Don’t need to head to Taipei to see pandas!? Yunlin’s 3D interactive panda-painted village is super fun too.

Photos and text byBear

Since bamboo and bamboo shoots are local specialties, pandas—fond of these treats—become the stars of the murals. In Shiguixi Painted Village, you not only enjoy the 3D painted scenes but can also try your hand at being a panda keeper, feeding the pandas bamboo and milk. The panda art in Shigui Community goes beyond simple village beautification—it adds an interactive element that makes visiting the painted village a truly unique experience.

Oh no, wait for me... Most of the murals in Shigui Community are located around the Tianhou Temple on Guangtian Road. But there’s another spot near Zantian Temple, though currently there’s just one mural here. Its backdrop features hot air balloons from Taitung and the famous Brolin Boulevard. A panda rushing to catch a balloon in the green mountains can’t make it—its friend gives a “thumbs up” as they fly away.

Beside it is a big panda munching happily on bamboo amidst a serene, winding stream through a bamboo grove. Too bad a car parked right in front blocks the view—you can only take a side shot ^^" The left panda has a rather amusing expression, looking slightly startled as if caught off guard.

After the hot air balloons, it’s time for paragliding at Luye Plateau—Up we go!

So cool flying through the air, his fur flowing in the wind—it feels pretty thrilling.

The golden rice fields of Brolin Boulevard are recreated here too, along with the same layered scenery. And the famous tree that became a hit after Takeshi Kaneshiro filmed an ad? The panda came for a pilgrimage too.

Takeshi Kaneshiro, besides your tree getting blown down by Typhoon Mindulle, your tea got drunk up by the panda too =^^= The panda loved this mural—it's a bit cheeky but really cute and lively. It even tossed the cup aside and chugged straight from the bottle—now that’s refreshing.

This is the mural near Zantian Temple—currently just the one piece.

Inside Shigui Community, there are panda-themed signs. Just follow them to find each painted spot—it’s very considerate.

We found a spacious spot to park and started snapping photos of the murals near Tianhou Temple. Because our car was parked nearby, we began here. The roads inside the community aren’t wide, so it’s best to park properly before exploring the painted village. Random parking can be inconvenient for others.

Next to it is a nature scene with birds in flight—painted because the household raises “pink birds” (local term for small birds). It’s really delicately and beautifully done.

On the other side, a panda and a black bear are arm wrestling. Who will win in the end? Their fur looks so soft and smooth. The panda gives a “yeah!” sign—it must’ve won, although the black bear sticks out a finger as if to say, “You...,” Is the panda cheating, perhaps? ^^"

A panda walks out of a doorway, happily waving hello.

So cool, master.

Toward the back, there’s a shy panda hiding behind a door, too scared to come out—best to keep quiet so as not to scare it.

Older houses paired with colorful murals create a unique kind of beauty. One panda has its legs spread wide—it’s “standing by” so you can stand in front and ride piggyback on its shoulders. The chance to ride atop a panda like this is a rare experience you can only have here.

Various pandas in different poses on a side wall are even more exciting. No need to head to Sichuan’s panda bases or Taipei’s Muzha—there are pandas to see right here in Shigui Community^^ Plus, you can interact with them up close. Watching them perched on stands, sitting or lying down, all their cute postures really melt your heart.

A window of a former residence has transformed into... wow, there’s a panda locked inside. See the bamboo leaves tied with fishing line next to it? Don’t forget to pick them up and feed the panda^O^ Isn’t it fun? Here, everyone becomes a panda keeper for the day.

At the very back, there’s another panda leisurely munching on bamboo leaves while enjoying the scenery by a waterfall.

Watch the panda eating bamboo shoots—so refreshing in summer. Chill the shoots, dip them in mayo, and it's amazing!! The panda here looks like he’d love a bamboo shoot feast too.

The 3D murals based on the panda “Yuankuan (Little Yuan)” perfectly capture the loving look of Mama Yuan and Little Yuan’s shy, cautious demeanor.

Here, you can gently reach out to take Little Yuan from Mama’s arms and give it a hug.

