東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺

Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station

November 11th, 2024

Last updated July 18th, 2026

Located on the southwestern outskirts of Xinying, Tainan, this was a former transshipment station for salt produced at the solar evaporation ponds of the Qigu Saltworks (七股鹽場) and Budai Saltworks (布袋鹽場). In the mid-1950s salt production outpaced domestic consumption, prompting the state to invest in infrastructure to trade salt on the international market. Construction of this particular facility was overseen by the nearby Xinying Sugar Factory (新營糖廠) with labour provided by the Veterans Affairs Department. The transfer station was completed in 1955 and vast quantities of salt soon arrived by narrow gauge railway, to be transferred by regular rail to the Port of Kaohsiung for export. A comparison with archival photographs indicate the reinforced-concrete awning was not an original feature, but a later addition.

Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — The ramp leading up to the platform is plainly visible from the path. Mind the gap should you choose to ascend.

Murals at Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — This section of the platform is adorned with saltworks-themed murals.

South Entrance to Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — The transfer station from the south side. The reinforced-concrete awning was a later addition, constructed sometime after it opened in 1955.

Transfer Zone at Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — Decades of neglect have left the rebar of the reinforced-concrete structure exposed to the elements. Trains would have parked here for salt to be loaded from above.

Domestic demand for salt outpaced production in the mid-1960s, ending salt exports, and the station soon fell out of use. Perhaps due to its marginal location it was never dismantled, and still stands today, albeit in a state of disrepair. Local civic groups repurposed part of the grounds for use as a community garden but the platform itself remains largely abandoned and somewhat hazardous. Although readily accessible from the ramp at the south there is a large gap that requires balancing along the edge of the platform to access the rest, making it not suitable for casual exploration.

Ascending Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — Let’s ascend the ramp, shall we? Mind the gap when you reach the section just beyond the water tank!

On the Platform at Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — The platform is somewhat surprisingly long. Tracks have been ripped up in some sections but left intact in others.

Broken Tracks at Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — Railway tracks bent out of shape from decades of neglect.

Mossy Overgrowth at Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — The northern end of the platform is particularly scenic with its railway tracks draped in vines.

Looking South at Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — 75 years later and still here!

Alongside Dongtaizigong Salt Transfer Station (東太子宮鹽運聯合轉運臺) — One last glance at the decaying transfer station. Railway tracks still follow the original route next to the station.

The platform is located not far from Dongtaizigong Railway Station (東太子宮車站); both are named after the nearby pulp and paper factory. The site is also known less formally as the Nanzhi Salt Loading Platform (南紙卸鹽台).