Kaohsiung British Consulate Cultural Park Introduction
The Shanshang Residence is undergoing maintenance, but indoor operations are normal. Please enter and exit through the historic main gate and follow the suggested alternative directions for your visit. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The British Consulate Cultural Park in Dagou comprises three locations: the Shanshang Consulate Residence, the Shanship Consulate Office, and the ancient mountain path, making it the first consulate built by the British government in Taiwan and the only consulate area in Taiwan that has completely preserved both the residence and the office. It was officially designated as a national historic site by the Ministry of Culture in 2019. The Shanshang Consulate Residence was built in 1879, situated on a hill overlooking the port, making it the oldest existing Western-style modern building in Taiwan and the first consulate established by the British government in Taiwan. The office at the bottom of the hill faces the port and is adjacent to the customs house, facilitating consular duties and commercial trade, equipped with a police station and jail cells. The park preserves a complete ancient mountain path connecting the residence and the consulate, with well-maintained stone steps, allowing visitors to walk from the office at the bottom of the hill to the residence at the top. After the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858, Taiwan was gradually forced to open commercial ports. In order to expand its economic interests in Taiwan, the British established a consulate in Dagou, which was completed and put into operation in 1879. The residence was designed by a British architect, featuring a rhythmic appearance due to the continuous semicircular arches, while the smaller arches at the corners and larger wall columns provide structural stability. The bamboo joint-style downspouts are characteristic of Western-style buildings from the late Qing Dynasty. The office at the bottom of the hill, however, exhibits colonial verandah-style architecture, distinctly composed of three sections: roof, body, and base. The facade emphasizes symmetry, with the arcade being a significant feature, possibly influenced by colonial architectural styles seen in Shanghai. Running your hand over each red brick of the Shanshang Residence allows you to feel the traces of time; history is in your hands, and the beautiful views of Kaohsiung are underfoot. In this intersection of mountains and seas, stunning scenery is in abundance. One of the eight scenic spots of Kaohsiung, "Xizi Sunset," suggests that the best time to visit the Shanshang Residence is from afternoon to evening. Looking east, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Kaohsiung port area in its entirety, with the Kaohsiung 85 Tower and the Dream Mall Ferris Wheel forming a lively and colorful modern painting. To the south, a distant view of Qijin Fishing Port shows fishing boats and ferries shuttling back and forth, occasionally accompanied by the sound of whistles, creating a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere. Looking west, you will see "Xizi Sunset," one of the eight scenic spots of Kaohsiung, which is sometimes calm and sometimes tumultuous. The park also integrates leisure dining options, allowing visitors to enjoy meals and tea, giving the ancient building a new romantic charm.
