The Pier-2 Art Center (The Pier-2) is a waterfront arts district in Kaohsiung’s Yancheng District, built in old port warehouses on the harbour’s Basin No. 3. Big outdoor sculptures, murals, galleries, design shops and cafés fill the area, and a former railway line through it is now one of the city’s busiest cycle paths.
Plan your visit to Pier-2 Art Center
- Entry: free (some exhibitions ticketed)
- Warehouses 10 AM to 6 PM, to 8 PM Fri to Sun
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
History of Pier-2 Art Center
The warehouses were built for Kaohsiung Port in the 1970s to store goods such as sugar and fishmeal, but fell out of use as the port changed. In 2000, while looking for a venue for National Day fireworks, locals rediscovered the empty buildings, and artists soon began using them.
The city’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs took over the site, which has grown from a handful of warehouses into a large arts district with exhibition halls, shops, performance spaces and an artist-in-residence programme. It now hosts major events such as design festivals and seasonal markets.
Attractions at Pier-2 Art Center
- Outdoor art: giant sculptures, installations and murals scattered between the warehouses, free to explore.
- Dayi and Penglai warehouse clusters: indie shops, galleries, cafés, a bookstore and performance venues.
- Exhibitions: changing indoor shows, some free and some ticketed.
- Dagang Bridge: a pedestrian bridge across the harbour basin that swings open for boats at set times; check the current schedule locally.
- Hamasen Railway Cultural Park: old tracks and rolling stock on the site of Kaohsiung’s first railway station, next door.
Things to Do at Pier-2 Art Center
- Art walk: wander between the warehouses and photograph the sculptures and murals.
- Cycle the harbour: rent a CityBike and follow the old railway line along the waterfront.
- Shop local design: crafts, prints and souvenirs from small Taiwanese brands.
- Catch an event: weekend markets, concerts and festivals are frequent.
- Sunset by the harbour: watch the lights come on around the basin and the bridge.
Pier-2 Art Center – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Hours: indoor warehouses roughly 10 AM to 6 PM Monday to Thursday and 10 AM to 8 PM Friday to Sunday; the outdoor areas are open at all times.
- Entry: free for the outdoor areas; some exhibitions charge admission. Check the official website for current shows.
Tours
- Kaohsiung cultural day tour (Pier-2, Dagang Bridge, Lotus Pond, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Sizihwan; English/Chinese, from THSR Zuoying): on Klook
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How Long to Spend at Pier-2 Art Center
Allow 2 to 3 hours, or half a day if you add exhibitions, Hamasen and a ride along the harbour.
How to Get There
- Light rail: the Circular Light Rail stops at several stations along Pier-2, including Dayi Pier-2 and Penglai Pier-2.
- MRT: Orange Line to Yanchengpu Station, then walk about 5 to 10 minutes; Hamasen Station (Orange Line terminus) is also close.
- Taxi: about 10 to 15 minutes from Kaohsiung Main Station.
- Bike: CityBike stations are dotted around the district.
Arriving at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Pier-2 Art Center
- Warehouse cafés and bars: coffee, craft beer and light meals inside Pier-2.
- Yancheng old district: traditional eateries and snack shops a few blocks inland.
- Hamasen and Gushan: seafood restaurants near the ferry pier for Cijin.
Other Attractions Nearby Pier-2 Art Center
- Kaohsiung Music Center: a striking pop-music venue on the harbour, a short walk or light-rail ride away.
- Hamasen Railway Cultural Park: next to Pier-2.
- Cijin Island: a short ferry ride from Gushan Ferry Pier.
- Love River: riverside walks and boat rides nearby.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Kaohsiung: stay near Central Park, Formosa Boulevard or the Love River for easy MRT access, or by Pier-2 for the harbour.
- Get a Taiwan eSIM on Klook before you land (unlimited data, Chunghwa Telecom network).
The Pier-2 Art Center turns Kaohsiung’s old harbour warehouses into a free, open-air gallery of sculptures, murals, design shops and cafés. Come in the late afternoon, browse the warehouses and stay for sunset by the water.
From here, hop on the ferry to Cijin Island or stroll over to the Love River for the evening.
