國定古蹟-竹仔門電廠

The Zhumen Unit of the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Power Plant (a national historic Zhumen Power Plant), built in 1908, is Taiwan's second hydroelectric power plant and the oldest in southern Taiwan. It was designated a national historic site in 2003 and is the only still-operating historic power plant in the country. ## The plant preserves **German-made generator units** (commissioned in 1909), which, after a century, are still operational and are hailed as "living industrial antiques." ---###**Architectural and Technical Features** - **Baroque-style brick architecture**: Curved gables, arched windows, and bullseye windows create a simple yet elegant design, breaking away from the cold image of industrial buildings. - **Ecological irrigation system**: After generating electricity from the Laonong River, the tailwater flows into the "Lion's Head Canal," irrigating over 5,000 hectares of farmland in the Meinong Plain, solidifying its status as the granary of southern Taiwan. --- ###**Historical and Cultural Relics** - The factory area preserves a **memorial monument to engineers who died in the line of duty during the Japanese occupation** (such as Ryozo Uetoshi and Yoshio Aoyagi), bearing witness to the sacrifices of early technical personnel. - Adjacent to the **Suitoku Shrine** (formerly the Japanese Occupation Water God Shrine), it showcases the local transformation of water conservancy beliefs. --- ###**Application for Visit** Currently, applications to visit Taipower's power facilities must, in principle, be submitted in the name of an organization or group (with an official document and a completed application form). After approval by Taipower, entry to the designated area is permitted. #Closed on national holidays, government-announced days of natural disaster closures, and election days selected by the Central Election Commission. --- ### 🌿 **In-Depth Highlights** - **The Miracle of Symbiotic Relationship between Water Conservancy and Electricity**: Understand how a 505-meter water diversion tunnel and a 21.3-meter drop generate electricity while simultaneously nourishing Meinong agriculture, forming a symbiotic chain of "power plant—irrigation canal—farmland". - **Technical Challenges and Preservation Difficulties:** Production of parts for the century-old generating units has ceased, requiring parts to be handcrafted for repairs. The debate over balancing historical preservation with power generation efficiency was ultimately resolved through "preserving the original appearance + building a new generating unit nearby." - **Community Memories:** Local farmers still cherish the power plant's stable water supply and, during the dry season, continue the ancient ritual of praying at the Shuide Temple, perpetuating a century-old culture of reverence for nature. --- ### 💡 **Visit Recommendations:** - **Best Time to Visit:** Avoid the rainy season (May-October). Sunny days offer better views of the architectural interplay of light and shadow and the surrounding greenery. - **Extended Itinerary:** Combine a half-day tour with visits to Meinong Lake, the Hakka Cultural Museum, or the Shuide Temple for a deeper understanding of Meinong's "water culture." - **Safety Tips:** Follow the guide's instructions when using certain facilities within the plant area (such as pressure steel pipes and water channels). Do not enter the work area without authorization. --- ### Japanese World Heritage expert Yukio Nishimura praised it as a "living cultural heritage," highlighting a century-long dialogue between technology, ecology, and humanity. ### When booking a guided tour, you can inquire about limited-edition Taipower postcards (subject to availability) to add a memorable touch to your trip!

The Zhuzimen generating unit of the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Power Plant, owned by Taiwan Power Company, is located at No. 20 Zhuzimen, Meinong District, Kaohsiung City. It generates electricity using the Laonong River's flow-through system. Built during the Japanese occupation, it was primarily constructed for power supply in southern Taiwan and is now officially known as the "Kaohsiung-Pingtung Power Plant Zhuzimen Power Station." It is understood that all the equipment in the power plant was imported from Germany. After a century, it is still operational, and these units have witnessed Taiwan's power generation history. Therefore, it was designated a national historic site in 2003. I visited the plant out of curiosity, but unfortunately, I hadn't done my research and didn't know that reservations were required for entry. I regretfully missed the chance to explore the wonders of the Zhuzimen Power Plant.

The century-old hydroelectric power plant, which was responsible for irrigating the Mino Plain, is now operated by new units. It is not open to the public on weekdays and can only be visited by group reservations from Tuesday to Thursday.

The hydroelectric power plant, dating back to the Japanese occupation era, is still generating electricity. The original buildings have been designated a national historic site. The park includes Japanese-style dormitories, air-raid shelters, and a very old frangipani tree. The environment is serene, and tours can be booked a week in advance.

The site is open Monday through Friday during business hours, and admission requires seven days' notice. This site features hydroelectric power generation sites over a century old. I'll share more details about it later when I visit it in depth.