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, […]

Parts of the Old SuHua Highway – Real Lost! And back!

last update: 8/2025 A footpath between Su’ao and Hualien was first built between 1874 and 1876 as part of a program to assert sovereignty over eastern Taiwan. It was later widened by the Japanese, with nine bridges constructed, 14 tunnels built, and the road surface covered with gravel. (View towards Su’ao from the old road.) […]

Old Wuda And the Revitalization of Culture

dangerous places (get lost, hornets, dogs, snakes) In this part, I will merge two themes: the old village of WuDa, deep in the hinterlands of Nanao, and the question of revitalizing Atayal culture. The depiction is based on many visits to WuDa and numerous conversations with the elderly residents. It also delves deeper into questions […]

No honey, no money

Ed: 2026/7/2 One day, I was passing through Zhongli and remembered. (Below is a traditional Chinese ghost story based on Taiwanese folk belief for a bit of cultural insight.) A Taiwanese wedding has different purposes—it marks the beginning of a new stage in life and is also meant to bring in some income for the […]