Department of Urban Development, Taipei City Government

Press Release from the Urban Redevelopment Office, Taipei City
Press Release Agency: Urban Redevelopment Office, Taipei City
Press Release Date: 2012/5/5
Contact Person: Zhiyu Chen
Contact Number: 02-2321-5696 #3073
Tengyu Yufeng – The pilot to Dadaocheng and the development of Taiwan railroad
URS44 is one of the bases for urban redevelopment and the Dadaocheng’s story workshop at No.44 Sec.1 Tihua Street. From April 27th to June 10th, the “Tengyu Yufeng – The pilot to Dadaocheng and the development of Taiwan railroad” exhibition will be presented by the Juridical Association in Taiwan’s history Resources Institute! They’re hoping to show everyone that Dadaocheng is more than settlements, New Year stocks and traditional industries. At the same time, there is going to be a presentation of Taiwan railroad’s development taking the effects from the Dadaocheng streets and the industry development since the end of Qing dynasty.

Dadaocheng has shifted from a land mainly used for sun drying rice to a place with blooming cultural and ideological creativities and prosperous commercial activities. Stories happened in Dadaocheng can be seen as the miniature of the development of Taipei in the early days. “Tengyu” (Cloud rider) and “Yufeng” (Wind master) are the two steam engines that the Qing’s Taiwan Governor Minchuan Liu bought from Germany in 1888. Their official names were “Tengyu No.1” and “Yufeng No.2”, named from the characteristic of their extreme speed. The two steam engines had been in service for the Xikou-Taitaocheng route from 1888 to 1924. Tengyu has the best state of preservation among the three same exact models that still exist around the world. Tengyu is currently in display at 228 Peace Memorial Park. Transportation constructions has brought convenience to cities, it also shaped the cities’ appearance and development. Constructions of industrial facilities and railroads have stimulated the movement of city population, industries, and culture. However, the bigger scale industries along the railroad have either relocated or abolished following the demand of urban development. These once vigorous industrial facilities started to die out and became unknown.

Between April 27th and June 10th of this year, the Dadaocheng story workshop – URS44 insists on telling the tales of Dadaocheng through the “Tengyu Yufeng – The pilot to Dadaocheng and the development of Taiwan railroad” exhibition. There will be lectures given during the exhibition. Group tour reservation is welcome. For more information please contact Ms. Wang at 02-2555-8484#22.