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**The New Life of an Old Warehouse: Pier-2 Art Center, a Cultural Creativity Hub in the Port City** Pier-2 Art Center, located in Kaohsiung, originated from a series of warehouses historically used for storing fishmeal, sugar, and other imported/exported goods as early as the Japanese colonial period. With industrial development shifting, the decline in international sugar prices after the 1970s gradually led to the decline of Taiwan's sugar industry and reduced usage of these warehouses, eventually leaving them abandoned. Following the relocation of port logistics functions, surrounding commercial activities also faded, transforming this once-bustling trade hub into a forgotten industrial space. Since 2000, the Kaohsiung City Government and the cultural sector began revitalizing the area under the **"Reutilization of Idle Spaces Program."** Named **"Pier-2"** after its historical role as the second cargo transfer dock of Kaohsiung Port, the site was officially designated in 2006 as one of southern Taiwan's most iconic cultural art districts by the Kaohsiung City Cultural Affairs Bureau. It welcomed diverse artistic exhibitions, design creations, and music events, becoming a symbol of urban transformation and injecting new cultural energy into the harbor city. Today, Pier-2 Art Center has evolved into a vibrant nucleus for art and creativity, offering a dynamic cultural landscape for both residents and visitors. With the opening of the coastal light rail system, the area has become more accessible; the light rail connects the warehouses and harbor, linking exhibition spaces and attraction points to create an immersive artistic and urban aesthetic experience. **Pier-2 Art Center** Central to Pier-2 Art Center is the **Da-Yong Area**, which is connected to **Peng-Lai** and **Da-Yi Areas** via the coastal light rail system, creating a unique marine-character creative atmosphere. **Pier-2 Art Center Tower** offers a prime viewing platform facing the Da-Gang Bridge, with an entrance fee of NT$10 per person. - **Open hours:** Monday–Thursday (10:00–17:30), Friday–Sunday and public holidays (10:00–19:30). **Da-Yong Warehouses** As the birthplace of Pier-2 Art Center, the **Da-Yong Warehouses** house the earliest exhibition spaces, focusing on contemporary art, visual culture, and creative performances. Among them: - **P2 and C5 Warehouses** remain dedicated to static art exhibitions. - **C1 and C2 Warehouses** now host the **In89 Movies Cinema**, while **C4 Warehouse** is occupied by Eslite Bookstore. In recent years, the **"Co-Creation Base"** initiative has further transformed the area into an open platform fostering collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing, deepening cultural and urban transition. These developments ensure the Da-Yong Warehouses are not just exhibition venues but also dynamic spaces integrating visual arts, reading culture, and experimental creativity, continuously enriching the district's cultural diversity. **Peng-Lai Warehouses** Formally incorporated into the Pier-2 Art Center in 2012, the **Peng-Lai Warehouses** connect with the **Hamasen Railway Cultural Park**, highlighting Kaohsiung's century-old railway history and contemporary artistic creativity. Its centerpiece, the **Taiwan Railway Museum**, features Asia's largest dynamic model railway exhibition, attracting countless train enthusiasts and families. The Peng-Lai Warehouses also serve as a major venue for cultural performances and specialty markets, hosting outdoor concerts, art fairs, and immersive exhibitions that merge historical heritage with modern culture, emerging as one of Kaohsiung's most captivating cultural clusters. **Da-Yi Warehouses** Comprising six warehouses, the **Da-Yi Warehouses** are the newest addition to the Pier-2 Art Center. Primarily serving as a development base for individual creative studios, this area features a variety of unique shops, public art installations, alleyway treasures, and weekend flea markets, forming the most bohemian vibe section of the entire art district. **Artistic Events and Culture** Pier-2 Art Center regularly hosts major annual art events, such as the **Kaohsiung Design Festival**, **Container Art Festival**, **Pier-2 Animotion Festival**, and **Steel Sculpture Art Festival**. These events gather local and international artists and designers to present exhibitions, installations, musical performances, and interactive experiences, integrating art into urban life and infusing the city with vibrant cultural energy. From participating in these art celebrations to strolling along the harbor with sea breezes, Pier-2 Art Center has become a significant part of artists, cultural travelers, and local life. More than a tourist attraction, it is an evolving art community where every visitor can discover personal stories and profound inspirations within this cultural landmark.