Chen Chi-mai Tours Kaohsiung to Boost City Branding! Anime Economy and Mountain Tea Industry Drive Tourism and Business Opportunities

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai attended two events on August 18: the full launch of 'Kaohsiung Station Ichiban Street' and the 'Kaohsiung Summer Festival Fresh Market & Mountain Tea Lifestyle Festival' in Liugui. From ACG (Animation, Comic, Game) culture to specialty agriculture, the city demonstrated its dual-axis strategy of cultural creativity and local industry to continuously drive tourism, business, and urban development.

'Kaohsiung Station Ichiban Street' has become Taiwan's largest anime-themed underground shopping district. In the morning, the southern and northern sections of the underground mall at Kaohsiung Station officially opened. Developed jointly by Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit Corporation and Monfan Company, the 2,300-ping commercial space houses over 50 stores specializing in anime, toys, dining, and unique retail.

Mayor Chen stated that Kaohsiung Station is a key transportation hub integrating rail undergrounding and MRT systems. With the full connectivity of Ichiban Street, the city now offers a comprehensive anime commercial zone. Future plans include exhibition and exchange spaces to attract collectors, creators, and anime communities, further boosting Kaohsiung’s ACG industry. Quoting the iconic line from the anime 'Saint Seiya'—'Burn! Little Universe!'—Chen said everyone can find passion and dreams here.

According to the Kaohsiung MRT Corporation, the station’s daily average ridership in the first half of this year increased by over 1,000 compared to the same period last year—the highest growth rate among all stations on the Red and Orange Lines. The commercial area has successfully driven foot traffic and consumption, transforming Kaohsiung Station from a transit node into a new landmark integrating culture, commerce, and tourism.

In the afternoon, Mayor Chen headed to Liugui for the 'Kaohsiung Summer Festival Fresh Market & Mountain Tea Lifestyle Festival.' For the first time, the event combined mountain tea culture, forest therapy, a market, and tea-tasting experiences to promote the Liugui mountain tea brand. He also presented appointment letters to the judges of the 5th Kaohsiung Mountain Tea Evaluation.

Chen emphasized that Liugui mountain tea is organically cultivated without pesticides and has received three stars in the International Taste Institute’s evaluation, making it one of Kaohsiung’s most representative specialty agricultural products. He shared that since becoming mayor, he has almost exclusively chosen Liugui mountain tea as gifts for foreign dignitaries, hoping to raise global awareness of Kaohsiung’s local brands. He invited the public to visit Liugui to enjoy tea, hot springs, and scenic mountain views, experiencing the charm of the mountain town.

The Agriculture Bureau reported that a record 28 tea farmers and tea processing factories participated in the 5th Kaohsiung Mountain Tea Evaluation—the highest number in its history. Using national-level evaluation standards, the city continues to select premium teas and enhance the brand value of Kaohsiung mountain tea. The results will be publicly announced in November at Pier-2 Art Center.

The city government stated that whether developing Taiwan’s largest anime cultural hub or promoting local specialties like Liugui mountain tea, Kaohsiung is integrating cultural creativity, tourism, and agricultural branding to continuously enhance urban competitiveness and attract more people to explore and understand the city.

The 'Kaohsiung Summer Festival Fresh Market' partnered with the 'Mountain Tea Lifestyle Festival' for the first time, centering on the rich mountain tea culture of Xinfa Community in Liugui. Mayor Chen shared tea with guests and presented appointment letters to the tea evaluation judges. (Photo: Kaohsiung City Government)