The Pier-2 Art Center

The warehouses at Pier-2 were built to handle bulk cargo and were left empty when the port moved its operations elsewhere. From 2006 they were taken over as exhibition and studio space, and the district now runs for close to a kilometre along the waterfront: brick and steel sheds holding galleries and design shops, disused rail sidings, large outdoor sculptures and murals, a preserved railway yard with a small museum attached, and a good deal of open ground. The light rail and a cycle path run through the middle of it. It is the most walkable part of central Kaohsiung and the one stretch of the old harbour that has been opened up rather than fenced off.

What to look for

• The warehouse galleries - brick sheds converted to exhibition and studio space.
• The outdoor sculpture - large works and murals along the waterfront and sidings.
• The old rail yard - preserved tracks and rolling stock with a railway museum.
• The harbour front - open ground looking across the water to the port cranes.

When to go

October to April, since much of the interest is outdoors and Kaohsiung is punishing between May and September. Late afternoon into the evening is the best of it, when the heat drops and the harbour lights come on. Weekends bring markets and performances and are much busier. Individual galleries keep their own opening days.

Practical notes

The balance has shifted heavily towards shops, cafes and photo spots, and the amount of actual art on show varies a lot with what is running. The site is long and spread out, and walking it end to end in the heat is more than most people expect. Ticketed exhibitions are often commercial touring shows. The harbour water is industrial and looks it.

Nearby

Cijin island is a short ferry ride across the harbour mouth.

Key facts