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Chihsan has long been an important commercial hub in southern Taiwan since the Qing Dynasty, owing its strategic position and abundant agricultural products. During the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945), the rise of sugar and banana industries further stimulated its economic development. The economic prosperity brought by sugar production accelerated the development of local commercial districts and led to the construction of many uniquely styled buildings, establishing Chihsan as a major economic center on the mountain route of Kaohsiung. The pseudo-Baroque style architecture on Chihsan Old Street largely dates back to the Japanese colonial period (around 1920-1930). Wealthy local families embraced the "Street Realignment" modernization plan and introduced this architectural style, building numerous red-brick Western-style mansions with elegant facade carvings and sandstone archways, symbolic of their status and wealth. The historical street also features traditional Southern Min-style courtyard houses and Japanese architectural styles, creating a seamless blend of different eras that makes the street feel like a stage where history and culture intertwine. The Chihsan Old Street spans Zhongshan Road, Fuxing Street, and Huazhong Street, with Chihsan Station serving as its historical origin. During the Japanese period, the government constructed the Qiwai sugar railway specifically for transporting sugar production, designating Chihsan Station as the critical transportation hub. The station uniquely combines Victorian and Gothic architecture, with its wooden structure and octagonal sloped roof standing out. While it no longer serves transportation purposes due to the decline of the sugar industry, it has been transformed into the Rail Museum, preserving Chihsan's sugar industry and railway history as the best local cultural showcase. Chihsan Station (Rail Museum) Address: No. 1, Zhongshan Road, Chihsan District, Kaohsiung City Hours: Weekdays 10:00-18:00, Weekends 10:00-19:00 (Closed on Tuesdays; last entry 30 minutes before closing) Facebook Page: Chihsan Station Sugar Railway Story Museum Chihsan once served as Taiwan's central distribution hub for bananas. During the 1950s and 1960s, banana exports to Japan generated substantial foreign exchange, solidifying Chihsan's international standing. Wu Jhen-jui, known as the "Banana King of Chihsan," served as chairman of the Kaohsiung Fruit Growers' Cooperative but suffered a fabricated corruption charge during the "Banana Peeling Case," becoming a victim of political repression during the White Terror era. After being exonerated through legal proceedings, he settled in Japan temporarily before returning to Taiwan. This case also marked the beginning of Taiwan's decline as the "Banana Kingdom" of Asia, replaced by the Philippines' rising dominance. Though the banana industry has diminished, Chihsan preserves its banana culture through distinctive regional cuisine. Strolling along the old street reveals banana-inspired delicacies like banana egg tarts, banana ice cream, and banana cakes, beloved both as local pride and essential souvenirs for visitors. Today, Chihsan Old Street has transformed into a thriving tourist district. Young entrepreneurs returning from urban cities have established dessert shops and specialty gift stores alongside historical buildings and cultural exhibits, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Whether exploring the red-brick buildings, savoring local banana specialties, or investigating sugar and railway history, Chihsan Old Street remains a captivating destination rich in stories and charm.