Kaohsiung City Councilor Chang Po-yang (張博洋) pointed out that cruise passengers often have only a few hours in the city before returning to their ships. Chang said that means shops need to be easy to identify, easy to reach, and ready to serve foreign visitors.

Arrivals from Korea could reach 115,000 this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 104,000 and generating more than NT$2 billion for local shopping districts.

The job is not easy to reach. Paiyun Lodge is accessible only by hiking about 8.5 kilometers from the trailhead, with no vehicle access available. The notice said applicants must be able to handle high-altitude conditions and “endure loneliness.”

The site will feature large inflatable water slides and paddling pools for children. Admission will be free for visitors who show receipts totaling NT$500 or more from participating businesses in Liugui.

The Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau (高雄市政府觀光局) announced an expansion of its “Spring Picnic” (春日野餐趣) event at the Kaohsiung Green Park (果嶺自然公園) to coincide with the upcoming Labor Day long weekend from May 1 to May 3.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Huang Wen-yi (黃文益) says the district’s street character makes it suitable for outdoor seating and night-time activity. He suggested allowing shops to place tables and chairs on sidewalks, provided pedestrian access and public safety are not affected.

The city’s Tourism Bureau announced today that the Kaohsiung Green Park (果嶺自然公園) — a massive 70-hectare transformation of a former golf course — will host a sprawling “Spring Picnic Fun” festival over two consecutive weekends starting April 25.

This year’s lineup will include performers from Taiwan and abroad, including acts from Okinawa and Mongolia, while singer Maggie Chiang (江美琪) is set to appear on July 30. The Aug. 30 program will also feature Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅・瘋), the 2024 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, as part of a diversity-themed event.

One of the most unique interactive features introduced at the temple is the “Letter to My Future Self” initiative. Visitors are invited to sit in the Dacheng Hall to reflect and write down their current thoughts, wishes, or unfinished goals.

Under the program, groups of at least 15 people can apply for the subsidy if they visit designated attractions in Cieding (茄萣), Yongan (永安), Mituo (彌陀), Ziguan (梓官), and Linyuan (林園), and include a local meal as part of the itinerary.