On March 21, Ku Hsiu-Fei, Minister of the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) visited Zhutian Township, Pingtung County to attend the openingKu Hsiu-Fei ceremony of the Zhutian Station Takeda titled “Spring Visits Hakka Village, New Zhutian”.
Minister Gu remarked that Zhutian railway station is a major landmark that welcomes visitors to the homonymous Hakka village. Therefore, HAC regards the station’s overall restoration and environmental improvement as an important task to enhance the image of Hakka settlements. In addition, NT$300 million have been approved to support the Pingtung County Government in building the Hakka Main Library in Zhutian, creating a modern library with applications across many domains. It is hoped that bringing together Xishi, Jiadong, and other areas will help forge a tourist corridor for visitors to learn about Hakka culture.
To preserve the rich railway history and wooden architecture style of Zhutian, HAC funded the Department of Hakka Affairs, Pingtung County Government to focus on the Zhutian Station Cultural Park. Through thorough improvement of the various buildings and surrounding environment, the initiative strengthened spatial functions and the key visual theme, optimized pedestrian flow, and enhanced the overall environmental quality. Furthermore, it connected the three major axes of the rail bikeway, the national highway, and the Longjing Riverside, creating three Hakka-themed railway station highlights in Linluo, Xishi, and Zhutian, as to drive the general development of the middle Liugdui area.
The first floor of Warehouse No. 1 is planned as a multipurpose exhibition and performance space, which can host lectures, art shows, and medium-sized performances, building a public space like the Zhutian Hakka Hall, so that visitors to Zhutian Station Takeda can enjoy local characteristics and access cultural information. The second floor of Warehouse No. 1 will house a stylish restaurant featuring a Hakka-style Japanese set meal designed by a professional chef team. The meal will be made with local agricultural products and seasonal ingredients from Pingtung. It will also shine a spotlight on the Hakka-style Zhutian railway bento box, showcasing the depth and quality of the slow food culture.
Warehouse No. 2 will become a backpacker accommodation with 40 beds. Envisioned as a capsule hotel with tatami design, it will feature separate washing rooms and social areas. It targets backpackers, cyclists, and young people, hoping to extend the stay of visitors, promote the development of surrounding tourism, and act as an important node connecting culture and travel across Liugdui. Zhutian Station Takeda integrates diverse experiences like dining, shows, lodging and cultural immersion, not only injecting new life into the old warehouse, but also bringing new momentum to Liugdui tourism. Everyone is encouraged to visit Zhutian and encounter a different kind of slow railway travel.
