March 28, 2010

Ping Si Station。Ping Si Branch

平溪車站的所在位置是平溪鄉最繁榮的地方,也是平溪主要的發展中心,許多行政機關都設立於此。

Ping Si station is located in the most booming area of the Ping Si town where the major development centers and administrative buildings are located.

高低起伏的地勢是這裡的主要特色之一,車站就建在半坡上,要搭車還得從相鄰的老街爬坡步行而上,或爬上一小段石子階梯。

Undulating terrain is one of the main features. The station was built on the hills. To go to the train station, we had to walk up the hill from the old street, or climb up on the stone steps.

這裡的火車不僅高高在上,還凌空穿越民宅及馬路。火車從頭頂上轟隆隆的穿行而過,這樣特殊的奇妙體驗,是平溪站最讓遊客津津樂道的部份。

The train not only is elevated but also passes over above houses and streets generating rumbling noise above the head. This unique experience has become the most popular topic for the tourists.

緊鄰著車站,有座橫跨三坑溪的高聳鐵橋,在鐵橋上居高臨下的地理位置,不僅可以欣賞基隆河,還可以俯瞰底下迷人的山城聚落。因此在熱鬧的假日,沒有火車通行的空檔,經常可以見到遊客行走在鐵橋上的畫面。

Next to the station, an iron bridge crosses over San Ken Creek. On the bridge, you could oversee the Keelung River and the charming mountain villages below. During the weekends, tourists walk on the tracks when there are no trains passing by.

平溪老街指的是車站附近的中華街、公園街及平溪街所組成的一個區域。老街的屋舍沿著緩坡依勢而建,二層的樓房大多為店鋪兼住宅,除了因應觀光客而開設的紀念品及鄉土小吃店外,至今在老街還可以看到數間的傳統米店、餅店,與販售日常用品的雜貨店等

Ping Si Old Street is composed of Zhoug Hua Street, Gong Yuan Street, and Ping Si Street. The houses were built on the slope. The two stories houses are the stores and residence. The stores offer souvenirs and locally flavored snacks. There are also traditional rice stores, pastry shops, and daily use grocery stores…etc.

站在老街的平溪橋上,可以清楚的欣賞高高在上的三坑溪鐵橋。粗大厚實的橋墩,底下是潺潺流過的基隆河,許多人會駐足在此,聽著水聲、等待著凌空飛過的火車。

Standing on the Ping Si Bridge of the Old Street, you can see the San ken Creek Iron Bridge is above you. Under the thick solid pier is the Keelung River. People usually stop here listening to the sound of the water and waiting to see the train.

平溪橋, Ping Si Bridge.

平溪老街裡有個從日據時代,就一直使用至今的老郵筒。這種直立式郵筒,因相當的佔空間而逐漸被汰換掉,而平溪郵局的這個老郵筒,因為使用率不高,而意外被保存下來。它是目前全台灣現存歷史最悠久,且還在使用中的老郵筒,非常的具有紀念價值。

There is an old mailbox in the Old Street. It has been used since the Japanese Colonial Era. This vertical standing design mailbox has been replaced because of the space concerns. However, this old mailbox in Ping Si has been preserved because of the low usage demand. This is the oldest mailbox in Taiwan and is still being used now. It has a good memorable value.

早期平溪老街上的房子是用日本運來的杉木建蓋,而街道則是用石板鋪就而成的。雖然現今老街裡大部份的老房子,都已翻建成水泥樓房,巷道也改用花岡石鋪設成觀光步道,在人少的平日來到,仍可以感覺到平溪老街舊散發著的古早味與散閒的傳統生活氛圍。

The houses in the Old Street were originally built with Pine Wood shipped from Japan and the street paved with stone slabs. Now the old houses have been rebuilt with concrete and the streets repaved with granite, becoming the tourists’ trails. During the weekday with fewer tourists, I can still feel and see the ancient and casual atmosphere of the traditional leisure lifestyle.

老街附近的半山腰上有個後山公園,公園除了有一座觀音廟外,還有日據時代防空洞、八仙洞及警報鐘亭等景點。這裡地勢高、視野好,是遠眺平溪山城聚落的極佳位置。

A park is located half way to the mountain near Old Street. Beside a Guanyin temple in the park, there is also a Bomb Shelter in the Japanese Colonial Era, Ba Xian Tunnel, and a Siren Pavilion in the park. Here is the best location to overlook the mountain villages.

八仙洞是二、三十年前為配合觀光發展而開鑿的石洞,洞內的通道不僅寬闊,而且洞中有洞並互相串連。洞內還設有石桌石椅,供遊客休憩,裡頭冬暖夏涼。

Ba Xian Tunnel was built for the tourism purpose about 20-30 years ago. Inside the tunnel has roomy space. All small tunnels are also connected. Stone chairs and tables are also provided for the tourists. The tunnels feel warm during the winter and cool in the summer.

寺廟的一側是八仙洞,另一側的山壁上則有數個石洞,這是日據時代遺留下來的防空洞。擁有豐富煤礦資源的平溪鄉,在第二次大戰中飽受轟炸,為了保護鄉民而挖鑿這個防空洞。防空洞是由五座小山洞所組成,洞內高度甚至不及成人身高,但卻可容納大約百人。戰爭結束,防空洞失去原來避難功用,但卻成為了遊客探密的好去處。

The other side of the temple has several stone holes on the hillside. It is the Bomb Shelter left from the Japanese Colonial Era. Because of the rich coal resources, Ping Si Town suffered the bombing during War World II. This shelter was dug to protect the residents there. It was made with five holes. Although the shelter is not tall enough for human’s height, it can accommodate at least 100 people. After the war, it has become a tourist attraction.

