Jianguo Military village was once Taiwan’s largest provisional housing complex for Chinese Nationalist forces. However, over time, people vacated the villages, and many were left to Mother Nature. Now, one person who grew up in such a community is fighting to save her childhood home.
Taiwan’s military villages are relics from a bygone era. Originally, they were provisional housing complexes for soldiers who retreated to Taiwan with the Chinese nationalists in 1949. They’re places teeming with history, but most have fallen into disrepair.
Those who grew up in military villages are now looking into ways to preserve their homes. Lu Yun-hsiang is one of these people. Here, she shows us where she did her homework as a child.
Lu grew up in Jianguo Military Village in Central Taiwan’s Huwei Township. The land this military village occupies was an airfield during World War II. Afterwards, it was converted into the biggest military village in Taiwan.
As time passed, people moved out of the village, leaving it at the mercy of the elements. Lu wants to preserve Jianguo Village, fearing that if she doesn’t, those who grew up in military villages may forget their roots.
Other military villages across Taiwan have been preserved and successfully repurposed. Lu hopes her home village can share the same good fortune. She’s applied to have Jianguo Village recognized as a cultural landmark.
For Lu, these dilapidated buildings represent much more than history. For her, it’s home.