Shoushan's Love Terrace and its Surrounding Attractions
◎English translation: Hou Ya-ting ◎Photos by Pao Chung-hui
Kaohsiung's residents enjoy getting up early to watch the sunrise. Shoushan's hillside scenic Love Terrace is the place to go. Located about a half hour drive from the downtown area, Shoushan is known as Kaohsiung's backyard. It also offers great views of the city and ocean from its mountain top lookout. It is a popular attraction for visitors, as well as local residents. Usually the sunrise begins around arrive 6 a.m., so it is suggested to get there early.
The Love Terrace is in close proximity to the Martyrs' Shrine, which is also located in Shoushan Park. Visitors can park in the parking lot and then climb the stairs up to the actual shrine. It overlooks the Port of Kaohsiung and Kaohsiung's downtown area. Kaohsiung's famous landmark of the 85 Sky Tower and Mount Dawu can also be seen from there.
After exploring Shoushan, head down the mountain to Yancheng District. There are several popular eateries for visitors to sample local delicacies. One highly recommended treat is the 50-year-old Almond Milk, which is located on Lainan Street. Local residents enjoy almond milk for breakfast or as a late evening snack. There are baked butter buns, which are also a popular delicacy. The buns are crispy on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside. There are also other eateries, which offer large bowls of dried noodles and other noodle soups.
Another attraction in close proximity is the Dagou Railway Museum. During the Japanese colornial period, trains would use the line to get to the harbor. However when industry boomed, the harbor line ceased to be used. The city government has revitalized the area and preserved part of the historic tracks. Pier-2 Art Center is also located nearby. It has a beautiful park which features public art installations. There are often art installations on show in the recently renovated warehouses.
Shoushan and Yancheng Districts offer visitors scenic views and the opportunity to stroll through history. Kaohsiung's sunsets are stunning and Shoushan's peaks offer a perfect place to watch it. While up on Shoushan, definitely include a trip to the Love Terrace and take in the beautiful views of the city. Then take a walk through Yancheng District to take in the recently developed Pier-2 Art Center and the historic Dagou Railway Museum.
高雄港與市區盡收眼底─壽山LOVE觀景台
◎文／葉郁琪 ◎攝影／鮑忠暉
拜壽山地理特性所賜，在高雄市區也能追日出。壽山LOVE觀景台不只能賞夜景，在這裡欣賞日出，更有一番特別的都會風味。
凌晨，街燈仍然亮著，迷濛的霧氣罩著城市，港口尚未開工，船舶停靠港邊，燈塔的倒影在水面上蕩漾。登上忠烈祠旁的LOVE觀景台俯瞰港都，呼吸新鮮空氣，享受日出前的寧靜平和。待太陽探出頭來，飽滿的金黃色灑在大地，將城市繪上活潑愉悅的色彩。一起觀賞日出的人們，有人發出讚嘆驚呼，有人抓緊時機，快門喀擦喀擦地想把最美一刻保留下來；有人則是靜靜看著這幅似畫美景，喝一口自己帶上的熱茶，若無旁人般享受自己的世界。
若不趕時間，可以多留一會兒，接下來的美景更令人屏息。太陽依傍雄偉的85大樓緩緩爬升，兩者氣勢磅礡充滿能量，就像是高雄堅定不移的守護者。陽光漸漸將天空的暗色抹去，點亮成令人心曠神怡的湛藍色，和眼下翠綠的壽山相互映襯；潔白雲朵被陽光熱情得鑲上金邊，將天空堆疊出不同層次的美；若幸運碰上晴天，陽光更會為高雄港的水面綴點上粼粼波光，添加幾分如詩如畫的溫柔。
建議在6點前上到觀景台，除了能卡個視線良好的位置外，也能完整欣賞天空的晝夜變換。東邊聳立的大武山形成天然屏障，所以實際看到太陽的時間會比較晚，若天氣條件許可，能清楚看到大武山的山稜線。
日出飽足心靈，五臟府當然也要好好地祭一祭！鄰近的鹽埕區老牌美食林立，瀨南街的杏仁茶是當地人早餐消夜最愛的五十年老店，店內左邊販賣乾湯麵類、滷味切料及湯品，口味老少咸宜，最大特點是份量十足。右邊是杏仁茶等早餐宵夜，餐點選擇多樣不馬虎，特別推薦烘烤過的奶油餐包，表面焦香酥脆，咬一口內部溫熱柔軟，奶油餡在嘴裡如煙火噴發，頓時醇濃奶香味充滿口腔。
飽足後可順道至打狗鐵道故事館一帶散步，這裡曾是台鐵舊臨港線的高雄港站，斑駁的軌道見證高雄港昔日興盛風華，2008年因產業轉型而停駛。高市府保留部分軌道，綠美化周邊景觀，並設置公共裝置藝術，一路延伸到駁二藝術特區，成為市民休閒的好去處。