Nanny stations are also tourist attractions！Taiwan’s 6 most unlikely police stations

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Most people’s impression of a police station might be red-and-white brick walls adorned with large police emblems, solemnly scattered across corners quietly safeguarding everyone’s safety. But in reality, Taiwan is home to numerous police stations that not only serve diverse functions such as tourism and accommodation, but also incorporate local characteristics into their architecture, breaking the stereotype of being places people dare not approach—turning police stations into popular tourist spots as well！

▲ New Taipei City’s “Pingxi Sky Lantern Police Station.” (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government)

The “New Taipei City Police Department Ruifang Precinct Pingxi Substation,” which officially opened this year on White Day, features an architectural design resembling a giant sky lantern. Beyond serving as a law enforcement station, it also functions as a visitor center, scenic lookout, and light snack service area. The glass screen on its exterior wall puts on a light show every evening, and visitors can also release a unique “Police Sky Lantern” here. Having been open for just a short while, it has already become a new local landmark.

▲ The row of eight-petaled cherry blossoms outside Taichung’s “Tai’an Police Station.” (Photo / Authorized for publication by ETtoday News Cloud from Tai’an Police Station, Taichung City Police Bureau)

Located in Houli, Taichung, Tai’an Police Station is not particularly known for its building exterior, but rather for the hundred or so eight-petaled cherry blossom trees that bloom along the roads surrounding the station each cherry blossom season. When the blossoms are in full bloom, the entire street is enveloped in a pink world, with blossoms competing to bloom among the treetops. This stunning sight caused Tai’an Police Station to suddenly skyrocket in popularity, becoming a local hot spot for cherry blossom viewing. Many who have visited to admire the blossoms have even hailed it as “the most beautiful police station in Taiwan.”

▲ Nantou Xitou’s “Monster Police Station.” (Photo / Provided by Xitou Monster Village)

Famous for its monster village, Xitou has set its sights on transforming its local police station into a “Monster Police Station.” According to the developer’s plans, a red-hearted demon will stand atop the entrance of the police station, looking down at passersby, symbolizing that no crime can escape and promoting the concept of encouraging good deeds. This monster-themed police station is scheduled to be completed and unveiled on June 29.

▲ Tainan Xinhua’s “Police Hat Police Station.” (Photo / From the official website of Tainan City Police Bureau Xinhua Precinct)

Unlike traditional police stations with their red-brick and white-wall architecture, the roof of Tainan Xinhua Police Station is a giant police hat, prominently placed atop a glass wall. However, this building was originally listed as structurally unsafe after the 921 earthquake. After renovation, it became the current Xinhua Police Station, also affectionately nicknamed the “Police Hat Police Station” by locals. It is also the first public tourism art installation in the Tainan area.

▲ Kaohsiung’s “Owl Police Station.” (Photo / Provided by Meishan Team)

Located beside the South Cross-Island Highway, the Meishan Team of the Yu-shan Police Brigade features a police station building designed to resemble an owl. Because owls possess extremely keen vision and hearing—and Meishan officers need sharp skills when apprehending poachers—plus locals say there are many owls in the Meishan area—the owl was chosen as the station’s symbol. This creative combination helps break the stereotype of police, often attracting tourists to stop and take photos.

▲ Detention room inside the Taitung Guanshan Precinct. (Photo / Taken by Xiao Long)

Although the Taitung Guanshan Precinct doesn’t have a particularly unique exterior, it holds hidden gems inside. Visitors can see a Japanese-era Japanese garden, as well as a Police History and Cultural Museum that displays artifacts such as 1960s–70s police cameras, M16 rifles, and doorplates from the Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang era. The most popular attraction is Taiwan’s only two detention rooms (the other is in Taoyuan’s Guishan), where visitors can experience being locked inside a red-barred detention cell—an incredibly fun travel experience.

▲ 1970s (left) and 1980s (right) police motorcycles in the Police History and Cultural Museum inside the Guanshan Precinct. (Photo / Taken by Reporter Chen Zi-yin)

Haven’t we introduced your favorite uniquely featured police station in Taiwan? Readers are welcome to submit more photos and information about distinctive local police stations. Please send materials to: ettravel@ettoday.net