Jiaobanshan Villa Introduction
Jiao Ban Mountain Villa Park is located along the Northern Cross-Island Highway, seamlessly blending history, culture, and natural ecology. The park includes unique attractions such as the Military Tunnel, Jiao Ban Mountain Villa, Plum Garden, and the Camphor Storage Office. At the end of 2024, after structural restoration, landscape optimization, and improvements to recreational facilities, the park will introduce modern technology and art displays with the first exhibition titled "Traveling Through Jiao Ban Mountain." This aims to reinterpret the history and natural beauty of Jiao Ban Mountain through the perspectives of travelers and artists who have visited the area. The Military Tunnel, built in 1963, was originally used for presidential command and refuge during wartime. The tunnel extends 20 meters underground and is 100 meters long, featuring interactive 3D murals that recreate military scenarios and historical slogans, making it a popular educational and entertaining spot. Following the evacuation trail, visitors can reach Jiao Ban Mountain Villa, which showcases exhibits centered on "Chiang Kai-shek's Travels," emphasizing the story of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife visiting Jiao Ban Mountain for tourism, as well as Soong Mei-ling's process of learning to paint. Historical photos are displayed on-site, such as images of the Chiang couple in the bamboo pavilion at Jiao Ban Mountain and their outings at the Jiao Ban Mountain Suspension Bridge, connecting travel and aesthetics to enhance public understanding of different aspects of their lives, further complemented by new media interactive art creations. Exiting the villa, visitors can gaze at the Dahan River and Naxie Mountain from the Siqin Pavilion, offering a broad view reminiscent of Chiang's nostalgia for his hometown of Xikou, Zhejiang. The sculpture park merges installation art with the natural environment, featuring a variety of tree species such as pine, cypress, plum, and bamboo. During the plum blossom season, the park attracts visitors for plum viewing, tea tasting, and outdoor activities, creating a vibrant floral atmosphere. The Camphor Storage Office is the only surviving Japanese-style camphor hall in Taiwan, which once served as a hub for the concentration and transportation of camphor. Inside, it exhibits the history and refining process of the camphor industry. The Northern Entrance Plaza retains traces of the original building complex, integrating landscape paving, tea shops, and resting platforms to enhance cultural experience depth. Nearby, the ecological pond is surrounded by wooden walkways and features diverse aquatic plants such as irises and water lilies, as well as various plants like golden retriever azalea and Chinese cheesewood, making it a favored habitat for tree frogs and fireflies. To promote nighttime tourism, outdoor art sculptures will be illuminated, creating a tranquil atmosphere where nature and light intertwine. The park's hours have been extended to 8 PM, making it a new destination for the public to stroll and appreciate art under the night sky.
