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 […]
Unstable
(very dangerous, risk of collapse) Puli Guanyin Bridge (觀音吊橋) is a beautiful place that gives an idea of how remote Puli once was. There is surprisingly little information available about this bridge and the surrounding area. I first saw this beautiful bridge two years ago, but because I had an injured leg, I didn’t dare […]
Little Switzerland is bankrupt
Deep in the mountains of Xizhi stands a castle known as Swiss Villa (瑞士花園廣場) that has been abandoned for more than 20 years, along with an entire row of dilapidated townhouses. The scene is bleak and unsettling. Yet the villa community itself consists of 189 households, and many people still live there today.It is probably […]
Der Fisch ist nicht mehr frisch
Unfortunately, I can no longer find any information about this aquarium in the outskirts of Kaohsiung. It’s an impressive building. What a pity. It was not difficult at all. A large hole in the door has become the place where one may now collect a formal invitation to enter. When I stepped inside, my leg […]