The KMRT O5/R10 Formosa Boulevard Station is located at the intersection of Jhongjheng Road and Jhongshan Road. It is also called the “heart of Kaohsiung MAss Rapid Transit (KMRT)” because it is the transport station of red line and orange line. This station is currently the largest round-shaped station in the world. The main exits with shell-shape were designed by a Japanese architect, Shin Takamatsu. It is a remembrance of the Formosa Incident.

In the recent post by a well-known travel website “BootsnAll”, Taiwan’s Kaohsiung MRT system gained 2 placings in the top 15 most beautiful train stations in the world. Formosa Boulevard Station is place 2nd in the list, being one of the busiest stations along Kaohsiung MRT system, it is certainly the most beautiful one.

In addition to being the place where the Red and Orange subway lines meet, the station is also the location of the “Dome of Light”. The “Dome of Light” is featured on the upper part of the station, is known as the biggest public art installation all over the world. The author Narcissus Quagliata puts together the dome in a little less than four years, which including shipping art pieces of colored glass directly from Germany. The amazing art piece spans a 30-meter diameter, as visitors walk around, views of story of human life, transitioning from the section that represents water, the womb of life, to earth, which embodies the act of growing and prospering are to be seen. There are also sections on light and fire, the latter representing on the one hand destruction and on the latter rebirth. The main message that pervades the dome, however, is one of love and tolerance.

2nd Kaohsiung MRT station listed in the top 15 list is the Central Park Station; named after the nearby Central Park, this station lies on the Red Line of the KMRT. A two-level underground station, the Central Park stop was designed by British architect Richard Rogers. Design-wise, purple is the pervading color throughout the station. The courtyard grass areas, in turn, are covered in a slope of yellow windmills shaped like sunflowers. The Central Park Station of KMRT was placed 4th in the top 15 list.

Other stations around the world that were in the list were Champ-de-Mars Station in Montreal, Canada coming 1st, T-Centralen Station in Stockholm, Sweden in 3rd, Bayview Station in Toronto, Canada in 5th, Bockenheimer Warte Station in Frankfurt, Germany in 6th, Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai, China in 7th, Slavyansky Bulvar Station in Moscow, Russia in 8th, Kennington Station in London, UK in 9th, Changi Airport MRT Station in Singapore in 10th, Zoloti Vorota Station in Kiev, Ukraine in 11th, Olaias Station in Lisbon, Portugal in 12th, Puhung Station in Pyongyang, North Korea in 13th, Federal Triangle Station in Washington D.C., USA in 14th and Kirovsky Zavod Station in St. Petersburg, Russia in the 15th place overall.

Please visit the official web site of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit for more information on Kaohsiung KMRT Formosa Boulevard Station.

Since its opening in 2011, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center (BMC) had received several accolades including recognition by International Council of Museums (ICOM), ISO 50001 certification, and the 2014 Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor as the top ranking attraction in Kaohsiung.

BMC is a 100-ha complex built to enshrine the Buddha’s tooth relic, now housed in the Main Hall. The Fo Guang Big Buddha, which sits atop the Fo Guang Building behind the Main Hall, is the landmark of the BMC. Within the compound, there are art galleries, a theatrical auditorium, a children gallery, and souvenir stores. In addition, visitors can get to experience Tea Chan, sutra transcription, or join in festive celebrations at the Five Harmonies Pagoda.

Public Transportation：
1.From the bus station in front of Kaohsiung Railway Station: take the direct Kaohsiung Bus to Fo Guang Shan Monastery.

2.From Kaohsiung Airport: take the airport bus to the Kaohsiung Railway Station, switch to a train on the Taitung or Pingtung line and get off at Jiuqutang, and at the rear entrance of the railway station take a taxi or bus to Fo Guang Shan Monastery.

3.From HSR Zuoying Station: Take the Eda Bus or Kaohsiung Bus directly to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center.

4.From Kaohsiung Metro Dadong Station: Take the Kaohsiung Dashu District Holiday Tour Bus on the weekends and national holidays, and alight at Fo Guang Shan Monastery.

5.From Pingtung : Take the Pingtung Bus 8026 “Pingtung – Ligang – Fo Guang Shan” Route.

Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Art Center is located within the third ship trench in Kaohsiung harbor, built in 1973, originally a general purpose harbor warehouse. In 2000, this space full of experimental possibilities was discovered when authority was looking for a space to set up firecrackers for the Independence Day celebration. The hub of outdoor and indoor art warehouse and museums was then established at the wharf which is now called the “Yencheng Passenger Wharf”.

The main building, Pier 2 warehouse, was once a sugar storage and now houses different contemporary art throughout the year. The surrounding grounds are full of modern art sculptures, statues and decorated buildings. There are miles of walking paths and a cycle path that cuts through the art district adding a fresh feel of the area. Pier 2 Art Center is now the best place in Kaohsiung for modern art fans, and the area is bustling with young art lovers and visitors all day. Everyday

The district boasts not only the Pier 2 Warehouse, but several other art galleries and museums all next to each other, including The Super Nature Conceptual Art of Mimicry Exhibition, The Wall Live House, Kaohsiung Museum of Labour, Tung Fang Institute of Technology – Shigeo Fukuda Design Museum and Mechanical Art on Component Street. Travelers are welcome to visit the zone at your leisure and have a fine spiritual feast!