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On the Coast Branch (海線) of Taiwanese railway, there exists 5 old stations made of wood. All were constructed 99 years ago (during Japanese era), based on the same design. They are nicknamed as The Precious 5 on the Coast (海線五寶). I took a visit to them this afternoon. 1/7
1st stop: Zhuifen (追分), the southernmost one. It's famous for being paired up w/ Chenggong (成功), a neighbor station. Put together, 追分成功 means "got a successful score" or "marriage proposal succeeded" (追婚). A wish tree is in the yard. More tourists than locals. 2/7
2nd stop: Rinan (日南), the best maintained station. One can see how cute it is. Check also those roof tiles. The space in front of this station has been well refurbished. Local people gather here happily. Both Zhuifen & Rinan are in Taichung area. 3/7
3rd stop: Xinpu (新埔). Many places in Taiwan are called 新埔 & this one is in Miaoli. A photo tells how it looks like inside (so small!). No passengers. The other side of the station is covered by a plastic canopy which is far from stylish so I'm not showing it. Pity. 4/6
4th stop: Dashan (大山). It's fenced! I read the green panel to the right & it said "emergency reconstruction". I guess bugs partied too much for what old wood columns could afford. Notice those panels, pipes & metallic canopy? That's the embarrassing TRA style. 5/6
Last stop: Tanwen, the northernmost one. Quite shocked to see the station isn't at the same level as the road anymore! I felt a bit sad to see it very deserted. No TRA agent, no traveller, but a volunteer who measured my temperature. Xinpu, Dashan, & Tanwen are in Miaoli. 6/7
From an architectural aspect, the 3 stations in Miaoli are in a worrying state; the 2 others in Taichung are in a relatively good shape. After all, TRA is never good at beautification of its assets. They will all welcome their century in 2022. Will there be a celebration? 7/7
