🐲 Dragon and Tiger Pagodas — Lotus Pond’s Twin Icons

#hellohalloween

Background
The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔) are twin seven-storey pagodas built in 1976 on the shore of Lotus Pond in the Zuoying District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  You’ll recognize them by their vivid yellow walls, red pillars, and orange tiled roofs. A zigzag bridge connects the pagodas to the shore. 

Inside the towers are colorful murals and ceramic art depicting Chinese moral tales, scenes such as the twenty-four filial exemplars, the Jade Emperor’s thirty palaces, Confucius, and Buddhist imagery. 

Why It’s Worth Visiting
• Symbolism & Ritual: There’s a local belief that entering through the dragon’s mouth and exiting through the tiger’s mouth helps dispel misfortune and invite good luck. 
• Views & Scenery: Climbing up the pagodas gives lovely views over Lotus Pond and its surroundings — including the Spring & Autumn Pavilions, reflection in the water, and peaceful walkways around the lake. 
• Accessibility & Free Entry: The pagodas are free to visit. The grounds are open daily. While interiors were under renovation recently, exteriors and areas around the lake remain accessible. 

My Impression
Walking across the zigzag bridge toward the pagodas, you already feel like you’re stepping into a vibrant painting — the colours are bold, reflections on the lake amplify the beauty, and the hum of water adds calm. Climbing the spiral staircases, despite being winding, is rewarding: you gradually rise above the water, cityscape, and greenery. The inside art is intricate — each mural tells stories, myths, morals. Even just strolling around Lotus Pond, seeing the pagodas mirrored in water at sunset, is enchanting. The contrast of spiritual architecture and natural setting makes this place feel both alive and soothing.

Post by Pingging | Oct 17, 2025