Beitou-- Culture Exploration Tour

少帥禪園

Ketagalan Culture Center

Exit MRT Xinbeitou Station, begin your walk by moving uphill along Zhongshan Road, you'll almost immediately arrive at the Ketagalan Culture Center, situated across from Beitou Park. The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Ketagalan plains aborigines. They thought witches lived here and bestowed the name “Patauw ”(witches' abode) on this place, later morphing into the Chinese “Beitou”. The center hosts various displays, performances, symposiums, and other activities to introduce Taiwan's 14 tribes, recording and proclaiming their culture and development. 

Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch

Beitou Park, which sits between Zhongshan and Guangming roads as they move apart, sits Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch . It is a eco-friendly complex with only wood, steel and other recyclable materials used in its construction. The space is carpeted in green shade, making a day immersed in the glories of the book a quiet, pleasant gem indeed.

Beitou Hot Springs Museum

Right beside the library is the Beitou Hot Springs Museum, with the Roman-style bathing pool as its distinctive feature. Through exhibits and detailed information, a visit here is a visit into early Beitou's world of hot springs pleasure. Both Crown Prince Hirohito and Dr. Sun Yat-sen were attracted by its fame and came to visit. After visiting continue up Zhongshan Road and you'll come to Plum Garden, the former residence of famed calligrapher Yu You-ren, is now a fine exhibit of the traditional Japanese timber-frame structure. Taipei City Government renovated the facilities with a visitor information center and has it open to the public.

Puji Temple

Next, walking up a flight of stone steps you'll come to Puji Temple. Whether here to worship or just to admire the Japanese architectural mastery, you'll find a sense of tranquil calm settling over you. Continuing uphill toward Liuhuang Valley, you come to the Taiwan Folk Arts Museum. Among its attractions are the classical Japanese-style courtyard and the expansive banquet facility. The complex now hosts exhibits on early Taiwan life and culture as well as classes on the Japanese tea ceremony, giving visitors a glimpse back into the golden years.

Marshal Zen Garden

Just up the road is Marshal Zen Garden, formerly the home of the Marshal, Zhang Xue-liang, today a restaurant featuring fine dining set amidst a graceful landscape.