Pier-2 Art Center
駁二藝術特區
An arts district created from old warehouses by Kaohsiung’s harbour, with large installations, graffiti, exhibitions and markets. A bike path runs along the port to Zhan’er Warehouse, Dagang Bridge and the Kaohsiung Music Center.
Pier-2 Art Center is located at Pier 2 of the Kaohsiung port. It was originally a group of warehouses built by the Harbour Bureau in 1973. In 2000 it was rediscovered when a search for a location to set off National Day fireworks led to it, and since 2006 the Kaohsiung City Government has transformed it into an art district. Today it covers 25 old warehouses in three areas, Dayong, Penglai and Dayi, making it the most important creative cluster in southern Taiwan. Highlights include large public artworks outside the warehouses, such as the giant worker and fisherwoman dolls at Pier-2 and painted murals and installations by artists from around the world. In the Dayi warehouse area there are independent bookshops, design boutiques, cafés and In Our Time record shop. In the Penglai warehouse area, the Hamasen Taiwan Railway Museum has the largest railway model scene in Taiwan (admission about NT$150), and the old railway park lawn is popular for flying kites and watching sunsets. Large exhibitions are held from time to time, and a creative market takes place every weekend. Along the harbour, a bike path leads to Zhan’er Warehouse, a 1914 warehouse converted into a souvenir and food court with a white carousel on the roof, to Dagang Bridge, the only horizontal swing bridge in Taiwan, which turns once a day at 3 p.m., and to the Kaohsiung Music Center. Together they form a harbour walking route of 2 to 3 km. Free admission (exhibitions are ticketed separately). Suggested itinerary: visit the warehouses and exhibitions before 3 p.m. After 4 p.m., walk along the harbour to Zhan’er Warehouse and Dagang Bridge, enjoy the sunset and the lights of the music centre, then take the light rail back to the city. Getting there: about 5 minutes’ walk from exit 1 of Yanchengpu Station on the Orange Line of the MRT, or take the light rail directly to Pier-2 Dayi Station or Pier-2 Penglai Station. Note: some exhibition halls close on Mondays. The site is large, so wear comfortable shoes and visit later in the day during summer heat.
Opening hours
Outdoor areas open all day; warehouse galleries Mon–Thu 10:00–18:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Dagang Bridge
- Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway
- KW2 Warehouse
- Kaohsiung Museum of History
- Kaohsiung Music Center
- Love River
- Cijin Island
- Sizihwan & Former British Consulate at Takao