[Family Travel]Guangfu New Village: An Old Military Dependents’ Village Transformed into a Cultural and Creative Hub

VIVIYU

Taichung Guangfu New Village Address: Minzu Road, Guangfu New Village, Wufeng District, Taichung City

The hardest part about holidays is finding family-friendly activities and kid-friendly places to visit. Recently, I came across the “Guangfu New Village” in Wufeng, Taichung, which seems like a great spot—a perfect place for the whole family to soak up some sun and take a stroll.

Originally an old military dependents’ village that was almost forgotten by many, it has taken on a new look thanks to cultural and creative revitalization.It has also become a cultural and creative hub where young people can pursue their dreams, drawing back some of the lost vibrancy and attracting more visitors for leisurely strolls.

After the 921 Earthquake, most residents gradually moved out of the area.However, through the Taichung City Government’s “Star Project,” it was revitalized once again.Now, it has become a well-known cultural and creative base.

The intricate designs are the most eye-catching feature—distinctive landmarks that catch the attention of passersby. This is actually a bus shelter.

Here, over 70 idealistic and creative young people have worked hard to build a cultural and creative community. The area is filled with art, creativity, design, and a lifestyle-focused atmosphere—it's a beautiful place where one can realize their dreams.

In some corners, you can still see the impact of the earthquake—the walls and eaves are severely damaged. Many people gradually left after that.

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After the earthquake, many houses collapsed. Over time, most have been renovated and now showcase their own unique features. The area is actually quite large, and you could easily spend half a day exploring.

Everywhere you look, you’ll find these weathered red brick walls covered with lush green vines—it’s truly a place with a lot of character.

Operating with a philosophy of friendly farming and respect for the land, they sell tea that they grow, harvest, and produce themselves. The shop is often crowded with visitors and is quite popular.

I remember this as a small shop selling bags. On the table, there were toys like this where you could use your creativity to create your own designs.

They create imaginative three-dimensional pieces that add fun touches to daily life. Right at the entrance, there’s a pink deer modeled in a chibi style, giving off a unique vibe.

Have you ever seen such a large version of the “Compendium of Materia Medica”? This comes from Yongguangtang Pharmacy in Zhushan, Nantou, which has opened a branch here to sell medicinal cuisine and tonics, making certain dishes even more delicious and healthy.

The shop only sells three items: wheat-date tea, herbal tofu, and tonic eggs. These are made by soaking them in various Chinese herbs, turning everyday snacks into nourishing treats.

From the outside, it looks like a charming homestay-style shop, mainly selling its own brewed beer. You can even learn how to brew beer here.

The outdoor dining area is filled with stacks of beer cans, giving off a 1950s American vibe. Beer enthusiasts should definitely check it out.

Each little shop here has its own unique charm—you need to walk in to see what they’re selling. Many offer one-of-a-kind items.

There’s a shop that sells dried seeds—many are oddly shaped, and some come from plants you rarely see.

The store also features handmade crafts, including accessories and ornaments with an indigenous flair.

Art sculptures.

Dried leaves are turned into wish cards—an eco-friendly and creative reuse idea.

On the weathered red brick walls, you can feel the passage of time, paired with photos of delicious food, creating a contrast between old and new.

The specially designed chairs are uniquely styled, with roofs overhead for shade—but the patterns on them might seem a bit scary yet powerful.

Flour Meets Water – Noodle Restaurant Operating Hours: 11:00–14:30 (Closed on Tuesdays)

It sells only three simple types of dry noodles—zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), the signature dry noodles, and spicy dry noodles—as well as several side dishes. The focus is on noodles made purely from flour and water, with no additives, making it a great place to enjoy a meal.

It offers handmade crafts and accessories, all designed and produced in-house. You can browse around inside, and they also sell light meals and drinks, making it a nice spot to rest after a walk.

Even in hot weather, walking through the military dependents’ village remains cool, with large trees providing shade and a gentle breeze blowing, so you won’t feel stuffy at all.

Cute stuffed toys are happily playing on the seesaw, adding a creative touch that makes the environment more playful.

Using a large number of cardboard boxes, they’ve creatively built a “lost paper maze.” Made with easily accessible materials, it’s eco-friendly, and finding your way out in the maze is a fun activity for families.

Naughty Little Farmers

The physical store of “Naughty Little Farmers,” which emphasizes natural farming methods, grows tea trees without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. They also sell their own-produced tea online.

Going up to the second floor of the building, you’ll find cold and hot tea drinks. It’s a great place to take a break and enjoy a cup of tea after walking.

Tabletop games loved by young people, with elements from this generation visible everywhere.

As the weather gets much hotter, the shop sells refreshing juice drinks, providing a place for visitors to rest and cool down.

There are plenty of creative spots here where you can take beautiful photos and leave memories of your visit.

Along the roadside, you’ll find creatively painted chairs, with clever designs like official documents illustrated on them, turning them into great photo spots.

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This is a shop that sells chocolate and cocoa, with its main products being specially blended cocoa drinks and handmade chocolates, allowing you to taste the joyful flavor of cocoa.

Because of a passion for natural ingredients and handmade items, they use locally grown bamboo to create everyday utensils, preserving this traditional handicraft and keeping rare bamboo products alive.

Swings are hung from the branches of large trees, and kids run straight to them—the joy of swinging is universal.

The red door has been directly graffiti-ed by the shop owner, creating an eye-catching sign that attracts passersby.

This shop promotes wool felting, offering on-site experience classes and selling tools and materials for making felt. It’s worth stepping in if you’re interested.

I think the military dependents’ village is well-planned. The area is quite large, and sometimes you might not know where to go—then you’ll see landmarks like this, which feel like very thoughtful design.

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This is a place where you can enjoy coffee, selling their own-roasted beans and letting you taste the owner’s hand-brewed coffee, helping you find your favorite coffee flavor.

This is a single-story low-rise house with a large front yard, featuring several tables and chairs for guests to rest and have drinks.

A small shop selling ice and coffee, this kind of place really has a lot of charm, with simple seating for visitors to relax.

Elementary school students carrying their backpacks after class play together, taking photos to share the joy of life.

Two kids are searching for the “happiness chair” in the military dependents’ village. It not only provides a resting function for visitors but also adds a sense of wonder everywhere.

Perhaps the weather is really too nice, as you can see cold-brewed tea being sold everywhere. It’s sugar-free but very thirst-quenching, helping to replenish lost fluids.

Even the bulletin boards in the military dependents’ village are creatively designed, with every corner being a great spot for photos.

Colorful chairs allow a group of friends to take photos here, adding vibrancy to the otherwise plain brick walls.

Walking also takes energy, and afternoon tea is a good time to eat rice noodle soup or braised snacks to recharge. They sell their own-made sauces, which would probably taste great with noodles too.

Placing an installation art piece right by the roadside is very eye-catching. At a glance, it’s mainly about leather goods production and sales, and there’s also a leather craft DIY experience for those who love it to make their own unique leather items.

The entire Guangfu New Village feels well-planned, and the old military dependents' village takes on a more vibrant look thanks to these shops. Each store showcases its own unique character, offering a variety of cultural and creative goods and small shops, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll and treasure hunt.

For those who get tired from walking, there are also plenty of food, drinks, and ice cream options to enjoy. It's a great spot for fans of cultural and creative products, and it's not far from the 921 Earthquake Museum, so it can be included as one of the attractions for a day trip.

[Authorized reprint from VIVIYU Little World. Original source: Guangfu New Village ~ A Family-Friendly Strolling Spot. An Old Military Village Filled with Cultural Creativity. Filming Location of the TV Drama 'The Longest Day in Chang'an']