Meiting (currently closed) Introduction
The Mei Garden is currently undergoing restoration and renovation, and will be closed starting May 28, 2024, with an expected reopening in 2026. Built in the late 1930s, "Beitou Mei Garden" is a Western-style villa that witnessed the war era while adapting to the local environment of Beitou. Standing near Beitou Park for nearly a century, it has been owned by various government entities since the Japanese era, including the Japanese Governor-General, the Minister of the Army, and Taipei Prefecture. After World War II in 1945, it was primarily used as a private residence and was registered as a historical building in Taipei City in 2006 due to its architectural features. The building is situated along the Beitou River, beautifully integrating the mountain scenery on its south side with the flowing river. The upper level features a traditional Japanese wooden structure, while the lower level has a basement made of reinforced concrete, originally designed as a bomb shelter. This makes it unique and historically valuable among traditional Japanese townhouses of that era. The entrance features a sign "Mei Garden" inscribed by calligrapher Yu Youren, and within the courtyard stands a protected camphor tree (No. 1679) under the "Taipei City Tree Protection Autonomy Regulations". The surrounding walls are made of abandoned "Kilian stone", and the interior layout is carefully designed. Utilizing the rich geothermal resources of Beitou, it once housed a "hot spring bath", had an "attic" for storage and viewing, and featured systems to regulate indoor temperature and humidity. It also served as the ceiling for the lower level and supported the main structural elements of the building. The entrance is adorned with "glazed mosaic" tiles and pebbled pillars, showcasing the beauty of craftsmanship. The octagonal windows on the walls represent the decorative style that emerged during the Japanese era, characterized by subtle elegance, embodying the beauty of its historical context and construction. In 2021, the Taipei City Cultural Bureau entrusted the operation and maintenance to the Taipei Cultural Foundation, aiming to promote the reuse of cultural assets and local engagement. In the future, it will continue to embody the unique cultural characteristics of Beitou through art exhibitions and educational activities, creating a lively space that merges history, culture, and the arts.
