Learn About Our Cities
To promote friendship and understanding between the people of Portland, Oregon and Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Kaohsiung (高雄 or Gaoxiong)
Taiwan, Republic of China (ROC)
Founded; 17th Century, 1945
Inhabited at least 7000 years by the Dapenkeng, Niuchouzi, Dahu, Niaosong, and aboriginal Makatao
Size: 2,952 km2 (1,140 sq mi)
Population: ~2.73 million
Taiwan’s 3rd Largest City
Southern Taiwan’s Largest City
Nicknames: The Harbor City (Gǎngdū), The Maritime Capital, The Waterfront City
Major Delegation Event: Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, for Lunar New Year
City Website: kcg.gov.tw
Tourism Website: eng.taiwan.net.tw
Located in the southern part of Taiwan, the city of Kaohsiung is the island’s largest industrial center.
A thriving international metropolis at the southern tip of Taiwan, Kaohsiung was the host city for the 2009 World Games. Due to the regulating effects of the marine climate, Kaohsiung is generally sunny and enjoys pleasant weather year-round. Known as “Taiwan’s Maritime Capital,” the city has worked hard in recent years to develop its tourism industry, including through beautification of the urban landscape.
Kaohsiung is home to several popular visitor sites, including the Love River, Shoushan (Mt. Shou), Sizihwan Bay, Lotus Pond, Qijin, and the Old City of Zuoying. It also is an ethnic melting pot, joining Hokkien and Hakka communities, the Pingpu, Tsou, Rukai, Bunun, and Paiwan indigenous tribes, and a military community culture.
Kaohsiung also offers scenic mountains, ocean views, and rivers, as well as port, cultural, and historic attractions. Visitors to the city can experience the beauty of nature and savor fine cuisine, or head to the nearby Hakka village of Meinong to experience traditional oil paper umbrella art.
The Neimen Songjiang Battle Array and the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastery in Dashu further add to the ethnic richness of Kaohsiung. Taiwan’s biggest mall and well-known night markets complete the scene for a thoroughly satisfying trip.
Source: eng.taiwan.net.tw
The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival
Each year a delegation from the PKSCA travels to Kaohsiung for the Lunar New Year celebration at the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival.
The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is a yearly event that takes place at Love River Bay in Taiwan, where the Love River meets the sea. The festival features a variety of activities, including:
- Lanterns: Lanterns are displayed along the Love River and at Glory Pier.
- Art installations: The Pier 2 Art Center nearby has lit up art installations.
- Festival of Lights and Peace: Foguangshan Monastery hosts the Festival of Lights and Peace, with lanterns and decorations.
- Drone light show: A drone light show is a highlight of the festival. For example, in 2022, 1,500 drones flew over the Love River Bay sky.
- Parades: The festival features parades with thousands of people and festooned vehicles.
- Performances: The festival features large-scale programs performed by artists from home and abroad. Performers include intangible cultural heritage preservers, the pride of Kaohsiung, and folk sports troupes.
The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th of the first lunar month, which marks the end of the Lunar New Year and the first full moon of the year. During the festival, people light lanterns, set off fireworks, guess lantern riddles, and eat sweet dumplings.
Portland
Oregon, USA
Founded: 1845
Inhabited at least 11000 years by the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other indigenous peoples.
Size: 145.00 sq mi (375.55 km2)
Population: ~2.5 million
USA’s 26th Largest City
Oregon’s Largest City
Nicknames: Rose City, Stumptown, PDX
Major Delegation Event: Portland Rose Festival
City Website: portland.gov
Tourism Website: travelportland.com
Portland is on the northwestern border of the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, north of California and south of Washington. Portland, Oregon’s largest city, is 78 miles (126 km) from the Oregon Coast, at the convergence of two major rivers (the Columbia and Willamette), near the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, Willamette Valley wine country and other regional destinations.
The Portland metro area rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes.
Portland is known for the vibrancy and uniqueness of its many neighborhoods, each with a distinct sense of place, and — in quirky Portland fashion — spread across six so-called “quadrants.”
Source: travelportland.com
It’s known for its vibrant outdoor activities, parks, bridges and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its microbreweries and coffeehouses. Iconic Washington Park encompasses sites from the formal Japanese Garden to Oregon Zoo and its railway. The city hosts thriving art, theater and music scenes. Portland also enjoys a wonderful food scene with eclectic restaurants and food carts throughout the community.
Portland Rose Festival
Each year a delegation from Kaohsiung travels to Portland during the Portland Rose Festival to take part in the Grand Floral Parade and the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race along with surrounding events.
Part of Portland’s popular culture for more than a century, the Rose Festival has its roots in tradition while its programming is both contemporary and nostalgic. In 1907, foresighted city leaders started the festival to put Portland on the map and brand it the ‘summer capital of the world.’
More than a hundred summers later, the Rose Festival continues to be world famous for its amazing, award-winning events, as well as serving as a community leader for celebrating values like volunteerism, patriotism and environmentalism. In 2010, the Rose Festival was finally acknowledged as Portland’s Official Festival by proclamation of the Portland City Council. In 2020, the Rose Festival took the lead in the events industry by offering ways for the community to celebrate from home – lifting spirits and bringing cheer to neighborhoods – with Parading in Place events and programs. The Rose Festival continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community, and always aspires to make Portland a better place to live and visit.