Hsinchu Station (Hsinchu Railway Station) Introduction
In 1886, in response to the needs for coastal defense, development, and transportation, Liu Mingchuan petitioned the Qing court for the construction of Taiwan's railway in 1887. The Keelung-Hsinchu railway was completed in 1893, with the Hsinchu ticket office established at the foot of Pillow Mountain. In the early Meiji period, the Japanese railway team, recognizing the winding nature of the railways constructed during the Qing Dynasty, began to modify the existing routes. The newly built station was named Hsinchu Parking Lot, which was a simple wooden station built in the Japanese style. In 1908, the new railway line opened, and the new station, Hsinchu Station, was completed in 1913, which is the current Hsinchu Railway Station. Hsinchu Railway Station is located on Zhonghua Road in Hsinchu City and is the only railway station in Taiwan without a sign. The architectural style blends Western architectural features, complemented by a steeply sloping, complex, folded roof and dormer windows. Furthermore, in areas where structural stress concentrates, such as around columns, wall corners, and openings, the stone construction is reinforced to enhance the solidity of the overall building, presenting an intricate yet dignified, serious yet approachable architectural flavor. The designer's ingenuity has made the train station a gateway to Hsinchu and a landmark of the city. Hsinchu Railway Station is also the oldest major railway station still in operation in Taiwan. Due to its good location, it is not only a crucial transportation hub but also the most prosperous area of Hsinchu City, and it was designated a national historic site in 1998.
