Text by MOOK Editorial Team
The Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli 72-Hour Best Experience App is now available on the App Store (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Team)
Walking down the path beside Qiding Station, you’ll only see a sign but no main building at first. As you approach, you’ll find that going down the stairs leads you straight to the platform, exuding the serene atmosphere of an unmanned station.
The railway cultural park is not inside the station. Before heading down the stairs, you need to turn right and follow the path uphill. Soon, you’ll reach the observation deck, where you can enjoy the sight of windmills slowly turning, trains speeding by, fishing boats cruising gently, and fighter jets roaring overhead. The railway stretches out before you, with a tall white windmill rotating slowly to the left front. In the distance lies the Taiwan Strait, bustling with fishing boats, while the blue sky is often streaked by Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Here, you might just capture all three modes of transport—land, sea, and air—in one frame.
Qiding Railway Cultural Park (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Team)
Descend the stairs next to the observation deck, then follow the dense forest path, and before long, you’ll arrive at the Qiding Twin Tunnels, listed as a historical site. Follow the signs to explore this hidden gem nestled in the woods—a remnant from the Japanese colonial period. Built in 1928, the tunnel was abandoned in the 1970s after being deemed too small for electrification projects and due to route adjustments by the Taiwan Railways Administration. However, thanks to its well-preserved condition and efforts by local advocates, it was registered as a Miaoli County historic building in 2005 and transformed into a cultural park. Visitors can now safely experience a piece of history in a comfortable setting. Faint traces of bullet holes from World War II can still be seen on the tunnel walls.
The Neiwan Line, originally built to transport coal, also carried raw materials such as cement, glass, timber, tea, and limestone. Construction began as early as 1944 but was halted due to the urgent Pacific War. It wasn’t until after the war that work resumed, completing the section from Hsinchu to Zhudong. The line was later extended to Neiwan as limestone and coal mining developed. On September 10, 1951, the line officially opened under the guidance of Neiwan Line’s unique wooden semaphore signals, bringing trains through mountain tunnels into Neiwan.
Neiwan Station is the terminus of the Neiwan branch line. Stepping out of the station, you’ll be greeted by characters from the comics of Liu Hsing-chin—Ah San Ge and Auntie Po—who appear everywhere, and even robots on the street poles, adding a playful touch to the hometown scenery. Strolling along the mainly single-story buildings, you’ll be drawn in by the aroma of wild ginger flower zongzi. Local delights like ban tiao (flat rice noodles), ma la tang (spicy hot pot), and various Hakka dishes ensure you won’t go hungry.Neiwan Branch Line (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Team)
Although Shengxing Station has been out of use since the old Mountain Line ceased operation in 1988, this defunct railway has become a new hub for nostalgia. Originally called “16th Share Station,” Shengxing Station was built in 1912. Perched at an altitude of 402.236 meters, trains passing through here had to laboriously climb uphill. The station’s unique structure features a gabled roof with protruding triangular designs, zigzag eaves, and a grid of wooden pillars. From the ticket window and waiting room to the stationmaster’s office, platform, and tracks, the entire site remains intact, preserving its original appearance.
Breathtaking earthquake ruins (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Team)
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