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New Taipei City Travel

Summer at the end of the Century, evolutions on the Banqiao railway

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Summer at the end of the Century, evolutions on the Banqiao railway
Category :
MRT Travel & Rail travel
Travel days :
1 day
適合對象 :
Public & The aged

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      Introduction

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      The Banqiao Railway Station today is a massive station and a transport hub located in the Xinban Special District. However, do you still remember the old Banqiao Railway Station situated on the MRT Fuzhong Station today? In recent years, many cities in Taiwan are conducting railway grade separation, such as the Railway Underground Project in Kaohsiung, Tainan and Taoyuan, and the Elevated Railway Project in Taichung. The Taipei Railway Underground Project, the first railway section to be conducted underground, started back in 1983. This project, spanning 30 years, has drastically transformed the transportation system and city landscape in Taipei City. This has also affected Banqiao, the capital district in New Taipei City. Let us roam from Fuzhong to Xinban Special District, and feel the changes between new and old Banqiao.

      舊板橋車站

      The Banqiao Broadcasting Station, a municipal historic site located at the MRT Fuzhong Station, was completed and opened in 1930. It was designed by Kuriyama Shunichi, the architect of Taipei Beimen Post Office, which was completed in the same year. With its horizontal elevation, the building is a representation of contemporary architecture. Besides, it is also the most iconic Japanese colonial building in the area. As a transmission facility for radio broadcasting, the broadcasting station could send waves as far as Minxiong in Chiayi County. It is an important historical site when it comes to Taiwan's broadcasting history.
      板橋放送所

      The Fuzhong Shopping Area, located at the old Banqiao Railway Station, was once the busiest district in Banqiao and the entertainment center for the local residents. From 1901 to 1999, Banqiao Railway Station was situated in today’s Fuzhong. Even though the station has been relocated, the wide variety of stores still make Fuzhong a special place. karaoke bars, eateries, restaurants, malls and clothing stores co-exist and prosper together, making it a nice place for shopping in Banqiao. Moreover, the Halloween party at the end of October is a spectacular annual event in the Fuzhong Shopping Area.
      府中商圈

      Although the old Banqiao Railway Station is gone because of the Railway Underground Project, we can still see the remaining traces of the old Banqiao Railway Station at Fuzhong Shopping Area. In the first year of the 20th century, the route of the Taiwan Railway had changed from passing through the north of the Dahan River in Xinzhuang to the south of the Dahan River in Banqiao, which laid the foundation for Banqiao to become the capital district of New Taipei City. The Railway Underground Project, which operated at the end of the century, boosted local development once again.
      舊板橋車站

      Fuzhong 15 is the first theme pavilion that combines film and animation art with a documentary auditorium in Taiwan. After many years of development and management, Fuzhong 15 has become an important venue for sharing stories, and has become an important cultural landmark in Banqiao. Come to Fuzhong 15 and let its spokespeople, “Brother One” and “Brother Five” lead you into a world of images!
      府中15

      Walk Along Xianmin Boulevard, which was rebuilt from an old railway, toward the northeast, where the new Banqiao Railway Station 800 meters away has turned into a transport hub and a large shopping area. The 25-story new station attracts passengers from the HSR, TR, MRT Bannan Line, Circular Line, and Banqiao Bus Station. It is a true business center, connecting office buildings, malls, and hotels in series in this area with underground walkways and skywalks. It also created the richest skyline in Banqiao District.
      板橋火車站

