Hsinchu Station (Hsinchu Railway Station) Introduction
In 1886, the Taiwan Province, under the leadership of Liu Ming-chuan, petitioned the Qing Dynasty in 1887 for the construction of the Taiwan Railway for the needs of coastal defense, development, and transportation. The Keelung-Hsinchu Railway was completed in 1893, and the Hsinchu Ticket Office (Station) was established at the foot of Pillow Mountain. During the early Meiji period, the Japanese railway team, recognizing the winding nature of the railways built during the Qing Dynasty, began modifying the old routes, and the new station was named Hsinchu Terminal, a simple Japanese-style wooden station. In 1908, a new railway was opened, and the new station (Hsinchu Station) was completed in 1913, which is the Hsinchu Railway Station seen today. The Hsinchu Railway Station is located on Zhonghua Road in Hsinchu City and is the only train station in Taiwan without a sign. Its architectural style integrates Western architectural features, combined with a steep, complex roof and dormer windows. Additionally, the structural stress concentrated areas, such as columns, wall corners, and openings, have enhanced stone construction for sturdiness, giving the overall building a complex yet dignified appearance, serious yet approachable architectural flavor. The designer's ingenuity has made the railway station a gateway to Hsinchu and a landmark of the city. Hsinchu Railway Station is also the oldest existing major railway station in Taiwan. Its advantageous location makes it not only a transportation hub but also the most prosperous area in Hsinchu City, and it was designated as a national historic site in 1998.
