Kaohsiung British Consulate at Takao Cultural Park Introduction
The Shoushan Residence is currently undergoing maintenance, but indoor operations are normal. Please enter and exit through the historical main gate and follow the suggested alternative routes for visiting. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The Dagou British Consulate Cultural Park includes three sites: the Shoushan Consulate Residence, the Lower Consulate office, and the ancient hiking trail. It was the first consulate built by the British government in Taiwan and is the only preserved consular area in Taiwan that maintains both a residence and an office, designated a national historical site by the Ministry of Culture in 2019. The Dagou British Consulate Residence, completed in 1879, is situated on a small hill overlooking the harbor, making it the oldest Western-style modern building existing in Taiwan and the first consulate of the British government in Taiwan. The office below faces the harbor and is adjacent to the customs office, facilitating consular affairs and commercial trade, and features a police room and jail cells. The park preserves an intact ancient hiking trail that connects the residence and the consulate, with well-maintained stone steps that allow visitors to walk from the office below to the residence above. Witnessing the evolution of colonial architectural styles in Taiwan, the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 forced Taiwan to gradually open to trade ports. To expand its economic interests in Taiwan, the British established a consulate in Dagou, which was completed in 1879. The residence was designed by the British, featuring a series of semicircular arches that give the overall building a rhythmic appearance. The corners have smaller arches and larger columns, providing structural support, while the bamboo joint-style drainage pipes are characteristic of Western buildings from the late Qing Dynasty. In contrast, the office below exhibits a colonial veranda architectural style, with a distinct three-part structure of roof, body, and base. The facade emphasizes symmetry, and the walkway is a significant feature, likely influenced by colonial architectural styles from Shanghai. By gently touching each red brick of the Dagou British Consulate Residence, one can feel the passage of time; history is in your hands, and the beauty of Kaohsiung is at your feet. In this meeting point of mountains and sea, stunning views abound. One of Kaohsiung's Eight Scenic Views is "Xizi Sunset," making the best time to visit the Dagou British Consulate Residence from the afternoon to evening. Looking east, the magnificent scenery of the entire Kaohsiung port area is revealed, with the Kaohsiung 85 Building and the Dream Mall Ferris Wheel forming a lively and vibrant modern painting. To the south, the view extends to Qijin Fishing Port, where fishing boats and ferries come and go, occasionally accompanied by the sound of whistles, creating a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere. Looking west is one of Kaohsiung's Eight Scenic Views, "Xizi Sunset," sometimes calm and sometimes magnificent. The park also combines leisure dining, allowing people to enjoy meals and tea, infusing the ancient building with a new romantic charm.
