Weiwuying Metropolitan Park, Kaohsiung

Weiwuying Metropolitan Park is a vast urban green space transformed from a former military base into one of the city’s most popular recreational areas. Covering 47 hectares, the park once housed the Eighth Army Group and now offers locals and visitors a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city. Thoughtfully redeveloped, the site retains some elements of its military past, including three original buildings and a converted water tower that now serves as a scenic overlook. From here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding lawns, lake, and tree-lined paths.

The southern portion of the park includes South Lake, Summer Avenue, and a large children’s play area, making it especially attractive for families. Expanses of grass and tree-shaded trails invite walking, jogging, cycling, and kite flying. There’s also space for open-air performances and community activities, reinforcing the park’s role as a social and cultural hub. Throughout the year, Weiwuying hosts art events, seasonal festivals, and outdoor fitness sessions, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the park’s transformation from restricted grounds into a space of openness and connection.

On the northern side of the park lies the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, one of the largest performing arts complexes in Asia. Together, Weiwuying Metropolitan Park and its adjoining arts center symbolize Kaohsiung’s evolving identity-one that blends its industrial and military past with a forward-looking focus on creativity, livability, and cultural vitality.