If you’ve traveled to Taichung, you must have passed through this ancient yet elegant and breathtaking railway station. In service since 1917, it has a history of 89 years. Despite enduring wars and earthquakes, it still stands firmly, having witnessed and contributed to Taichung’s growth and prosperity. Now, it is time to say goodbye...
Taichung Railway Station is the transportation hub of Taichung City. Whether you're taking a bus or a train, if you want to leave Taichung or head to any corner of the city, this station is a must-pass spot for travelers.
There are directional signs on the ground, but once I walked out of sight, I got lost again~
The first time I saw the station, I thought it was incredibly well-maintained. From the floor tiles to the stone pillars, it’s clearly an old building — no one would believe it hadn’t been renovated (laughs). But it doesn’t look overly artificial; it feels very natural, which shows the government has put a lot of effort into preservation.
The facilities are also very outdated, with no digital touchscreens, and you can’t even use an EasyCard to buy tickets. In such a busy station, no one was using the ticket machine — could it be broken?
Describing the station as “small but complete” is absolutely right. In such a compact space, there’s a restaurant, convenience store, and self-service library. Outside the station, there were also street performers, which I found quite novel~
Can we just sit on these antique (?) chairs?
Not just the floor tiles, stone pillars, and ticket machines — even the chairs look like antiques. Forget about their impractical size; the patterns on the armrests and backrests are exquisitely designed and crafted, a far cry from today’s minimalist style...
V?V?
Two vintage (?) armchairs — were they not in use? At that time, I guessed maybe because there weren’t many people, but when I entered the station, it was full of passengers, yet the facilities were all well-preserved.
Both inside and out, old but not dilapidated — a very clean railway station
As times change, on October 16, 2016, the station completed its historical mission. However, the main structure of the station, the front porch, and the first platform will be preserved and continue their cultural significance in the form of a museum, allowing it to live on as a vibrant historical witness.
Note:
The new Taichung Railway Station is located right behind the old one, so it remains the transportation hub, and you can still visit for photos and selfies~
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