Kaohsiung Customs Magong Branch Introduction
The elegant Baroque style and the snow-white facade of the building are remnants from the Japanese colonial period. In 1905, the Japanese government built the Magong Customs Office at this location, under the jurisdiction of the Kaohsiung Customs. The arched porch, along with square multi-story buildings at the corners for overlooking Magong Harbor, features arched windows and European-style gable roofs, indicating the Japanese preference for neoclassical architecture at the time. The main structural material is reinforced concrete, with load-bearing walls as the primary structure. The roof is a slanted design covered with black tiles made of cement; the porch facade is open and designed with arches to serve as windows for external business operations. The exterior features arched windows and decorative elements such as keystones. Surrounding the building, the beams and columns are reinforced with diagonal pillars, and spiral-adorned column capitals add to the decor. Originally, the building's facade was made of pebbles, but after the end of Japanese rule, the exterior walls were painted with cement. This building represents one of the earliest official residences to adopt Western architectural styles during the Japanese occupation. Today, the Magong Customs Office lights up its surroundings at night, providing a glimpse of this elegant and clean historical building during evening strolls. 【Suggested time to stay】 10 minutes
