Qidu Railway Station is a Taiwan Railways station at a key junction near the northern end of the Western Trunk Line, with a modern station building opened in 2007, while its original Japanese-era wooden station house has been relocated and preserved nearby as part of Qidu Railway Park. Qidu is also an important marshaling-yard node in the history of Taiwanese rail transport.
The predecessor "Badu Station" was established on October 20, 1891, and renamed Qidu on July 20, 1899. The Japanese-era wooden station building was constructed in 1903, and the Qidu rear station was completed on January 24, 1971. Due to Taiwan Railways' Nangang Project, a new station building on the site of the former rear station officially opened on January 21, 2007, and the front station was decommissioned. The old wooden front station's materials were numbered, dismantled, moved a short distance, and rebuilt in its original form; it was declared a Keelung City historic building on July 28, 2010, and is now part of Qidu Railway Park rather than the active station.
What to See at Qidu Railway Station
The station building at Qidu is one of a small number of active Taiwan Railways stations that still retain structural elements from the Japanese colonial period. The building is not large, but its architectural details preserve characteristics of the era. Qidu serves as a key operational station at the northern end of the Western Trunk Line; its marshaling yard function gave it a specific role in railway transport history — it was not merely a stop but an important hub for rolling stock operations.
The overall form of the station can be observed from the platform or the forecourt. The forecourt retains a small plaza layout. The Qidu settlement developed along the Jilong River, and the station's surroundings convey the everyday rhythm of a traditional railway town. This is a relatively off-the-beaten-path site for railway architecture enthusiasts, suited to visitors with an interest in Taiwan's railway history.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- Check train schedules for services stopping at Qidu on the Taiwan Railways official website or app.
- The station is open-access; the exterior can be observed at any time. Entry to the platform area is subject to ticketing rules.
Nearby Connections
- Baifu Community murals are on Baifu Road in Qidu District and can be reached on the same day on foot or by bicycle.
- Longfeng Waterfall is in the hills of Qidu District — you can plan a Qidu day combining the natural trail with the railway heritage site.
Source: compiled from public records and Taiwan Railways station information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the current Qidu Railway Station building the original Japanese-era wooden station?
No. The current building opened on January 21, 2007; the original Japanese-era wooden station has been relocated and preserved at nearby Qidu Railway Park.
Where is the old Qidu station building now?
The old wooden front station's materials were numbered, dismantled, and rebuilt nearby; it was declared a Keelung City historic building in 2010 and now sits within Qidu Railway Park.
Why is Qidu Railway Station significant in Taiwan's rail history?
Qidu is an important marshaling-yard node near the northern end of the Western Trunk Line, long responsible for rolling-stock operations rather than serving merely as a stop.
What can be combined with a visit to Qidu Railway Station?
Baifu Community murals are within walking distance, and Longfeng Waterfall is in the Qidu hills, allowing a day combining nature and cultural sites.
Sources
- 七堵車站 - 維基百科 — 沿革時間軸：設站、木造站房、新站房啟用、舊站房歷史建築公告