Cishan Old Street × Sugar Railway Story Museum

Attractions / Kaohsiung Charter Tour Attractions

Qishan Old Street × Sugar Railway Story House

Glory Days of the Banana Kingdom × Baroque-Style Historic Streets × Top Cultural Day Trip in Southern Taiwan

Nestled in the Kaohsiung hill country, Qishan has been a key commercial town in southern Taiwan since the Qing era. Favorable transport and agriculture fueled growth during the Japanese period through sugar and banana exports, transforming a rural settlement into a prosperous town. Today, Qishan Old Street and the Sugar Railway Story House are the best gateways into this golden age.

Whether strolling among Baroque red-brick facades or tasting Qishan's signature banana ice cream and crisps, this is a deep-travel landmark blending history, culture, architecture, and food.

---

Must-Visit Highlights

Baroque Streetscape × Old-World Elegance in Red Brick

Qishan Old Street centers on Zhongshan Rd., Fuxing St., and Huazhong St., lined with 1920–1930s Baroque red-brick buildings erected by wealthy merchants during urban renewal. Sandstone carvings and arched arcades reflect the town's former prosperity and modern aspirations.

Traditional Minnan courtyard houses and Japanese-era buildings also appear throughout—a multi-era streetscape beloved by photographers and architecture enthusiasts.

---

Sugar Railway Story House × Memory of Sugar and Rail

Formerly Qishan Station, a key transfer point on the Japanese-era Qishan sugar railway, the site is now the Sugar Railway Story House, showcasing Qishan's ties to sugar and rail. The wooden station blends Victorian and Gothic elements with an octagonal roof and tall windows—a distinctive landmark.

Inside highlights:

• Sugarcane farming models

• Historic railway and transport exhibits

• Photos from the sugar and banana export era

• The rise and decline of Qishan's industries

Address: No. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Qishan District, Kaohsiung City
Hours: Weekdays 10:00–18:00, Weekends 10:00–19:00 (closed Tuesdays)

---

Banana Culture × Local Produce and Living Memory

In the 1950–60s, Qishan was Taiwan's banana export hub to Japan, earning huge foreign exchange and the title "Banana Kingdom." Trade shifts and the "banana peeling scandal" eventually slowed the industry.

Banana culture still thrives today:

• Creative treats: banana egg rolls, banana ice, banana crisps

• Street banana-themed art installations

• The story of "Banana King" Wu Chen-jui—a chapter of local memory

---

Local Creative Shops × Young Returnees Revive the Old Street

Today's Qishan Old Street preserves historic facades while welcoming young entrepreneurs:

• Handmade dessert shops

• Creative ice cream parlors

• Local design and lifestyle boutiques

Culture renewal meets travel entrepreneurship—history's warmth with today's energy.

---

‍

Recommended For

• Architecture photographers: Baroque red brick and Gothic station buildings

• Families: Sugar Railway Story House, banana treats, street interactives

• Culture explorers: Sugar, banana exports, and local political history

• Independent travelers: Leisurely lanes, alley food, market charm

---

Charter Recommendation × Hill Country History Deep-Dive Route

Plan a half- or full-day route combining Qishan with nearby sights—no transfers or parking stress. Charter is the best way to explore Qishan's culture and old streets.

Suggested itinerary:

Kaohsiung city center ➝ Qishan Old Street ➝ Sugar Railway Story House ➝ Meinong Folk Village ➝ Baolai Hot Spring or Fo Guang Shan

Book a charter for a customized hill-country cultural tour—experience southern Taiwan's heritage with ease!

---

Visitor Information

• Qishan Old Street area: Zhongshan Rd. / Fuxing St. / Huazhong St.

• Sugar Railway Story House: No. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Qishan District, Kaohsiung City

• Hours: Weekdays 10:00–18:00, Weekends 10:00–19:00 (closed Tuesdays)

• Local specialties: Banana egg rolls, banana ice cream, taro cakes, seasonal fruit drinks

• Getting there: Driving or charter recommended; Kaohsiung Bus to Qishan Station then walk

---

Qishan Old Street and the Sugar Railway Story House are more than Kaohsiung cultural landmarks—they capture an economic miracle, industrial transformation, and local resilience. Stroll, taste sweets, hear stories, and feel how a hill town preserves its memory and character through changing times.

Plan your Qishan hill-country day trip and book a charter for a relaxed, in-depth, heartfelt journey.

 

Benefits of Charter Tours

1. Flexible itinerary, arranged your way

   • Unlike public transport or self-driving, a charter lets you choose sights, stop times, and route order freely.

   • No bus or train schedules—travel on your own terms.
      

2. Professional drivers—no transport worries

   • Drivers who know local roads plan the best routes and avoid traffic and detours.

   • No parking hassles—the driver arranges convenient pick-up and drop-off points.
      

3. Ideal for families, seniors, and groups

   • No dragging luggage or changing vehicles—perfect for trips with children and elders.

   • Multiple vehicle sizes—5-seater, 7-seater, 9-seater—flexible for your group size.
      

4. Comfort and safety for a better trip

   • Your private vehicle stays clean and comfortable throughout the journey.

   • Rest and recharge anytime on the road, without the fatigue of constant transfers.