Kaohsiung Chengching Lake | 澄清湖

Chengching Lake 澄清湖 is the largest lake in Kaohsiung today and was initially built as a reservoir. In 1960, after the lake was turned into a forest park, it was officially opened to the public. The lake itself is modeled after the West Lake 西湖 in Hangzhou, China. 

After the ROC government relocated to Taiwan, part of the area around the lake was used to built an anti-nuclear underground tunnel for the government. That area has since been transformed into an aquarium and is now the Chengching Lake Exotic Marine Life Museum 澄清湖海洋奇珍園.

ROC president Chiang Kai-Shek even built one of his private chateaus by the lake. While walking by the lake (which is more than 300 hectares in size), there are signs explaining where the former president liked to sit and observe the expanse. 

The lake and the park itself is HUGE. You could spend an entire day there, where you'll spot pavilions, pagodas, towers, and the Nine-Turn Bridge 九曲橋, which actually zigzags with 9 turns! 

The bridge was built in 1960, and spans 230 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width. These types of bridges are commonly found in Chinese gardens and are considered auspicious as the number 9 in Mandarin Chinese is a homonym of the word 久 which means everlasting. 

The various pagodas and towers can be climbed onto to enjoy a spectacular view of Kaohsiung. It is extremely peaceful just to walk around the park. You'll see elderly people just exercising or chilling in the vicinity because entrance is actually free for all Kaohsiung residents! 

Even though it is an artificial lake, the water is crystal clear. Look closely, and you'll see the water sparkling as though its glitter! 

I missed it when I visited back in 2016, but you should check out Kaohsiung Yuan Shan Grand Hotel 高雄圓山大飯店 and one of Chiang Kai Shek's Residence 蔣公行館  (澂清樓) if you're in the vicinity. 

Entrance to the lake is free for all Kaohsiung residents. For everyone visiting outside of Kaohsiung, you will need to pay NT$100 to enter the lake park. Chengching Lake is easily accessible via public bus or by Kaohsiung MRT. 

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