Decaying Hsinpu
Hsinpu lies on the border between Taoyuan and Hsinchu, near Yangmei. It is a Hakka area that has seen better days. Abandoned Church In 2024, I saw this church for the first time. It’s already quite overgrown, which is probably why it’s always overlooked. It likely had numerous outbuildings, which are now slowly being reclaimed […]
Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park
In Qingshui stands a well-preserved Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park (清水眷村文化園區), surrounded by rice fields, with buildings that can be entered (beware of collapse and snake hazards!). (Glorious times – were gone) (The structures are still clearly recognizable, but the gnawing tooth of time is not very patient.) Its history dates back to 1938, serving […]
The Battle to Survive
Renzhiguan is one of the most beautiful spots along Provincial Highway 14, between Puli and Hehuan Mountain. To reach Wushe, travelers must first pass through Renzhiguan, a well-known natural stronghold and strategic pass since ancient times. Located between the Daguang and Ren’ai Bridges, this section of the route follows the Meixi River. As the river […]
Lushan Hot Springs: A Loss of History and Memory
ed. 8/2026 Very dangerous (risk of collapse) Lushan Hot Springs is located in Ren’ai Township. It was originally the homeland of the Seediq tribe’s Mahebo community. The surrounding area includes Wushe, the Tarowan Creek, and the Mahaipu Creek. It holds historical significance and reflects the development of a unique region in Taiwan. The following video […]
A treasure for fans of old houses
Guanxi is a treasure for fans of old houses. I’ve often driven the road toward Fuxing and passed by this spot. The hill always seemed artificial, and there was a small path. So I went in and discovered a road and the first outlines of something. I had to clear the way a bit, and […]
Rotten Yangmei
Okay, the title is a bit of clickbait. I live here and I’m happy. Yangmei is a rather unremarkable town between Taoyuan and Hsinchu, home to many Hakka people. That’s why you can see buildings from different eras all around. It’s Taiwan: a country caught between its past, a certain shabbiness, and cutting-edge modernity. Here […]
Hoffman kilns in Taiwan
Dangerous (risk of collapse, snakes) ed. 7/2026 OK, let’s begin with a lesser-known spot. Can you see the entrance? The Guanxi Jianfu Brick Factory (關西建富磚廠) is fascinating, but it’s not a lost place—many people know about it, and it’s definitely worth a visit. However, just a few hundred meters away, there’s another site that far […]
Barracks in Taiwan
It is an abandoned military camp. The interior has been completely stripped, and there are no surveillance cameras. It has been erased from all maps. There is hardly any information available about such facilities, as the government does not release details due to the threat from China. This one, however, is abandoned, so there’s no […]
Explorers’ little sisters
ed. 2026/5/6 Anyone who explores old mines, houses, or ditches will inevitably encounter them: our little bat sisters. Most of the time, you’ll first notice a strong odor, and then you’ll hear their screeches. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Bats are not inherently disease carriers, but there are a few things […]
Former Imperial Japanese Navy Sixth Fuel Factory (Lost and back)
(ed. 8/2025) I visited a museum in Hsinchu and saw a video about this factory. I was told it is now closed to the public. My curiosity was instantly and electrifyingly sparked. I’m deeply fascinated by these lesser-known witnesses of the past. The factory was completed in 1944. The head office was situated in Zuoying, […]