悠遊於綠空鐵道 / Strolling Along the Green Sky Railway

綠空鐵道是我偶爾查到的景點，它剛好就在我停留的旅店附近，所以，入住登記好之後，我就循著 Google 地圖，一路找過去，它位於台中車站旁邊，它是利用舊鐵道改建而成的空中步道，還蠻特別的，自台中車站往南北延伸1.6公里，串連著鐵道文化園區、歷史古蹟及車站商圈等，當我漫步在步道上時，沿途還有著許多雕刻長廊，訴說著百年來舊鐵路的許多回憶，可以看出設計者，試著以步道串連鐵路與城市的關係，並昇華到文化創新的利用。

我看景點介紹上有提到，當初設計時，有參考「紐約高線公園High Line」及法國「Promenade Plantée」兩座舊鐵道改造成公園的類似案例，並彰顯台中市「因鐵道而誕生」的發展路線，然而，對我一個對本地歷史不清楚的外地人而言，這裡只是一個新奇的景點，但是，可能因為我拜訪的時間並不是週末，基本上這個景點並沒有甚麼人，看來可能連很多本地人也不常利用這個空間，可能週末時，這裡會有一個新奇熱鬧的市集活動，來吸引人群過來，但是，我無法憑空想像。

一座城市的步道，彷彿是連結歷史與現代的脈絡，它是否能為城市帶來深遠的改變，或許仍需經過時間的沉澱與檢驗，不過，當我漫步在步道上，俯瞰底下蜿蜒流淌的綠川時，那清澈的水流彷彿訴說著歲月的故事，也讓人不禁想像起過去高架鐵路承載南來北往旅客的景象，當時，車廂中或許滿載著人們的期盼與不安，旅途中有離鄉的惆悵，也有歸家的渴望，如今，鐵路的轟鳴已成為歷史，而步道的靜謐則提供了一處能夠沉思與感懷的空間，這條步道，更像是城市與自然對話的一部分，是時間軸線上深具意義的記錄者，見證著城市的蛻變與重生，我是覺得這麼棒的景點，沒能好好豐富文化涵養及帶來商業價值，真是太浪費了。

Green Sky Railway is a spot I came across by chance while looking for nearby attractions. It happened to be close to the hotel I was staying at, so after checking in, I followed Google Maps to find it. Located next to Taichung Station, it’s an elevated walkway built from a repurposed old railway, stretching 1.6 kilometers south to north from the station. Along the way, it connects the Railway Cultural Park, historical landmarks, and the bustling station district. As I strolled along the walkway, I noticed many carved displays lining the path, telling stories of the old railway’s history over the past century. It’s clear that the designers aimed to use this path as a bridge between the railway and the city, elevating it into a space for cultural innovation.

I read in the introduction that its design was inspired by the High Line in New York and Promenade Plantée in France, both of which transformed old railways into public parks. It also highlights Taichung's history as a city that was “born from the railway”. However, as an outsider unfamiliar with the local history, this place was just a fascinating new attraction to me. Since I visited on a weekday, the site was mostly deserted—it seemed like even locals don’t often use this space. Maybe on weekends, there are lively markets or events here to draw crowds, but I couldn’t picture it from what I saw.

A walkway like this feels like a thread linking history and modern life. Whether it can bring about meaningful change to the city remains to be seen and depends on time. Still, as I walked along the path, looking down at the winding Green River below, its clear waters seemed to carry stories of the past, making me imagine the old elevated railway and the emotions of the travelers it carried.

Back then, the train cars were likely filled with people’s hopes and anxieties—some leaving home with a heavy heart, others eager to return. Today, the railway’s clatter has become a thing of history, and the walkway provides a quiet space for reflection and nostalgia. This path feels like more than just a walkway; it’s a dialogue between the city and nature, a meaningful recorder of time, and a witness to the city’s transformation and rebirth.

Honestly, I feel it’s such a shame that a spot this great hasn’t been better utilized to enhance its cultural significance or generate commercial value. It’s a missed opportunity.

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