What Happened to the ‘Most Stylish Train Station in the Far East’?
Jinan, the capital of Shandong province in eastern China, was once home to a spectacular railway station.
Designed by a little-known German architect by the name of Hermann Fischer, the station was completed in 1912 in the Jugendstil style — the German counterpart of Art Nouveau.
is characterized by floral and arabesque flourishes, as well as a merging of organic and geometric forms. The railway station’s domed tower and curved arches were perfect examples of this.
JUGENDSTI L
The station was a product of the Sino-German lease treaty of 1898, which gave Germany leaseholds and railway construction and coal rights in parts of Shandong.
Jinan Railway Station was renovated thrice: By Japanese occupying forces in 1937 and the Chinese Railway Department in 1958 and 1972; the second time was to welcome Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia.
Sadly, the stylish railway station was demolished — to much opposition — in 1992. Authorities said they needed a larger station to keep up with the growing city’s transportation needs.
Some officials also considered German architecture a symbol of Western imperialism and colonialism.
In 2013, the Jinan government announced its plans to rebuild the iconic building. However, 10 years later, the project has still not begun.