Shifen Station Introduction
Shifen Station is located in the Pingxi District of New Taipei City and is the largest station on the Taiwan Railway Administration's Pingxi Line. Each time a train stops, the conductor exchanges the old copper sign (train passage permit) at this station as part of the procedure to approve the continuation of the journey, creating a unique railway landscape. From coal transportation to tourism, the revitalization of the century-old railway along the Keelung River Valley is part of the Taiwan Railway's Pingxi Branch Line, originally built by Taiyang Company as the Shiti Line, stretching 12.9 kilometers from Sandiaoling Station to Jingtong Station. It was constructed by mining tycoon Yan Yunian for coal transport and was inaugurated in 1921. In 1929, the Taiwan Governor-General's Railway Bureau invested in public operation and began passenger services. However, due to declining coal production since 1970, the region experienced population outflow, leading to significant losses for the Taiwan Railway Administration, which planned to discontinue operations in 1989. After strong advocacy from local residents, the Taiwan Railway Administration ultimately designated the Pingxi Branch Railway as a tourism route in 1992. Currently, there are seven stations along the full line: Sandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Wanggu, Lingjiao, Pingxi, and Jingtong, with a travel time of about 40 minutes. Surrounding Shifen Station, visitors can explore Shifen Old Street and the Jing'an Suspension Bridge, where they can stroll along the shops by the tracks while tasting local snacks. The most distinctive sight here isn't the old buildings but the unique view of trains passing right in front of the station! In recent years, it has become a must-visit attraction for international tourists coming to Taiwan. In Shifen, visitors can write blessings and wishes on sky lanterns with a brush, release the lanterns under the guidance of shopkeepers, and watch them rise slowly into the sky, creating a beautiful impression unique to Shifen.
