Itinerary

July 4th, 2019, Thursday (08:30-17:30)

8:10 Gathering at the Main Entrance of I-Shou University
08:30-17:30 Lotus Pond --- Pier-2 Art Center --- Lunch-- Xizi Bay (Former British Consulate at Takao) --- King Pineapple Castle --- Back to Hotel

Lotus Pond
Lotus Pond is a man-made lake and popular tourist destination on the east side of Zuoying District in Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan. Opened in 1951, it is famous for the lotus plants on the lake and the numerous temples around the lake, including the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, and the Confucian Temple.

Spring and Autumn Pavilions. It was established in 1953, were two Chinese palace-style pavilions. Spring and Autumn Pavilions named from the Spring Pavilion and Autumn Pavilion. Each of these two is four stores and octagonal, green tiles and yellow walls, like an antique pagoda reflected in the water. And they communicate with each other by 9 Bend Bridge, also called 'Spring and Autumn Royal Pavilion', set up by commemorated 'The Martial Saint, Lord Kua'. There is a Guanyin statue which is riding a dragon in the front end of the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. According to local legend, the Goddess of Mercy had rode the dragon appeared in the clouds and instruct followers to build icon as the form of its coming out between the Spring Pavilion and Autumn Pavilion; Therefore, now there is a Guanyin statue which is riding a dragon.

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas.
About 700 meters to the south of the Spring and Autumn Pavilions are the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. The dragon's throat is the entrance and the lion's mouth is the exit. Entering a dragon's throat and coming out a lion's mouth symbolizes turning bad luck to good fortune. Inside, paintings depict China's 24 most obedient sons as well as scenes of heaven and hell to inspire people to do good deeds during their lifetime, and to provide threatening examples of retribution for wrongdoing.

Pier-2 Art Center
The Pier-2 Art Center is an art center in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The arts center was originally an abandoned warehouse site due to Kaohsiung's shift from industrial city to service city. The warehouses were built in 1973. Due to the persistence of local artists, the area was finally released and remade to be an arts center. In 2006, the Bureau of Cultural Affairs of Kaohsiung City Government and under management of the Kaohsiung Pier-2 Art Development Association and Shu-Te University's art development workshop took over the center, starting a series of exhibitions.

85 Sky Tower
85 Sky Tower, formerly known as the T & C Tower or Tuntex Sky Tower, is an 85-story skyscraper located in Lingya District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The structure is 347.5 m (1,140 ft) high. An antenna increases the pinnacle height to 378 m (1,240 ft). Constructed from 1994 to 1997, it is the tallest skyscraper in Kaohsiung, and was the tallest in Taiwan until the completion of Taipei 101.

The building has an unusual 'prong' design with two separate 39-floor sections, which merge into a single central tower rising to a spire. This unique design leaves a substantial space below the central part of the tower. The design was inspired by the first Kanji and Chinese character “gao,” which means “tall” and is the first character of the city’s name. The Tower manages to simultaneously appear modern and forward thinking while also incorporating ancient Chinese principles of geomancy. Despite its modern design, it is unquestionably Chinese in flavor and reflective of historical Asian architecture. Its forward thinking—yet historically attuned—design makes it a singular and incomparable building.

Xizi Bay
Xizi Bay is perched on the sea at the western edge of Kaohsiung City, just southwest of Mt. Longevity, with the Qijin Peninsuna stretching southward. Its main feature is a swimming beach known for its clear blue water, the beauty of its sunsets, and its natural reef. The atmosphere and the scenery here change from morning to night; each time of the day has its special attraction, but the brilliant colors of the sunset are unparalleled in their beauty. The long breakwater here is the landmark of Xizi Bay, and basking in the sea breeze on the breakwater gives the most pleasant and comfortable sensation imaginable.

Former British Consulate at Takao. It was built in 1865 with more than a hundred years of history. It is now the most antique western building preserved in Taiwan. It was the western building designed by a British engineer and built by Chinese craftsmen, and it is the most meaningful ancient building of Chinese modern history with graceful and elegant proportion. Semicircle arches are rhythmically arranged in order with considerably rhyming. At the corner, the circle arch is smaller and the wall pillar is bigger, which has reinforced function in dynamics. It is the Baroque typed building of the Renaissance era. It emphasizes on the stylish regular pattern and its hollow pattern railings were built with excellent bricks. Harmonious sense of beauty is shown at every turn. Among the existing western style buildings in Taiwan, it provides an excellent example of technique and style and that possesses the value of historical architecture study and conservation value. The building brick and mortar used all continue using the traditional method of Fukien and Taiwan. Some parts are even filled with clay and soil, while wooden truss is built with complete western style. It is the building that has double function, administrative and residential function, and its style also lies in between them. It is the portrayal illustration of modern Chinese and Western cultural communication, and also the first formal consulate built by foreigners in Taiwan. The occurrence of consulate opened up the development of western architecture for Taiwan in the future.