Weiwuying Center for the Arts Introduction
The majestic National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) is the first international-level performing arts venue in southern Taiwan. Its white, wave-like exterior resembles a spaceship, showcasing an avant-garde and technological design that instantly captivates attention, making it a popular spot for social media photography. Covering approximately 10 hectares, the venue includes an opera house, concert hall, drama theater, performance hall, and restaurants. It features a vast, green lawn outdoors and is adjacent to a metropolitan park, making it an ideal location for outings and picnics. The vineyard-style concert hall, which surrounds the stage, employs a unique seating design found nowhere else in Taiwan; this distinctive layout allows audiences at various height levels to enjoy the best sound and visibility, bringing them closer to the stage and enabling an intimate experience with the conductor and performers, indulging in a feast for the eyes and ears. Inspired by the banyan tree cluster at Weiwuying, formerly a military training center, this venue has transformed into the largest performing arts venue in East Asia through extensive efforts. Designed by Dutch architect Francine Houben, the building takes inspiration from the intertwined, intricate roots of the old banyan trees, unleashing the architect’s boundless imagination. The thoughtfully designed pathways allow visitors from all over to freely access the venue, intertwining art with local life and showcasing Kaohsiung's unique architectural aesthetics. Life and art are seamlessly connected here; while enjoying national and musical theater performances, visitors can also explore the attached stylish gift shops and restaurants, spending leisurely afternoons and selecting some artsy souvenirs. Additionally, there is an outdoor theater that offers an excellent view of sunset and an open space that allows the gentle breeze to caress visitors, right next to Weiwuying Metropolitan Park. Whether attending concerts, watching operas, taking leisurely strolls, or enjoying picnic fun, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) subtly integrates art into daily life, becoming a hidden gem for locals.
