Love River Introduction
The Love River, spanning the entire Kaohsiung urban area, is the most representative tourist attraction in Kaohsiung. The neatly paved riverside walkway, the beautiful waterfront scenery along the way, the enchanting and colorful night views at night, and the cafés and weekend markets located on both banks have become great places for locals and tourists to stroll and take their time. However, the classic tourist itinerary is to board the Love Boat or a gondola at the pier to take in the riverside scenery while wandering in the night. The Story of the Love River The Love River originates from Bagualiao in the Renwu District of Kaohsiung City, flowing into the urban area where it is crossed by bridges such as Jhongjheng, Qihsien, Zhongzheng, and Kaohsiung, ultimately flowing into Kaohsiung Harbor. Initially, the Love River was just a shallow creek providing ferry services, but it was dredged during the Japanese occupation to become a canal, playing an important role in transportation at the time, and was named "Kaohsiung River." This was the first formal name for the Love River, but people still commonly referred to it as "Kaohsiung Drain" or "Kaohsiung Canal." Do you know how the Love River got its name? In 1948, someone established the "Love River Boating Service" to allow people to row boats on the river. Couples often rowed while talking affectionately, and through word of mouth, this romantic name—Love River—came to be, making it the most romantic industrial canal. The Radiance of the Love River, Unfolding in the Night Once suffering from pollution and the ravages of time, the Love River has now regained its splendor. The night scenery, water activities, and cafés on the east bank are must-visit classics. As the lights come on, the neon lights against the backdrop of the Love River shine brilliantly, with the river reflecting the vibrant night view of Kaohsiung. From the upstream Love River Heart and the Light Tower to the downstream True Love Pier, the romantic night scenery along the way offers travelers an exquisite experience. Enjoy a Unique Emotion by Night Boating on the Love River in a Gondola! The gondola is a unique mode of transportation in Venice, where the gondolier rows from the back of the boat while singing, representing the romance of Venice. Now, you can enjoy this without spending money to go abroad! Operators have specially imported million-dollar gondolas from Venice that sail on the Love River, providing a romantic experience filled with exotic charm, currently available only at the Love River in Taiwan. To ride the Love River's exclusive gondola, the boarding location is at the intersection of Hedong Road and Minsheng Road, with a round trip of about 25 minutes. As you glide across the surface of the Love River, you can see the reflections of the 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 is a secret that many people do not know; there are twelve zodiac constellation lights underneath the bridge, so you can look for your own zodiac. As the boat sways by, the traditional habit of the gondolier singing is authentically recreated on the Love River. Listening to the gondolier sing beautiful songs feels like being in romantic Venice. Lo Ta-yu's New Song "Love River in This World" captures his deep feelings for Kaohsiung, expressing its new appearance compared to his memories throughout the lyrics.
