Taichung City Military Community Museum Introduction
Taichung City Military 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 villages in Taichung, primarily serving as housing for technical personnel above the rank of major from the Guizhou Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, along with their families. The museum currently preserves three representative military village buildings. Since August 2017, it has been operated and managed by Liangguo Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd. In addition to displaying and promoting museum artifacts, the museum offers experiences of military village-style cuisine, retro snacks, and traditional Taiwanese barbering. There is also an old Taiwanese antique shop and a cultural creative market that showcase the nostalgia and new aesthetics of military villages, allowing visitors to experience a blend of old and new. Over a decade ago, veterans who lived here gradually relocated, leading to renovations and revitalization of military housing spaces, preserving three representative military village buildings and their ancillary structures. Completed in mid-November 2014, it covers an area of about 200 ping, linking the current urban lifestyle with the historical culture of military villages. It is the first local museum in Taichung focused on preserving military village cultural heritage. The Beitun New Village houses were built with hollow bricks, measuring 24-28 ping in interior space, featuring 2 bedrooms, a living room, and bathroom facilities, which were considered quite spacious and comfortable at that time. Later, in the 55th year of the Republic of China, the Air Force Command Headquarters built another batch of housing on the north side of "Beitun New Village" for pilots and their families, naming it "Lingyun Community." This space was even more expansive, with front and back yard designs, and is also part of "Beitun New Village." Many notable figures in Taiwan, such as novelist Meng Yao, military judge Liu Longfei involved in the Kaohsiung Incident, mathematics authority Lin Zhiping from National Chung Hsing University, women's movement pioneer He Chunrui, and Republic of China Air Force pilot Ouyang Yiyuan, have lived here, giving it special commemorative value. From the museum entrance, visitors can see the vintage "Beitun New Village Candy Store," which evokes childhood memories with its nostalgic flavors of sweet, sour, and salty snacks, as well as games like marbles. "Little Plum Blossom Store" features various old Taiwanese living utensils and nostalgic documents, reflecting the aesthetic of life in earlier years. Walking along the narrow alleys between the military village houses, one can find "Dafang Men’s Barber," a traditional Taiwanese barber shop specifically for men. Continuing to the next building, there are permanent exhibits introducing the historical development of the military villages and changing special exhibitions each year, sparking endless imagination for the public about military village life. Lastly, visitors can experience the flavor of the military village at "Fangzheng Valley Military Village Taste," where they can savor "Taro and Sweet Potato" dishes, traditional Taiwanese cuisine, and even some flavors influenced by Southeast Asian cultures! Finally, at "Fei Bing Guo Shi," one can enjoy traditional shaved ice and explore the monthly "Rescue Soldier Market," providing a sensory experience of nostalgic military village life, which is exceedingly satisfying! Opening Hours: Story Museum: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays). Fangzheng Valley Military Village Taste: Tuesday to Sunday, lunch 11:00-14:00, dinner 16:30-20:30. Address: No. 19 Tianxiang Street, Beitun District, Taichung City. Reservation contact numbers: Story Museum: 04-22334073; Fangzheng Valley Military Village Taste: 04-22339753. Guided tours: ■ Yes □ No ■ Reservation required. Other services: ■ DIY experience: Marble games, scallion pancakes ■ Cultural and creative shops: Beitun New Village Candy Store, Little Plum Blossom Store ■ Restaurant brands: Fei Bing Guo Shi, Fangzheng Valley Military Village Taste ■ Barber brand: Dafang Men’s Barber.
