International Wartime Peace Memorial Park Introduction
The International End of War Peace Memorial Park was originally the Japanese military's prisoner of war camp in Jinguashi from 1942 to 1945, known in Taiwanese Hokkien as "Tok Peh-ah Liau," which originally means "barracks for foreigners with high noses." At its peak, the camp housed over a thousand prisoners of war from World War II, including Allied soldiers from the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. These Allied prisoners performed labor work in copper mining during their incarceration. Due to the unfavorable living and working conditions, strict management, inadequate medical care, and other factors, many prisoners perished there. The remnants of their suffering still linger, highlighting the significant meaning of peace for the world. After the documentary "A Story of War" was screened in 1997, a survivor named Alwas led a visit to the Jinguashi camp. Subsequently, the Prisoners of War Memorial Association began actively advocating for the construction of a monument in the community park at the former site of the Jinguashi Allied POW Camp, holding a solemn memorial ceremony on November 23, 1997. Notably, November 14 marks the day when British Commonwealth prisoners first arrived at the Jinguashi camp, leading to annual memorials held every November. With the construction of the Water Golden Nine Park, it is now planned to establish the "International End of War Peace Memorial Park." Plans include setting up historical interpretation panels, light sculptures, and a restored monument, connecting surrounding attractions with the Gold Museum to form a dual park area and create a new landmark. The POW camp currently retains only the original gate pillars and a small section of the wall remains. The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau is focusing on the historical and cultural significance of the park, promoting the "International End of War Peace Memorial Park Development Plan," using this World War II POW camp as a tourism impression center, improving plantings and facilities, adding historical information panels, introducing light sculptures to beautify significant memorials, and incorporating local Taiwanese imagery, transforming it into a unique new landmark. Additionally, the New Taipei City Government has completed the integration of the International End of War Peace Memorial Park, the Hsuan Chih Temple, and the Old Qiding Street, along with the Gold Museum, creating a dual park area in Jinguashi to showcase the rich culture and historical architecture of the area and positioning it as an international mountain city attraction.
