Old Police Building Revitalized in Guanshan: Walk Through a Time Tunnel to Discover a Hidden Gem

▲The Guanshan Police Sub-bureau has transformed its former “Judo Hall” into the “Guanshan Police Historical Relics and Cultural Museum,” creating an “alternative” hidden gem in the Longitudinal Valley region. (Photo/Taitung County Police Bureau, same below)

Reported by Wang Zhaolin, Taitung

After the inauguration of a new gymnasium next to the Dingding Police Precinct in Guanshan, Taitung, the Guanshan Police Sub-bureau repurposed the space within its former "Judo Hall" into the "Guanshan Police Historical Relics and Cultural Museum." The museum houses police artifacts from the Japanese colonial period to the present, neatly categorized and accompanied by explanatory signs. Additionally, volunteer guides recruited by the sub-bureau offer free tours and insights, earning high praise from visitors. The site attracts over ten thousand domestic and international tourists annually, making it an “alternative” hidden attraction in the Longitudinal Valley region.

The existing complex of the Guanshan Police Sub-bureau includes a central main building, flanked by separate wing offices, arranged in an “inverted L-shape.” Behind and to the right are the “Japanese-era old buildings,” with wooden structures dating back to 1932 (the 21st year of the Republic of China), equivalent to 1937 in the Japanese imperial calendar (Showa 7). The reinforced concrete structures were completed in 1979 (the 68th year of the Republic of China). This juxtaposition of old and new architecture creates a unique landscape within the sub-bureau grounds.

Recognizing the gradual deterioration of these aging buildings—and the potential safety hazards posed by unrepaired beams and columns—Sub-bureau Chief Hsu Chun-sheng initiated a project before Police Day. In addition to cleaning and tidying the premises, his team revitalized parts of the old buildings with a “bamboo-woven” makeover to showcase their former charm. To help the public appreciate the contrast between historical and modern architecture, boundary lines were painted on the ground, transforming pathways into a “time tunnel” that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

The Guanshan Police Sub-bureau noted that previously, visitors to the “Guanshan Police Historical Relics and Cultural Museum” had to pass through the working area of the Guanshan Police Precinct. To protect the privacy and rights of those involved in cases, the visiting route has been rerouted to enter the museum via the “time tunnel” at the rear right side of the sub-bureau. Visitors are advised to follow the signs and directions at the entrance to explore the revitalized old buildings and experience their unique retro charm.