Xiziwan Scenic Area Introduction
Xiziwan is known for its beautiful sunset views and natural reefs. The area includes attractions such as Xiziwan Beach, Waterfront Park, and the British Consulate at Takao, among others. Visitors can enjoy the sea views and gaze at the Port of Kaohsiung. The beach captivates with its tropical atmosphere and southern charm. As night falls, the glow of the sunset and the twinkling lights of fishing boats create a picturesque scene of sea and sky. The sunset at Xiziwan, known as Xizi Sunset, is one of the top eight scenic spots in Kaohsiung. During sunset, the stone railing along the coastal breakwater becomes the best spot to admire the lingering light of the setting sun. Not far from Xiziwan, the inscription at the gate of the Shafang Battery reads "Xiong Zhen Bei Men," with large characters showcasing a robust calligraphy style. Established in the first year of the Guangxu era, it is currently designated as a historic monument by the municipality. Built around the same time as the Qihou Battery, the two served as mutual defenses; today, the cannon has long disappeared, leaving only the curved gun platform for future generations to reminisce. The Xiziwan Visitor Center, located at Shafang Park at the intersection of Shafang Street and Anshun Street in Gushan District, is opposite the Gushan Ferry Terminal. The Hama Star area is blessed with natural resources and historical cultural heritage, with planning focused on the overall development of this area. The park covers an area of 0.63 hectares, where visitors can enjoy the views of ferries traveling between Gushan and Cijin, the scenery of Kaohsiung Harbor, and the 85 Sky Tower. The Xiziwan Visitor Center within Shafang Park has a unique architectural appearance that stands out whether viewed from land or sea, especially when paired with the entire Kaohsiung Harbor, exhibition hall, and the iconic 85 Tower, becoming an important landmark of Kaohsiung Harbor. In addition to its striking appearance, Xiziwan Visitor Center also provides tourist information, cultural creative products, and local cultural performances, allowing visitors to rest, ask questions, and savor the local customs and culture. The British Consulate at Takao Cultural Park is a well-known summer resort in Kaohsiung. Upon arrival at the entrance of Xiziwan, to the right on the hillside, a white zig-zag staircase is strikingly apparent among the greenery. Climbing up, each step brings you closer to the mountain and the sea, akin to a pilgrimage. The British Consulate, built in 1879, is an English-style architecture located by Shafang Wharf, with the consular residence on a small hill, nestled between the mountains and facing the sea. It is the oldest existing Western modern building in Taiwan and the first consulate established by the British government on the island. The park preserves the consular residence and consulate intact, along with a connecting ancient trail. Gently touching each red brick of the consular residence allows you to feel the traces of time; history is in your hand while the beautiful scenery of Kaohsiung lies at your feet, making this mountain-sea intersection a gathering place for stunning views. The best time to visit the consulate's residence is from afternoon to evening. Looking east, the magnificent landscape of the entire Kaohsiung Harbor is clearly visible, with the Kaohsiung 85 Tower and Dream Mall Ferris Wheel creating a vibrant modern painting; looking south, you can see the Cijin Fishing Port, where fishing boats and ferries pass by with the occasional sound of horn, appearing calm and leisurely. Looking west, you can see one of Taiwan’s eight scenic spots, the "Xizi Sunset," sometimes calm and sometimes turbulent. The park also incorporates dining facilities, allowing visitors to eat and drink tea while the ancient buildings radiate new romantic charm. The Shafang Yacht Marina is located at the intersection of Shafang Street and Anshun Street in Gushan District, adjacent to Shafang Scenic Park. A pedestrian bridge allows passage to the bustling Gushan Ferry Terminal on the opposite shore, but offers a more leisurely and tranquil atmosphere. "Shafang" means patrol boat, and the old name of Shafang was Shafangting, which was an early harbor in Kaohsiung's Hama Star area. Today, with the transformation from fishing to tourism, Shafang has become a marina specifically for yachts, while the scenic park is filled with various coastal plants and water features for visitors to wander freely. Standing by the marina, you can enjoy the gentle sea breeze while admiring various uniquely shaped yachts and the ferries coming and going from the opposite shore, making it the perfect spot to gaze at Qihou Mountain, the lighthouse, and the majestic view of the harbor city. Whether in the sunny blue skies or under the golden sunset glow, it radiates endless leisure and romance. The Shafang Mountain Fort can be accessed from the small park opposite Lane 30 of Anshun Street. Following the scenic trail from the British Consulate's residence, it takes less than a minute to reach. The Shibawengong Temple is located on the mountain cape at the entrance of Kaohsiung Harbor, offering a broad and beautiful view. The temple architecture maintains a traditional Minnan-style, with a steep and treacherous staircase in front, believed to test believers' sincerity. According to the stone tablet inside the temple, during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, 18 Chinese merchants crossed the sea to Taiwan and landed at present-day Xiziwan for reclamation but were viewed as traitors and collectively killed. The local residents, appreciating the spirit of these 18 ancestors, collected their remains and established the temple for worship. During the Japanese colonial period, in order to develop Kaohsiung Harbor, the current Xiziwan cave was dug, but with many difficulties and casualties, locals suggested that the Japanese government offer incense to the 18 Wang Gong for protection before the project was completed successfully. Local people raised funds to build the first Shibawengong Temple on the site of what is now the Zhongshan University sports field. Later, in conjunction with the establishment of Zhongshan University, the temple was relocated to its present site on the mountain cape in 1984. As more visitors began to flock to Xiziwan to enjoy the sea in the evening, the temple's incense and popularity flourished. The Xiong Zhen Bei Men was initially built during the Zheng dynasty and constructed as a Western-style fort by hiring a French engineer in the Qing dynasty. The city walls were made of rammed earth and red bricks, serving as mutual defenses alongside the Weizhen Tian South Battery in Cijin, controlling the critical maritime area. It also served as a transportation hub from Qihou to the old city of Fengshan during the Qing dynasty. Recently restored as a historic park, it is the best spot to overlook Xiziwan and observe the ships coming and going in the harbor.