Light rail ridership exceeded 7.21 million trips during the first half of 2026, rising from 6.66 million during the same period last year, according to Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. The total was also higher than the 6.58 million passenger trips recorded during the first six months of 2024.

The Donggang festival is held once every three years and is recognized as an important national folk custom. It is one of Pingtung County’s largest religious events. The wooden King Boat measures almost 47 Taiwanese feet, or about 14 meters, and cost approximately NT$13.8 million, the county government said.

Runners can enter one of four categories: a 42-kilometer full marathon, a 21-kilometer half marathon, a 12-kilometer challenge race, or a 4-kilometer experience race. Activities will take place over the weekend of November 14-15, with the races scheduled for Sunday.

The material was a piece of wood retained from the construction of a ceremonial boat for the Donggang Donglong Temple (東港東隆宮) Wangye Welcoming Festival, also known as the King Boat Festival. It was sent into orbit through the “Milky Way Watch” (天河守望) project, a collaboration between the Pingtung County Government and National Central University (國立中央大學).

The nearby light rail crossing adds another complication. Drivers said trips that would normally take about 10 minutes have taken more than 30 minutes during peak periods when vehicle queues coincide with passing light rail trains and traffic signals.

The event is scheduled for July 24 at InterContinental Kaohsiung (高雄洲際酒店), according to the Taiwan Startup World Cup website. Organizers said the Kaohsiung event is part of a broader initiative to connect southern Taiwan’s startup teams with international investors, business leaders, accelerators, and entrepreneurship networks.

Jhongjheng Road was once known as Kaohsiung’s “financial street,” Mayor Chen said. The city hopes the redevelopment, together with nearby projects, will help revive the old city center and strengthen demand for A-grade office space. The former council building was completed in 1966 and served as an important site for Kaohsiung’s local politics before the 2010 city-county merger. After the merger, the city council moved to its current location in Fongshan District (鳳山).

The site is expected to reopen in September if work proceeds smoothly. The renovation period is expected to take about 45 to 60 days.

The Nanzihkeng facility is the 11th operational sports center out of a planned 15 for Kaohsiung. Beyond the pool, additional facilities include multi-use courts, multi-function classrooms, and a fitness center.

Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) said that East Kaohsiung has a rich ecology, diverse cultures, and local craft traditions, and called on visitors to use the summer to explore the area at a slower pace.