Such breathtaking beauty can no longer be found anywhere else in the world — Taiwan’s most beautiful green tunnel may soon vanish due to urban redevelopment.

▲ The Changsheng Barracks green tunnel, known as Taiwan’s most beautiful green tunnel. (Photo provided by Wu Renbang)

Reported by You [Name] / Taipei

Taiwan’s most beautiful “green tunnel” is about to vanish forever. In the Changsheng Barracks area of Tainan’s Xinying District lies a hidden gem — an incredibly beautiful green tunnel stretching over 100 meters. With its lush greenery that changes beautifully through the seasons, this tunnel is now under threat of disappearance due to the Tainan City Government’s overall planning and development project for the Changsheng Barracks and Gongshi Park. The development will begin from the center of the tunnel, causing it to be lost. Out of love for their hometown, residents of the Changsheng Barracks have formed a tree protection alliance, attracting more tourists to come and see the trees, thereby urging the city government to take the crisis of the green tunnel’s disappearance seriously.

Few things in the world live as long and hold the earth as firmly as great trees do. Wu Renbang, chairman of the Taiwan Tree Protection Association, said that the entire barracks area spans approximately 11 hectares and is facing urban redevelopment. In the future, the land will be developed into various zones including cultural and educational districts, hotels, parking lots, and residential areas. While local residents welcome regional development, they still hope that the large trees within the barracks can be preserved. Wu Renbang said, “We hope someone cherishes this green tunnel, so that Tainan can have a natural landscape to admire — the southern Sicao and the northern Xinying.”


Few things in the world live as long and hold the earth as firmly as great trees do. (Photo provided by Wu Renbang)

Having traveled across Taiwan, Wu Renbang has seen every space that features a green tunnel, yet he still believes the one in Changsheng Barracks is the most beautiful. Wu Renbang said that the green tunnel located south of the Changsheng Barracks consists mostly of common tree species, including mango trees, banyans, and mahogany trees, most of which are around 50 years old. The spectacular sight of the banyan tree tunnel includes gaps that were once used as parking spaces for military trucks in the former military camp area. The overall shape forms an inverted V, or “ㄇ” shape, which is quite rare. The beauty of these old trees, expressed through history, allows people to better understand their function and significance.

Although the city government has proposed transplanting the trees, it is impossible to do so without causing harm. Wu Renbang stated that he hopes a building plan can be devised to allow the large trees within the barracks to remain, and for the dreamlike landscape of the green tunnel to be preserved. “Taiwan has not lost landscapes due to war, but they are disappearing because of construction — and that is truly heartbreaking.” Whether the green tunnel can continue to attract visitors who then come to cherish and protect it is a matter of great concern.