A Tiny World Filled with Color
I never imagined that an elderly veteran from Taiwan could fill a small world with his own hands and colors.
I remember watching a Taiwanese TV drama aboutmilitary dependents' villages; later, I also enjoyed the play "The Village" directed by Stan Lai, which introduced me to these historically rich villages in Taiwan. On previous trips to Taiwan, I never had the chance to visit one of theseDirector Stan Lai’s play "The Village" introduced me to this kind of Taiwanese village rich in historical stories. In the past, I never had the chance to visit such localvillages, but this time in Taichung, I was especially eager to see the recently popular "RainbowVillage."
*Military dependents' villages refer to settlements built or allocated by government agencies for Nationalist soldiers and their families who relocated to Taiwan with the Republic of China government during the Chinese Civil War (information from Wikipedia).
Welcome to a Tiny Realm of Color
On the second day in Taichung, the first attraction I visited was the "Rainbow Village." From the hotel on Guangfu Road, I walked to the bus stop on Zhongzheng Road and took a bus to the Lingdong University of Science and Technology (Lingdong Road) stop. Walking straight ahead, you’ll see a small park, next to which is the"RainbowVillage."
As you might guess from its name, the"RainbowVillage" is truly a world of color.The"RainbowVillage"is located on Lane 56, Chun’an Road, Nantun District, Taichung City, near Lingdong University of Science and Technology. It was created by an elderly Taiwanese veteran, Grandpa Huang Yongfu, who started painting on the walls, windows, doors, and even drain covers and roadside surfaces of the alleys in the village in 2008, gradually transforming the wholeThe walls, windows, doors, even the manhole covers and roadside spots of the alleyways are painted, gradually transforming the entire lanevillageinto a tiny realm filled with whimsical, colorful fantasy.
Next to the "Rainbow Village" is the small Rainbow Park.
The "Rainbow Village" is very small and narrow—be a considerate visitor and avoid disturbing others.
Walk through the rainbow pathway and step into a world of color.
The "Rainbow Village" will definitely overwhelm your eyes with its vibrant hues.
You can also find traces of many celebrities here—the "Handsome Bro" is just adorable.
It was Wednesday, so there should have been much fewer people compared to the weekend—perfect for taking photos! There was also a rainbow warrior dressed in flamboyant colors on-site, which filled my heart with little colorful blooms! I ran into the guy I’d asked for directions from in front of the hostel that morning. He asked where I was headed next, and when I said I was going to Tunghai University, he said he happened to be giving a ride to two friends from Guangzhou there and invited me to hop in. But I wanted to spend a bit more time at the "Rainbow Village," so I politely declined his kind offer. Still, my heart was warmed—I truly felt that Taiwan’s human touch is a moving sight all on its own!
The "Rainbow Village" is a cultural attraction that combines the currently popular art of colorful murals with local historical character. I hope this place can be preserved for a long time, so that the fruits of Grandpa Huang Yongfu’s labor can continue to bring joy to people!