Harbour and Music Center in Kaohsiung
Part of the Kaohsiung travel guide — see every topic in All Kaohsiung Guides.
Kaohsiung is Taiwan's largest port, and for most of its history the waterfront was closed to the public. Over the last twenty years the city has opened the inner harbour and lined it with new public buildings. The Kaohsiung Music Center, a new port terminal, the exhibition center and the main public library now stand along one waterfront path. You can walk or cycle between them in an afternoon, and the light rail stops near each one. It is the best place to see modern Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung Music Center
The Kaohsiung Music Center sits on the harbour next to Pier-2. It was designed by a Spanish team that won an international competition, and it opened in stages, with the main buildings complete by 2021. Its white, wave-like roofs and tall towers are covered in shapes that look like coral and sea life. The center focuses on pop music. It has a large concert hall, smaller live music venues and an exhibition about Taiwan's pop music history. Outside, the open plaza and riverside walk are free. Check the event calendar if you want to see a show.
The port terminal
Across the water from the Music Center is the new Kaohsiung port terminal, a long white building with smooth, curving walls and a tall tower. It handles ferries and cruise ships and also holds offices and public spaces. Parts of the building and its terraces are open to visitors, and the higher levels give wide views over the harbour, the city and the sea. The building looks very different from every side, and it is most striking at sunset and after dark, when it is lit. It is a short walk from the light rail.
Library and exhibition center
Further south along the harbour stands the Kaohsiung Main Public Library. The building is lifted on a light frame, with trees and gardens on several levels and a rooftop garden at the top. It is free to enter and is a calm place to rest in the heat. Nearby is the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, a large hall with a wave-shaped roof that hosts trade fairs and consumer shows. Between them is a wide waterfront plaza. On weekends local families come here to walk, fly kites and watch the ships.
Harbour views and boats
The harbour is still a busy working port, and watching the ships is part of the fun. Container ships, ferries and tugboats pass close to the quays. Short harbour cruises leave from piers along the waterfront and give a good view of the new buildings from the water. Ferries to Cijin Island also cross the harbour. For a high view, the terraces of the port terminal are a good free choice. In the evening the cranes, ships and buildings are lit, and the waterfront path is busy with walkers and cyclists.
Planning a visit
The easiest plan is to start at Pier-2, walk to the Music Center, cross to the port terminal and then ride the light rail south to the library and exhibition center. This takes three to four hours at an easy pace. There is little shade on the open quays, so carry water and a hat in the warmer months. Cafés and convenience stores are found near each stop. If you only have one evening in Kaohsiung, spend it here. The lights on the water after dark are among the best city views in Taiwan.
Harbour and Music Center at a glance
| Getting there | Light rail stops along the harbour; Yanchengpu MRT (Orange Line) for the north end |
|---|---|
| Hours | Waterfront open all day; buildings keep their own hours |
| Cost | Walking the waterfront is free; concerts and cruises are paid |
| Best time | Sunset and evening, November to April |
| Allow | 3–4 hours |