Taichung Literature Museum Introduction
The Taichung Literary Museum was originally a police dormitory during the Japanese colonial period. To revitalize this historical building, it was opened to the public on August 26, 2016. The museum consists of six buildings, including a permanent exhibition hall, a themed exhibition hall, a seminar hall, a themed restaurant, a children's literature area, and an administrative center. Focusing on "Taichung literature," it promotes local culture and integrates literature into daily life. The Taichung Literary Museum is the first public museum in Taichung dedicated to literature and is a popular leisure destination for literary enthusiasts. Located at the intersection of Liuchuan East Road and Zili Street, Taichung Literary Park covers an area of approximately 2,887 square meters and is the first park in Taichung themed around literature. Upon entering the park, visitors can see the ancient Japanese-style buildings constructed of cypress wood, which were built in 1932 as a dormitory for police officers. Originally facing demolition, this site was saved through various rescue efforts and underwent restoration starting in 2014, resulting in its transformation into the Taichung Literary Museum, aimed at promoting the works of local writers and nurturing literary appreciation among citizens. The museum is set to feature permanent exhibitions, themed special exhibitions, children’s literature displays, themed restaurants, and organize related performances and lectures, expanding the possibilities of literature. Walking through the park, the scent of cypress wood fills the air, and the sight of Japanese architecture and the rustic wooden corridors amidst verdant landscaping creates a serene and tranquil environment, evoking an illusion of being in the streets of Japan. In the center of the park stands a stunning and precious banyan tree, considered a must-see sight at the Taichung Literary Museum. This banyan tree reaches the height of approximately three stories and has unique aerial roots creating a spectacular visual. Many visitors come here to take photos, and upon closer observation, one can find an old bicycle left behind by previous generations, now covered in roots, evoking a profound sense of the passage of time and the changes in people and events. In addition to typical park greenery, Taichung Literary Park creatively incorporates literary elements such as a shadow wall, a book nook, and the Seed Literary Square, as well as ancient games used by literati for entertainment like "Qu Shui Liu Shang" (the flowing water and wine cups game) and "Old Wall Storytelling," where bricks with frames of various sizes are embedded in a wall, along with the "Ink Line Poetry Wall" depicting a poem "Little Grass" by Taichung writer Zhao Tianyi. These features make literature more accessible to the public, and guided tours are offered to help visitors understand the cultural stories of the park. This site is near several distinctive attractions such as the Prefectural Hall, the Martial Arts Field, and the Fifth Market, and provides access to the Taichung City iBike public bicycle rental service for leisurely exploration of the beauty of Taichung City. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays and national holidays) Address: No. 38, Lequn Street, West District, Taichung City Contact number: 04-22240875 Guided tours: ■ Available □ Not available ■ Reservation required (weekdays) Reservation number: 04-22240875 ★ Weekday guided tours: Online reservations. Other services: ■ Cultural and creative shop ■ Restaurant brand: NMU Literary Coffee
