Jiangjun Residence (Meilun River Japanese Dormitory) Introduction
At the banks of the Meilun River along Zhongzheng Road in Hualien City, there is an entire area of Japanese-style wooden dormitories that served as the residences of military officers stationed in Hualien during the Japanese colonial period. The neatly arranged wooden buildings form a complete small residential area. The "General's Residence," located at the center, was built in 1936 and was once the official residence of Colonel Nakamura, the highest military commander in the Hualien area. Unlike other dormitories that were designed as duplexes, the General's Residence features a standalone design with a higher base, indicating a rank higher than that of the other dormitories. In recent years, with the efforts of the government and local residents, the General's Residence and the surrounding Japanese dormitory area have been designated as a county historic site, reopening to the public after renovations with local volunteers providing guided tours to help visitors understand the historical features of the General's Residence. In addition to the charming architectural appearance, the interior decorations of the General's Residence are also exquisite, with tatami rooms and long corridors replete with Japanese style, and even the cypress wooden cabinets used at that time have been perfectly preserved, exuding a fragrant aroma.
