More than just a land art festival — Taoyuan’s five ancient landmarks are super photogenic

By the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Taoyuan has seen booming tourism development in recent years. Its natural beauty and cultural heritage have become increasingly well-known to locals. In addition to numerous landscape artworks that blend with the environment, the area’s historic sites and buildings are also highly worthwhile for visits and photography. Below are five ancient structures in Taoyuan, including a red bridge, a shrine, an ancestral hall, and a traditional house, all of which look particularly full of historical charm through the lens.

1. Dataping Red Bridge
Once voted one of Taiwan’s top 100 historical buildings, the Dataping Red Bridge was built in 1923 in Sankeng Village, Longtan District. It earned its name because the entire bridge is constructed from red bricks, and it has been designated as a Taoyuan City historic site. The area around the bridge has now been developed into a water-friendly park, making it a great spot for leisure.

2. Taoyuan Shrine

Located on Tiger Head Mountain, Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine was completed in 1938. It was formerly known as the Taoyuan Shrine during the Japanese colonial period and is the most well-preserved Japanese shrine in Taiwan. The architecture combines elements of ancient Chinese Tang style, Japanese design, and modern Taiwanese styles, all crafted from premium Taiwanese cypress. It has been listed as a national third-grade historic site. Due to its unique historical and cultural value, it was also chosen as a filming location for the movie *KANO*.

3. Yuching Hall
Yuching Hall, the ancestral shrine of the Qiu family, was used during the latter part of World War II as the headquarters for the commander of Japan’s kamikaze special attack units, as well as a communication command center for the evacuation zone of kamikaze aircraft. Today, the shrine is well preserved and presents a pleasant cultural atmosphere. Its architecture blends Japanese and Baroque elements, giving it a strong historical feel.