On my first visit to Kaohsiung in 2023, a storm made me miss the Lotus Pond’s Dragon & Tiger Pagodas. I ended up killing time at Zuoying HSR Station with a 7-Eleven railway bento, mildly disappointed. Little did I know that disappointment was a sign I’d be back.
Fast forward to 2025, and I was determined not to miss these iconic spots again.
Getting to Lotus Pond
After a quick breakfast, I left the hotel early and took the MRT Red Line from Formosa Boulevard to Zuoying Station. Outside, I followed the signage toward the bus stops, only to realize I’d wandered into Xinzuoying TRA Station’s area. Bus 301 was right there in front of the station; I rode it to Zuoying Market, then walked the rest of the way to Lotus Pond.
📌 Quick Facts: Kaohsiung Lotus Pond
Getting there: MRT Red Line to Zuoying Station → walk to Bus 301 stop (in front of Xinzuoying TRA Station) → get off at Zuoying Market → short walk to Lotus Pond
Main sights: Pei Chi Pavilion, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Local tradition: Enter through the dragon’s mouth, exit through the tiger’s—said to turn bad luck into good fortune.
Nearby stop: Xinzuoying Station (connects to Zuoying HSR)—good for a TR Bento break
Good to know: Circling the pond instead of backtracking can save time getting back to transit.
Pei Chi Pavilion and Xuanwu (玄武)—The Dark Warrior of the North
My first stop was Pei Chi Pavilion, a striking lakeside shrine dedicated to Xuanwu—the Dark Warrior of the North and one of Taoism’s most powerful deities. Even from afar, the sight was captivating. Xuanwu stands tall and fearless, with a sword in hand, a turtle and snake coiled at his feet. He looks out over Lotus Pond like a silent guardian, steady and watchful.
Pei Chi Pavilion sits directly on the water, connected by a long zigzag bridge that makes every step feel like part of a ritual. It’s a popular stop for visitors seeking blessings, but even if you’re just passing through like me, the quiet and the scenery invite you to slow down, breathe, and take it all in.
Spring and Autumn Pavilions
From Pei Chi Pavilion, I continued toward the Spring and Autumn Pavilions—another highlight of the Lotus Pond area. Colorful and beautifully crafted, these twin pavilions feel like a quiet retreat from Kaohsiung’s busier streets. Up close, the architecture reveals itself: curved roofs, vibrant dragons, and delicate carvings that tell stories older than the city around them.
What I loved most is how it all connects: Pei Chi Pavilion, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and the Dragon & Tiger Pagodas line the lakeshore like chapters in the same legend. Exploring them in one slow walk made the whole experience feel magical and cohesive.
Kaohsiung Lotus Pond’s Dragon and Tiger Pagodas—Enter the Dragon, Exit the Tiger
“Enter the dragon’s mouth, exit the tiger’s…” I repeated the words in my head as I approached Kaohsiung Lotus Pond’s Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Legend says this symbolic journey turns bad luck into good fortune, drawing travelers from around the world.
The seven-story pagodas sit on the edge of Lotus Pond, linked by a traditional zigzag walkway. Inside, murals of gods, legendary battles, and mythical creatures immerse visitors in vivid Taoist tales.
Climbing to the top, Kaohsiung’s skyline opened up in a panoramic view that left me breathless. The anticipation, the legend, the scenery—it all came together in a moment I won’t forget.
Kaohsiung Bear Pop-up Store + Pamma Coffee
Temple hopping done, I took a short detour to the Kaohsiung Bear Pop-up Store, mainly to escape the heat. I browsed but didn’t buy anything—hahaha!
Feeling hungry, I stopped at Pamma Coffee, a glasshouse-style building with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious café near Lotus Pond with great food and lake views. I ordered a tomato and vegetable spaghetti (NT$198)—delicious, though I wish I’d taken more photos of the place. Check their Facebook for more info.
Along with pasta and risotto, they serve brunch staples like egg skillet dishes and eggs Benedict, so it’s worth a stop even outside lunch hours. Being right on Liantan Road, it’s also an easy rest stop if you’re bouncing between the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the Spring and Autumn Pavilions.
Heading Back: Bus Wait, TR Bento, and the Ride to Hamasen
After lunch, I made my way back to the bus stop. It took almost an hour for the right one to arrive. Little did I know: circling the pond instead would have put me a short walk from Xinzuoying Station.
A few minutes later, the bus reached Xinzuoying TRA Station, which connects directly to Zuoying HSR. It had been a while since I was last here, stranded here in heavy rain, and the memories came flooding back. I took a quick restroom break, and that’s when I spotted a familiar stall: TR Bento. My eyes lit up.
I can’t explain it, but railway bento will always hold a special place in my heart as a railway fan. I grabbed a chicken bento, my second lunch of the day, and enjoyed it in the waiting area with the other passengers.
After my second lunch, I browsed the food stalls at the station, then headed out. For my next stop, I took the MRT Red Line to Aozihdi Station, then walked over to catch the Circular Line, hopping off at Hamasen Station.
A Promise Fulfilled
Visiting Lotus Pond, especially the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, wasn’t just a bucket list checkmark. It was fulfilling a promise I made to myself: to return to a city that captured my heart, mind, and soul.
Just like the Circular Line, I know I’ll come back to explore more hidden gems and rediscover Taiwan in ways I never have before.
Taiwan will always be “Time for Taiwan” for me. Full of stories, legends, and moments that stay with the traveler long after the journey ends.
Next Destination: Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Day 2, Part 2: Exploring Hamasen Railway Museum and Pier-2—where century-old tracks, open-air art installations, and revitalized port warehouses meet along Kaohsiung’s historic harbor front. 🚂🎨
This blog is a continuation of my Taiwan, Two, Three… (2025 Series). After my last visit in 2023, where storms and missed plans left me longing for more, I promised myself I’d come back. In 2025, that promise becomes reality.
📅 Travel Dates: November 14–18, 2025
