On the evening of July 5, the Taitung County Government hosted a press conference titled “Turning Time—Lighting Up the Old Station” on the platform behind the Taitung Old Station Visitor Center. Taitung County Magistrate April Yao, Council Speaker Wu Hsiu-hua, and Taitung City Mayor Chen Ming-feng were among the dignitaries who together activated the lighting system of the Old Station Area, marking a milestone in the ongoing “Light Up Taitung” project. Magistrate Yao emphasized that this is not just about switching on the lights, but also illuminating a new evening cultural scene, inviting the public to witness a new chapter for the city, where the past is lit with a vision for a livable and sustainable future.
Magistrate Yao noted that the Taitung Old Station holds precious memories of the county’s railway development. Once a major transportation hub, the site has been transformed into a public space for tourism and leisure. Through warm, layered lighting that evokes historical railway scenes, the nuanced beauty of old architecture is brought to life. The project embraces energy-saving and carbon-reduction principles by incorporating eco-friendly lighting fixtures and smart switch systems to precisely control lighting schedules — illuminating the past while protecting the planet.
Director Wu Po-cheng of the General Affairs Department added that the lighting project focuses on harmony between day and night, discreet structural integration, and energy efficiency. It greatly enhances safety and comfort for nighttime activities while avoiding visual interference during daylight hours. The landscape lighting is only activated during peak evening foot traffic to prevent energy waste.
The evening featured live music by street performers, alongside a concept presentation by Design Director Lin Ching-yu. Centered on the themes of “cultural revival” and “spatial regeneration,” the lighting design introduces a vertical luminance layering approach, dividing the station into three layers, or spatial depths — front, middle, and rear — to reconstruct urban textures and emotional resonance through pedestrian-scaled lighting. Iconic structures such as the Turntable, Oil Storage Depot, and Locomotive Garage are accentuated using surround and framing projection lighting techniques, highlighting their historical aesthetics while enhancing storytelling and ceremonial ambiance. The lighting ceremony concluded with a drone aerial guide capturing the full illuminated scene, broadcast in real time via an LED large screen, immersing guests in a captivating visual symphony of light and shadow.
