Alien Art Centre

Top choice in Kaohsiung

LoginSave

A remarkable museum in a unique location. From the '50s to the '70s this white building was a hostel for young men departing for compulsory military service on the islands. Now this site of tears and goodbyes houses strong contemporary art from Taiwan and overseas. We saw photography by Taiwanese Juan I-jong, works playing with light and space by American James Turrell; installations by two Hong Kong artists; and abstract jewellery designed by a German.

The museum's Mandarin name 'Jinma Binguan' translates as Kinma Hostel; 'Kinma' being an elision of 'Kinmen' and 'Matsu', the islands where the young men were stationed. There is a display on the building's unusual history, which explains and documents this once-transitional space with old photographs and the oral histories of veterans.

The museum is a five-minute walk from Shoushan Light Rail Station.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Museum 50

    Museum 50

    2.53 MILES

    A true hidden gem, this private museum has a small but exceptional collection of sculpture and antiques by mid-19th- to 20th-century Japanese artists who…

  • Smoke of joss sticks.

    Grand Mazu Temple

    25.9 MILES

    This lively temple once served as the palace of Ning Jin, the last king of the Ming dynasty. If you wish to confirm visually that a king's status is lower…

  • Tianliao Stone Temple

    Tianliao Stone Temple

    15.9 MILES

    Tianliao Stone Temple is a fantastical, Gaudi-esque interpretation of a Taoist temple by Southeast Asian migrant workers. The 500 men had been hired to…

  • Neiwei Flea Market

    Neiwei Flea Market

    2.27 MILES

    This sprawling flea market in Neiwei may possibly offer one of the most authentic and fabulous experiences of Taiwan. You'll find everything under the sun…

  • Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Cijin Island, the beach

    Cijin Island

    1.2 MILES

    This narrow island that acts as a buffer to the harbour and extends down the city coastline makes for a lovely day trip from the mainland. The main…

  • KAOHSIUNG TAIWAN - DECEMBER 13, 2016: Upside down house Pier 2 Art Center Pier 2 Art Center was originally an abandoned warehouse site converted to the art centre.; Shutterstock ID 590977709; Your name (First / Last): Megan Eaves; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Travel - Kaohsiung destination page POI images

    Pier-2 Art Center

    0.61 MILES

    An attractive sprawl of old warehouses by the port is separated by tree-lined boulevards, and hosts shops, galleries and cafes. It's a wonderful place to…

  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan - February 2, 2014: Cijin Tianhou Temple. The Temple was Taiwan's first temple to Matsu and is also Kaohsiung's oldest temple; Shutterstock ID 479461489; Your name (First / Last): Megan / Eaves; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Destination image - North Asia

    Cijin Tianhou Temple

    1.15 MILES

    One of Kaohsiung's few temples that made the national protected relics list is also its oldest Mazu temple. Cijin Tianhou Temple was constructed in 1673…

  • Fu Wan Chocolate

    Fu Wan Chocolate

    17.4 MILES

    Cacao orchard, boutique, and hotel in one, Fu Wan makes fabulous, (mostly) tree-to-bar chocolate that's bagged multiple laurels at the International…

View more attractions

Nearby Kaohsiung attractions

1. Ginza Shopping Arcade

0.27 MILES

Known locally as 'Ginza' (銀座), this crumbling arcade was Kaohsiung's first shopping mall when it opened in 1937, although the current structure harks back…

2. 'Big Gutter Cover' Old Street

0.29 MILES

Dàgōudǐng (literally 'Big Gutter Cover') Old Street is a shopping arcade from the 1950s. It's located between Wufu 4th Rd (五福四路) in the south and Dagong…

3. Kaohsiung Museum of History

0.46 MILES

This lovely museum is housed in what was the city-government building during Japanese times. The building of the museum was one of the important…

4. Takao Renaissance Association

0.55 MILES

A nonprofit striving to protect Kaohsiung's history and culture has taken over this century-old Japanese house. You'll see a small display on the historic…

5. Shoushan Zoo

0.59 MILES

Kids may enjoy this zoo on the northern border of Shoushan Park in Gushan District. While we think that the large mammals such as camels and ostriches…

6. Warehouse 2

0.59 MILES

Warehouse 2 is a pleasant glass-walled space with shops and restaurants at Pier-2 Art Center. It was built as an old sugar warehouse during the Japanese…

7. Daitian Temple

0.6 MILES

A temple with a Taoist hall at the front and a Buddhist hall (青雲寺) at the back, both richly decorated with folk art. In fact Daitian Temple has the…

8. Pier-2 Art Center

0.61 MILES

An attractive sprawl of old warehouses by the port is separated by tree-lined boulevards, and hosts shops, galleries and cafes. It's a wonderful place to…