International Memorial Park of the End of World War II Introduction
The International End of WWII 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-bin-á-liau," which roughly translates to "the barracks where the tall-nosed foreigners lived." At its peak, the camp held over a thousand World War II prisoners of war, including British, Canadian, Dutch, Australian, New Zealand, South African, and American allies. These Allied prisoners were forced to work in copper mining during their imprisonment. Due to harsh living and working conditions, strict management, inadequate medical care, and the struggle to adapt to the local environment, many prisoners perished there. The remnants of their suffering seem to linger, emphasizing the significant importance of peace in the world. After the release of the documentary "A Story of War" in 1997 and led by one of the surviving prisoners, Aiwase, a visit to the Jinguashi POW camp was organized. Following this, the POW Memorial Association began to actively promote the creation of a memorial, and a monument was built in the Tongshan Community Park at the former site of the Jinguashi Allied POW Camp. A solemn memorial ceremony was held on November 23, 1997. Since November 14 marks the day the British Commonwealth prisoners settled in the Jinguashi camp, a memorial service is held every November. With the development of the Shuijinjiu area, the park is being planned as the "International End of WWII Peace Memorial Park," which will feature guided historical information plaques, light sculptures, and revamped monuments, creating a new landmark that connects nearby attractions like the Gold Museum to form a dual-park area. Currently, only the entrance gate pillars and a small section of the camp wall remain. The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau focuses on the historical and cultural significance of the park and promotes the "International End of WWII Peace Memorial Park Development Plan," using this World War II POW camp as a tourism focal point to improve facilities, add historical exhibitions, enhance with light sculptures, and incorporate local Taiwanese imagery, transforming it into a unique new landmark. Furthermore, the New Taipei City Government has completed the integration of the International End of WWII Peace Memorial Park, the Chuanji Temple, and the Qitang Old Street with the Gold Museum, creating dual tourist parks in the Jinguashi area to market its rich culture and historical architecture and establish it as an international mountain tourism destination.
