Chiayi Railway Station Introduction
Historical Significance: The architectural style of the train station is eclectic, featuring a reinforced concrete structure with classical symmetrical elements, showcasing simplified gables and geometric decorative patterns alongside a clean modern aesthetic. Chiayi Train Station serves as the gateway to Chiayi City and is closely related to the city's development. Since the opening of the Taiwan Railway, it has become a key regional transportation hub and the center of urban development, with the station building representing a major public architecture of historical significance. Zhongshan Road starts at the train station and runs directly to Chiayi Park, oriented east-west, and is referred to as "Datong." Nearby areas consider Chiayi Train Station as their gateway, making it the geographical center of the city. During the fifty years of Japanese rule over Taiwan, the Taiwan Main Line was built to facilitate governance and exploit abundant natural resources, allowing Chiayi Train Station to foster urban growth from the crossroad of the Qing Dynasty period. The railway divided Chiayi City into two, with the front station's commercial area flourishing primarily in the southeast, while the expansive northwest area of the rear station saw minimal development. The platform canopy is uniquely fabricated with I-beams bent into a shape mirroring the train tracks. The station once integrated passenger, freight, sugar, and material transportation, highlighting its significant and diverse functions. Historical Brief: In Meiji 29 (1896), a wooden single-story station was built in the style of a Japanese tiled sloped roof and rainboard exterior. It was renovated in Showa 8 (1933) to become the existing station. Chiayi Train Station is a major station along the Taiwan Main Line and also serves as the starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway, making it a busy hub. The station's large grounds allow for future underground renovation plans while preserving existing parts. The lobby and waiting area are spacious enough to accommodate the increasing number of travelers waiting to purchase tickets. It is noteworthy as the first site of the execution of Taiwanese elites during the February 28 Incident in 1947.
