Qidu Railway Park

The old Qidu Train Station, located on Guangming Road in Keelung, was built during the Japanese colonial era and boasts a history of over a century. Among Taiwan's railway stations, it was one of the few that had never been demolished and rebuilt since its inception. However, to promote land utilization and align with local development, the former Qidu Front Station (the old station) was decommissioned in 2007 (ROC year 96) due to a Taiwan Railways line realignment. The wooden old station building was then transferred to the Keelung City Cultural Affairs Bureau without charge. The Cultural Affairs Bureau subsequently commissioned a professional design company to renovate the station to its original appearance. All the wooden components of the entire wooden train station were meticulously disassembled and then reassembled and reconstructed at the Railway Park, situated 30 meters from the original site of the former Qidu Old Station. This process allowed the all-wooden train station to regain its original grandeur, preserving its historical culture while simultaneously creating a recreational environment. The old Qidu Train Station (Front Station) faced the choice of demolition or preservation due to the widening of Guangming Road. Following advocacy from local public opinion and cultural/historical groups, and with strong promotion from the city government, approval was secured from Taiwan Railways. A method of disassembly, relocation, and reconstruction for preservation was adopted, with the hope of retaining one of Taiwan's rare wooden stations and enriching the cultural heritage of Taiwan's railway assets. Originally constructed from cypress wood, the old Qidu Train Station was a beautifully designed Japanese-style wooden station, showcasing intricate assembly techniques. Notably, the beams and columns were directly connected using a unique notch-and-slot method, which differed significantly from other wooden stations that required dowels or bolts. This made its construction quite special. Consequently, during the disassembly and reconstruction of the old Qidu Train Station, each building material was individually numbered and carefully preserved. Upon relocation to the designated site, they were reassembled according to their numbers. Materials deemed too old were faithfully recreated and reinstalled based on the original materials and styles. During the assembly process, it was also discovered that many of the wooden beams and columns bore the inscription "Governor-General's Office," indicating that during the Japanese colonial period, the construction of this train station was directly ordered and supervised by the Taiwan Governor-General's Office, highlighting the Japanese government's significant emphasis on the Qidu Train Station at the time. Additionally, the old station's ridge featured "insulators" for electrical wiring, which was quite distinctive. Beyond the station itself, two 80-year-old banyan trees were also transplanted to the Railway Park. In addition to its preserved wooden structure, the old Qidu Train Station also features planned platform and railway track areas, recreating the original ambiance of Qidu Station. Visitors here often feel like they are visiting an old friend, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for the past. *Note: The Qidu Old Train Station "Station Building" is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00 (closed on holidays). For detailed information, please refer to the National Cultural Heritage Network.