Hsinchu State Hall (Hsinchu City Government)

In the early Japanese colonial period, most public infrastructure in Hsinchu involved taking over facilities from the Qing dynasty. It wasn't until 1904 that Hsinchu Hall councilor Zheng Ru-lan and others requested the construction of a new government building. However, the Hsinchu State Hall wasn't built until 1925, with its main structure completed and opened by the end of the following year. Subsequent expansions and renovations transformed it into what is now seen as the Hsinchu City Government. The Hsinchu State Hall is a two-story, reinforced brick building with a 'ㄇ'-shaped (U-shaped) floor plan. Its architectural style is a blend of Japanese and Western influences, with the main body being Western in style. The roof is a wooden-frame tiled hip roof, commonly found in East Asian architecture. The main entrance features a prominent porch designed with a double-column style to enhance its ceremonial feel, complemented by two small turrets, making the entire entrance quite striking. Inside the main hall, one can see Western-style arcades and Roman columns, exuding grandeur. Overall, the Hsinchu State Hall is a governmental building characterized by good proportions and symmetry, conveying both stability and solemnity.