Is your elementary school this beautiful? We’ve scoured 10 uniquely styled schools.

By Sharelife

Thanks to the government’s active promotion of campus beautification initiatives, many schools have undergone transformations. Buildings are no longer just rigid structures; colors have been incorporated into their designs, extending “design education” into elementary campuses. These spaces are not only innovative, but in some regions, original distinctive architecture has been preserved, allowing more people to appreciate the beauty of native culture. We’ve searched out ten differently styled elementary schools to break your preconceived notions.

▲The Japanese-style architecture left over from the late colonial period has become part of the elementary school campus, attracting much public attention.

1. Hualien │ Xibao Elementary School

▲The hexagonal sloped roof of “Xibao Elementary School” can collect rainwater and reflect sunlight.

Once recognized by Business Weekly as one of the top 100 distinctive elementary schools, “Xibao Elementary School” has no walls — the entire Taroko area is its campus. Located within “Taroko National Park,” it boasts a unique geographical setting and diverse cultural background. It is the only elementary school in Hualien County that implements the “dormitory system,” where teachers and students live and learn together, creating a joyful big family.

The “courtyard-style” architecture paired with a hexagonal sloped roof was once awarded the Annual Best Architecture Prize by Architect Magazine. The sloped roof design allows rainwater to flow into collection basins, and to protect children from direct sunlight, it also incorporates sunlight reflection features. Come to “Xibao Elementary School” to enjoy boundless campus scenery.

2. Taitung │ Fengyuan Elementary School

▲The exotic curved architectural style won the “Best Environmental Culture Award.”

Taitung is surrounded by mountains and water, with breathtaking scenery that’s hard to forget. Leveraging its natural advantages while actively developing various cultural features, “Fengyuan Elementary School” was awarded the Gold Award in the Cultural Facilities category of the “Best Environmental Culture Award,” earning recognition from the National Excellence in Architecture Awards.

The architecture of “Fengyuan Elementary School” is as refreshing and bright as the ocean. Its Mediterranean-style design is loved by many, featuring waves, curves, and sloped walls, along with an interplay of irregular elements. White walls accented with blue create a distinctly exotic vibe. Don’t miss the chance to experience Southern European flair when you’re in Taitung.

3. Taipei │ Micang Elementary School

▲The “Magic Treehouse” offers a view of the beautiful river scenery.

Located on Guanyin Mountain in Bali District, where the Ketagalan people once lived, “Micang Elementary School” offers views of the “Tamsui River” and surrounding mountain ranges. With its mountain-and-water location, it combines rich historical culture with natural ecology.

“Micang Elementary School” makes full use of space, beautifying existing buildings and open areas on campus. It has also created a “Magic Treehouse” play area. The expansive “Magic Treehouse” zone includes suspension bridges, a café, treehouses, and even a spot overlooking the “Tamsui River” — perfect for cultural immersion. Come to this riverside cultural classroom.
4. Miaoli │ Shanjiao Elementary School

“Shanjiao Elementary School” in Yuanli Township, Miaoli, has been around for over ninety years. Only four of the Japanese-style buildings left over from the late colonial period remain after multiple renovations. These hybrid Western-Japanese dormitories feature a modernized Japanese style with complete facilities including entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Walking on the red brick floors here gives off a simple, down-to-earth vibe. Sitting on a wooden bench with the breeze in your hair feels like stepping back in time to the colonial era.

5. Taichung │ Neixin Elementary School

▲The campus of “Neixin Elementary School” is filled with a Southeast Asian flair, like something out of a fairy tale.

Situated in Taichung City, “Neixin Elementary School” features a windmill at its entrance. Blue lines accent the white walls and the whale sculpture on campus, creating a fresh maritime vibe. The playground is paved with rainbow-colored tracks, bringing vibrancy and liveliness to the campus and making childhood feel like a dreamy fairy tale. Running on the “rainbow track” feels like walking on clouds above a rainbow.

6. Changhua │ Cundong Elementary School

▲Instagram: yuling5167

Located in Dacun Township, “Cundong Elementary School” is a small campus with only two classes per grade. To promote reading, the school incorporated colorful murals to create a fairytale-like “Cundong Community Reading Center.” The curved building resembles an open storybook, with a dreamy forest painted on the outer wall and numerous small windows adding a sense of mystery, inviting visitors to explore and read.

7. Yuanlin │ Jingxiu Elementary School

▲Yuanlin’s “Jingxiu Elementary School” has established a railway culture park, transforming old railway tracks into a new attraction.

After the railway was elevated, railway culture gradually faded away. “Jingxiu Elementary School,” located next to Yuanlin Railway Station, repurposed unused space on campus to collect railway relics and establish a railway culture park. Utilizing educational resources, the school also trains “Railway Ambassadors” so students can act as little railway experts and provide guided tours for visitors. The school has preserved retro railway elements such as station signs, milestones, railway lamps, and even a fully functional interrupter and emergency bell. Visit Jingxiu Elementary School to piece together your image of old trains.

8. Nantou │ Neihu Elementary School

Rebuilt after the 921 earthquake, “Neihu Elementary School” is a forest ecology-focused elementary school aimed at developing ecological education. The entire campus uses warm natural wood instead of concrete as building material, minimizing disruption to the original ecology and aligning with the local landscape features in its design.

Preserving the pristine beauty of the mountainous region and nestled among lush bamboo and trees, the campus of Neihu Elementary School was gently adorned with newly bloomed cherry blossoms in the late winter to early spring—a tender contrast against the backdrop of earthquake damage. As the first ecological elementary school in Taiwan to meet national green building standards, Neihu Elementary harmonizes environmental awareness with nature, offering a serene and tranquil atmosphere untouched by worldly hustle.

9. Tainan │ Liujia Elementary School

▲Instagram: p13157

Like a painter’s canvas, Liujia Elementary School is adorned with vibrant color blocks. Agriculture in Liujia District heavily relies on the Wushantou Reservoir, so the school’s walls were designed with imagery inspired by the reservoir. This design concept seamlessly integrates with the local context. The school buildings represent the Wushantou Reservoir, while the school grounds are situated on the Jianan Plain—instilling the value of honoring one's source of water into elementary education and giving this beautiful architecture deeper meaning.

10. Kaohsiung │ Namasia Minquan Elementary School

▲Namasia Minquan Elementary School features a library built as a stilt house made of wood.

In 2009, Typhoon Morakot severely damaged Namasia District in Kaohsiung, burying Minquan Elementary School under landslides. Having since recovered from the disaster, the school now stands anew on the Minquan Platform of Maya Village in Namasia, utilizing the area’s strong mountain sunlight to install a solar photovoltaic system. With extensive green energy designs combined with distinctive indigenous culture, it has become one of Taiwan’s most renowned low-carbon campuses.

Many of the school buildings at Namasia Minquan Elementary adopt the common indigenous “stilt house” structure. Upon entering, the fresh scent of wood greets you, and the second floor features bamboo railings as decorative elements—both low-carbon materials and proud cultural symbols of the Kanakanavu people.

Architecture is the beginning of art. In an era that pursues aesthetics, even elementary education is embraced within this philosophy. With outstanding achievements in major architectural awards such as the National Excellence Award and Architecture Magazine, these schools have created beautiful landscapes, making future memories of elementary school life all the more colorful.

Source: Hualien Tourism Information Network, Taitung County Tourism Website, Nantou Tourism Website, Kaohsiung Tourism Website, Fenny, and Ah Hong.

This article is published with authorization from “Sharelife分享生活.”Original article here