The British Consulate, Kaohsiung City, Taiwán

The British Consulate at Takao Cultural Center, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwán 

The British Office in Taipei maintains and develops relations between the UK and Taiwan. If you’re in Taiwan and you need advice which is not covered by reading our travel advice then you can contact us online  If you are in Taiwan and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +886 2 8758 2088.

Located on a hilltop overlooking Sizihwan, the Former British Consulate was built in 1865 with red-bricked archways, displaying unique, old British colonial style architecture. This 145 year old building is now the most antique western building preserved in Taiwan which is also listed as the second-class historic spot. The baroque styled building was designed by a British engineer and built by Chinese craftsmen. During the Japanese Colonial period in 1931, the building was transformed into an Ocean observatory.

The building underwent two major destructions in its lifetime so far, including a serious bombing by the American Air Force during World War 2, and the powerful Thelma Typhoon in 1977. It was later renovated in 1986 while being classified as Class two Historic site by the Kaohsiung City Government and ordered the Bureau of Cultural Affairs to administer the maintenance and operation of the British Consulate Building till today.

Epic Taiwan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound