Guanyin Receiving Station: A Milestone in Taiwan's Telecommunications History

Location: No. 120, Lane 350, Xuefu Road, Guanyin District, Taoyuan City Introduction: The predecessor of the Lunping Cultural Landscape Park, the Guanyin Receiving Station, was established during the Japanese colonial period in 1934. Over the years, it housed numerous wireless communication facilities, witnessing half a century of Taiwan's telecommunications evolution. On June 20, 1934, the "Naichi Telephone" service officially opened between Japan and Taiwan, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan's telecommunications history. With just over 10 minutes of connection time, people in major cities in Taiwan could directly call cities in Japan, excluding Hokkaido. The Guanyin Receiving Station, responsible for receiving signals from Japan, was founded by the International Telephone Corporation in 1934. The station's main building served as the central hub, with all aerial lines connected to the machine room inside. Although smaller in scale compared to the Zhongli Sending Station, the Guanyin Receiving Station featured more intricate decorations, including prominent arched windows resembling large eyes. The main building housed wireless equipment rooms and offices. The roof was made of cement tiles, a popular choice at the time, coated with earthy gray plaster, and the base was adorned with grooved bricks. The facade featured arched windows and a main entrance with faux stone arch bricks. During the later Japanese colonial period, the station underwent multiple expansions, including a 16-ping annex on the west side with 13-groove bricks. A club was added in front of the station, leading to the construction of a west wing corridor connecting the club. By 1940, the original main entrance was sealed and converted into a window. Throughout the Japanese colonial period, the building complex featured brick decorations at the base, with three different types of bricks used due to the expansions, allowing visitors to observe the variations. After the war, the station lost its original function and was repurposed as the Lunping Materials Warehouse. It was dismantled in 1986, leaving only the floor remains. Rediscovered during a cultural asset survey in 2016, it was registered in May 2018 as a "Historic Building: International Telephone Corporation Guanyin Lunping Receiving Station Facilities Group." Admission: Free Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays Review: This site is one of Taiwan's key telecommunications facilities, offering insights into the development of wireless communication in the past. Beyond exploring the historical relics, the area also serves as a large park, making it a great spot for family outings and leisurely strolls. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