Railway Cultural Park Introduction
The Railway Cultural Park is located at the old train station in Hualien City. Within the area are buildings from the Japanese colonial era, including the Hualien Port Branch Office, the Railway Hospital, the Railway Engineering Section, the Police Section, and numerous Japanese-style dormitories and residences. Despite the passage of a century and some deterioration, this area is the best-preserved site of Taiwan's narrow-gauge railway base. In 2002, through the efforts of cultural historians and local residents, the Cultural Heritage Administration began listing these railway-related buildings as historical structures in Hualien County and initiated restoration work for the Railway Cultural Park. The park includes the following areas: 1. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications Hualien Port Branch Office area + old station fountain. 2. Old Hualien Engineering Section + old Hualien Police Section. 3. Steam train water tower. 4. Old Railway Hospital (Shiyi Street). 5. Old train station machine shop, etc. (Huilan Heart - Sunshine Power City). 6. Director's dormitory and staff dormitory complex. 7. Railway arcade shopping district. After eight years of restoration, parts one and two have been completed and are now open for visits; part one includes the Ministry of Transportation and Communications Hualien Port Branch Office area, while part two consists of the old Hualien Engineering Section and old Hualien Police Section.
