Hsinchu Station Introduction
In 1886, Liu Ming-chuan, based on the needs for maritime defense, development, and transportation, obtained approval from the Qing court in 1887 to construct the Taiwan Railway. The Keelung-Hsinchu railway was completed in 1893, and the Hsinchu ticket office (station) was established at the foot of Pillow Mountain. In the early Meiji period, the Japanese railway team, recognizing the winding routes built during the Qing Dynasty, began to modify the old routes. The newly constructed station was called Hsinchu Station, which was a simple Japanese-style wooden station. The new railway was opened in 1908, and the new station (Hsinchu Station) was completed in 1913, which is what we see today as Hsinchu Railway Station. Hsinchu Railway Station is located on Zhonghua Road in Hsinchu City and is the only train station in Taiwan that has no signage. The architectural style blends Western architectural features, along with a steep, multi-sloped roof and dormer windows. At the same time, the structural stress concentrations around the columns, wall corners, and openings are reinforced with stone, giving the overall building a complex yet dignified appearance, serious yet approachable architectural flavor. The designer's ingenuity makes the railway station a gateway to Hsinchu and a city landmark. Hsinchu Railway Station is also the oldest existing major railway station in Taiwan, located in a prime area, making it not only a transportation hub but also the most prosperous area in Hsinchu City. It was designated as a national historic site in the 87th year of the Republic of China.
