Beloved Yellow Rubber Duck Returns to Kaohsiung

Photo by Huang Jing-wun

【◎Written by Li Guei-sian ◎Translation by Lin Yu-ciao ◎Photo by Huang Jing-wun ◎Photos courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government】

The yellow Rubber Duck is back! To welcome the duck on its long-awaited return, Kaohsiung City Government has created the “I Love Kaohsiung Duck（我就愛高雄ㄚ）” Facebook group. In less than a month, it has attracted nearly 20,000 fans, with netizens sharing photos of themselves with the duck from ten years ago, reliving joyful moments of the past.

Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government

Created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, the Rubber Duck made its first appearance in Taiwan at Kaohsiung's Glory Pier（光榮碼頭）in 2013. During its month-long stay, it attracted 3.9 million visitors and generated over NT$1 billion in tourism revenue. Since then, the redevelopment of Asia's New Bay Area and the completion early this year of the Light Rail (LRT) system have transformed the cityscape. Because Kaohsiung has emerged as a southern gateway for culture and technology, the return of the yellow duck holds special significance against this backdrop of transformation.

Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government

For the duration of the event, the city government has also introduced a duck-themed train on Kaohsiung Metro's Circular LRT line. Creatively adorned both inside and out, the sky-blue train carriages feature the ultra-cute smiling face of the duck on its front, captivating passengers and passersby. Mayor Chen Chi-mai（陳其邁）, who has called the LRT an excellent choice for urban tourism and sustainable green travel, welcomes everyone to ride the duck-themed LRT train this Lunar New Year, and to roam around Kaohsiung, enjoying the warmth of the winter and witnessing the city's progress.

“I Love Kaohsiung Duck” Facebook Group Light Rail Yellow Duck Painted Train

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