Taiwan Railways' 16 Stations Get a Makeover: Capsule Hotels & Container Markets

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

In recent years, there has been a strong push to promote local tourism features, with many historic buildings being renovated and refurbished, injecting new vitality. Taiwan Railways is also working hard to transform visitors' stereotypes of train stations, making them not just places to catch a train but also shopping, dining, recreational, and multifunctional spaces that integrate cultural creativity. Currently, stations such as Taipei, Banqiao, Nangang, Songshan, and Xinzuoying have already achieved diversified spaces. Recently, Taiwan Railways announced that it will replan the spaces of 16 stations in Xinyouri, Pingtung, Chaozhou, and the Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung regions, collaborating with private enterprises to turn stations into brand-new commercial spaces.

Pingtung Station
 
On the first floor of Pingtung Station, in addition to planning for commercial and food functions, a "One Township, One Specialty" area has been set up to promote local delicacies and souvenirs, selling specialties such as Donggang blackfin tuna, Linbian black pearl wax apples, Wanluan pork knuckles, and Wandan red beans. The second floor will feature a fitness center and a railway travel space, with plans to introduce capsule hotels priced at no more than NT$1,000 per night.

Xinyouri Station
 
Considering the needs of business travelers, Xinyouri Station will not only have food and shopping spaces but will also include a convention center, offices, and meeting rooms, with the theme of "Wuri Station 1905." The station entrance will feature a nostalgic vibe with Japanese-style black tiles, and the second floor, which connects to the high-speed rail space, will house an interactive miniature train, a railway heritage-themed museum, and a nostalgic market. The third floor will feature a railway merchandise shop, while the fourth and fifth floors will be for conventions and office spaces.

Chaozhou Station
 
Chaozhou Station will introduce a multifunctional banquet hall and a container market, aiming to make Chaozhou Station the trendiest station on the Taiwan Railways network.

13 Stations in Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung
 
The 13 stations in eastern Taiwan—including Toucheng, Dongshan, Xincheng, Hualien, Shoufeng, Fenglin, Guangfu, Ruisui, Yuli, Chishang, Guanshan, Luye, and Taitung—will be replanned to include bicycle supply station spaces. With a focus on "three-iron light travel" (combining train, bike, and bus), these stations will offer bicycle rentals, along with the presence of scooters and large heavy-duty motorcycles, allowing tourists to rent in one place and return in another for a hassle-free cycling experience across Hualien and Taitung. By September 5, Toucheng, Ruisui, and Guanshan are expected to complete their planning and open, while the remaining stations will launch by the end of this year. Rentals for large heavy-duty motorcycles will be available at the Hualien and Taitung stations, with services starting in August next year.
 

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