Zizhu Village

Fo Guang Shan (佛光山), as the largest Buddhist architectural complex and the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, has been honored with the ""National Golden Award for Architecture"". It is considered the most representative architectural structure for foreigners who want to explore different religious and cultural experiences in Taiwan. Even for those who do not visit for religious reasons, the restaurants, art galleries, international museums, and the grandeur of the architecture, along with the spacious grounds, make it a perfect place to spend half a day or a full day, walking around and relaxing.

There are many unique features within the complex, with the most notable being the 480 small golden Buddha statues surrounding the Great Buddha Land, creating a solemn and magnificent sight. Additionally, the mission of the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum includes the preservation of ancient and contemporary artifacts from various countries, with a collection of thousands of precious items. Exploring the center promises to be a fulfilling experience. The main attraction, the ""Path to Buddhahood,"" is adorned with eight golden pagodas, each of which is open for visitors. The space is designed with a focus on people, and visitors need not worry about the depth and breadth of religion and culture, as each area within the center is connected with digital services such as audio guides and AR tours, making the visit both educational and enjoyable. Even children will not be bored, as there are attractions such as the dinosaur area and the San Hao Children's Museum.

One might assume that the religious site is always solemn and serious, but during the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival, Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) becomes the liveliest, with lantern displays and cultural performances creating a festive atmosphere. For several years, the celebrations have included aerial performances using 500 drones, along with splendid fireworks and beautiful lanterns, celebrating these significant Chinese festivals.

If visitors are unsure of where to start exploring the vast grounds, Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) has thoughtfully planned different themed itineraries:

- Religious Journey: Admire world-class collections such as the precious the ""buddha's tooth relic"", the world's largest copper-cast Fo Guang Big Buddha in Asia, a replica of the underground palace of the Famen Temple in Shaanxi, a golden Buddha presented by the king of Thailand, a white jade reclining Buddha from Myanmar, a golden robe from South Korea, and the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Guanyin.

- Romantic Journey: The ""Five Harmonies Pagoda"" as a place of celebration, and the Zhusu Forest's Qiyuan as a wedding photography location.

- Treasure Hunt Journey: The world's only three Buddha's relics, and the precious ancient painted ceilings.

- Family Journey: Tea meditation experience at the Twin Pavilion Tea House, Little Tea Master, and the Two Assemblies Pagoda｜Children's Gallery.

- Art Journey: The fusion of ancient Indian, Central Indian, and architectural aesthetics of Buddhist statues and pagodas from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

- Culinary Journey: Explore the ""Drip Water House"" restaurant brand at Fo Guang Shan (佛光山), known for its specialty vegetarian cuisine.

- Ecological Journey: The original ecology preserved during the construction of the center, home to many precious species such as the purple crow butterfly, the mallard duck, and the white goose.

Throughout the year, with various themed itineraries and different types of travel companions, Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) promises to offer unique memories and experiences for all visitors.

When asked what best represents their own country, many people in Taiwan are likely to say it's the culture of night market. But for foreign tourists, it really takes a lot of courage to sample some food untasted before in stalls with unknown signboards on a dimly lit street. On the contrary, the morning market—considered ordinary by common people—boasts scenes that rarely seen in western developed countries. Middle-aged vendors calling out loud to get attention; the elderly holding their grandchildren's hands buying groceries on the street—these seldom happen in the West since morning markets have been replaced by large supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Many people in Kaohsiung may wonder why Zuoying’s Guomao Market is worth mentioning. Yet its clean environment, abundant light, and great layout design make it comfortable to go shopping here. In the market surrounded by the neighborhood, you can find raw food, cooked fare, desserts and snacks, fruits and vegetables, pots and pans, even granny panties. More importantly, unlike the indifferent atmosphere in urban supermarkets, vendors here are very enthusiastic. In the storefronts of the neighborhood stand some well-known old shops, including Kuanlaishun Breakfast (寬來順早餐店), Liu Family Sweet-Olive-Flavored Braised Chicken (劉家桂花燒雞), and Aunt Wu's Dumplings (吳媽家餃子). Tourists who don't buy groceries can sample some delicacies at these stores. Another feature worth attention is its architectural design. Arc-shaped buildings surrounding a park in the middle, the collective housing was built after a navy's dependents' village was demolished. Tourists may think the building quite distinctive, yet the residents definitely do not feel so. The building inevitably makes people associate it with the crowded living environment in Hong Kong.

When the sailing technology was just mature enough to bring the Westerners to the East, people on the island knew little about these foreigners. In addition to the language barrier, the most difference in appearance is the hair color. Therefore, the red or brown-haired foreigners are called "red barbarians (紅夷)". And things related to the red-haired Spanish or Dutch are given the name of "Hongmao" (red hair in Mandarin), such as Tamsui's Fort Hongmao (淡水紅毛城, also named Fort San Domingo, 聖多明哥城) and Tainan's Hongmao Tower (台南紅毛樓, also called Fort Provintia, 赤崁樓). Among all these, the Hongmaogang located in Xiaogang District, Kaohsiung, derived its name from the Dutch coming ashore at the port after a shipwreck in 1646.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a settlement had been established in the area thanks to abundant fishery and shrimp farming. However, as the economy was developing and the throughput of the Port of Kaohsiung was increasing, the settlement was transformed into an international container terminal in 2007. Residents living in the village were forced to move to another place. But part of the original village is preserved. Steel bars were added to the crumbling walls and dilapidated buildings. Long swings were installed in the alleys. Roofs of the houses were removed to have a better view of the houses' structures from height. The park is not left unfinished. In fact, it is designed to create a vintage atmosphere with modern techniques. Along the harborside, you can see fleets of ships anchored at the pier waiting to be uploaded at the later-built huge port. Besides, you can have a meal and admire the sunset in Gao Tower Revolving Restaurant (高字塔旋轉餐廳), the tallest building in the area that boasts a close, panoramic view of intercontinental freighters entering the Port of Kaohsiung.

