Striking
edit: 2026/9/21 toxic (arsenic), snakes in the higher levels, unstable ground, green frogs with very low tolerance Warning: For some time, there seemed to be a certain lack of interest on the part of both the authorities and the owner. However, after an influencer entered the site without having the slightest idea of how dangerous […]
Not lost yet — but perhaps soon.
My last visit left me feeling sad. I used to come to this brick factory often with my children. About seven years ago, production was shut down and the site was turned into a demonstration factory. One of the owners hoped it could survive as an industrial museum. However, visitor numbers were too low, and […]
Cement—and more and more cement!
ed. 2026/7/11 This is a very good place to get an introduction to cement production. Located on the way to Ali Mountain, it makes for a nice stop for families. Children can easily understand how cement is made here—well, maybe not in every single area. Reminder: During my recent visits, it was evident that many […]
Mei Li (Mylee) and Nack Suk Cao
Ah, I think this sublime love tragedy of modern film history has come to an end, some years before. It certainly won’t be shown in this cinema ((中壢新明戲院)) anymore. Here, fortune favored the diligent—or perhaps the stubborn. I passed by several times, and it seemed impossible to get in. Until one day, a door to […]
Pursued … Cursed …Haunted…
still in process Hospitals are closely connected with Taiwanese culture, but also with fear. Similar feelings exist in Western culture as well—after all, hospitals are often an inspiring source for horror movie ideas—but this sentiment is even stronger in Taiwan. This post also offers a glimpse into Taiwanese folk beliefs and the ways they still […]
Kindheitserinnerung/Nieces
It is difficult to generate profits with swimming pools because the costs are quite high. This is especially true for traditional pools with long swimming lanes and only limited spa facilities. My nieces learned how to swim at this pool. Unfortunately, the stray dogs there are not very friendly. When we were in the process […]
They cannot leave
ed. 2026/4/10 in process Taiwan is a wealthy country that can offer a decent standard of living to many people. Unfortunately, not to everyone. Some places are deeply saddening. Among these sad places are the decaying shopping malls. Most of them were built during the first wave of rapid economic growth in Taiwan. They all […]
Lose Yourself in the View
ed. 2026/3/1 It’s not really a vanished or enchanted place. The road and the ruins at its end are considered an excursion destination, even if the beginning of the road is somewhat steep. On the way up, you can see the endless concrete plants—some modern, others decaying. This is where the stone used to be […]
Taichung: Between Decay and Modernity, a Jewel of Ugliness
ed. 2026/5/10 Once again, pure clickbait — but I genuinely love Taichung. It is both the most modern city and the most decayed one. And I love it for exactly that. (Modern architecture, as Taichung likes to present itself) Taichung is home to Taiwan’s most famous truly haunted building (or ghost house, the Chien-Yueh Building, […]
Yongda Coal Mine
2026/1/18 For approximately twenty years, I have been hiking in the Wuliaojiang area. Until now, I had passed by without paying attention to the beauty that reveals itself further on. This is actually quite remarkable, especially given how well preserved the mine remains are. Yongda Coal Mine (永達煤礦礦坑口遺跡) is located in Sanxia District, New Taipei […]