Taiwan Travel: Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Kaohsiung
After our happening train ride to Kaohsiung, we were finally ready to embark on adventure at this new city located at south Taiwan. Our first destination is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas located in Zuoying District.
As you can see from the picture, the dragon's throat is the entrance and the lion's mouth is the exit. It's been known that entering a dragon's throat and coming out a lion's mouth symbolises turning bad luck to good fortune. Inside the pagodas, there are paintings depicting China's 24 most obedient sons as well scenes of heaven and hell. This sounds like Haw Par Village's equivalent.
The two pagodas are located on top of a lake, which is known as Lotus Lake. I don't really find Lotus as pretty flower but it's probably not the right season to view Lotus Lake.
On the other side of the lake, there are more statues. If I'm not wrong, the lady in the middle should be Goddess Kwan Yin (or Guan Yin?), a deity for mercy.
Walk further, and you will see the statue of Guan Yu, a general serving under Liu Bei in the late Han Dynasty. And now I feel like playing Dynasty Warrior series on my playstation again. XD
Opposite from the pagodas, there is one big temple which is quite famous locally. A lot of the tour participants paid a visit to this temple to pray.
How to go to Dragon and Tiger Pagodas:
1. Take MRT to R15 Ecological District MRT Station (red line) and come out from Exit 2.
2. Once you are out of the MRT station, walk toward the bus stop on your right-hand side. You can take bus 51. You should be able to see Lotus Lake within 15 minutes.
3. To come back to the MRT station, go cross the street and take the same bus 51 from the opposite side of the road.