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Lotus Pond, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Author Zairon.

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Lianchi (Lotus) Lake

The Lotus Pond (also called the Lotus Lake) is located on the east side of the Zuoying District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Initially, it was constructed as an artificial reservoir and was completed in 1951.

Its uniqueness comes from the numerous temples surrounding the lake, including the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. There is also a crooked bridge, to deter ghosts. Ghosts can only go in straight lines.

Notably, several aquatic events in the 2009 World Games were held here. The Lotus Pond has many lotus flowers emerging from the slime. This makes it a special feature of Kaohsiung.

1. It is One Of The Largest Man-Made Lakes In The World

Being the biggest ‘pond’ in the world, it covers an area of over 42 hectares. The area is a man-made lake and is one of the largest in Taiwan (although not the largest, as that honor, goes to Sun Moon Lake.

The network of cycle paths and footpaths around the lake are so extensive that they would take hours on end to navigate. This activity is a favorite pastime for the locals as they like to indulge in the late afternoon when the sun is at its lowest.

It has a large water mass and a series of decorative piers leading out to various Pagodas and Temples. There are also quite a number several temple temple-likes on the roads surrounding the lake, which gets its nickname from the profusion of Lotus and Lily pads in the water.

2. It’s Home To Over Twenty Temples

Picture Of A Temple. Photo by Sukhpreet Lotey on

The pond was built to celebrate nature, culture, and history and was opened in 1951. It has around 20 temples worshipping different deities surrounding it. With numerous photogenic pagodas, fairy-tale statues, and colorful temples in

the city center. It’s hard to imagine that a lively city could have a man-made lake that is so serene and peaceful within its limits, but there’s a reason why this place is so popular with locals.

 The Lotus Pond was the water’s edge, it’s something of a photographer’s dream.

3. Surprisingly, Its Location And Tranquility Makes It Attractive

Its location and tranquility in the suburbs make you forget all the noise and bustle of the city as it is surprisingly only five kilometers from conceived to be an eco-conservation project bringing natural elements into the concept of the project without disturbing the ecosystem and conserving the natural rocks and ponds.

4. It wasn’t always called Lotus Pond

Over 300 hundred years ago, the pond was a much smaller natural body of water. A local mayor decided it would be a good place for a temple, and once the temple was built, he planted lotus plants in the pond. The pond was expanded twice since then, but the name Lotus Pond stuck.

But its true purpose was never as a place of beauty. The pond was originally expanded to help irrigate farms in the area with the water from the pond allowing the local farming industry to prosper.

5. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise

Although it’s not quite the kind of area that tourists would expect to sit out and watch the sunrise, the pond is extremely popular with locals who want to do just that. It offers an incredible view and, if the sky is just right, some pretty amazing photo shops. Head down here at 5 am any morning, and there will be dozens of people on the paths that surround the pond.

6. Though Man-Made It Is More Like A Lake Than A Pond

Looking more like a lake than a pond, Lotus Pond is Kaohsiung’s relaxing getaway inside the city. It is an entirely man-made body of water with over twenty bizarre-looking temples surrounding the water’s edge. It gets its name from the fact that it is almost always coated with a layer of a lotus blossom.

7. It Is Home To The Dragon And Tiger Pagodas

It harbors the Dragon and Tiger pagodas. These were some of the wildest temples I’ve ever seen. As you approach the temple there are threatening signs ordering you to enter through the dragon’s mouth first, and exit through the lion as this supposedly symbolizes turning your bad luck into good.

Inside, paintings depict China’s 24 most obedient sons as well as scenes of heaven and hell to inspire people to do good deeds during their lifetime and to provide threatening examples of retribution for wrongdoing.

8. You Can Walk Through The Dragon Mouth Here

Roughly 500 meters north of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas the Spring and Autumn pavilions are located, which also feature a dragon’s mouth that you could walk through. In front of the pavilions is a statue of the Goddess of Mercy riding a dragon.

9. Lotus Pond Is Home To More Than 20 Species Of Birds

Lotus Pond is a habitat for more than 20 species of birds. A few of them are pied kingfisher, white wagtail, common moorhen, little grebe, sunbirds, common coot, and little egret.

 There are just enough trees around the perimeter of the lake to provide an ideal cover from the hot sun. On that note, it’s a perfect place to take in the sunset, that occurs over two twin temples, making for a picturesque daily event.

10. It Is A Perfect Place To Run With Beautiful Scenarios

 It’s such a perfect place to run. About 2kms around the entire lake while sampling beautiful views across the water. These include Stunning temples. You are also surrounded by other runners.

 The lake is most beautiful in the late afternoon when the setting sun is reflected in the water. walkers, cyclists, fishermen (have yet to see a fisherwoman), and quite a few dragon boats practicing in the early mornings and weekends.

There is also a wakeboard pulley system on the southern end behind the dragon temple. It is maintained by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).