Dome of Light

Taiwan enjoys the convenience of Mass Rapid Transport (MRT), its Underground system, in two cities: Taipei as the capital and biggest city, and Koahsiung as its second-biggest city, where it was implement late in the first decade of the new century. It is no wonder, then, that in Kaohsiung, the MRT is very modern and highly convenient. Not only does it fulfil its function to quicky transport people from A to B, but it also aims at creating a pleasant Underground atmosphere (if any such atmosphere can ever be pleasant).

This was done by implementing some attractions of art in some of its stations. A prominent example for the implementation of art is the so-called "Dome of Light" at Kaohsiung Formosa Boulevard:

In all the darkness an Underground station is normally characterised by, there is an intensity of brightness there that can only be assciated with broad daylight. When standing below this artificial sky, any man would not believe he was well below ground level. The architects who wanted to create this effect have succeeded in a remarkable manner.

The Dome of Light with its roof resting on two collosal pillars, whose dominant colours are red, blue and yellow appears to be like the inside of a hyper-modern science-fiction space ship which is ready to lift itself up into the skies to head for remote galaxies.

This MRT station is certainly a must-see for tourists who do not want to exclusively follow the mainstream tracks, but would like to see something special that Taiwanese appreciate as well.

Another attraction of this MRT station is that it is the very one for shoppers and department-store admirers. In this way, by visiting it, the tourist will catch two birds with one stone. Not bad, is it?