Taiwan Literature Base Introduction
The Taiwan Literature Base is located within the Japanese dormitory complex on Qidong Street, one of the few areas in Taiwan where historic buildings are preserved most intact. It is also one of the first groups of Japanese dormitories to be preserved under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. The area includes a designated historical monument and nine historic buildings, rich in local stories and connections to community experiences, highlighting the contemporary significance of revitalizing and reusing Taipei's remaining Japanese dormitory heritage. In the orderly layout of downtown Taipei, Qidong Street resembles a casual smile, gently crossing between Jinan Road and Zhongxiao East Road. Behind this smile lies a long history—over two hundred years ago, during the Qing Dynasty, this area was an ancient path known as "Sanbanqiao Street," leading to Songshan and connecting to Keelung. At that time, it was filled with endless rice fields and ponds. Amid the irrigation channels, rice fields, and ponds, the yet-unnamed Qidong Street meandered, taking on the heavy responsibility of transporting essential goods like rice and coal. Between 1920 and 1940, during the Japanese colonial period, the Governor-General began constructing Japanese civil servant dormitories here, which are now known as the Qidong Japanese dormitory complex. Concurrently, various industries, companies, and factories began to gather in the area, leading to flourishing commercial activities and fostering the establishment of the "Chengdong Association," which frequently held community lectures, drama appreciation, and movie screenings, creating a cultural and artistic experience boom of that era. After the war, the government continued to use this area as housing for central government officials. Major General Wang Shuming, then Deputy Chief of the Air Force, resided at No. 27, Section 2, Jinan Road, and later held positions such as "Commander of the Air Force" and "Chief of the Defense Ministry's Staff" before moving out in 1992, marking this Japanese house as the "General's Residence." After 2000, Qidong Street, due to its central location, faced the threat of demolition amid rapid urban development. Fortunately, local residents in the Heping community, recognizing the value of the architectural cluster, old trees, and the environment, formed the "Qidong Cultural and Historical Workroom" in 2002. Through the efforts of residents and experts, they facilitated the preservation of the adjacent nine connected Japanese dormitory historic buildings, which is regarded as "an important and invaluable cultural asset for the citizens of Taipei." As urban development continued with new houses, schools, and factories emerging, "Sanbanqiao Street” gradually disappeared from the map, leaving only the smiling arc between Jinan Road and Zhongxiao East Road, reminding us of its former existence. In 2011, the Ministry of Culture commissioned the Taipei City Government's Cultural Affairs Bureau to renovate the Qidong Japanese dormitories (No. 25 and 27, Section 2, Jinan Road), and this historic building was named "Qidong Poetry House." In July 2014, the National Taiwan Museum of Literature began operating and managing the site, planning exhibitions and literary promotion activities. Following the completion of the restoration of five historic buildings on Lane 53, Qidong Street, in 2021, the "Taiwan Literature Base," dedicated to innovation and cultural heritage, was officially opened in this winding smiling lane! (Source: Taiwan Literature Base official website)