除了開鑿防空洞外,當時的日本人還在寺廟上方的山坡上,設置了「警報鐘亭」,以便派員監測美軍飛機。循著清幽的枕木環山步道拾級而上,不消一分鐘就可以來到四方型的水泥平台,平台裡掛有一大鐘,這就是當年的警報鐘,也有人稱為平安鐘。

Beside the Bomb Shelter, the Japanese has also built a “Siren Pavilion” on the slope above the temple to monitor the US aircraft. Following the trail with less than a minute, a square look cement platform is there. A large bell is inside the platform which was the siren bell in the past. It was also named as “Peace Bell”.

觀音廟、日據防空洞、八仙洞與警報鐘亭,這鄰近串連的景點,已經成為遊客來到平溪老街,欣賞平溪鄉全貌的必遊景點了。

“Guanyin Temple”, “Bomb Shelter”,” Ba Xian Tunnel” and “ Siren Bell” have become the must-see spots in Ping Si Town.

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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

那日據時期留下來的郵筒其實和英國現今的郵筒一樣哦。
以前的日本人從英國引進交通系統和郵政服務的科技,所以現在的日本的郵筒也是紅色的。

日本的汽車也和英國、馬來西亞一樣都是靠左行使的。
台灣是個島國,靠左靠右都無所謂。
不過我還是比較喜歡靠左行使,可能是比較習慣吧?

Rafael Lam said...

很有特色的地方, 真想去看看那個平溪的老郵筒! ^.^

fufu said...

wow 八仙洞? 很想去看看到底有沒有八仙過那個橋?? hahaha 我喜歡懷舊的火車...很有感覺 =p

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'd love to visit! What a weird experience - I love the picture in which people are standing on the track.

I must add that I absolutely love Chinese writing on walls... silly, I know, but the writing is the thing that drew me to learn Chinese when I was 12. I found it beautiful... and I still do.

Does Taiwan feel very crowded? I'm not sure how big the population is and I'm trying to compare to HK. In HK, it felt like there were 20 people per square meters, and that buildings had to be taller and taller to accommodate everyone (which is prob. the reality). There wasn't a single square feet free of construction on the island, especially in Kowloon. Of course, China is very populated too but even cities like Beijing have a lot of parks so it doesn't feel as packed (till you try to take the bus or the subway!!). So, how is Taiwan?

Anonymous said...

Tahiti? Lucky you! ;-)
I would like to visit Bora Bora one day.

kristen and micki said...

To Londoncaller- 台灣是左駕靠右行駛,沒有什麼"靠左靠右都無所謂"哩.. You are not trying to create the traffic chaos, aren't you~~ haha!

To Rafael- 平溪的老郵筒,是很多人去到那裡都一定要去看的,也算是一個小景點吧!呵!

To Fufu- 呵呵,沒有八仙過橋啦~其實,我也不懂為何要取名叫八仙洞,不過二、三十年前的台灣,很多景區都喜歡取名與神仙之類的有關。

To Zhu- Indeed Chinese Characters are beautiful. It's a precious art! I need to practice more on the Calligraphy.
The population of Taiwan is about 23 million, and 6-7 million people are in Taipei. It is hard to find a parking space in Taipei. However, I think Taipei's Metro system has played an important role in resolving or reducing the parking issues. I do think Taipei streets are not as crowded as before since most of us are transited underground now~~

Anonymous said...

呵呵,其實我的原意是“左駕靠右行駛 或 右駕靠左行駛”,無論選擇那一個方式行駛都沒有問題。
島國的好處就是不用擔心和鄰國“接軌”。

kristen and micki said...

To londoncaller- 呵呵, I see now! :):)

Anonymous said...

Llamas are getting quite popular in Britain.
People mainly raise them for their wool.
Not sure if their meat is edible...

Do you have any city farms in Taiwan?

lechua said...

the first thing i thought was.... what are the ppl doing on the rail tracks??? is that track no longer used? the oldest mailbox in Taiwan - how classic! and the bomb shelter looks well maintained for tourism..

shloke said...

First time seeing a green colored mailbox. Any particular reason?

The Bomb Shelter caught my attention. Agree with lechua. It looks clean and well maintained. I LOVE to see a cafe in the shelter :) Cool during the summer and warm on winter. LOVELY natural settings for a cuppa of coffee.

Cheers!
Alex Loke

kristen and micki said...

To Londoncaller- 全台各地都有大大小小農場的,可以讓遊客體驗一些農場活動,如餵小羊,擠羊奶之類的. I think these places are similar to the City Fram in your area..

To Lechua- The visitors walk on the tracks while there were no trains passing by. Indeed this may look very scary, but so far there has no accident yet ~~

To Mylo and Lechua- In Taiwan, the green mailbox is for the regular mail, and the red mailbox is for the certified or international mail. The green mailbox also has 2 openings, one is for the local service, the other for out of town service.
The Bomb Shelter and Cave are very cozy and clean. Howver, not too many visitors know these two places. They would just come to the Old Street, did not even aware that there are Bomb Shelter and Cave nearby~~

dennis said...

another great post with beautiful photos! im glad that old mailbox remains, totally adds character to the place :)

kristen and micki said...

To Dennis- Especially this old mailbox is still taking mails and makes it very special! :)

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