Sizihwan Scenic Area Introduction
Xiziwan is known for its beautiful sunset views and natural reefs. The area includes attractions such as Xiziwan Beach, Seaside Park, and the British Consulate at Takao. Visitors can enjoy ocean views and the distant sight of Kaohsiung Port. The beach is rich in tropical atmosphere and southern charm, and at night, the glow of the evening skies, flickering lights of fishing boats, creates a stunning scene resembling a harmonious blend of sea and sky. The sunset at Xiziwan, known as "Xizi Sunset," is one of the eight must-see sights in Kaohsiung. During sunset, the stone railing along the coastal embankment becomes the best spot to enjoy the fading light. Not far from Xiziwan, the inscription on the gate of the Shau-chuan Fort reads "Xiongzhen North Gate," with large, powerful characters. This fort was established in the first year of the Guangxu era and is currently designated as a historic site in the municipality. It was built around the same time as the Cijin Fort, serving as mutual protection, though the cannon is no longer there, leaving only the curved cannon platform for future generations to reflect on the echoes of the past. The Xiziwan Visitor Center, located in Shau-Chuan Park at the intersection of Shau-Chuan Street and An-Chuan Street in the Gushan District, faces the Gushan Ferry Terminal across the water. The area of Hamasing is rich in both natural resources and historical cultural heritage, and the planning focuses on the overall development of the Hamasing area. The park covers a total area of 0.63 hectares, where visitors can enjoy views of the ferry traveling between Gushan and Cijin, the scenery of Kaohsiung Port, and the Kaohsiung 85 Tower. The "Xiziwan Visitor Center," located within Shau-Chuan Park, features a unique architectural design that is quite eye-catching whether viewed from land or sea, especially in conjunction with the entire Kaohsiung Port, exhibition hall, and the landmark 85 Tower, making it an important landmark of Kaohsiung Port. In addition to its striking appearance, the Xiziwan Visitor Center also provides various services such as tourist consultation, cultural creative products, and local cultural performances, allowing visitors to take a break, seek information, and savor local customs and culture. The British Consulate Cultural Park at Takao is a renowned summer retreat in Kaohsiung. At the right side of the entrance to Xiziwan, there is a distinctive white zigzag staircase amidst the greenery, becoming particularly striking. Ascending the steps feels like a pilgrimage, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. The British Consulate, built in 1879, is an English-style building located adjacent to Shau-Chuan Pier, while the consular residence is built on a small hill, with mountains at the back and the sea in front. It is the oldest existing Western-style modern architecture in Taiwan and was the first consulate established by the British government in Taiwan. The park preserves both the residence and the consulate, as well as an ancient hiking trail that connects them. Touching every brick of the British Consulate residential building allows one to feel the passage of time; history is in your hands while the stunning scenery of Kaohsiung is beneath your feet, capturing the best views at this meeting point of mountains and sea. The best time to visit the British Consulate is in the afternoon or early evening. Looking east, the magnificent views of the entire Kaohsiung Port area are on full display, with the Kaohsiung 85 Tower and Dream Mall Ferris Wheel creating a vibrant modern painting; to the south, Cijin Fishing Port can be seen in the distance, with fishing boats and ferries coming and going, occasionally accompanied by the sound of their horns, presenting a calm and leisurely scene. Westward, one can enjoy the "Xizi Sunset," which can be tranquil or magnificent. Additionally, the park features recreational dining options, allowing people to eat and enjoy tea while the ancient structures showcase a new romantic charm. Shau-Chuan Yacht Marina is located at the intersection of Shau-Chuan Street and An-Chuan Street in the Gushan District, next to Shau-Chuan Scenic Park. Crossing the pedestrian bridge links it to the lively Gushan Ferry Head on the opposite side while offering a more tranquil and leisurely atmosphere. Shau-Chuan, which means patrol boat, was formerly known as Shau-Chuan Ting, an early harbor of Kaohsiung's Hamasing area. Now transformed from fishing to tourism, Shau-Chuan has become a marina specifically for docking yachts, and the scenic park is filled with various coastal plants and water-friendly facilities for visitors to enjoy leisurely strolls. Standing at the marina, one can feel the gentle sea breeze, admire a variety of uniquely designed yachts, observe the ferries coming in and out, and take in the dynamic views of Cijin Mountain, the lighthouse, and the magnificent port city landscape, whether under the clear blue skies during the day or the golden sunset. The Shau-Chuan Mountain Fort can be accessed by a hiking path opposite a small park on An-Chuan Street Lane 30, taking less than a minute's walk along the scenic path from the British Consulate at Takao. The Eighteen Lords Temple stands majestically at the entrance of Kaohsiung Port, providing a wide and beautiful view. The temple architecture retains traditional Minnan style, with a steep and rugged staircase in front of it, rumored to test believers "without sincerity, do not ascend." According to the stone tablet within the temple, during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, 18 Chinese merchants crossed the sea to Taiwan and landed at what is now Xiziwan to cultivate the land, but were regarded as treasonous and collectively executed. The nearby residents, grateful for the spirit of the 18 forebears, gathered their remains in a shrine for worship, marking the earliest origin of the Wang Gong Temple. During the Japanese era, in order to open Kaohsiung Port, they dug the cave known today as Xiziwan Mountain, but the construction faced numerous difficulties and many casualties. After the residents suggested it, the Japanese government burned incense to pray to the Eighteen Lords for blessings, and the project was eventually completed successfully. Local people then pooled funds to build the earliest Eighteen Lords Temple on the land of today's National Sun Yat-sen University stadium, and later, in 1984, it was relocated to its current site on the mountain cape in conjunction with the establishment of the university. As more people went to see the sea at Xiziwan in the evenings, the temple became increasingly popular among worshippers. The Xiongzhen North Gate was initially built during the Zheng period, and during the Qing Dynasty, a French engineer was hired to construct this Western-style fortress. The city walls are made of rammed earth and red bricks, co-defending Kaohsiung Port with the nearby Cijin's Weizhen South Fortress, thus controlling the crucial maritime territory. It is also a vital transport point from Cijin to the old city of Fengshan during the Qing Dynasty. Recently, it has been renovated into a historic park, serving as the best spot for watching the boats entering and leaving the harbor while overlooking Xiziwan.
