National Historic Site - Zhuzi Men Power Plant Introduction
The Zhuzaimen Power Plant, officially named "Kaohsiung-Pingtung Power Plant Zhuzaimen Branch," was constructed during the Japanese colonial period to provide electricity to southern Taiwan. It is a run-of-river hydropower plant utilizing the runoff from the Laonong River. Built in 1908, the Zhuzaimen Power Plant is surrounded by lush greenery, featuring a Baroque-style three-story brick building that removes elaborate decorations and retains simple, elegant lines. Its curved gables, arranged arched windows, and oculus windows give the power plant a classical warmth, in contrast to the cold industrial style, making it particularly unique within the traditional red-brick courtyard of Meinong. The generating equipment in the plant was all imported from Germany at the time and, having operated for a century, the generators serve as living antiques that witness Taiwan's power generation history. Consequently, the Zhuzaimen Power Plant is recognized as Taiwan's first "industrial monument" and was designated as a national historic site in 2003. The power generated here laid the groundwork for modernization in southern Taiwan, and the resulting water drainage supported prosperous agricultural irrigation in Kaohsiung-Pingtung. Visits can be arranged on working days to appreciate the beauty of the century-old power plant’s environment and architecture while gaining hands-on understanding of hydropower generation, making it of great educational and touristic significance.
