Lotus Pond Travel Guide: Explore Famous Attractions in Kaohsiung with Ease

Located in Zuoying, Lotus Pond was once recommended by the American cable TV CNN. It is one of the scenic spots in Kaohsiung City with the most traditional religious characteristics. Temples are scattered along the pond, including the Beiji Xuantian Shangdi Temple and Qiming Hall... In addition to many well-known attractions such as Longhu Tower, Chunqiu Pavilion, and Confucius Temple, Lotus Pond is one of the popular attractions for foreign tourists. It is conveniently located next to Zuoying High-Speed Rail Station. Whether you take the high-speed rail, MRT, or train, you can easily reach it. It is highly recommended for you to visit when you come to Kaohsiung.

Lotus Pond Transportation 1. Self-driving

National Highway 1 → Dingjin Interchange → National Highway 10 → Zuoying End Interchange → Cuihua Road → Shengli Road → Liantan Road to reach Lotus Pond.

National Highway 1 → Kaohsiung Interchange → Along Jiuru Road → Turn onto Minzu Road and then onto Tianxiang 2nd Road → Xinzhuangzai Road to reach Lotus Pond.

National Highway 2 → Kaohsiung Interchange → Take the branch line to Zuoying End and continue to Dazhong 2nd Road → Huaxia Road and then onto Xinzhuangzai Road to reach Lotus Pond.

Lotus Pond Transportation 2. High-Speed Rail

Take the high-speed rail to Zuoying Station and it is about a 10-minute walk to reach Lotus Pond.

Timetable: High-Speed Rail Timetable and Fare Enquiry

Lotus Pond Transportation 3. MRT

You can take the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line to "Zuoying Station" and get off at Exit 2. It is about a 10-minute walk from there.

Timetable: Kaohsiung MRT Timetable and Route Map

Lotus Pond Transportation 4. Train

Take the Taiwan Railway to Zuoying Station or Xinzuoying Station and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Lotus Pond.

Timetable: Taiwan Railway Timetable

Lotus Pond Transportation 5. Bus

If you want to take the bus:

You can take Bus Route 6, Bus Route 17, Bus Route 29, Bus Route 31, Bus Route 219 to "Zuoying North Station" and you will arrive at Lotus Pond.

From Kaohsiung Railway Station, you can take Bus Route 6, Bus Route 17, Bus Route 31, Bus Route 205, Bus Route 219, Bus Route 301 to "Zuoying Farmers' Association Station" and walk along Shengli Road to reach Lotus Pond.

Timetable: Kaohsiung Bus Timetable and Route Map

What are the must-visit attractions in Lotus Pond Scenic Area?

Lotus Pond Scenic Area is surrounded by many famous attractions, including:

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (currently undergoing interior renovation, expected to be completed in the first half of 2025)

Located next to Lotus Pond, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are towering at 72 meters. The construction of these ancient-style pagodas can be traced back to 1976. The seven-story pagodas have a unique structure and distinctive interior design. Inside the pagodas, you will find artworks of Chien-Jih ceramics on the walls, depicting moral stories. These artworks are created by renowned artists, showcasing exquisite artistic skills. With the surrounding Nine-Turn Bridge, the pagodas reflect in the tranquil waters of Lotus Pond, creating a beautiful lake view.

According to local legends, there is a certain etiquette when visiting the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Visitors should enter through the dragon's mouth and exit through the tiger's mouth, symbolizing "entering the dragon's throat and exiting the tiger's mouth," believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. When you reach the top of the pagodas, you can not only enjoy a panoramic view of Lotus Pond, but also experience the mystery and religious atmosphere of this place.

Spring and Autumn Pavilions

Adjacent to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas is another ancient-style building called the "Spring and Autumn Pavilions." It is said to have a history of over 60 years and is named after the seasons of "Spring" and "Autumn." The pavilions primarily enshrine Guan Gong (also known as Guan Yu). There is a legend that Guan Yin Bodhisattva once appeared riding a dragon in the clouds and instructed the believers to build a statue in the form of her appearance between the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. This is how the current statue of the Dragon-riding Guan Yin came to be.

Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple, located on the north bank of the Lotus Pond, outside the Beimen Gate of the old city of Zuoying, is the largest Confucius Temple in Taiwan. It was first built in 1684 AD and later expanded during the reigns of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Guangxu. It is said that the architecture was inspired by the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, the hometown of Confucius, and the scale of the Taihe Palace in the Forbidden City. The temple holds a grand ceremony to worship Confucius on September 28th every year, which is also Teacher's Day in Taiwan. It is one of the most important cultural landmarks in Kaohsiung. The temple also houses the Confucius Temple Cultural Relics Museum, which showcases the life and teachings of Confucius and Confucian culture.

Lotus Pond Water Park

The "Lotus Pond Water Park" is known as the first internationally standard cable water park in Taiwan. Since its opening in 2014, it has attracted many domestic and international visitors who love water sports. The park also hosts occasional international invitation competitions.

What are the common questions asked by Dcard and PTT users about Lianchihtan?

Q: What are the opening hours of Lianchihtan?

A: Lianchihtan is an outdoor scenic area and is open 24 hours a day, all year round. No matter what time it is, you can see local residents exercising and taking walks by the lake.

Q: What are some popular food options near Lianchihtan?

A:

Xi'an Noodle Restaurant

Address: No. 6, Lane 115, Shengli Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City

This authentic noodle restaurant has a strong nostalgic flavor. I highly recommend trying the Xinjiang belt noodles, which are wider than a belt and have a great chewy texture. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of side dishes to choose from. It's best to come with a group so you can share and try more dishes. I also really enjoy the hot and spicy stir-fried pork and the "zhaozi" noodles. I recommend them to anyone who loves unique and flavorful food.

Traditional Local Food near Cheng Huang Temple

Address: No. 3, Dianzaiding Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City

This hidden gem is a favorite among locals for afternoon tea. Here you can enjoy a variety of fried snacks, such as fried oysters and rare fried eggplants. If you're like me and love hot soup, they also serve "kanto" hot pot at an affordable price that will leave you satisfied.

San Niu Beef Noodles

Address: No. 85, Shengli Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City

San Niu Beef Noodles is one of the most famous local delicacies in Zuoying and a must-try for many tourists. You'll often see tour buses filled with visitors coming to dine here, a testament to how delicious their food is! Just like Xi'an Noodle Restaurant, they also offer a wide variety of side dishes, so be careful not to order too much. Their beef noodles come in two flavors: braised and clear broth. Don't forget to try them when you visit Lianchihtan!

Q: Is there a bike path around Lianchihtan for cycling?

A: Yes! There is a bike path around Lianchihtan! More accurately, it is called the "Love River to Lianchihtan Bike Path." It is a 24.5-kilometer path that starts from Lianchihtan and goes all the way to the Love River estuary. So, you can rent a bike at any place along the path and experience the beauty of Kaohsiung in a different way.

Q: Is the Duck Boat still available at Lianchihtan Lake?

A: Due to the difficulty in obtaining parts and maintenance, the Duck Boat is currently out of service!

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As a Kaohsiung local, I am very aware of the changes happening in Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung residents are getting busier every holiday. This week it might be the Pier-2 Art Center Market, and tomorrow it might be a concert by a famous artist. For example, on November 11th and 12th, 2023, Coldplay will perform at the Kaohsiung National Stadium. Blackpink has also performed here before. There are always events happening one after another, such as the Wannian Season Market in Zuoying and the Gangan Festival in Gangshan. Not to mention the existing popular attractions in Kaohsiung and the many new developments, such as the Kaohsiung Music Pop Center, that are worth exploring. Kaohsiung is becoming more and more beautiful, and it's really worth taking a day trip or a two-day trip here!

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