One Of The World’s Most Beautiful Subway Stations Is In Taiwan

Let’s talk art and prove once again that beauty is all around us and that sometimes you don’t need to go to a museum to admire breathtakingly beautiful artworks. Whether you’re taking a nature walk and admiring fragrant flowers, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Philippines surrounded by colorful marine life or simply walking into a unique and magnificent subway station, art and more generally beauty is closer than we think!

So here’s a little guide to the most beautiful subway station I’ve seen so far: Formosa Boulevard Station and its Dome of Light in Kaohsiung, Taiwan!

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Formosa Boulevard Station’s Dome of Light in a few words

Created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, the Formosa Boulevard Station’s 30-meter-diameter “Dome of Light: Wind, Fire, and Time” is actually made of colored glass and tells the story of human life and experience.

This beautiful hidden gem, hidden because you actually have to go underground to find it, has become quite popular over the years and is now one of Taiwan’s landmarks.

So if you want to see an amazing art exhibition for free in Kaohsiung, look no further!

And if you’d like to see other subway stations that aren’t creepy, Stockholm has its fair share of original and captivating ones!

How to get there

Address: 800, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Sinsing District, Zhongshan 1st Rd, 115號地下一樓

The good thing is that you can’t really miss it if you’re visiting Kaohsiung, as you’re almost certain to pass by the MRT Formosa Boulevard Station where the work of art is located at some point.

It’s also a transfer station between the orange and red lines, so you’re bound to come across people going about their daily lives. Plus, the station is also close to a few attractions as well as the main train station.

Best time to go

You can go whenever you like, but I’d avoid rush hour and prioritize evenings to admire the place more peacefully and calmly.

There are also scheduled light shows every day: 11am, 3pm and 8pm, although I think seeing the Dome of Light is really the prettiest attraction.

Nearby sights

As I said earlier, thanks to its fairly central location, not only it’s easy to visit the Dome of Light but there’s also plenty to do in the surrounding area!

Liuhe Night Market

Address: Liuhe 2nd Rd, Sinsing District
Opening hours: 17:00-04:00

If you’re feeling a little peckish and don’t want to go all the way across the city, visit Liuhe night market in Kaohsiung: a nice place to try Taiwanese seafood as well as desserts.

It’s also very convenient, as it’s only a 6-minute walk from Formosa Boulevard Station. Just take exit 11 until you stumble upon the closed night market street.

The Pier2 Art Center

Address: No. 1號, Dayong Rd, Yancheng District
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00

Kaohsiung is a rather modern and artistic city, and a visit to the Pier2 Art Center won’t contradict that.

Piers are often synonymous with smelly atmosphere, rusted shipping containers, and are generally a place you wouldn’t think to include on a city tour, and while the place was probably exactly like that before, warehouses has since been transformed into works of art.

Restaurants, craft stores and beautiful murals now occupy the area, making it a pleasant place to relax or shop along the water.

Love River Bay & Glory Pier

One thing’s for sure, Kaohsiung isn’t a city lacking in beautiful art installations and for this, there’s no need to stay underground around its subway station, just step outside and follow the romantic path along Love River Bay.

From the Kaohsiung Music Center sitting on the water to the Dragon Fish statue, a walk along the river quickly became one of my favorite things to do in the city.

Of course, I recommend it even more at night where the illuminations add that little extra charm to the already romantic city.

And if you’re wondering why Love River? It’s because it used to be a romantic spot for couples before it was severely polluted in the 70s. But don’t worry, that’s no longer the case, as the river has been restored to its former beauty.

Sunfong (Sanfeng) Temple

Address: No. 134, Hebei 2nd Rd, Sanmin District
Opening hours: 06:00-22:00

A temple hundreds of years old in the heart of the city center and only a 20-minute walk from the subway station and the Dome of Light make it a must-see in the city.

You’ll find here the typical and stunning architecture of Taoist temples, vibrant colors, not to mention the multitude of red lanterns, making the visit magical, to say the least.

Tips to visit the Dome of Light

• Prefer weekdays to weekends.
• Avoid peak hours.
• Allow more than 2 minutes and a few photos. Spend time admiring the details and subtleties of the art.

FAQ

Do I have to pay to see the light show?

As the subway station is a public place and the Dome of Light is completely free, you don’t need a ticket to see the light show either.

Are there any opening hours?

As with all subway stations, it’s not open all day, but from 06:00 to 00:00.

How long should I spend at Formosa Boulevard Station?

Personally, I’d say that if you really want to enjoy the artwork and take a few pictures, consider spending at least 20 minutes here.

Here are a few photos of the subway station:

That’s a wrap on one of the most beautiful subway stations in the world you’ll ever see. Now, do I think it’s an unmissable in the city? Not if you only have a few days or aren’t really into art.

But if you’re planning to pass through the station anyway and love a free art exhibition as original and stunning as the Dome of Light, then a visit here won’t disappoint!

Plus, have you ever seen a subway station as colorful and cool as this one?

Are you planning to stay in Kaohsiung for a while and would like to explore other places not too far away? Here are 8 day trips from the city you shouldn’t miss!

Want more things to do in Kaohsiung? Check out my other article on the city here!