Taichung Literature Museum Introduction
Taichung Literature Museum was formerly a police dormitory during the Japanese occupation. To revitalize this historical building, it was fully opened to the public on August 26, 2016. The museum consists of six buildings, including a permanent exhibition hall, a themed exhibition hall, a lecture hall, a themed restaurant, a children's literature area, and an administrative center. With the theme of "Taichung Literature," it promotes local culture, integrating literature into daily life. The Taichung Literature Museum is the first public museum in Taichung dedicated to literature and is a great leisure destination for literary enthusiasts. Located at the intersection of Liuchuan East Road and Zili Street, Taichung Literature Park covers an area of approximately 2,887 square meters and is the first park in Taichung themed around literature. Entering the park, visitors can see traditional Japanese buildings made of cypress wood, which are part of a police dormitory complex built in 1932 during the Japanese occupation. Originally facing demolition, the buildings were saved through various efforts and underwent restoration starting in 2014, being repurposed as the Taichung Literature Museum to promote the works of local writers and encourage a literary culture among citizens. The six buildings are planned to host permanent exhibitions, themed exhibitions, children's literature exhibits, themed restaurants, and related performance and lecture events, expanding the possibilities of literature. Strolling through the park, the scent of cypress wood is inviting, and the sight of Japanese-style buildings, rustic wooden corridors, and lush garden landscapes create a serene environment that evokes the illusion of being in the streets of Japan. The central area features a stunning precious old banyan tree, considered a must-see in the Taichung Literature Museum. The banyan tree reaches about three stories high and, due to its long history, has formed a unique aerial root landscape, visually spectacular and attracting many visitors for photographs. Observant individuals may also notice an old bicycle left by previous generations, enmeshed in the aerial roots, highlighting the feeling that while the scenery remains, circumstances have changed. In addition to the green beauty typical of parks, Taichung Literature Park incorporates thoughtful designs featuring literary elements such as a shadow wall, a book pier, and a seed literature plaza, as well as traditional games like "Qu Shui Liu Shang," which ancient literati used for enjoyment, and installations such as "Old Wall Storytelling" with frames of varying sizes embedded in brick walls, and the ink-stained poem wall depicting Taichung writer Zhao Tianyi's poem "Little Grass," bringing literature closer to daily life. Regular guided tours are also provided, allowing visitors to learn about the cultural stories of the park. Nearby are various notable attractions such as the State Hall, the Martial Arts Field, and the Fifth Market, accessed via Taichung City's iBike public bicycle rental service to enjoy the beauty of the city. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays and national holidays) Address: No. 38, Lequn St., West District, Taichung City Contact number: 04-22240875 Guided tour: ■ Available □ Not available ■ Reservation required (weekdays) Reservation phone: 04-22240875 ★ Reservation for guided tours on weekdays: Online reservation. Other services: ■ Creative cultural shop ■ Restaurant brand: NMU Xinghui Literature Cafe
