Light Rail and Dome of Light in Kaohsiung
Part of the Kaohsiung travel guide — see every topic in All Kaohsiung Guides.
Kaohsiung has a clean, simple transport system, and two parts of it are worth seeing for their own sake. The light rail is a loop tram that runs through parks and along the harbour, mostly without overhead wires. The Formosa Boulevard MRT station, where the two metro lines cross, sits under the Dome of Light, one of the largest glass artworks in the world. Both are cheap to visit and easy to fit into a day.
The light rail loop
The Kaohsiung light rail, often called the Circular Line, runs in a full loop around the central city. The first section opened along the harbour in 2015, and the loop was completed in 2024. Many stretches run through green corridors planted with grass and trees, so the ride feels more like a park tour than a commute. It passes Pier-2, the Music Center, the port terminal, the exhibition center and the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts area. Riding the whole loop is a relaxed way to see the city from a seat.
Trams without wires
On most of the line there are no overhead power cables. Instead, the trams store energy on board and recharge quickly at stations while passengers get on and off. This keeps the streets and green corridors open and clear. The trams are low-floor and step-free, so they are easy with a stroller or suitcase. Trams are frequent through the day, and stations are simple open platforms. You pay by tapping a transport card or ticket on the reader. Each stop has a screen showing when the next tram will arrive.
The Dome of Light
Formosa Boulevard station is the interchange between the Red and Orange MRT lines. Above its main hall is the Dome of Light, a glass work by the Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, completed in 2008. The dome is about thirty metres across and is made of thousands of pieces of coloured glass. It tells a story in four parts, based on water, earth, light and fire, about the cycle of life. The colours change with the lighting, and the whole hall glows. Stand in the centre of the concourse for the best view.
Visiting the station
The Dome of Light can be seen from the station concourse. Staff at the station service desk can point you to the best spot. The station is busy at rush hour, so mid-morning or early afternoon is calmer for photos. Do not use a tripod or flash where it blocks passengers. The entrances at street level are also unusual, with large glass canopies by the Japanese architect Shin Takamatsu. Liuhe Night Market is a short walk away, so a late afternoon visit can turn into dinner.
Tickets and transport cards
The simplest way to pay is with a transport card such as iPASS or EasyCard. Both work on the MRT, light rail, city buses, public bikes and Cijin ferries, and in convenience stores. You can buy and top up cards at MRT stations and convenience stores. Single-journey tokens are also sold at MRT machines. The Red Line links Kaohsiung International Airport and the high-speed rail station at Zuoying, so most visitors arrive by MRT. Day passes are sometimes offered for visitors; ask at a station service desk.
Light Rail and Dome of Light at a glance
| Getting there | Formosa Boulevard station, Red and Orange MRT lines; light rail loop around the centre |
|---|---|
| Hours | MRT and light rail run from early morning to around midnight |
| Cost | Low fares; pay by iPASS, EasyCard or single tokens |
| Best time | Mid-morning for the dome; late afternoon for the light rail |
| Allow | About 1 hour for the dome; 1–2 hours for the full loop |