Kaohsiung British Consulate Cultural Park Introduction
The Shanshang Official Residence is undergoing maintenance work, but indoor operations are normal. Please enter and exit through the historic main gate and follow the suggested alternative routes for your visit. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The Dagou British Consulate Cultural Park includes the Shanshang Consulate Residence, the Shansha Consulate Office, and the ancient mountain trail, making it the first consulate built by the British government in Taiwan and the only consulate complex in Taiwan that has preserved its residence and office intact. It was designated as a national historic site by the Ministry of Culture in 2019. The Dagou British Consulate Residence was built in 1879 and is situated on a small hill overlooking the harbor. It is the oldest existing modern Western-style building in Taiwan and the first consulate established by the British government in Taiwan. The office located below faces the harbor and is adjacent to the customs office, facilitating consular operations and commercial trade, and includes a police station and prison. The park has preserved an ancient mountain trail that connects the residence and the consulate, with well-maintained stone steps, allowing visitors to walk from the office down the hill to the residence. Witnessing the transformation of colonial-style architecture in Taiwan, the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 forced Taiwan to gradually open its commercial ports. To expand its economic interests in Taiwan, the UK established a consulate in Dagou, which was completed and opened for use in 1879. The residence was designed by a British architect, featuring a series of semi-circular arches that give the building a rhythmic appearance. The smaller arches at the corners and larger pillars provide structural stability, while the bamboo joint-shaped downspouts are a characteristic of Western-style buildings from the late Qing Dynasty. In contrast, the office below has a colonial-style corridor architecture, clearly structured in three sections: roof, body, and base. The facade emphasizes symmetry, and the corridor is an important feature, likely influenced by the Shanghai colonial architectural style. As you lightly touch each red brick of the Dagou British Consulate Residence, you can feel the traces of time; history is in your hands while the beauty of Kaohsiung is at your feet. At this meeting point of mountains and sea, the stunning scenery is all-encompassing. One of Kaohsiung's eight scenic spots, "Sunset at Xizi," is best viewed from the Dagou British Consulate Residence in the afternoon to evening. Looking east, the magnificent views of the Kaohsiung port area are fully displayed, with the Kaohsiung 85 Tower and the Dream Mall Ferris wheel forming a lively and colorful modern painting. To the south, you can gaze towards the 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, you can see one of Kaohsiung's eight scenic spots, "Sunset at Xizi," which can be calm at times and magnificent at others. The park also combines leisure dining, allowing visitors to enjoy meals and tea, giving the old buildings a new romantic touch.
