Unwind At Lotus Pond, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Brief history

Lotus Pond is actually an artificial lake established in 1951. The name Lotus Pond was inspired from the many lotus plants in the lake. There are numerous temples including the Confucian Temple, the Dragon Tiger Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and many more. Lotus Pond is quite popular in Kaohsiung, and was one of the venues for the water sports in the 2009 World Games.

Things to do

Lotus Pond offers people more than just a tranquil view. Since there is much cultural history surrounding the lake, travelers can go explore the many temples and pagodas of the lake, such as the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Dragon Tiger Pagodas, and the Confucian Temple. Furthermore, many famous delicacies are located near the lake. So, for travelers who would like to spoil your taste buds, try out some snacks such as Ben Beef noodles, Da-dao-gong peace cakes (a dessert made from the water spinach plant), Gong Carambola soup (also known as starfruit soup), etc.

Locals can be found at the site cycling and exercising, either with companions or alone. The Kaohsiung City Bike is available at Lotus Pond, so travelers can cycle around the lake and enjoy the view from every angle. There is also a track for runners, which circles the lake. It’s a good option for those who prefer to exercise on foot. The other option for those who would like a challenge would be waterboarding on the lake. The cost of water boarding at Lotus Pond is around 1000 NTD (approximately 30 USD) for 2 hours including a wet suit, a personal tutor, and the water board; certain discounts are available.

Sunrise at Lotus Pond

Apart from being a popular tourist destination, Lotus Pond is also famous among photographers because of its sunrise. During sunrise, the lake possesses a precious view combining the temples, the water, and the sun altogether. All year around, people would be waiting for the sunrise as early as 5 am to get the perfect transition shots of the breaking dawn. So, if you are a traveler who loves sunrise or fancies photography, be sure to experience the sunrise at Lotus Pond!

Lotus Pond transportation information

Getting to Lotus Pond is actually quite easy, thanks to the good public transportation services in Kaohsiung. Travelers that are already at the Red 35 bus line can take it directly to Lotus Pond. Travelers who don’t have that option or are closer to the MRT stations, however, can take the MRT red line train to Zuoying Station. From Zuoying MRT station, take the Red 35 bus to Lotus Pond. The bus fare alone will cost 12 NTD (approximately 0.30 USD), but the MRT fare is different according to your travel distance.