Chijia Old Street Introduction
Qishan has been an important commercial hub in southern Taiwan since the Qing Dynasty, thanks to its convenient transportation and fertile agricultural products, attracting many officials and businessmen. During the Japanese occupation, with the rise of the sugar and banana industries, Qishan's economy flourished and its urban landscape transformed. The economic prosperity brought about by the sugar industry led to the rapid development of local commercial streets and the construction of many uniquely styled buildings, establishing Qishan as an economic stronghold in the Kaohsiung Mountain Line. The Baroque-style buildings along Qishan Old Street were mostly built during the Japanese period (around 1920 to 1930). The wealthy gentry at that time introduced the Baroque style in line with the "urban street improvement" plan and built a large number of red-brick Western-style houses on the streets. These structures, characterized by elegant facade decorations and sandstone arcades, became symbols for affluent merchants to showcase their identity and status. Additionally, traditional Minnanese courtyard houses and Japanese architectural styles can also be found along the old street, creating a beautiful tapestry of different eras that makes the entire street feel like a stage interwoven with history and culture. Qishan Old Street encompasses Zhongshan Road, Fuxing Street, and Huazhong Street, and the starting point of this historic street is Qishan Station. During the Japanese occupation, the government built the "Qiwai Line" sugar railway to develop the sugar industry, and Qishan Station became an important transfer point on this railway. This station combines Victorian and Gothic architectural styles, featuring a wooden structure with an octagonal sloping roof, making it unique. As the sugar industry declined, Qishan Station ceased to function in transportation and has now transformed into the Sugar Railway Story Museum, showcasing the history of sugar and rail in Qishan, making it an ideal spot for travelers to understand local industrial culture. Qishan Station (Sugar Railway Story Museum) Address: No. 1, Zhongshan Road, Qishan District, Kaohsiung City Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Holidays 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed every Tuesday; admission ticket sales stop half an hour before closing) FB Fan Page: Qishan Station "Sugar Railway Story Museum" Qishan was once a major production and marketing center for bananas in Taiwan. From the 1950s to 1960s, a large export of bananas to Japan brought substantial foreign exchange to Taiwan, establishing Qishan's position in the international market. Wu Zhenrui, known as the "Banana King of Qishan," served as the chairman of the Kaohsiung Fruit Cooperative but was falsely accused of bribing officials and wrongfully imprisoned in a case known as the "banana peeling incident," making him one of the victims of the White Terror period. After being released, he moved to Japan for refuge and only returned to Taiwan after being exonerated. This case also affected Taiwan's status as the "Banana Kingdom," which was then replaced by the Philippines. Although Taiwan's banana industry is no longer thriving, Qishan still retains a rich banana culture, integrating it into local specialty foods. Walking through the old street, one can find various delicious dishes featuring bananas, such as banana egg rolls, ice cream, and cakes. These are not only the pride of the locals but also must-try souvenirs for visitors to Qishan. Today, Qishan Old Street has been transformed into a tourist area. In addition to historical buildings and industrial culture, many young people choose to return to their hometowns to start businesses, establishing dessert shops and specialty gift stores, infusing the old street with a unique atmosphere blending the old and the new. Whether strolling between red-brick western-style houses, savoring banana delicacies, or exploring the history of sugar and rail, Qishan Old Street is a travel destination full of stories and charm.
