Bao'an Station

Bao'an Station

Located in Rende Township, Tainan County, Taiwan, Bao'an Station was originally known as CheLuQian Station, situated about 1.5 kilometers to the south of its current location. It was established in November of the 13th year before the Republic of China (1901) and was named after the local village "CheLuQian." Later, due to sugar transportation needs, it was relocated to its present site in October of the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914), where it has remained. In December of the 51st year of the Republic of China (1962), "CheLuQian Village" was renamed "Bao'an Village," and the station was accordingly renamed Bao'an Station, the name it still bears today.

Bao'an Station has always been a small station on the Taiwan Railways Administration’s West Coast Line, primarily used by local residents and students from two nearby universities, with only local trains stopping there. However, it gained unexpected fame when train enthusiasts discovered that a ticket from Yongkang to Bao'an read “Yong Bao An Kang” (永保安康), which sounds like a phrase meaning “peace and safety forever.” This led to a sudden influx of tourists and a boom in visitor numbers at the time.

Bao'an Station is also one of the few remaining wooden railway stations operated by the Taiwan Railways, and it is remarkably well-preserved. The station building, primarily constructed from Taiwan cypress wood from Alishan, features a main structure that uses no iron nails at all, relying instead on traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery. Its architectural style carries a distinct Japanese influence, with white as the dominant color and an elegant overall appearance. Built over 90 years ago, it has withstood numerous earthquakes and floods, standing firmly through it all—an impressive feat. In addition, there is a restaurant outside the station that was converted from an old TRA warehouse. Nearby, the railway authority has creatively used discarded railway sleepers to create outdoor furnishings such as tables, chairs, flower stands, railings, and signs, adding a quaint charm to the surroundings.

Baoan Railway Station

Must-visit reason: One of Taiwan’s rarest surviving wooden railway stations

Rende District [Rende District]