Love River Introduction
The Love River, spanning the entire Kaohsiung urban area, is the most representative tourist destination in Kaohsiung. The neatly paved riverside walkway, the beautiful waterside scenery along the way, the charming and colorful night views at night, as well as the cafes and weekend markets along both banks, have become great places for locals and tourists to stroll and enjoy. However, the most iconic travel experience is taking a boat ride on the Love Boat or gondola from the pier, indulging in the riverside scenery and basking in the night atmosphere. The Story of the Love River The Love River originates in Bagualiao, Renwu District, Kaohsiung City. After flowing into the urban area, it is crossed by bridges such as the Jianguo, Cijin, and Zhongzheng bridges, eventually flowing into Kaohsiung Harbour. The Love River was initially just a shallow stream serving for ferry transportation, but during the Japanese occupation, it was dredged to become 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, although people still commonly referred to it as "Kaohsiung Zhen" or "Kaohsiung Canal." But do you know how the name "Love River" came about? In 1948, someone opened the "Love River Boat Station" for people to row boats on the river, and couples often rowed together, leading to the spread of this romantic name—Love River, making it the most romantic industrial canal. The Splendor of the Love River Shines in the Night The Love River, once heavily polluted and weathered by time, has now regained its splendor. The night scenery, water activities, and cafes on the left bank are must-see classics. As the streetlights come on, the dreamlike neon lights illuminate the Love River, reflecting the hustle and bustle of Kaohsiung's night scene. From the upper reaches, Love River's Heart and Light Tower to the lower reaches at True Love Pier, the romantic night view along the way allows travelers to savor each moment. Experience a different emotion on a night tour of the Love River by gondola! The gondola is a unique mode of transportation in Venice, where the gondolier stands at the back of the boat, rowing while singing, representing the romance of Venice. Now you can enjoy this experience without spending money to travel abroad! Operators have specially imported million-dollar gondolas from Venice to sail on the Love River, providing a romantic experience filled with exotic charm, currently available only at the Love River in Taiwan. To take a gondola exclusive to the Love River, the boarding location is at the intersection of Hedong Road and Minsheng Road. A round trip takes about 25 minutes, gliding on the surface of the Love River, enjoying the reflections of city lights on both banks, including the main lantern of the 2001 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, "Aoyue Longxiang," and the distant Kaohsiung Music Center. When the boat passes under the Wufeng Bridge, there’s a secret that many do not know: there are twelve zodiac light decorations underneath the bridge, where you can find your zodiac sign. As the boat sways past, the tradition of the gondolier's singing is also vividly re-enacted on the Love River, listening to the gondolier sing beautiful songs, making you feel as if you are in romantic Venice. Lo Ta-yu’s new song "Love River Human Realm" Incorporates his memories of Kaohsiung as it appears today into the lyrics, expressing his profound feelings for this land of Kaohsiung.
