Centuries-old tree roots entwine around a red-brick house – the “Red Brick Tree House” at Taipei’s Hoxing Coal Mine is a stunning sight

▲Taipei also has a preserved mine tunnel – the “Hoxing Coal Mine” has become a new holiday attraction (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Geotechnical Engineering Office, same below)

By reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Comprehensive report

Want to experience old-time mining in northern Taiwan without traveling all the way to Jinguashi? The “Hoxing Coal Mine” in Taipei’s Xinyi District not only preserves the original mine tunnels but now also features a “Red Brick Tree House” tightly embraced by lush, thriving banyan tree roots nearby, adding a new highlight to the site.

▲The tree house, enveloped by roots, is one of the structures left over from the Japanese colonial era.

The Hoxing Coal Mine site is located near the old Pichi Stream in Taipei. In the early days, coal mining led to piles of coal slag on the rocky ground, resulting in fragile geological conditions. After comprehensive environmental redevelopment by the Taipei City Geotechnical Engineering Office, it now offers the public a new leisure and recreational destination. Visitors can walk along the brick-red flooring and follow the imagery of mine cart tracks into a time tunnel, admiring the ceramic mural “The Life of Coal.” Beside the tunnel, a house tightly embraced by towering trees forms an awe-inspiring “tree house” wonder, leaving visitors amazed.

▲Many charming features at Hoxing Coal Mine convey the imagery of the old mining days.

Quan Hongqiang, the ward chief of Liuzih Li in Xinyi District, said the tree house beside Hoxing Coal Mine has a history of nearly a hundred years, according to local elders. The brick structure beneath the tree house is a remnant from the Japanese colonial period coal mining operations. Today, the banyan tree atop the tree house remains lush and green, and thanks to the efforts of the Geotechnical Engineering Office, the surrounding environment has been improved, allowing the public to get up close to admire it and feel the charm of the old mining area and the vitality of nature.

Transportation to Hoxing Coal Mine

Riding a YouBike:
Rent a YouBike from Taipei 101 Station or Xiangshan Station, ride along Songren Road to Wuxing Street, turn left, then ride along Lane 401, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Alley 150, to the Joint Logistics School Technical Training Center, turn left again to the end of Alley 471, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Alley 150.