Celebrating a Centennial Birthday: New York and Hsinchu Forge Sister Station Bond

▲The historic Hsinchu Railway Station is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. (Photo /Source: Wikipedia)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

One of Taiwan’s most highly regarded buildings in terms of architecture and art, the long-standing Hsinchu Railway Station has entered its centennial year. Coincidentally, another renowned global landmark — New York’s Grand Central Terminal — is also marking its 100th anniversary this year. Following a congratulatory message sent to Hsinchu in March, Grand Central further invited Hsinchu Mayor Hsu Ming-tsai and Hsinchu Railway Station Chief Huang Jung-hua to the United States to jointly sign and announce the establishment of a sister-station relationship.

Both Grand Central Terminal in New York and Hsinchu Railway Station are highly acclaimed for their architectural and artistic value. Funded by American railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, Grand Central is famous for its iconic four-faced clock, whose dials are made of opal; its main entrance facing 42nd Street features the world’s largest grouping of sculptures of the Greek god Atlas. It is a must-visit attraction in New York and a popular meeting spot for locals. Hsinchu Railway Station was designed by Makuzaki Yonechika, a renowned architect from the Japanese colonial period. Unlike other government buildings constructed during that era, the architectural artistry of Hsinchu Railway Station lies in its blend of Gothic and Baroque elements. It even attracted a visit from Crown Prince Hirohito in 1923. Both stations were completed in 1913.

▲Already a century-old architectural landmark, Grand Central Terminal is an iconic site in New York. (Photo /Source: Wikipedia)

To celebrate the sister-station partnership and showcase Hsinchu’s rich cultural heritage, global travelers holding a New York Metro ticket stub can enjoy special offers when visiting Hsinchu — including a 50% discount on stays at selected hotels, a taste of Hsinchu’s famous rice vermicelli and meatball dish, free entry to all municipal museums in Hsinchu, and a complimentary visit to the Taiwan Pavilion from the World Expo.

The Hsinchu City Government has further set a goal of establishing a sister-station relationship with Tokyo Station, which is just one year younger than Hsinchu Railway Station, aiming to attract more railway enthusiasts from around the world to visit Hsinchu.