[Kaohsiung 高雄] Pier 2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 (1/6) ✭PLUS✭ Kaohsiung LRT 高雄轻轨－Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Aug 2018 | Jan 2018 | Jul 2017 | Dec 2016 >

If you are a fan of cultural parks (文创园区) like Songyan 松烟 and Huashan 华山 in Taipei, Pier 2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 and KW2 栈贰库 (henceforth collectively referred to as Pier 2 驳二 in this blog) would be a highly recommended destination.

Optimizing a vast stretch of old warehouses along the Kaohsiung Port, there is an entire zone of four clusters to stroll:
1 | Pier 2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 - Peng Lai Warehouse 蓬莱仓库
2 | Pier 2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 - Da Yong Warehouse 大勇仓库
3 | Pier 2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 - Da Yi Warehouse 大義仓库
4 | An adjoining Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 (KW2) & Banana Pier 栈贰库 & 香蕉码头

▼ In blue are the two nearest MRT stations - Yanchengpu 盐埕埔 (Orange line, 02) and Sizihwan 西子湾 (Orange line, 01).
In red marks Pier 2 驳二 in entirety.

I had taken several leisurely visits to cover the entire Pier 2 驳二, taking into consideration new sights and developments in this vibrant zone, making it highly revisit-able. If you don't have an entire day (and night) here, or for slow and easy visitors like myself, my recommendation is to target a specific cluster, and check out the others only if you have excess time and stamina.

▼ Getting to Pier 2 驳二 from Sizihwan 西子湾

▼ Quick mention of Takao Railway Museum 打狗铁道故事馆, at exit 2 of Sizihwan Station 西子湾站. A museum sitting at the former site of Kaohsiung Port Station presents the station's setup from the 60s & 70s. Admission seems to be free (from their website) but I have yet to pay a visit, so shots are from outside its premises.

▼ From the bus stop right outside the MRT exit, some services ply the vicinity. I haven't taken any of them, opting instead for (initially) short cab rides (when the heat was overbearing) or leisurely strolls (guided by Google Maps) to Pier 2 驳二.

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1 | Peng Lai Warehouse 蓬莱仓库
*click for separate blog

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2 | Da Yong Warehouse 大勇仓库
*click for separate blog

Check out my separate blog on one of my favourite exhibitions to date - Gacha Planet 扭蛋星球 - at Da Yong Warehouse 大勇仓库 visited in 2018.

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3 | Da Yi Warehouse 大義仓库
*click for separate blog

☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷☷

4 | KW2 & Banana Pier 栈贰库 & 香蕉码头
*click for separate blog

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Kaohsiung's public transport network had a boost in late 2017. After many months of trial (free!) runs, the Kaohsiung Light Rail 高雄轻轨, operated by Kaohsiung Metro, was officially launched.

The Circular line 环状 (C, Green line) stations in operation makes a number of attractions even more accessible, including two LRT stations at Pier 2 驳二, connected via Sizihwan MRT station 西子湾站 (Orange line, 01). Construction is underway for more stations.

Had the privilege of a free joy ride in Jul 2017 from Pier 2 驳二. The LRT stations are outdoors with partial shelter, functionally simple in design, with tracks running at ground level as pedestrian walkways - reminiscent of Taipei's Danshui LRT 淡水轻轨 (another attraction on its own).

▼ Onboard the LRT, complimentary during the trial run. EZcard, iPass, icash which work for other public transport in Taiwan can be used on this network.