By KHT Staff – AI art via 我是高雄人FB.
Newtalk News and other media outlets report that Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺) introduced her “One Cable, Two Towers, Three Golds” (一纜二塔三黃金) harbor development plan at a policy press conference on December 23.
The plan is centered on three signature elements designed to reframe Kaohsiung’s port and waterfront experience:
- 一纜 – A cross-harbor cable car system that would span Kaohsiung Port, providing elevated views of the harbor and waterfront. Facebook
- 二塔 – Two world-class tower landmarks anchoring the skyline on opposite sides of the harbor, with the cable system connecting them. PChome Online 新聞
- 三黃金 – A set of three “observation towers” at key coastal sites in 旗津海水浴場 (Cijin Beach), 海岸公園 (Coastal Park), and 風車公園 (Windmill Park), each linked to experiential features such as seaside promenades, aerial cable access, and themed museums. Facebook
Lin framed the initiative not merely as construction, but as a long-term integrated strategy that blends tourism, industry, employment, and urban governance to raise Kaohsiung’s profile on the global stage. Newtalk新聞
Aiming for global recognition and economic impact
During the press event, Lin cited models like Paris’s Eiffel Tower as examples of how a compelling landmark can drive city identity and attract visitors. She said Kaohsiung’s port has natural advantages but lacks a distinctive icon that is immediately recognizable worldwide. Yahoo News
Data referenced in the speech suggested that if the harbor project could attract approximately 2.3 million international tourists annually—roughly 6.5 percent of Paris’s inbound visitors—it could generate around NT$90 billion in tourism value each year. Combined with projected increases from established local attractions such as 駁二藝術特區 (Pier-2 Art Center) and Cijin, the total economic impact could exceed NT$100 billion annually. Yahoo News
Lin also emphasized job creation tied to expanded tourism and related services, estimating that the initiative could create 100,000 to 150,000 employment opportunities across hospitality, cultural industries, and service sectors—resources aimed at giving young people reasons to stay and build careers in Kaohsiung. 鏡週刊 Mirror Media
Context and next steps
The cable car component has been discussed in Kaohsiung for decades as a means of enhancing mobility and scenic access between the city and 旗津 (Cijin), where ferry transport is currently the main link for residents and visitors. Threads
Whether it garners support in City Hall, among voters, or from private investors is unknown, but supporters say that if it’s successful, the plan would shape Kaohsiung’s waterfront for years to come and could redefine its role as an Asian port city with world-class tourism infrastructure.
