Taichung Park was built in 1903, 99 years ago. It’s going to celebrate its 100th birth date on October 28, 2003.

More than one hundred years ago, around 1866, there was a Taiwan Province City in Taichung, which was built by Liu Min Chuan. In the north, there was a “Tabei Men”, near today’s MacDonald. When Japanese governed this place, they removed the Taiwan Province City that they considered ill-constructed. Then, they started to build roads one after another. All the roads cross each other like a chessboard and that road design has remained the same till now. A park was built in the north part that is what we call Taichung Park today. It’s a place offered for people to have fun.

During the Japanese’s reign, because of the idea of building parks in cities, the East Tatuen and part of the Lin Family Ancestral Shrine were combined to give birth to Taichung Park. It occupies 12 hectares.

Panorama of rest place and dining hall in the opening

The tranquil park in 1930

Because of the Fuan Typhoon in 1970, a number of 74 old tresses were uprooted due to the strong wind. This lost made Taichung Park unable to stay in the same original way. However, this park is the only park left by the Japanese’s reign and also the biggest. It has irreplaceable symbol of the unique spirit.

Now, Taichung Park lives in every local person’s mind. Under the Japanese’s reign, the roads and the park have undergone several changes. Taichung Park presents itself to the public not quite in the same way it did one hundred years ago. However, the Hu Xin Pavilion has remained the elegant way since 1908.

THE CHRONICLE DEVELOPMENT OF TAICHUNG PARK

YEAR (AD)

EVENT

1773

A cannon mound was placed on Xiao Gangbei Rd.

1885-1890

Liu Min Chuan governed Taiwan and set three gun emplacements, in order to prevent invasion.

1889

Liu Min Chuan ordered Huang Cheng Yi to build Taichung Province Wall on East Tatuen Street. A mansion was also build around the current Tazhi Rd. Gang Building was built above this mansion.

1896

The Japan soldiers set three cannons on Pao Tai Hill.

1897

Taichung meteorological observatory was set.

1898

A triangulation spot was set on Tatuen. It’s the beginning of the area measurement in Taichung. 

1903

Taichung counselor committee resolved to build Taichung Park. The construction began on October 20. Min Yuan Building was relocated in the park.

1907

The bronze statue of Eryuyuan Tailang was set.

1908

The opening of Taiwan vertical railway was held in Taichung. A Japan official visited this opening and planted a camphor tree in the park. Pond Pavilion was also established.

1911

A ceremony for Taichung Shrine’s construction. Its site was now standing Confucius statue. A Japan duke statue was set in the northeast part.

1912

Taichung Shrine was completed.

1926

In June, Taiwan Commodities Exhibition Hall opened.

1942

Taichung Shrine was removed to the current Confucian temple.

1947

National Father statue and Honored Soldiers stele were placed.

1948

Mi Yuan Building was reconstructed by using cramp iron and cement. It was also renamed as Wang Yue Pavilion.

1970

Fuan Typhoon struck Taiwan and the loss of 74 old aged trees was resulted. The statue of National Father was completed.

1971

Set maintenance administration.

1972

Reconstruction of Zhong Zheng Bridge

1979

Due to the 90th anniversary of Taichung City, roads around the lack and Hu Xin Pavilion were reconstructed.

1982

The Gang Building on Wu-mansion was removed to the park

1983

The remove of Gang Building was finished.

1986

Reconstruction of Wang Yue Pavilion.

1991

The first stage of renovation (Pavement, washrooms and children’s entertainment facilities.)

1992

The second stage of renovation (The underground parking lot of the Electricity Company’s dormitory and the side lawns.)

Resource from ：Taichung Park history and ecology tour instruction brochure
Pictures from ：Mr. Lin Liang Zhe of Taichung Culture Department