Love River Introduction
The Love River, which spans the entire Kaohsiung urban area, is the most iconic tourist attraction in Kaohsiung. With well-paved riverside walking paths, beautiful waterfront scenery along the way, enchanting and dazzling night views, as well as cafes and weekend markets along the banks, it has become a great place for locals and tourists to stroll and explore. However, the classic travel experience here is to take a ride on the Love Boat or a gondola from the pier to enjoy the riverside scenery and immerse in the night ambiance. **The Story of the Love River** The Love River originates from Bagualiao in the Renwu District of Kaohsiung City and flows into the urban area, where bridges such as the Jianguo, Qixian, Zhongzheng, and Kaohsiung bridges cross it before finally flowing into the Kaohsiung Port. Initially, the Love River was just a shallow stream providing ferry services, but during the Japanese occupation period, it was dredged and became a canal, playing an important role in transportation at that time, and was named "Kaohsiung Creek." This was the first official name for the Love River, but it was still commonly referred to as "Kaohsiung Drain" or "Kaohsiung Canal." Do you know how the Love River got its name? In 1948, a place called "Love River Boat Ride" was established for people to row boats, often frequented by couples expressing their love, and through word of mouth, it earned its charming name—Love River, making it the most romantic industrial canal. **The Splendor of the Love River, Shining in the Night** Once heavily polluted and worn by time, the Love River has now regained its brilliance. The night view, water activities, and cafés on the west bank are a must-visit classic. When the lights come on, the neon dreamlike lights highlight the dazzling beauty of the Love River, with reflections of Kaohsiung's night scenery mirrored on its surface. From the upstream Love River Heart and Light Tower to the downstream True Love Pier, the romantic night scenery provides travelers with a feast for the eyes. Take a nighttime gondola ride on the Love River for a unique experience! Gondolas are a distinctive mode of transportation in Venice, where the gondolier stands at the stern and rows while singing, representing the romance of Venice. Now, you can enjoy this experience without traveling abroad! Operators have specially imported million-dollar gondolas from Venice, which sail on the Love River, offering an exotic and romantic experience that can only be found here. If you want to ride the Love River's exclusive gondola, the boarding area is located at the intersection of E. Heheng Rd. and Minsheng Rd. A round trip takes about 25 minutes, during which you can enjoy the reflections of city lights along both banks, including the main light installation of the 2001 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, "The Dragon Leaps and Flies," as well as the distant Kaohsiung Music Center. As the boat sails beneath the Wufu Bridge, there is a secret that many people do not know; there are lanterns of the twelve zodiac signs under the bridge, allowing you to search for your sign. As the boat sways by, the tradition of the gondolier singing is also beautifully and authentically recreated on the Love River, as you listen to the gondolier perform enchanting songs, evoking the feeling of being in romantic Venice. In a brand-new song titled "Love River in the Human World," Luo Dayou encapsulates his memories of Kaohsiung’s ever-changing landscape, expressing a deep emotional connection to the land.
