The Consulate General of the United Kingdom in Takow is situated on the picturesque Xi Zi Bay, where the sea and sky blend into one. The term ‘Takow’ originates from the Han Chinese pronunciation of ‘Takow’, which is the indigenous word for bamboo forests in the area, spoken by the Pingpu tribe. Later, the Japanese, finding the name ‘Takow’ unsavory, changed it to ‘Kaohsiung’, whose pronunciation ‘taka-o’ is phonetically similar to ‘Takow’.
The Consulate General consists of two parts: the official residence on the hill and the consulate office at the base. The official residence on the hill is a post-Renaissance Baroque-style building, with its red brick exterior, bamboo joint drainage pipes, stone carvings, and round arches all highlighting the uniqueness of the Consulate General of the United Kingdom in Takow. The first floor of the residence includes a cultural and creative shop, a viewing platform, and a courtyard. Standing on the viewing platform, one can enjoy an unobstructed view of the sunset. The second floor houses an exhibition room, where models and old maps are used to intertwine multiple narratives, allowing visitors to experience the rich history of Kaohsiung’s opening to the world for over 100 years.
Visiting the official residence, one can witness the evolution of colonial-style architecture in Taiwan. The best time to visit is in the afternoon to evening, to enjoy the picturesque sunset over Xi Zi Bay. The entire site is open all year round from Monday to Tuesday, and Thursday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00; on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 19:00; and closed all day on Wednesday.
Consulate General of the United Kingdom in Takow – Official Residence
The Consulate General of the United Kingdom in Takow is situated on the picturesque Xi Zi Bay, where the sea […]
