Shoufeng Xikou Lime Kiln (壽豐溪口石灰窯) - Spectral Codex
Spectral Codex
壽豐溪口石灰窯

Locations
Last updated
The view of the kiln from the approaching path.
The view of the kiln from the approaching path.

A lime kiln dating to the Japanese colonial era, one of two that once stood near Xikou (溪口) on the upper reaches of Shoufeng River (壽豐溪), an area rich in limestone and dolomite. It was built around 1940 with stacked stones and concrete, and consisted of a pair of kilns, one now engulfed by the roots of a banyan tree. It was not a particularly large operation; at its peak it only required two workers to operate, with chunks of limestone left to cook for days. Hualien County registered the site as a historic building in 2010 but when I visited in 2024 the site was almost completely overgrown and difficult to locate.

Banyan roots surround the mouth of this kiln.
Banyan roots surround the mouth of this kiln.
Peering between the roots the chamber below is almost indiscernible.
Peering between the roots the chamber below is almost indiscernible.
This kiln was more readily identifiable.
This kiln was more readily identifiable.
A look inside the second kiln; not much grows inside here.
A look inside the second kiln; not much grows inside here.
Looking back at the kiln toward the entrance.
Looking back at the kiln toward the entrance.

Map

Heritage Status

  • Historic Building (歷史建築)

Recorded On

Links

Themes

Connections

Nearby Locations

Similar Content

Nanping Lime Kiln

Nanping Lime Kiln
(南平石灰窯)

Hualien
Fenglin
Liujiao Brick Kiln

Liujiao Brick Kiln
(六腳磚窯)

Chiayi
Liujiao
Dongshan Meihua Brick Kiln

Dongshan Meihua Brick Kiln
(冬山梅花磚窯)

Yilan
Dongshan
Shuangxikou Brick Kiln

Shuangxikou Brick Kiln
(雙溪口磚窯)

Chiayi
Puzi
Jinshuncheng Brick Kiln

Jinshuncheng Brick Kiln
(金順成八卦窯)

Changhua
Huatan
Lijia Brick Kiln

Lijia Brick Kiln
(利嘉磚窯)

Taitung
Beinan
Shuili Snake Kiln

Shuili Snake Kiln
(水里蛇窯)

Nantou
Shuili
Erlin Yuandou Brick Kiln Chimney

Erlin Yuandou Brick Kiln Chimney
(原斗磚窯廠煙囪)

Changhua
Erlin

Author

Profile photo of Alexander Synaptic, founder of Spectral Codex
Alexander Synaptic
Curator, Spectral Codex

I am a web application developer, photojournalist, urban explorer, and history enthusiast passionate about the open web and documenting my experiences on this planet. This project was founded in the early 2010s and has evolved into a sort of personal Wikipedia of places that interest me (and often the photographs I’ve taken there). I’m originally from Toronto, Canada, but spend most of my time residing in Taiwan.