Competing with Kaohsiung’s Formosa Boulevard Station — Da’an Forest Park Station Vies to Be Taiwan’s Most Beautiful MRT Station

▲ Different forms of dynamic water dance shows, pictured here is a waterfall. (Photo / Reporter Lu Y...)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taipei MRT’s Xinyi Line opened on the 24th, and among its stations, Da’an Forest Park Station is touted as the most beautiful of the system’s 109 stations. With its sunken garden architecture, public art featuring a tree frog lounging in the sun, and a fountain landscape with four unique water dance displays, Taipei MRT has also set up an observation deck atop the station to allow the public to clearly admire this “secret garden” in the city. Many passengers have pointed out that this station is even more eye-catching than Kaohsiung’s Formosa Boulevard Station.

▲ The four different forms of dynamic water dance shows are the biggest highlight of Da’an Forest Park Station, and an observation deck atop the station allows the public to easily enjoy the “secret garden.” (Photo / Reporter Lu Y...)

The MRT station is hidden within Da’an Forest Park, and at the center of its sunken building is a lotus pond. Adjacent to it is the main circular corridor structure, the “Sunlight Hall,” built with large glass curtains. The “water dance show,” which cycles every 15 minutes, features four transformations—mist, water curtains, water columns, and waterfalls—accompanied by symphonic music, and is further accentuated by lighting at night, making it the station’s biggest highlight.

▲ The four different forms of dynamic water dance shows. (Photo / Reporter Lu Y...)

Both inside and outside the station, nature-inspired elements are used to create large-scale public art pieces, including “Flower of Da’an,” “Autumn Leaf Traveler,” “Spring’s Glimpse,” and “Four Seasons.” In the garden, there’s also a tree frog lying on its back, leisurely enjoying the sunshine with its legs crossed.

The Taipei MRT Engineering Bureau explained that the public art piece “Flower of Da’an” primarily expresses the natural scenery of Da’an Forest Park and also reminds the public to visit in February and March to admire the azalea blooms. The “Autumn Leaf Traveler,” created by a French artist, likens passengers to brown leaves lifted by the wind. The MRT Engineering Bureau stated that they want the station to be more than just a place for arrivals and departures—they hope the public can have a memorable and enchanting encounter with the MRT station.

▲ Public art at Da’an Forest Park Station: a tree frog lazily lying on the ground, soaking up the sun(Left), other large-scale public artworks (right). (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government; Reporter Lu Y...)

▲ The main circular corridor structure, the “Sunlight Hall,” built with large glass curtains. Even if you’re not taking the train, you can enjoy the view of sunlight streaming into the station and even take a bit of a “sunbath.” (Photo / Reporter Lu Y...)

Kaohsiung MRT’s Formosa Boulevard Station “Dome of Light” has long been considered Taiwan’s most beautiful MRT station, but now many people believe that Da’an Forest Park Station, in addition to its static architectural beauty, also features dynamic water dance shows that are even more captivating. With the opening of the Xinyi Line, aside from competing as the “most luxurious” MRT route, Da’an Forest Park Station is also vying with Formosa Boulevard Station to be named Taiwan’s most beautiful MRT station.

▲ Kaohsiung MRT’s Formosa Boulevard Station. (Photo / Provided by Kaohsiung City Government)