Beitun New Village - Taichung City Military Dependents' Village Museum

The Taichung City Military Dependents' Village Museum was formerly known as "Beitun New Village," one of 134 military dependents' villages in Taichung City. Initially, in the early days after the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan, it took over houses left by the Japanese government and built simple thatched-roof and bamboo-walled dwellings. These were located in the area to the left of the current Taichung Confucius Temple and were allocated to the families of technical personnel from the Guizhou Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in China who held ranks equivalent to or above a major. These technicians, after the Guizhou Aircraft Manufacturing Plant relocated from China to Taichung, Taiwan, worked at the Aeronautical Technology Bureau and research institutes (the Aeronautical Technology Bureau has since been reorganized into AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation), responsible for indigenous aircraft development for the Republic of China Air Force). Their former residence was located in the area of the current National Taiwan University of Sport and the Taichung Water Company. The original residents mainly came from areas such as Sichuan, Guizhou, and Jiangsu. After the August 7th Flood in 1959, Vice President Chen Cheng approved the allocation of NT$2 million. "Beitun New Village" was then constructed alongside the Beitun Rotary in Taichung City's Beitun District. The buildings were constructed using hollow bricks, with an indoor space of approximately 24-28 ping (about 79-92 square meters), including two bedrooms, one living room, and bathroom facilities, which was considered quite spacious at the time. After 1966, following the addition of four dormitory units for the families of pilots from the Republic of China Air Force's 3rd Wing, it was renamed "Lingyun Community." The primary construction material became brick, the indoor area increased to 34 ping (about 112 square meters), and it included a front and back yard, making the environment even more comfortable. From 2008-2009, in line with the policy for urban renewal of military dependents' villages, through the efforts of the Taichung City Government team, original residents, the Beitun New Village Development Association, and enthusiastic local individuals, the four existing historical buildings and their ancillary structures were preserved. Plans were made to establish Taichung City's first "Military Dependents' Village Museum." In 2017, under the Promote Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects Act (Operate-Transfer model), Two Fruits Cultural & Creative Co., Ltd. began operating the site, introducing "military dependents' village culture" and "military dependents' village cuisine" as its main operational directions. The "Beitun New Village" park currently features a Military Dependents' Village Cultural Story House, Xiaomeihua General Store (traditional Taiwanese sundry store), Fangzhenggu Military Dependents' Village Flavor Restaurant, Fei Bing Guoshi (ice cream/fruit shop), a Soldier's Market, and Dafang Men's Barbershop. The Zhao brothers, who manage Two Fruits Cultural & Creative Co., Ltd., leverage their diverse "taro and sweet potato" cultural heritage (symbolizing a blend of Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese cultures) to "use bits and pieces of military dependents' village life to showcase Taiwan's local culture." At "Beitun New Village," visitors can experience the living environment of military families in early Taiwan and also savor a culinary culture that combines flavors from all over China with Taiwanese cuisine. Each year, a year-long special exhibition on Taiwanese culture is planned. On the first weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month, a "Soldier's Market" is held, where vendors offer items such as picnic supplies, military surplus, vintage clothing, old props, cultural and creative products, pet-related items, snacks, and plants. This comprehensive military dependents' village cultural experience allows visitors to feel "the taste of home," extending the sense of village life, and becoming a slow-living hub in the city.