In this park, the most fascinating part is taking a cruise out to sea, making a circle around the Port of Kaohsiung, passing the plants and loading platforms one after one. Massive cargo ships fully loaded with goods act like moving islands at sea, carrying colorful containers from various nations. Large container spreaders slowly transfer containers to the ground one after another. It's difficult to really feel the immensity of the cargo ships without passing them by at sea. This is a profound and valuable experience for children living on an island country rather than on a continent.

Although Liuhe Tourist Night Market is very famous, it is now deemed by many to be too tourist-centered, as it has become almost entirely tourists from China who visit. If you want to taste local Kaohsiung food but do not want to go to Liuhe or the overly-crowded Ruifeng Night Market, then Ziqiang Night Market is a good choice. Indeed, it has now become the replacement go-to for Kaohsiung locals who want some night market fare. Its shape is something like Taichung’s Zhongxiao Night Market or Taipei’s Liaoning Night Market, with restaurants and street vendors arranged neatly along the lane, making it flow nicely in one direction, and more difficult to get lost. However, a disadvantage is that the road can become easily jammed with many scooters. While you won’t find so much shopping or so many arcade games here, you will definitely find good food. Best of all, because it is as yet much unfound by the tourist crowd, the prices here remain very cheap. The fried rice, minced pork rice (魯肉飯), and fish soup are especially tasty, as is Chinese white sugar cake, which tastes a bit like fried mochi. This is a great destination if you are hungering after a night market in Kaohsiung, but want to avoid big crowds and big prices!

Kungadavane is an aboriginal tribe situated in the Maolin National Scenic Area (茂林國家風景區). When you enter the village, you will see the houses that indigenous people have constructed out of slabstone. You will also notice that the slabstone house number plates on the walls are printed with images of the Maolin butterfly, making them different from the green iron plate in the cities. At the entry of the tribe you can also see a wooden observatory which used to have an important place in the life of the tribe. And unlike schools in cities, these ones aren’t made out of blocks of cement, but are instead covered with colorful aboriginal totems, bright graffiti and decorations of common forest patterns. These additions to the school’s appearance are all outside of the government’s regulations, and point to an attempt by the community to retain its own culture.

Walking in the village, you may encounter indigenous wild boar roasting in front of the houses of the local people, which is often sold to tourists who come here to visit the Maolin butterfly. You might also see people working to cut stones from the valley to use as tables or for building houses. There are also a small number of shops selling woven aboriginal handicrafts, such as bracelets, clothing and backpacks here. Villagers may even be seen drying grain in the square in preparation for brewing. Best of all, you might have the opportunity to chat to some of those villagers who like to relax close to their scooters parked under a big tree. If you’re lucky, you may gain some insights into just how life must be for the people who live in this traditional village, which is, after all, so different from the city.

Keziliao Harbor Fish Market is located in the Zihguan District of Kaohsiung City. This is a well-known fishing port attraction in southern Taiwan, famed for its fresh seafood and vibrant market atmosphere. Every morning, fishing boats return loaded with their catches, providing visitors with the freshest seafood available that day. Stepping into the Keziliao Harbor Fish Market, one can see an array of fish, shrimp, crabs, shellfish, and various seafood products, all capturing the attention of discerning food lovers. The market features a direct sales center for seafood where visitors can purchase the highest quality seafood and experience traditional cooking services, allowing everyone to enjoy the fresh and delicious dishes just caught from the sea.

Here, a variety of seafood restaurants abound, serving everything from sashimi to seafood hot pots, all of which are sure to make your mouth water. Signature dishes like steamed fish and grilled shrimp are particularly popular, drawing many visitors eager to try them. For seafood enthusiasts, the Keziliao Harbor Fish Market is undoubtedly a food paradise not to be missed. Additionally, the local fishing culture allows one to feel the lifestyle of the residents here; the name "Keziliao" originates from the aquaculture practices of past inhabitants, making this area deeply connected to the local community for hundreds of years.

In contrast to a modern commercial atmosphere, the Keziliao Harbor Fish Market retains its unique historical charm, and in recent years, it has been expanded and upgraded into a hub that combines leisure, shopping, and culinary experiences. It is not only an ideal place to buy seafood but also a fantastic option for understanding local fishing culture and participating in various festive activities. The annual Keziliao Seafood Festival attracts large numbers of visitors, offering tasting samples and DIY workshops on-site.

The Keziliao Harbor Fish Market is also known for its natural scenery. Especially at dusk, watching the fishing boats head out to sea or return to port against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset provides visitors with a rare sense of tranquility and beauty. Here, you can feel the refreshing sea breeze and create unforgettable memories. For any traveler who enjoys seafood and a lively ambiance, the Keziliao Harbor Fish Market is undoubtedly an ideal choice.