10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Kaohsiung That You Shouldn't Miss

At the north-east point of Dashu Township in Kaohsiung county, South Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan Monastery (literally translated as Buddha’s Light Mountain Monastery) sits on a bamboo hill on the left bank of the Gaoping river. Here you will find the headquarters of a prominent Buddhist order, established by Master Hsing Yun and his disciples. The architecture of the buildings within the monastery complex is characteristic of the traditional Buddhist monastery, but one may be pleasantly surprised with the array of visitor-friendly amenities on offer. The southeastern face of Fo Guang Shan Monastery features the prominent Great Buddha Land, which is home to a standing Buddha image of 48 metres in height, and 480 smaller Buddha images that surround it. English-speaking visitors may find information and maps in English at the Reception, and prior contact via email can be made to discuss free tour options.

At Pier-2, Collision is a Driving Force It was once an abandoned and forgotten warehouse buried in history due to the move from an industrial based segment to the service sector. However, with a group of persistent artist who injected waves of creativity and inspiration into the area, the Pier-2 area was released and re-born making the region a place where tourist and locals can come together to enjoy fine art. With the collision of an old area and new fine art, Pier-2 becomes an area of new vitality and liveliness. Located at the sides of the pier are the artistic warehouse clusters. Not only are there unlimited flows of cars, boats, sea breeze and people coming and going every day but also when looking at the vast ocean and sky, one is relaxed, stress-free with limitless thoughts. The encounter of the land and the ocean is so vast at Pier-2, it seems to symbolised the bright future ahead. The Operation Centre and the artists who have come to showcase their significant artworks both have their own dreams and visions for Pier-2. However both are willing to put down their differences to support one another and work towards a common goal which is the success of Pier-2. Despite the administrative and artistic conflict, both parties come together to become intimate partners, building an memorable and lasting image in the hearts of the people. Great cooperation needs time and hardship to accumulate. On Taiwan's Independence Day, October 10th, 2000, celebration fireworks were not only launched in Taipei. For the first time the government also decided to release fireworks in southern Taiwan, and Kaohsiung became the selected location. In order to find a suitable location to present fireworks, the organisers re-discovered the Pier-2 Warehouses just beside the harbour. Later in 2001, a group of passionate Taiwanese artists established the Pier-2 Artistic Development Association. Pier-2 has become the headquarters for artistic development in southern Taiwan. The Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs took over the Pier-2 Art Centre in 2006, starting a series of exhibitions and festivals such as the Kaohsiung Design Festival, the Chinese Character Exhibition, Kaohsiung International Steel & Iron Sculpture Festival, Kaohsiung International Container Art Festival, "Here comes the Kaohsiungers", Mega Port Festival, The Wall Moon Theatre, Kaohsiung Youth Innovative Design Exhibition, Intertidal Region, Point & Wavy Ribbon Formation Performance Season etc. Every performance and exhibition filled the city with creative vibes injecting new life to the Pier-2 Art Centre. In doing so, the centre has continuously been presenting avant-garde perceptions and appearances, while building this port city into an attractive cultural and living hub. TWR Entertainment, Inc. has found their home in Warehouse Number 9.TWR Entertainment, Inc. is a globally-focused, Asia-based media organisation that successfully blends world class creativity and groundbreaking technology innovation. Pier-2 has now become on par with the rest of the artistic world where imagination, creativity, and animation has become solid building blocks for the future. Kaohsiung's light rail system will be fully operational and linked to both the Red and Orange lines of the Kaohsiung MRT. The new system will significantly enhance the city's mass-transit system and create a more complete urban transportation network. With 35 stations and six transfer stations, the light rail system's two lines (Ring Line and Waterfront Line) will total 22.1km in length. Construction work is to start in October 2012, with the Waterfront Line scheduled to start running in December 2014. The light rail system will improve the quality of transportation in Kaohsiung, create a barrier-free environment, and hopefully encourage the city's 2.2 million motorcyclists to embrace a low-carbon form of transportation. Port of Kaohisung is the 12th busiest container port in the world. Consequently, Kaohsiung City Government has been actively shaping the port zone to become Asia's New Bay Area. Starting in 2013, the government will initiate a series of building projects in the port area, along piers 15 to 21 and nearby. Projects include the Kaohsiung Exhibition and Convention Centre, which will host major international exhibitions, the Port and Cruise Service Centre, which will serve travellers, the Kaohsiung Maritime Culture and Popular Music Centre, where musical and cultural performances will be held, and Kaohsiung Main Public Library, a superb example of eco-friendly architecture.

The Buddha Museum (formerly Buddha Memorial Center) was constructed with the intention of the construction commenced in 2001 enshrining the Buddha's relic and lasted for ten years. It was officially opened on the 25th December 2011.