Setting Sail from Kaohsiung: A Journey into the Aesthetics of Taiwan and Penghu

　Flying isn't the only way to get from Kaohsiung to Penghu. For many travelers, taking the Penghu Ferry（澎湖輪）along the scenic Blue Highway（藍色公路）is a popular and relaxing option.
　Arriving at Kaohsiung Port Pier 1（高雄港1號碼頭）, the sight of Taiwan's largest passenger-cargo ship by tonnage is striking. The shiny new appearance of the Penghu Ferry — which has been sailing the Kaohsiung–Magong route since 2023 — immediately catches the eye. The Penghu Ferry's replacement of the Taihua Ferry（臺華輪）, which served for 34 years, marked a new chapter in maritime transportation.

　Unlike in the past, when functionality was the main focus of transportation design, a Taiwanese-Japanese team incorporated aesthetics into the overall design of the Penghu Ferry. The ship's exterior features a white base accented with black curves outlining the bow and orange lines that add a sense of motion. As it sails across the blue sea, it resembles an orca surfacing from the water. Inside, warm wooden tones create a coziness with a strong maritime atmosphere.

　The Penghu Ferry can carry around 600 passengers and is equipped with drive-on/drive-off facilities so vehicles can enter and leave the ship quickly. The cabins follow a minimalist Japanese design; public areas include a restaurant, a café, and a children's playroom. Passengers can also go up to the observation deck to enjoy views of the ocean and the horizon. Elevators connect all floors, and the ferry features accessible sleeping berths and braille signage for the convenience of elderly passengers and those using wheelchairs.

　Boarding the Penghu Ferry offers a chance to experience the slow-paced beauty of life at sea. It's more than just a mode of transportation: It's a destination in itself, the journey beginning the moment you step on board.

從高雄啟航 開啟臺澎美學之旅
文/Winnie 
攝影/曾信耀

    從高雄到澎湖，除了飛機外，搭乘「澎湖輪」欣賞景色優美的藍色公路，是旅客出遊的熱門選項。

    來到高雄港1號碼頭登船處，這艘全臺最大噸位的客貨輪，嶄新的船體讓人眼睛為之一亮。澎湖輪自2023年起投入高雄至馬公的航線，接替服務長達34年的臺華輪，開啟海上運輸新局。

    有別於過去僅注重交通工具的功能性，臺日跨國團隊將美學導入澎湖輪整體設計。船體外觀以白色為主調，搭配黑色曲線勾勒船首、橘色線條增加動感，在藍色大海中航行，宛如虎鯨浮出海面，內部以木質調營造溫暖且具海洋意象的空間。

    澎湖輪可載運旅客約600人，船上「駛上、駛下」的設備，可讓車輛直接開進船艙。艙房採日式簡約風格，設有餐廳、咖啡廳、兒童遊戲室等公共區域，還能到景觀甲板遠望海面及天際線。另外，船上的電梯可以直通各樓層，並設有無障礙臥舖與點字標示，體貼高齡者及使用輪椅的旅客。

    登上澎湖輪體驗海上慢活美學，讓渡輪不僅止於一般的交通工具，而是另一個目的地，彷彿旅程在船上已經展開。