Taichung City Military Dependents' Village Museum Introduction
The Taichung City Military Dependents' Village Museum, established in 1960, is located near the intersection of Jinhua North Road and Beitun Road in Beitun District, Taichung. Originally known as "Beitun New Village," it was later renamed "Lingyun Community." It is one of the 134 military dependents' villages in Taichung, primarily serving as housing for technicians and their families from the Guizhou Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, who held positions above that of Air Force officers. The museum currently preserves three representative buildings of the dependents' village. Since August 2017, it has been managed by Liangguo Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd. In addition to showcasing historical artifacts, the museum offers experiences with traditional village-style cuisine and retro snacks, as well as a traditional Taiwanese barber shop. An old Taiwan antiquities shop and a cultural creative market have been added to attract a sense of contemporary modernity to the village, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant blend of the old and new. More than a decade ago, many veterans who once lived here began to relocate. The area underwent renovations and revitalization of the village houses, preserving three representative military dependents' village buildings and their adjacent structures. Completed in mid-November 2014, the museum occupies an area of over 200 ping, connecting contemporary civic life with the historical culture of the dependents' village. It is Taichung's first local museum focusing on preserving the military dependents' village cultural heritage. The Beitun New Village houses were built using hollow bricks, with interior sizes ranging from 24 to 28 ping, featuring two bedrooms, a living room, and bathroom facilities. For that time, they were considered quite spacious and comfortable. In 1966, the Air Force Command constructed additional housing on the north side of "Beitun New Village," which was designated for pilots and their families and named "Lingyun Community." This area is more expansive and includes front and back yard designs, and is part of "Beitun New Village." Many important figures in Taiwan have lived here, including novelist Meng Yao, military judge Liu Longfei of the Kaohsiung Incident, mathematics expert Lin Zhiping, women's movement pioneer He Chunrui, and Air Force pilot Ouyang Yifen, giving it special commemorative value. Upon entering the museum, visitors can see the old "Beitun New Village General Store," featuring nostalgic treats and toys like marbles, evoking childhood memories. The "Xiao Meihua Store" offers various traditional Taiwanese household items and nostalgic literature, reflecting the aesthetic of early Taiwanese life. Walking along the narrow alleys between the houses, visitors can find an old-style barber shop "Da Fang Men's Barber," serving men. Further down, one can discover a permanent exhibition that introduces the history of the village and a special exhibition that changes annually, igniting the public's imagination about life in the dependents' village. Finally, visitors can experience the "Lingyun Community Flavors" with its specialty "taro sweet potato" dishes, offering tastes of "old Taiwanese cuisine" and “dependents' village dishes," with even some cultural influences from Southeast Asia! To finish up, stop by the "Fei Bing Guo Shi" for traditional shaved ice, and check out the monthly "Rescue Soldier Market," providing a nostalgic experience of life in the dependents' village through various sensory encounters, extremely satisfying! Opening Hours: Story Museum: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays) Lingyun Community Flavors: Tuesday to Sunday, lunch from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, dinner from 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM Museum Address: No. 19, Tianxiang St, Beitun Dist, Taichung City Reservation Contact Numbers: Story Museum: 04-22334073 Lingyun Community Flavors: 04-22339753 Guided Tours: ■ Yes □ No ■ Reservation Required Other Services: ■ DIY Experience: Marble games, scallion pancakes ■ Creative Shops: Beitun New Village General Store, Xiao Meihua Store ■ Dining Brands: Fei Bing Guo Shi, Lingyun Community Flavors Restaurant ■ Barber Brand: Da Fang Men's Barber
