Love River

In almost every great city, there lies a poetic river. For example, the Seine in Paris nurtures poets at the Left Bank, while the River Thames in London serves as the setting of many literary works. Although the traditional housing along the river has been replaced by modern concrete buildings, and both sides of the river are connected by a cold steel bridge, people still love to walk or relax on the river bank. The sun's afterglow reflected on the river brings urban people a feeling of warmth and peace. It's a feeling that cannot be replaced, no matter how many material comforts people have.

In Taipei, most rivers are covered with asphalt to make them roads, creating a little bit more space in the narrow urban area. Therefore, people feel really crowded when living in Taipei. However, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city, the romantic Love River (愛河) meanders through the city. With a total length of only 12 kilometers, the river flows through the youthful and vibrant Pier-2 Art Center, the family-friendly Xinguang Ferry Wharf, Taiwan's second tallest skyscraper, 85 Sky Tower, the diverse and delectable Yancheng District, the lovers' rendezvous known as the Heart of Love, the Tower of Light favored by photographers, and the elegantly adorned Holy Rosary Cathedral. Additionally, there are unique cafes and sizzling stir-fry eateries on both sides of the river. Much like other large tourist cities, Kaohsiung also offers sightseeing cruises that invite tourists to enjoy the city's night scenery from the river.

However, many people do not know that the romantic name of the river was widely accepted only after the 1950s. During the Japanese rule, the river was originally named ""Kaohsiung River."" Later, due to the establishment of the Port of Kaohsiung at the estuary, the river was also called ""Kaohsiung Canal."" When the KMT took over Taiwan, tourists began to gather around a newly-built riverside park, and boat companies started offering rowing and cruising services. One of them was named Love River (愛河) Cruise. However, during a typhoon, the signboard of the shop was blown down, leaving only the first two characters ""Love River (愛河)."" Furthermore, there was a tragic incident where a couple jumped into the river, ending their lives. Once the tragedy was reported, the name Love River (愛河) began to circulate widely, and it has since become the official name of the river.