Closed mines – Lost Places

Secondary Shafts

Claudius 2026-08-30

2026/8/30 dangerous (snakes, traps, collapse) In addition to the large open mining areas and the more than 600 km of interconnected mine shafts, there were numerous smaller mines. Some may extend only a few metres into the hillside, while others can run for several hundred metres. They were often quite small and, in some cases, uncomfortably cramped. We have been inside shafts like these, but we had little desire to crawl through the dampness on our hands and knees. Judging from the footprints, it seems that someone has recently been trying to get in. Here the passage splits. This tunnel leads

The Queen reclaims what is hers

Claudius 2026-08-08

ed. 2026/8/23 still in process dangerous (traps, snakes) Humans have done nature a great deal of wrong. They not only destroy themselves in the process—probably not a great loss to nature—they alter it, destroy it, and poison it. But whatever happens, nature ultimately wins and reclaims what belongs to it. This description may sound less idealized or theatrical to many Indigenous people in Taiwan. Nature, spirits, ancestors, and souls are interconnected. (Snap traps, probably the most cruel form of hunting in Taiwan, and frowned upon by traditional Indigenous hunters) What today looks like a naturally formed landscape around Jiufen is actually

History of mining area around Jinguashi and Houtong

Claudius 2026-07-23

in process It is actually quite remarkable how little well-organized information can be found about the Shuinandong Smelter and its surroundings. While bits and pieces are scattered across various websites, comprehensive and coherent background information is surprisingly rare. I’ve already covered parts of the story elsewhere, but here I have tried to present everything in a more structured and accessible way. I’ll simply include a selection of photographs without any particular order, allowing them to speak for themselves. General Description Today, it is difficult to imagine what this area once looked like. Stretching between the Pacific Ocean, Jinguashi, Jiufen, Dacukeng, and

A borrowed life

Claudius 2026-07-22

2026/7/22 (in process) High risk (unstable, overgrown, poisonous snakes like habu, green viper) Remark: The old photographs are now preserved in the temple. Dacukeng and the movie This post weaves together the story of a little-known village, the search for long-forgotten mines, and the acclaimed Taiwanese film A Borrowed Life, whose story unfolds in this remarkable setting. The quest to rediscover the vanished mines has only just begun, promising further insights into the area’s forgotten past. The village appears unassuming, yet it is a place of great historical significance and the gateway to countless adventures. “A borrowed life (Dosang)” is the

Horse Head

Claudius 2026-06-10

Oil was first discovered in Taiwan at the Chuhuangkeng Oilfield in Gongguan Township, Miaoli County. Oil extraction has been carried out there since 1877. During the Japanese colonial period, development became much more advanced, and approximately 98 oil wells were drilled. The site of Taiwan’s first oil well has since been transformed into the Taiwan Oil Field Exhibition Hall. (drill head) At the lower end of the site, directly beside the road, you will find the museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history of Taiwan’s oil industry and drilling technology. Further uphill, several former residential and office buildings have

The garbage indicator

Claudius 2026-05-22

As the post goes on, you will understand this sentence. This post does not feature spectacular photos or semi-suicidal actions, but rather shows what such a search is actually like. It usually begins with looking from a distance for unnatural ridgelines, changes in vegetation, or flat terraces. Can you see them? (View from Silent Hill) This depression runs from the entrance of Tunnel No. 6 (in the direction of view) toward an old railway tunnel. Remains of rails can still be seen at both locations. On the left-hand side are large concrete blocks, presumably the remains of collapsed houses. In the

The structure of mines

Claudius 2026-05-05

2026/5/31 very dangerous (collapse, snakes, green frogs, get lost, heavy metal contamination, please read the explanation at the end of this text) After a tour of the smelter, I went to the Gold Museum and took a photo of this diagram. It looked quite confusing and hard to understand. Then I had everything translated and discussed it with Professor ChatGPT. As the professor himself points out, I should verify everything—which I do. So far, the professor has been right. (Jinguashi Museum) The Secret of Mine Numbering Here the translation of the text above: Mining in the deposit proceeds from the top

In the backyard

Claudius 2026-04-24

in process (very dangerous, snakes, hornets, risk of collapse, toxic inside the flues, arsenic) I am morbidly fascinated by the mines, tunnels, and flues behind the Shuinandong Smelter. From the funicular railway or Liukeng Slope Ropeway (六坑斜坡索道), it’s not that hard to find some tunnels, old buildings, and mines. You can already get a first overview using Google Maps. The rest is basically old-fashioned legwork and a bit of effort with a machete. It started off quite nicely, with a few tracks—some well preserved, others less so. (Thanks to the Jinguashi Museum) Along the sides, you can make out the remains

Striking

Claudius 2026-04-02

edit: 2026/7/22 toxic (arsenic), snakes in the higher levels, unstable ground, green frogs with very low tolerance One of Taiwan’s most well-known landmarks is the Thirteen Levels, a large site on the northern coast. It is already noticeable from the road, but can actually be seen from many different viewpoints. The area consists of two parts. In the evening, they are illuminated with floodlights. From the road, on the right, there are several workshops and processing facilities—you can still smell strong chemicals there. On the left are the Thirteen Levels, named after the fact that the facilities were once arranged across

Cement—and more and more cement!

Claudius 2026-03-22

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 entrances and structures were heavily corroded by rust. Climbing up has become risky. The owner is also cordoning off more and more areas. (Packing station, cement silo, clinker silo) You can spot the cement silos from far away. It’s a former cement factory that has now

Lost Places

Category: Closed mines

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