Temple Kaohsiung4 days
      • 3The Old City Wall of Fengshan5 days
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    Nearby

    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung is a major port city in southern Taiwan and the terminus of the high-speed rail from Taipei. The city boasts a revamped harbor district filled with art, colorful pagodas on Lotus Lake, and a short ferry ride to Cijin Island, home to beaches and seafood restaurants.Near Zuoying Station on Lotus Lake stand the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, which, according to tradition, you enter through the Dragon's mouth and exit through the Tiger's. In the former warehouse district by the harbor, the Pier-2 Art Center has established itself with galleries, installations, and cafes. Formosa Boulevard Metro Station is renowned for its glass dome, the Dome of Light, and the Liuhe Night Market is located nearby.
    Yancheng, Pier-2 and Love River

    Yancheng, Pier-2 and Love River

    Between the Love River and the harbor, Kaohsiung has reinvented itself in recent years. In the old warehouse district Pier-2, you'll find galleries, sculptures, and cafés; new cultural buildings stand along the waterfront, and the light rail runs along the water.Inland, Yancheng, one of the oldest districts, boasts traditional street food. By the Love River, the City History Museum in the old City Hall tells the port city's past; evenings, stroll under lights along the riverside promenades.
    Hamasen and Shoushan

    Hamasen and Shoushan

    Hamasen is where modern Kaohsiung began: Under Japanese rule, the first port and railway station were built here, and many alleys have retained their old character. The former railway station building is now a railway museum, and the restored Wude Hall commemorates the colonial era.Above the district rises the green Shoushan with hiking trails, macaques, and the city zoo. On the slope above the harbour entrance stands the red-brick British Consulate, from which you can look out over Xiziwan Bay and across to Cijin.
    Cijin

    Cijin

    Cijin is the long, narrow island off Kaohsiung Harbor – just a short ferry ride away, yet a different world. On Old Street, seafood restaurants and snack stalls line up, and at its end awaits the dark-sand beach.On the hill to the north stand the lighthouse and Fort Qihou, from where you can gaze over the harbor entrance and the skyline. To the south lies the beach park with the colorful Rainbow Church, best reached by rented bike along the coast.
    South Taiwan

    South Taiwan

    The south is warmer, more leisurely, and for many, the culinary heart of Taiwan. Tainan, the island's oldest city, the port city of Kaohsiung, and the beaches in Kenting National Park are only a few hours apart.In Tainan, the Dutch founded Fort Zeelandia in 1624; later, the city was long the island's capital. Kaohsiung is the terminus of the high-speed rail from Taipei and the starting point for buses to the southern tip. There lies the Kenting National Park, founded in 1984, Taiwan's oldest national park.