International Memorial for the End of World War II and Peace Introduction
The International End of World War II Peace Memorial Park was originally the Japanese military’s POW camp in Jin Gua Shi, operating from 1942 to 1945. In Taiwanese Hokkien, it is called "Tok-bí-á-liâu," which originally means "the barracks occupied by foreigners with high noses." At its peak, the camp housed over a thousand World War II prisoners, including allies from the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. These Allied POWs were forced to work in copper mining during their imprisonment. Due to poor living and working conditions, strict management, inadequate medical care, and acclimatization issues, many prisoners perished there. The park reflects the lingering suffering of the POWs, while also emphasizing the significant importance of peace in the world. After the documentary "A Story of War" was screened in 1997, one of the surviving prisoners, Wallace, led a visit to the camp site in Jin Gua Shi. Subsequently, the POW Memorial Association began initiatives to construct a monument in the Tongshanli Community Park, located on the site of the former POW camp, and held a solemn memorial ceremony on November 23, 1997. As November 14 marks the day when British Commonwealth prisoners occupied the Jin Gua Shi camp, a remembrance event is held every November. With the development of the Water Golden Nine Park, it is now planned to be named the "International End of World War II Peace Memorial Park." This includes plans to set up historical information plaques, light sculptures, and the renovation of the monument, linking nearby attractions such as the Gold Museum to form a dual park, establishing a new landmark. Currently, only the original camp gateposts and a small section of the surrounding wall remain. The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau, recognizing the historical and cultural significance of this park, is promoting the "International End of World War II Peace Memorial Park Development Project," using the WWII POW camp as a tourism focal point with improvements in facilities and landscaping, adding historical information plaques, and introducing beautifying light sculptures and meaningful monuments that incorporate 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 World War II Peace Memorial Park, the Chuanji Hall, and the Qidao Old Street attractions, combined with the visitors' favorite Gold Museum in Jin Gua Shi, forming a dual attraction in the Jin Gua Shi area to market its rich cultural and historical architecture, aiming to develop it into an internationally recognized mountain city attraction.
