Those of the literary persuasion are inclined to sit down and relax with a good book. Henceforth, perhaps a nearby cafe or bakery to satiate your body while a plethora of books satiate your mind. Therefore, if you are in Kaohsiung (高雄), then I wholeheartedly recommend the Kaohsiung Public Main Library and the adjacent City Wind Books in TAi Urban Resort.
Kaohsiung Public Main Library
The architecture of the library evokes a sense of modernism with all of its glass and steel rods. Consequently, inside the esthetics continue this modernist motif whether it is the third floor gallery, lecture loft, or auditoriums.
But, this design is not in conflict with nature, rather it is incorporated all throughout. It starts with all of the trees and becomes a natural enclave surrounded by its own and the city’s glass and steel.
Tree Chamber and Light Well
To bring more light and nature into the library, it incorporates a tree chamber and a light well on its 6th floor.
Rooftop Garden
The rooftop garden is the perfect whether you want to take a break from reading or to view the Kaohsiung skyline. Even under the hot summer sun, the harbor breeze and greenery provide a relaxing refuge from the chaos.
Let’s relax by bouldering
From the rooftop garden, there is a skybridge that connects you to City Wind Books (more on this shortly). But before you enter the bookstore, there is an outdoor bouldering wall!
The preceding picture does not do justice for views of this bouldering wall. Surrounded by the city, this is a fun relaxing wall and occupied my five year old for hours!
City Wind Books
This is one of my favorite bookstores – not just in Kaohsiung – favorite bookstores [period]. It is reminiscent of the ambiance of contemporary library with a heart of inviting modernism.
It is comfortable yet chic, museum-like yet feeling like home. It has the quiet demeanor of a library yet also of the proletariat. This is a bookstore where my kids and I could sit for hours.
A bite to eat
In the beginning of the post, I mentioned getting a little bite to eat. Fortunately there are some great selections in the both the library and TAi Urban resort. Here are a couple of my favorites.
Hanlin Tea House
Located on the first floor of the library, Hanlin Tea House has a wide variety of high quality teas and a decadent selection of meals such as this spicy hot pot.
TAi Bread Bakery
Taiwan is full of amazing bakeries with a wide selected rooted in Dutch and Japanese colonization of the island. In the bottom floor of TAi Urban Resort (where City Wind books and the adjacent bouldering wall is situated) is the simply named TAi Bread Bakery.
Make sure to get there early as the items are freshly made and sell out quickly. Amazing customer service with wonderfully fresh baked goods is an excellent break before returning to your books.
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