Love River is one of the symbols of Kaohsiung. Since a project successfully cleaned up its polluted water, it''s attracted many tourists to the southern port city. And on its banks, Kaohsiung Music Center is the latest prestige architectural landmark to win awards for its eye-catching design.

Hundreds of drones fill the sky with a colorful light show in the shape of a snowflake.

Next up are symbols of the city of Kaohsiung, such as a flying whale. This was the drone light show over Love River last Christmas, but there''s a way to get even closer to the water.

A boat operator sings while steering the vessel down the river. Tourists enjoy the nightscape and reflections of the lights in the water. On the bottom of this bridge, sculptures of the 12 signs of the Zodiac.

The Kaohsiung Music Center has won gold at the 2021 Taiwan Real Estate Excellence Awards. From the river, it looks more resplendent than ever, lit up by this flickering light show.

Tourist
It''s lovely in the boat, especially with the music, it''s very atmospheric. It feels like travelling abroad, it''s great.

Tourist
It''s like the cruise we took in Turkey, except that was a cruise and this is a little boat. But the feel of it and the mood is the same, even if the scenery to the sides is different. And there''s this light music you can listen to. It''s wonderful.

The leisurely boat ride is a perfect way to enjoy views of the banks of the river, with the sky and water reflecting each other. After a spell of rain, you''ll see fish leaping from the river surface.

Tourist
It''s the first time I''ve taken the boat ride. I thought it was a perfect match, having such great weather and such great scenery - and you can see the light rail.

Tourist
The water has got cleaner. Just now we were there and loads of fish were jumping; it was very special.

Love River cuts right through the center of Kaohsiung. Industrial pollution and effluents resulted in devastating river pollution in the past. But in recent years, local government has tried to restore the river, regenerating ecology on its banks and fixing walkways along its length. Love River is more its old self again, a romantic spot where locals gather to hang out, stroll, take exercise, and enjoy the water.

Liu Hsiu-ying
Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau
In recent years it''s become a part of Kaohsiung residents'' scenery, or even part of our lives. Since the first stage, where the pollution of Love River was rectified, there have been many big events: Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and the fireworks are held on Love River. In recent years, we hope to bring the river closely together with people''s lives. Firstly, there are now gondolas on Love River, bringing in an exotic atmosphere. At the end of 2020, we launched the project to "return the river the people." We don''t just want people on the riverside. We can really go into the river, and include it more intimately in our lives and in our travel.

Love River is a vital conduit for ecology, tourism and art in Kaohsiung.