      There are lots of skyscrapers in Xinban Special District. It is a great thing for people to be able to overlook the city on a higher floor. With a height of 140.5 meters, New Taipei City Hall makes use of its height advantage by setting a free observation floor for viewing on the 32nd floor. People can take the exclusive elevator straight up to the observation deck. There, they can look 360 degrees through the full-width window design and see Mount Guanyin, Tamsui River, and Taipei 101 all at once, not to mention that you can clearly see the skyscrapers in Banqiao and Banqiao station since they are much closer. From the old Banqiao Railway Station to Xinban Special District, you can experience the differences brought about by the changed railway in Banqiao.
      新北市政府觀光瞭望台
      遠眺臺北市區
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      Visiting Qitang Old Street
      In 1889, Taiwan's first railway was under construction at full speed between Keelung and Taipei. Railway construction workers discovered glittering gold dust in the river in today's Qidu area of Keelung. Those who are seeking wealth traced the river upstream, and eventually found the outcrop of gold vein in Xiaojingua and Dajingua, which kickstarted the gold mining era of Northern Taiwan. The previously quiet Jinguashi and Jiufen therefore entered their golden years. Until 1987, Taiwan Metal Mining Corporation closed the mining business and drew an end to Jinguashi's hundred-year mining history.Different from the strong commercial vibes of Jiufen, after the mining activities ended, Jinguashi became an isolated and quiet little mountain town. The buildings scattered among the emerald hills, the huge Guangong statue guarding the area, and the occasionally seen hikers in the alleys represent the present life of Jinguashi."Let us never forget." During World War II, Jinguashi was once used as a Japanese war prisoner camp. The locals called it "Dubiziliao," which meant the place where foreign prisoners were held. These prisoners of war in Southeast Asia were from Britain, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the Netherlands. During their imprisonment, they mined copper here under poor living conditions. Most of them did not survive the war and died in Jinguashi. In 1997, Taiwan POW Memorial and Peace Park opened to commemorate the war. "Freedom is not free" reminds the world that peace and prosperity are not easy to come by.Qitang Old Street is an important street of Jinguashi. The old street built along the mountain is the main living circle of the miners in the early years. In its most prosperous period, 80,000 gold diggers gathered here! In addition to restaurants and grocery stores, there were entertainment venues such as jewelry shops, pool halls, and bars! During the Japanese Rule period, it was known as the "Jinguashi Ginza." After the gold mining era ended, the number of residents in Jinguashi plummeted to less than 2,000. Today, the once-bustling Qitang Old Street retains a strong nostalgic atmosphere. The renovated rainbow stairs have become a topic in social media, drawing the world's attention to this mining town in the mountains again.Follow the rainbow stairs up to Jinguashi Quanji Temple, also known as Qitang (Qi Hall). The temple has been built for more than 120 years. It is the belief center of Jinguashi, dedicated to worshiping the Holy Emperor Lord Guan. The most treasured object at Quanji Temple is the largest Guan Gong statue in Taiwan that is made of pure copper and 10.6 meters in height. This statue of Guan Gong reading Chunqiu (the Spring and Autumn Annals) and standing majestically at the high point of Jinguashi against the mountains and facing the sea is the most visible landmark of Jinguashi. It is also the patron saint, blessing generations of Jinguashi people.The 260-meter-high Baoshi Mountain is named after the timed horns here during the Japanese Rule period. From the parking lot of Quanji Temple, you can walk up along the hiking trail and reach the viewing platform in 10 minutes. Facing the sea, Yin-Yang Sea and the North Coast are all within your sight. Looking back at the mountains, you can see Teapot Mountain and Liukeng Slope Cableway right in front of your eyes, surrounded by greenery and between mountains and the sea.Teapot Mountain is the backbone of the Jinguashi area, with an elevation of 602 meters. When viewed from the Jinguashi side, the ore rock at the top of the mountain looks like a teapot without a handle, earning it the cute and memorable name of "earless teapot." Teapot Mountain Trail is the most popular hiking trail in Jinguashi. It takes about 30-50 minutes to reach the top of the mountain from the parking lot of Quanji Temple. It is the most beautiful view in Ruifang. With Keelung Mountain right in front of your eyes, the little town of Jinguashi, the winding roads under your feet, and the boundless blue sky and sea, this spectacular scenery can heal you from your stressful daily life."Asia's No. 1 precious metal mine" was the prestige Jinguashi enjoyed in the past. The settlements formed around gold and copper mines in the old days carried the dreams of countless gold diggers. After the demise of the mining industry, what remained unchanged is the beautiful scenery of mountains and seas. They remain the spiritual home of hikers and Jinguashi people.
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