A visit to Sanyi will most likely include a stop at the old Sheng Hsing Train Station 勝興車站. The Sheng Hsing train station was built in 1908 as part of the famous Taiwan Rail Mountain Line. This rail line reached an altitude of 405 meters.
The Sheng Hsing Train Station house was built with no nails. It was part of a 15.9 km line that traveled over 9 different mountains. The next station in Sanyi was located 5 km away and the other direction was Tai An which was 8.6 km away. The Mountain Line was started by the Japanese to ship camphor wood out of the surrounding mountains.
The grounds of the station are quite nice for walking. It is located in a leafy area and visitors can walk just about every part of the station and railroad tracks.
The front end of the station house is the beginning of the Sanyi Old Street which has many shops and restaurants to walk around and grab a bite to eat.
Many Activities Around The Sheng Hsing Train Station
A video shows the scene on a weeekend in front of the Sheng Xing Train Station.
This is the view from the old street down to the railroad track platform.
The Sheng Xing Station and the entire Mountain Line discontinued in 1998 after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake ruined the tracks for good. The town refurbished the station in 2003. Below is the original handwritten station schedule from May, 1998 after service discontinued.
A small map of the area sits next to the train station.
Below is a brief, but not well written, history of the Sheng Xing Station.
The great thing about the Sheng Xing Station is visitors can walk down on the tracks along the platform. There is a 1km tunnel you can walk into. Although you can see the other end, you’ll need a flashlight to walk all the way through it.
A picture from deep inside the tunnel.
A sign on the platform shows the direction and distances to the next stops on either end. Tai-an and San Yi.
The 3 sets of tracks are fun to walk on and give great photo angles.
A Taiwan train conductor lamp for sale at one of the old street shops.
The old street near the Sheng Xing station is narrow with traffic. It is worth strolling the street and enjoying the food and souvenirs.
The old street winds like an “S” curve past the train station.
More views of the Sanyi old street.
As with downtown Sanyi, there are many kinds of art and pottery available to buy.
More interesting pieces of art to buy at the old street.
Related Content for Sanyi:
