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Guishan Old City Forest Trail & Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip

National Park | Shoushan National Nature Park

Guishan Old City Forest Trail
Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip

Shoushan, Old Town Trail

Set out from the East Gate of Zuoying Old City onto the Guishan Trail, follow the city wall and mountain path up to the summit of Dagui Hill, then visit Jiancheng Hall and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas on Lotus Pond — a Kaohsiung day trip that blends nature walking, walled-city history and lakeside culture.

Guishan Old City Forest Trail & Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip

Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Highlights

Highlights of the journey

Guishan and Zuoying Old City are key cultural and natural sites within Shoushan National Nature Park. This day trip starts at the Old City’s East Gate and follows a short, 890-meter trail up to the summit of Dagui Hill, observing the remains of the city wall, military heritage sites, coral reef geology and urban green space along the way, with views over Lotus Pond and Banping Mountain from the top.

After descending, we visit Jiancheng Hall, where exhibits and interactive displays offer a deeper look at the Old City of Fongshan County. We then walk to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the shores of Lotus Pond, and head to Liu’s Sour Cabbage Hot Pot (Original Branch) for lunch — an experience that brings together Zuoying’s historic streets, religious traditions, and local cuisine.

Begin at Zuoying Old City

Begin at the East Gate of the Old City of Fongshan County, a National Monument, and learn about its gates, walls, moat and cannon emplacements.

A Short Hike on Guishan

Walk the "Old City East Gate → Dagui Hill Summit" route, about 890 meters in total — a short mountain path linking the city's history with its natural scenery.

Overlooking Lotus Pond

From the high point of Guishan, look out over Lotus Pond, Banping Mountain and downtown Zuoying, and learn about Guishan's strategic military position and the urban landscape.

Discovering the Old City at Jiancheng Hall

Through exhibits, models and interactive experiences, learn how the Old City of Fongshan County developed and how it has been restored.

Lakeside Stroll at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

Visit the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Lotus Pond's best-known landmark, with free time to sample local Zuoying food.

Low-Carbon City Travel

Travel mainly by rail, public transportation and on foot, cutting down on long-distance vehicle travel.

Suggested Itinerary

Guishan Forest Trail × Zuoying Jiancheng

No departures on Mondays. Jiancheng Hall is closed every Monday; even if a Monday national holiday or make-up holiday means it may open as usual, this tour generally does not run on Mondays to keep scheduling and staffing manageable.

  1. 09:00

    TRA Zuoying (Jiucheng) Station / Designated Location

    Check-in, followed by an itinerary and trail safety briefing

  2. 09:20

    East Gate of the Old City of Fongshan County

    Learn about the East Gate (Fengyi Gate), the city wall, the moat and Qing-dynasty walled-city architecture

  3. 09:40

    Old City East Gate → Dagui Hill Summit

    Walk about 890 meters, observing the remains of the city wall, forest vegetation and military landscape along the way

  4. 10:30

    Dagui Hill Summit & Viewpoint

    Take in views of Lotus Pond, Banping Mountain and downtown Zuoying; rest before heading down

  5. 11:10

    Jiancheng Hall

    Explore the Old City exhibits and interactive displays, and learn about the history, archaeology and restoration of the Old City of Fongshan County

  6. 12:20

    Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

    Walk to Lotus Pond's signature landmark and enjoy the lakeside, temple architecture and the pagodas

  7. 13:00

    Liu's Sour Cabbage Hot Pot (Original Branch)

    Lunch at own expense, featuring Zuoying's local sour cabbage hot pot; actual lunch time and seating depend on the reservation

  8. 14:10

    Lotus Pond Lakeside Walk

    Lakeside walk, photos and free time, arranged according to the group's schedule and stamina

  9. 15:30

    Return to Meeting Point

    Return on foot or by public transportation; end of tour

Actual arrangements may vary with the season, weather, host partners and group size, and will be confirmed before departure.

Along the Way

Gallery
Guishan Old City Forest Trail & Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip
Guishan Old City Forest Trail & Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip

Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Guishan Old City Forest Trail & Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip

Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Journey Details

Practical info

Ideal For

  • Travelers who enjoy short hikes, city history, historic sites and local culture
  • Families, school field trips, and corporate and club groups
  • Organizations seeking environmental education, cultural heritage education or low-carbon city travel
  • Those able to walk about 890 meters of mountain trail plus city streets
Duration
1 day
Main areas
Zuoying Old City, Guishan and Lotus Pond, Kaohsiung
Trail Route
Old City East Gate → Dagui Hill Summit, about 890 meters in total
Meeting point / Drop-off point
TRA Zuoying (Jiucheng) Station recommended; other locations can be confirmed to suit the group
Transport
TRA / public transportation + walking
Meals
Lunch at Liu's Sour Cabbage Hot Pot (Original Branch), at own expense
No Departures
Mondays
Ideal for
Families, students, companies, clubs, public agencies and cultural guided walk groups
Journey price
Custom quote based on group size, guiding, insurance and transportation

Pricing & Booking Notes

Before you book

Included

  • Itinerary planning and tour leader service
  • Guided walk of Guishan and Zuoying Old City; whether a professional interpreter is assigned will be confirmed in the quote
  • Jiancheng Hall admission; whether it is included in the tour fee will be confirmed in the final proposal
  • Travel agency liability insurance

Not Included

  • Transportation between your departure point and the Zuoying meeting point
  • Lunch and drinks at Liu's Sour Cabbage Hot Pot (Original Branch)
  • Personal expenses and items not listed in the itinerary
  • Other costs arising from weather, transport, or personal reasons
  • This tour does not run on Mondays; other closure days, temporary closures and trail restrictions are subject to announcements by the managing authorities.
  • Jiancheng Hall is open 11:00–17:00 Tuesday to Friday, and 10:00–18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays; last admission follows the hall's announcements.
  • The Guishan Trail includes steps, natural surfaces and sections that may be slippery; please wear comfortable, non-slip shoes.
  • Kaohsiung can be very hot, so please bring water, a hat, sun protection and rain gear; time at each stop will be adjusted to the temperature and the group's condition.
  • In the event of heavy rain, typhoons, heat warnings, trail closures or other safety concerns, the travel agency may change the order of stops, shorten the trail or arrange an alternative itinerary.
  • Please follow on-site rules at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the religious sites around Lotus Pond, and avoid disrupting worship or foot traffic.
  • Liu's Sour Cabbage Hot Pot (Original Branch) must be booked in advance according to group size; please let us know about vegetarian diets, food allergies or other dietary needs when you register, subject to what the restaurant can provide.

Want to take this route?
Tell us your group size and dates.

Ask about this journey

Walk from Zuoying Old City up Guishan, read the city's history between Lotus Pond and Banping Mountain, then link Kaohsiung's cultural landscape together through Jiancheng Hall and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas.

03-8323366[email protected]

Shoushan National Nature Park | 1 day

Guishan Old City Forest Trail & Lotus Pond Heritage Day Trip

  • Companies, schools, clubs and public agencies can adjust the meeting point, meals and activities
  • Final pricing is quoted based on departure date, group size, room type and transportation
  • Our team will reply within one business day
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Group bookings: 03-8323366