[2025 Taipei Attraction] Travel Guide for Preparatory Office of National Railway Museum (Updated Jun)

When you stroll through Xinyi District in Taipei City, it’s hard to imagine that somewhere in a corner of Section 5 of Civic Avenue lies a secret place full of historical stories—the National Railway Museum Preparatory Office. This employee bathhouse, built in 1935, was originally called the "Changing Room Bathhouse" and was a place where Taipei Machinery Factory employees could relax after work. The architectural design is simple and symmetrical, with a slightly cross-shaped plan. The biggest highlight is the reinforced concrete structure of the central bath and the natural lighting brought by the arched glass windows. It is beautiful~ There is currently a permanent exhibition - "The Age of Enlightenment - Employee Bathhouse Permanent Exhibition", which displays the history and architectural features of the Taipei Machinery Factory employee bathhouse. The exhibition is divided into three major areas: the west exhibition area, the central bathing area, and the east exhibition area. The original two circular hot pools and three rectangular cold pools in the bathhouse are retained, allowing visitors to experience how employees used the bathhouse at that time. Although the entire exhibition room is not large, you can savor the modernization process of Taiwanese architecture, and you can also see the architectural style of the bathhouse during the same period. It is really a special experience to feel the evolution of the times from the details. ✅ National Railway Museum Preparatory Office 📍 Address: No. 50, Section 5, Citizen Avenue, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110 ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. 🚇 Transportation: Nanjing Sanmin Station (about 10 minutes’ walk away.) #TaipeiAttractions #TaipeiTravel #National Railway Museum Preparatory Office #taipeitravel #taipei #exhibition #expo #January Good Places 2025

#2月好地方2025 The Railway Museum's special exhibition presents the unique features of the bathhouse as the first historic building of the Taipei Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works through three exhibition areas: the Central Bathhouse site (1-4), the historic restoration project (5-10), and the 1930s building model (Figures 11-15). The bathhouse was designated as a city historic site in 2002, becoming the first building in Taipei Machine Works to have historic site status. Since its completion in 1935, it has provided Taiwan Railway employees with welfare facilities to cleanse their bodies and relieve fatigue. The bathhouse in Figure 1 and the architectural model exhibition area in Figure 11 are shaped like railway tracks, which is really special. How come the employees are so happy and there is such a complete bathhouse? It's really breathtaking. 📍Address: No. 50, Section 5, Civic Boulevard, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110 🕰️Business hours: 09:30–17:00 Closed on Mondays and Sundays

#Taipei Attractions The Taipei Railway Museum, a historical site that has quietly opened in recent years, took me into the golden age of Taiwan's railway industry. The predecessor of this museum was the Taipei Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works, which is located next to the railway line. It was once responsible for train repair and maintenance and has witnessed the development of Taiwan’s railways. In this city, it is not only a microcosm of industrial history, but also a paradise for literary youths and photography enthusiasts. Especially the large bathhouse with a rounded roof filled with smoke, which seemed to bring me back to the busy but worldly life of the workers decades ago. First impression: the integration of industry and life The Railway Museum is not far from Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, with convenient transportation, making it suitable for a one-day trip. I chose to walk slowly from Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, and along the way I could enjoy the architectural scenery that blends modern and historical elements. As you enter the museum, what catches your eye is a retro industrial-style building that retains the original red brick walls, iron windows and heavy iron doors. It seems as if the sounds of train repairs and the workers' conversations and laughter are still echoing in your ears. Currently, only the employee bath area is open, but this small space is full of stories. As soon as I stepped into the room, what attracted me most was the curved arch design. The sunlight poured in through the windows, casting soft light and shadows. The whole scene was dreamy and had a heavy sense of history. The "smoke and fire" in the bathhouse: a true portrayal of workers' lives The large bathhouse with a dome roof is one of the highlights of the entire museum. In the past, it was a place for workers who repaired trains to take a bath and rest. 1. Unique building structure: The roof has a semi-arc design, and the ceiling has tall glass windows that allow natural light to filter in, creating a soft atmosphere. It is said that this design not only provides good ventilation, but also facilitates the discharge of bathroom steam. 2. Real restoration scene: The tiles on the wall are mottled but neat, as if recording the workers' moments of relaxation after a day of hard work. The cubicles, drains and shower pipes in the bathing area have all been completely preserved, and one can fully imagine the hot, bustling and noisy life scenes of those days. 3. Good for photography and shopping: The circular bathroom space and arched roof make the light and lines very beautiful, and you can take photos full of artistic sense no matter which angle you stand at. And there are not many tourists, so you can appreciate and take photos slowly without feeling crowded. In-depth exploration: guided tours by appointment and future opening plans If just looking at the bathhouse is not enough, we recommend booking a guided tour on the 20th of each month. The guided tour will not only take visitors to other maintenance plant areas, but also provide information about the railway machinery maintenance process, the operation of old equipment and the stories of the workers' working environment. The guided tours emphasize experience and interaction. It is said that some areas still retain old-fashioned tools and workbenches, allowing visitors to observe the mechanical structure up close. It is very suitable for railway fans or parent-child tourists to participate. The museum is currently planning to open more areas, and it is expected that the train repair yard, railway parts display area and outdoor space will be open by the end of the year. By then, we can see a more complete industrial heritage and historical traces, which is exciting! Useful Information • Address: Lane 53, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City • Transportation: 1. Take the MRT to City Hall Station and walk for about 10 minutes to arrive. 2. You can also take the bus to "Guangfu South Road Station" or "Songshan Cultural and Creative Park Station". • Opening hours: • Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays) • You must register in advance to book a guided tour, and spots for the following month will open on the 20th of each month. • Admission fees: Free entry to the bathhouse area, guided tours may incur additional charges. Travel experience: The perfect combination of industrial heritage and literary space The Railway Museum is not only a witness to a period of industrial history, but also a good place for modern people to look back at the old times. I stood under the curved roof, imagining the workers relaxing after work. The atmosphere of fireworks added a touch of warmth to the cold industrial building. Travel Tips: 1. If you have enough time, you can arrange to visit the Railway Museum in the morning and continue your cultural journey at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park or Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in the afternoon. 2. Photography enthusiasts must bring their cameras, especially in the morning or evening when the light and shadow effects are best. 3. Pay attention to official news in advance, make an appointment for a guided tour or participate in special activities to gain a deeper understanding of the charm of railway culture. Whether you are a friend who likes railway culture, or a traveler who simply wants to take beautiful photos and explore historical spaces, this place can meet your needs. After the new exhibition area opens at the end of the year, I will definitely come again to continue exploring the stories hidden over the years.

Location: No. 50, Section 5, Civic Boulevard, Xinyi District, Taipei City Introduction: The former site of Taipei Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works is a railway-related facility located in Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It was completed as the "Taipei Railway Works" on October 30, 1935. After World War II, it was renamed Taipei Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works and became the main vehicle maintenance and modification base of the Taiwan Railway. After the Taipei Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works moved to the Fugang Vehicle Base in 2012, this place was preserved in the entire area under the efforts of people who care about the preservation of railway culture. It was announced as a national monument in March 2015, and a national railway museum will be set up here in the future. Tickets and open access: Currently, online reservations are used for guided tours. Relevant information can be found at the National Railway Museum. Experience: Taiwan's railway factories can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, and they were all established for the repair and maintenance of trains when the railways were in operation. As times changed, trains became more versatile, so the old factories were gradually phased out. You can come here to learn about the maintenance and repair of trains, and even have the opportunity to ride an antique train and run around the park. It's a great place for family travel. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #Good place for family #Local travel #familytravel #Taiwan local travel #National Railway Museum #Taipei City