By RK Shih / Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung’s Fongshan District (鳳山) is set to glow as the annual Fongshan Light Season (鳳山光之季) opens February 7, with organizers unveiling the festival’s main installation—a towering eight-meter-tall light sculpture titled “I Love Fongshan.”
The light festival, marking the 238th anniversary of Fongshan’s founding, will run for 25 days through the Lantern Festival. A total of 10 art light installations and 10 “lightscape” zones will stretch across a 1.5-kilometer route centered on Dadong Wetland Park, often described as a “Kaohsiung version of the Forgotten Forest.”
The main lantern features a phoenix motif incorporating mountain and water imagery, symbolizing Fongshan’s landscape and the historic Caogong Canal (曹公圳). Additional installations include illuminated tunnels, LED-lined walkways, and interactive light displays designed for evening visitors.
Opening night festivities begin at 6 p.m. on February 7, followed by nightly illumination from 5 to 10 p.m. A related daytime event, “Fongshan Through Time,” will see participants trace historic waterways and landmarks, including local temples and preserved fortifications.
Live performances, a cultural and agricultural market, and DIY workshops are also planned during the opening weekend, as the district positions the festival as both a cultural celebration and a winter tourism draw.