Or, pick up the big baby bottle nearby and feed Little Yuan some milk.

Although Papa “Tuantuan” is nearby munching on bamboo leaves, he’ll drink from the bottle if you offer it =^^= These interactive murals are so much fun, making you almost forget you’re not actually interacting with real pandas. Every expression and pose looks incredibly lifelike and adorable, and yes, the pandas’ lazy poses are here too.

The panda boss on the second-floor window is hilarious. He’s locked in (PS: there’s actually a lock beside him), but he reaches out and grabs the key. Could that key unlock the panda trapped in a cage nearby?

3D, interactive, with an almost layered illusion effect—these panda murals will keep you playing here for ages. Both the baby bottle and bamboo leaves are secured with fishing line—remember to put them back when you're done. Please take care of public property... show some kindness and civic responsibility, so the murals and items can stay beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

QR codes are posted on poles at the alleyway entrance, and you can also scan them to join the fan page. That day, I asked the owner of a nearby convenience store, who said that currently there are only these few murals because funding is insufficient, and some residents are unwilling to provide wall space. So whether more will be added remains to be seen. I saw a report about "Yuan Zai" on the bulletin board at the Tianhou Temple—it’s really adorable.

There are also murals along the road beside the Tianhou Temple. Here, you can see a panda playing jump rope.

A little panda just about to climb onto the perch is blocked by a car parked in front—it’s such a pity.

Further along, there’s a panda hanging from a single bar. These are all childhood games we used to play. The highlight? Pfft, the panda is flicking up its pinky =^^= How lifelike—the depiction of the pinky flip instantly changes the whole vibe.

Next are the murals of the Yuan Zai family, with added shading and shadows that make the images really pop.

The golden-furred little panda really looks like Yuan Zai, with that slightly fearful yet innocent gaze—it’s so tempting to give it a "show."

These ones are super cute too. It feels magical to see pandas drinking water in front of your house every day when you open the door. Each one has a different expression and fur color.

"Shaolin Soccer," panda-style—this place has even caught the World Cup soccer fever.

The chair is knocked over—such great three-dimensional detail.

The little panda bends the bamboo and quietly hides under it to gorge itself.

Another little panda on the other side looks as adorable as a baby, all sleepy and drowsy.

Judging by the pose, I initially thought it was a stunning volleyball spike, but with the blue handle in hand, it also resembles a badminton smash. Feels like this wall might not be finished yet ^^"

Remember the cat mural village in Dingxi? The Shigui community invited feline mural artist Huang Yufang and combined it with the local specialties of Shigui Stream to create a panda mural village. Aside from not having to travel far to see pandas, it also promotes local features through these adorable murals. Before raincoats became common, straw capes were the most important industry here in Shigui Stream. As straw capes declined, they transitioned to palm-fiber cleaning products, and now, thanks to the murals, they’ve put Shigui Stream on the map. There are also unique architectural features here: bamboo tube houses. And Shigui Station, surrounded by swaying rice fields as trains come and go, is also a beautiful sight.

Compared to Takeshi Kaneshiro sipping tea under a tree, this mural of a panda lifting the whole teapot for a hearty drink is one I really love—super funny and full of charm. He drank it all—what am I supposed to drink now =^^=

As mural villages become more common, I love those that develop by combining local characteristics: one town, one specialty. Thanks to the murals, you can step into these villages, experience a unique landscape and vibe, and discover more unknown parts of Taiwan.

Want to see pandas? Want to experience being a panda caretaker and take care of pandas? Come to Douliu’s Shigui community—that’s the place for you. The pandas here are waiting for you to interact and play with them.



[Shigui (Stream) Community Panda Mural Village]
Address: No. 50, Siwei Road, Shigui Community, Douliu Town, Yunlin County (in front of the Tianhou Temple)
Shigui Community Development Association FB: Please click here
Shigui Community Introduction: Please click here
Transportation Info:
Northbound: On Provincial Highway 1, follow the Shigui sign and turn right into the community
Southbound: On Provincial Highway 1, follow the Shigui sign and turn left into the community

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