World's First Tropic of Cancer Marker Stands in Chiayi, Taiwan

(CNA Website) At noon on the summer solstice, when the sun directly shines on the 23.5°N latitude, a peculiar phenomenon of "no shadow from a vertical pole" occurs at the Astronomical Square in Shuishang, Chiayi. This invisible line of latitude divides the tropics from the subtropics, and the world's first physical marker built on the Tropic of Cancer is located here.

In 1908, to celebrate the completion of the entire Western Line railway, then-Governor-General of Taiwan Sakuma Samata ordered the erection of a monument beside the railway tracks where the Tropic of Cancer passed. It also symbolized that the colonial territory of the Japanese Empire had entered the tropics for the first time. Subsequently, the Tropic of Cancer landmark suffered damage from natural disasters and underwent several reconstructions. The 5th-generation marker, designed and built in 1942 by Japanese architectural educator Chijiiwa Suketaro, has been renovated multiple times over 80 years but still maintains its original basic form, standing tall to this day.

In 1995, the 6th-generation landmark was completed. Its exterior resembles a flying saucer and stands alongside the 5th-generation marker. In 2005, the Chiayi County Government promoted its renovation into the "Sun Museum," planning it as the county's science education center. The park features replicas of historical Tropic of Cancer markers, allowing visitors to see the century-long evolution of the Tropic of Cancer markers.

Beside these markers, there was once a "Tropic of Cancer Station." Initially used only for freight, it began passenger service in 1949 and was an important commuter station for railway workers, students, and Air Force personnel. As highway transportation grew, the Tropic of Cancer Station was downgraded to a simple station, passenger service was discontinued, and it was officially decommissioned in 2002.

However, this railway story is about to welcome a new chapter. In conjunction with the Chiayi City railway elevation project, the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) plans to restore a "Beihui Station" near the original site, connecting surrounding recreational resources. In the future, people will be able to take a train and leisurely travel along the 23.5°N latitude.

To see more photos of the Tropic of Cancer marker, go to the CNA Image Space now. 1150605