Nostalgic Stations Shine Again: Retro Style Revived at Five TRA Stations

By MOOK Travel Family & HowToTrip Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
 
To revive the charm of historic railway stations, Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has carried out restoration and improvement projects on five key sites: the National Historic Site of Taipei Main Station in Tainan, the New Taipei City-designated historic site Shanjia Old Station, and the Neiwan Branch Line stations—Zhudong, Jiuzantou, and Neiwan. These efforts aim to preserve important cultural assets while also promoting local prosperity and railway tourism. The restored stations are expected to showcase a brand-new look upon completion.

Tainan StationEstablished in 1900 (opened in 1908) and rebuilt in 1936, Tainan Station, like Taipei Main Station, is a large-scale railway station building from the Japanese colonial period and is designated as a National Historic Site. In accordance with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act and related regulations, TRA has initiated restoration work to improve the roof’s waterproofing and maintain the current condition of the station interior. Other restoration works include the main station building, station office, platforms, and police substation. Once completed, the station will fully showcase its classic vintage architectural style.

Shanjia Old StationLocated next to the new Shanjia Station, the original New Taipei City-designated historic site was closed and not open to the public after the new station’s cross-platform terminal was completed in 2011. To continue the reuse of this historic station, TRA launched the “New Taipei City-Designated Historic Site Shanjia Station Restoration Project,” scheduled for completion in August. The restoration and adaptive reuse of the old station, in conjunction with the overall landscape planning by New Taipei City Government, is expected to boost local tourism and ensure the sustainability of railway culture.