Linyuan Anle Building Introduction
Anle Lou is a Baroque building constructed around 1930. During the Japanese colonial period, it served as a club for Japanese military officers, later transforming into a tavern and inn. It was once a gathering place for merchants and scholars, full of vibrant nightlife and excitement, witnessing a splendid chapter in Linyuan's history. However, due to years of neglect, it has fallen into ruin. The building gained some fame as a filming location for the Golden Bell Award-winning drama "A Touch of Green," becoming a popular spot for Instagram photos. Linyuan was an important military readiness site during the Japanese occupation, with frequent interactions between soldiers and merchants. The old street (Fuxing Street) and new street (Linyuan North Road) were the earliest and most prosperous areas of local development. Anle Lou, located in a small alley off Linyuan North Road, has had its main entrance demolished, and visitors can only enter from the back door. The characters "Anle Lou Tavern" on the main plaque have become worn, but traces of the lettering are still visible. The building has an M-shaped design, blending Japanese garden aesthetics with Baroque architecture. The central staircase leading to the second floor is particularly representative and is the best-preserved part of the building, where many tourists take photos. Several corners still showcase the architectural design of the time, including about ten private rooms, restrooms on both floors, and separated male and female toilets, marking it as an advanced structure for its era. The nights of revelry at the grand hotel are long gone, and the dilapidated Anle Lou remains hidden in the alleys of Linyuan, with few people aware of its story. Even many locals do not know of the building's existence until "A Touch of Green" was filmed here, bringing this elegant and exquisite historical structure to the attention of more people.
