Shalu Nostalgic Mural Village – Step Back in Time 50 Years

By MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team, compiled and reported by Liao Qiyu
 

Despite recent controversies over plagiarism involving mural villages, there are still many community-inspired, locally flavored mural villages worth exploring. The Meirenli area in Shalu District, Taichung City, has also emerged as a mural village. The local village chief secured funding from the municipal government to paint murals on the vintage red-brick walls in the alleys of the community, featuring images such as a cheongsam tailor shop, Black Cat Hotel, and rickshaws. These artworks recreate the Taiwan of fifty years ago, making visitors feel as if they've stepped into a time tunnel — truly fascinating.

Different from typical mural villages, the Meirenli murals focus on scenes of old Taiwan. Along the way, you can see a traditional convenience store, an old-fashioned public telephone, and even spot schoolchildren playing hide-and-seek hidden within the walls. The mural area isn't large, concentrated along Meixiu Lane and Xinping Lane, featuring five pieces in total. Though lacking famous anime characters, the strong nostalgic Taiwanese vibe still attracts many visitors for photos and check-ins. One of the most interesting parts is that the community was once a red-light district forty years ago, with many nearby brothels and call stations. The murals incorporate this history — for instance, there's a scene of a female cat beckoning to a male cat, reminiscent of sex workers attracting customers, which brings a smile to viewers.