The British Consulate at Takow
Located on a hilltop overlooking Sizihwan, the Former British Consulate was built in 1865 with red-bricked archways, displaying unique, old British colonial style architecture. This 145 year old building is now the most antique western building preserved in Taiwan which is also listed as the second-class historic spot. The baroque styled building was designed by a British engineer and built by Chinese craftsmen. During the Japanese Colonial period in 1931, the building was transformed into an Ocean observatory. The building underwent two major destructions in its lifetime so far, including a serious bombing by the American Air Force during World War 2, and the powerful Thelma Typhoon in 1977. It was later renovated in 1986 while being classified as Class two Historic site by the Kaohsiung City Government and ordered the Bureau of Cultural Affairs to administer the maintenance and operation of the British Consulate Building till today.
Today, the “Former British Consulate at Takao”’s interior is divided into four sections where historical documents, photographs and items from the old days were displayed. With fireplaces in the dining room, the studio and the bedroom, and a basement used as storage room, displaying a strong sense of British style building. There is also a historical trail that connects the Consulate building on the hilltop to the office building by the harbor. Outside, the building faces two spectacular views including the view of Sizihwan and outlooks over Kaohsiung Port on the other side. Visitors can now enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee within the building as recently leisure and dining areas have been added.
Visitors not only get to enjoy the panoramic view of Sizihwan, the sunset in the Kaohsiung First Harbor and beautiful scenery of the port city, but also various Kaohsiung attractions nearby, such as Shihba Wanggong Temple, Shaochuantou Park and Cape café. So don’t miss out on this one and only, British style experience for your Kaohsiung travel.
Today, the “Former British Consulate at Takao”’s interior is divided into four sections where historical documents, photographs and items from the old days were displayed. With fireplaces in the dining room, the studio and the bedroom, and a basement used as storage room, displaying a strong sense of British style building. There is also a historical trail that connects the Consulate building on the hilltop to the office building by the harbor. Outside, the building faces two spectacular views including the view of Sizihwan and outlooks over Kaohsiung Port on the other side. Visitors can now enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee within the building as recently leisure and dining areas have been added.
Visitors not only get to enjoy the panoramic view of Sizihwan, the sunset in the Kaohsiung First Harbor and beautiful scenery of the port city, but also various Kaohsiung attractions nearby, such as Shihba Wanggong Temple, Shaochuantou Park and Cape café. So don’t miss out on this one and only, British style experience for your Kaohsiung travel.
opening hours:
Mon., Tue., Thu. and Fri. 10am - 7pm
Sat., Sun. and national holidays 9am - 7pm
*The box office will be closed at 6:30pm
Closing day:
1. Close for maintenance every Wednesday.
2. Open as usual on national holidays except Lunar New Year's Eve.
3. Kaohsiung City is closed for business days (such as typhoons or natural disasters).
expenditure brief:
Full Price: TWD 99 (General Public)
The above fees are for reference purposes only; actual costs are informed at the actual venue and we do NOT give any prior notice.
Directions:
Drive on your own:
No. 1 National Highway (國道一號): exit from Zhongzhen Interchange (中正交流道) -> make a right turn at Zhongzhen Road (中正路) -> Zhongzhen 4th Road (中正四路) -> make a right turn to Wufu 4th Road (五福四路) -> make a left turn at Gushan 1st Road (鼓山一路) -> Linhai 2nd Road (臨海二路) -> Xiaochuan Street (哨船街) -> Former British Consulate at Takao (英國領事館)
By train:
Take train Kaohsiung Train Station (高雄火車站). From there take Chaishan Tourist Bus (柴山觀光專車) to National Sun Yat-Sen University stop (中山大學站).
By Bus:
Take bus no. 31, 50, 99, or 248 to National Sun Yat-Sen University stop (中山大學站).
By Kaohsiung KRT:
Take Kaohsiung KRT-Orange Line (捷運橘線) to KRT Sizihwan Station (捷運西子灣站).
No. 1 National Highway (國道一號): exit from Zhongzhen Interchange (中正交流道) -> make a right turn at Zhongzhen Road (中正路) -> Zhongzhen 4th Road (中正四路) -> make a right turn to Wufu 4th Road (五福四路) -> make a left turn at Gushan 1st Road (鼓山一路) -> Linhai 2nd Road (臨海二路) -> Xiaochuan Street (哨船街) -> Former British Consulate at Takao (英國領事館)
By train:
Take train Kaohsiung Train Station (高雄火車站). From there take Chaishan Tourist Bus (柴山觀光專車) to National Sun Yat-Sen University stop (中山大學站).
By Bus:
Take bus no. 31, 50, 99, or 248 to National Sun Yat-Sen University stop (中山大學站).
By Kaohsiung KRT:
Take Kaohsiung KRT-Orange Line (捷運橘線) to KRT Sizihwan Station (捷運西子灣站).