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.

Read More