The first name of the small island state of Taiwan was Formosa, which means "beautiful" in Portuguese. Even today, this name would perfectly fit this amazing island in the Pacific Ocean, with its picturesque mountain landscapes, grottoes, lakes, and waterfalls, as well as numerous hot sulfur springs. The state, named one of the "four dragons of Asia", has not only unique natural monuments but also a rich cultural heritage with magnificent examples of ancient architecture that still amaze all guests with its beauty and uniqueness. Each ancient building, temple, or palace of its cities impresses with its fantastic colors and original architectural style.
One of the most striking examples of traditional Taiwanese architecture is the two fabulous pagodas located on the artificial Lotus Lake in the resort city of Kaohsiung. Both of them were erected in 1976 and were named the Tiger Tower and the Dragon Tower in honor of the Chinese totem animals that have long protected the people from evil spirits and give their heroes strength and courage.
Bright red columns and yellow walls of seven-story buildings look especially impressive from a distance. Inside, they are also a lot of interesting features. Each of the amazing structures has two separate spiral staircases: visitors are led up and down by different staircases, which allows them to avoid crowding in one place and makes it easier to view the pagodas. The entrance begins with a huge dragon's mouth, and the exit is from the mouth of a tiger.
Each tier of both towers is equipped with spacious balconies that offer a fabulous view of the famous Lotus Lake with all its attractions, including another beautiful jewel of Taiwan – the Taoist temple complex. A particularly fascinating sight opens to the eyes of travelers in the dark when there are thousands of small lanterns lit all over the lake.
Both the famous Dragon and Tiger Pagodas stand on concrete piles in the middle of Lotus Lake and are connected to the shore by an elegant bridge, which is also part of a fantastic landscape project.
The interior of the Tiger Pagoda is represented by images of 12 sacred Magi and the majestic palaces of the legendary Jade Emperor. Here you can also see the paintings of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius.
According to local legend, the entrance to the dragon's mouth and the exit from the tiger's mouth symbolize the transformation of bad luck into fabulous luck.
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