Zhutian Station is a Japanese-era wooden railway station in Zhutian Township, Pingtung, originally opened in 1919 as "Dunwu Station" and rebuilt in its current wooden form in 1938. It is one of only two surviving Japanese-era wooden stations on the Pingtung Line (the other being Sankuaicuo Station in Kaohsiung). In the local Hakka dialect, "Dunwu" means a place for storing goods; the station has since been transformed into a Hakka cultural exhibition space.
Zhutian Station's predecessor, Dunwu Station, opened in 1919; the current wooden station building was rebuilt in 1938 during the Japanese colonial era and was registered as a historic building on October 2, 2019. Together with Sankuaicuo Station in Kaohsiung, it is one of only two surviving Japanese-era wooden stations on the Pingtung Line.
Highlights of Zhutian Station
The station building is constructed of cypress; the roof ridge, canopy eaves, and waiting platform together form a vocabulary typical of Japanese colonial-era architecture. The building itself has been designated a historic building; inside, some Japanese colonial-era railway artifacts and Hakka pioneer settlement historical records have been re-created. The old railway corridor behind the station has been preserved, with surrounding plantings providing shade; the overall atmosphere is quiet, making it a rare space for a slow, unhurried pace on the Pingtung Plain.
Within the station area, "Chishang Bookstore" continues the spirit of a 1950s-era old bookstore from Zhutian Township. It offers local publications and second-hand books, and also houses an art gallery exhibiting works by Pingtung Hakka artists. An irregular Hakka Music Festival is held here each year, presenting cross-genre fusions of Hakka folk songs and contemporary music in an open-air stage format (for performance dates, please check official announcements).
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and timing
- Taiwan Railways Pingtung Line — Zhutian Station. Less than one minute's walk from the exit to the station building.
- The exterior is open for viewing at all hours; the indoor exhibition space has fixed opening times. It is recommended to check announcements from the Zhutian Township Office or the station area before setting out.
- Quiet on weekdays with few visitors; slightly more visitors on weekends, but it remains a low-key, niche attraction overall.
Nearby connections
- Can be paired with Wanluan Pork Knuckle Old Street, about 15 minutes away by car, for a combined south Pingtung Hakka half-day itinerary.
- Neipu Hakka Cultural Museum also belongs within the Liudui Hakka cultural sphere and offers further insight into the history of the Liudui pioneer settlements.
Sources: Pingtung County Government Cultural Affairs Department; Zhutian Township Office. Building date cited from the Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture registration records. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zhutian Station built?
Its predecessor, Dunwu Station, opened in 1919; the current wooden station building was rebuilt in 1938 during the Japanese colonial era.
What does the name "Dunwu" mean?
"Dunwu" is Hakka for a place to store goods, reflecting the station's original role as a rice cargo transfer and storage depot.
What is Zhutian Station's significance in Taiwan's railway history?
It is one of only two surviving Japanese-era wooden stations on the Pingtung Line, the other being Sankuaicuo Station in Kaohsiung.
Sources
- 竹田車站 (台灣) - 維基百科 — 設站1919年、現存木造站房1938年重建、2019年登錄歷史建築
- 竹田車站 - 歷史建築 - 國家文化資產網 — 文化部文化資產局歷史建築登錄資料