Shengxing Station is a wooden railway station on the old mountain line in Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, its building completed in 1912, standing at 402.326 meters — the highest-elevation station on Taiwan's entire rail network.
Shengxing Station began as the 'Shiliufen' signal stop, established in 1907 and upgraded to full station status in 1930; the existing wooden station building was completed on March 31, 1912. At 402.326 meters, it is the highest-elevation station on Taiwan Railway's entire network. It was decommissioned in 1998 when the old mountain line was rerouted, designated a Miaoli County historic site in 1999, and reopened as a stop in 2010 when the old line resumed limited service.
Highlights of Shengxing Station
The station structure is built from Taiwan cypress, with a roof of traditional Japanese black tiles. The entire building maintains its original Japanese-era layout and is one of the most fully intact small wooden stations remaining in Taiwan, now designated a Miaoli County historic site. Though the old tracks extending from the platform are no longer in use, the spatial scale of a railway cutting through a mountain valley can still be felt. The surrounding settlement stretches along the old commercial street, preserving the form of an early mountain-town community.
The old street beside the station is centered on Taiwanese snacks and creative goods, drawing crowds on weekends. Longteng Broken Bridge is about a 20-minute walk away, and combining both sites is the standard route for visiting Sanyi. In April when tung blossoms are in full bloom, white petals carpet the mountain trails, adding a seasonal quality to the walk (tung blossom season runs approximately from late April to early May each year).
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- By car: Exit at Sanyi Interchange on National Freeway 1, follow Provincial Highway 13 and turn onto Shengxing Road — about 10 minutes. The parking lot is near the old street entrance; spaces fill up on weekends, so arrive early.
- Public transport: Buses from Miaoli or Sanyi run infrequently; check the Miaoli Bus schedule on their official website before departing.
- Open all day; no admission fee. Old street shops mostly open only on weekends and holidays.
Nearby Connections
- Longteng Broken Bridge: about 20 minutes on foot — recommended as a same-day stop; together the two sites take about half a day.
- Sanyi Wood Carving Museum: about 10 minutes by car — can be added as an afternoon visit.
- Sanyi Town Center: close to County Road 49, where you can find food on Sanyi Old Street.
Source: Miaoli County Culture and Tourism Bureau; on-site interpretation signs. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shengxing Station the highest-elevation station on Taiwan Railway?
Yes — at 402.326 meters, it is the highest station on the entire Taiwan Railway network.
When was the wooden station building built?
The existing wooden building was completed on March 31, 1912; the station itself began as a signal stop established in 1907.
Can you still take a train to Shengxing Station today?
Yes, since the old mountain line resumed limited service in 2010, though schedules are infrequent — check Taiwan Railway's old mountain line timetable before visiting.
Sources
- 勝興車站 - 維基百科 — 站房完工1912年、海拔402.326公尺、沿革