Beimen Station Introduction
Beimen Station is the former starting point of the forest railway steam train and a key distribution center for freight on the Alishan Railway, where daily necessities along the railway were transported uphill, making it an important location. The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the world's renowned mountain railways, showcasing unique charm. Beimen Station of the Alishan Forest Railway was constructed from Taiwanese red cypress and completed before the Alishan Railway's full operation in 1912. After the new station was built twenty years ago, the old Beimen Station was repurposed as an office for train maintenance personnel. The station covers an area of approximately 28 ping, mainly divided into an office, ticket counter, and waiting room. The Alishan Forest Railway is famous internationally for its unique features such as "spiral tracks," "zigzag climbing," and "62.5 per thousand gradients." Beimen Station serves as the starting station of the Alishan Railway, with the entire station building constructed using high-quality red cypress from Alishan, featuring a classical and simple design. During the Japanese Colonial period, forestry development was the most important economic source, and various institutions such as a forestry office, lumber storage pond, sawmill, train repair shop, and forestry club were established near Beimen Station, which served as a central hub for logging in Alishan, thereby maintaining its significance. Before the war, it was operated by the Taiwan Colonial Development Company, and after the war, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Bureau. In October of the 62nd year of the Republic (1973), the new Beimen Station was completed and put into use, leading to the retirement of the old Beimen Station. The Alishan Forest Railway transported timber downhill, which accumulated near Beimen Station, driving the development of lumber yards, timber businesses, sawmills, and timber factories, creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, and theaters, leading to a rapid population increase and thriving freight industry. The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the last three remaining mountain railways in the world, possessing its unique charm. Although the old station ceased operations in March of the 63rd year of the Republic (1974) due to the construction of the new station, its simple exterior and facilities hold significant cultural heritage value, and it has been designated as a city monument by the Chiayi City Government. Beimen Station features a Japanese-style wooden station with a building area of 95.15 square meters, mainly divided into a ticket counter, waiting room, and office. It is currently planned to be a railway heritage exhibition hall, with public art installations including "Landmark of Calling," "Time and Space Corridor," and "Ecological Art Wall" set up in the square in front of the station and surrounding areas to foster a collective awareness of railway culture.
