Revitalizing Colonial Heritage in Daxi: NT$93.62 Million Approved for Historical Site Restoration

Located in Taoyuan, Daxi is a celebrated township renowned for its profound cultural legacy. The Taoyuan City Government recently secured NT$93.62 million in approved funding under the Ministry of Culture’s “Historic Sites Regeneration Project 2.0.” This substantial grant is dedicated to the reconstruction, restoration, and adaptive reuse of prominent heritage landmarks, including the Japanese-style teacher dormitories at Daxi Elementary School, the historic Lan Room, the Li Teng-fang Ancient Residence, and the Jian Song-de Residence.

The financing package combines NT$50.72 million in central government subsidies from the Ministry of Culture, NT$39.68 million in municipal matching funds from Taoyuan City, and NT$3.22 million in self-raised funds from private owners. These preservation and restoration projects aim to revive the authentic spatial character of Daxi’s colonial era while integrating local community engagement and talent cultivation to foster long-term sustainable development.

Daxi Elementary School Japanese-Style Dormitory

The “Daxi Elementary School Japanese-Style Dormitory” (Nos. 3 and 4, Lane 84, Puji Road) was originally erected in the 1920s and 1930s as official residential quarters for Japanese educators. Following the post-war period, it continued to serve as faculty housing. The complex faithfully preserves the architectural typology, carpentry techniques, and material detailing characteristic of official residences from the Japanese colonial period, though it subsequently fell into dilapidation after occupants relocated.

The restoration initiative spans an estimated 540 calendar days, with scheduled completion targeted for September 2024. Moving forward, Daxi Elementary School will partner with the Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum to center the site’s adaptive reuse around “Daxi Cultural Education.” The venue will host curated local history courses and exhibitions. On weekdays, it will operate as an experiential learning hub for students and faculty; on weekends, it will welcome visitors and families for interactive community exploration, allowing Daxi’s historical narratives and cultural heritage to be shared engagingly.

Daxi Lan Room

Another landmark slated for comprehensive restoration is the “Daxi Lan Room” (No. 13, Zhongshan Road). Erected in 1918, it stands as the earliest modern Baroque-influenced pediment shophouse constructed during the Taisho-era urban street restructuring of Daxi.

This historic shophouse incorporated modern building regulations of the colonial era, featuring sheltered arcades (ting-a-ka) and integrated drainage gutters. With its imposing three-bay facade, intricate stucco relief ornamentation, and a spatial configuration rooted in traditional courtyard logic, the building showcases an eclectic architectural dialogue. The interior features distinctive vertical light wells resembling chimneys and contemporary material craftsmanship, reflecting the transitional aesthetic favored by Daxi’s commercial gentry in the early 20th century.

Because the main structure remains remarkably intact, the restoration centers on faithfully preserving its colonial-era architectural authenticity over a 480-day construction schedule, targeting completion in July 2024. Following completion, the Lan Room Cultural & Creative Co. will operate a tea salon and exhibition gallery, inviting visitors into this century-old residence to experience its historic ambiance.

Beyond these two ongoing restoration landmarks, Daxi offers a wealth of slow-travel experiences for culture enthusiasts.

The most celebrated highlight is undeniably Daxi Old Street. Here, remarkably preserved historic facade architecture from the colonial period lines stone-paved walkways, offering a vibrant atmosphere filled with regional delicacies and artisan shops.

Visitors can also traverse interconnected historic spaces throughout Daxi’s historic core, gaining deep insights into local civic history and the societal dynamics of colonial-era Taiwan. Walking along the cliffside trails linking Chung-Cheng Park and the Wood Art Ecomuseum cluster provides sweeping panoramic vistas over the majestic river terrace landscapes along the Dahan River.

With its harmonious blend of living history and breathtaking natural topography, Daxi remains one of northern Taiwan’s most captivating cultural destinations—promising every visitor a rewarding and memorable journey.