A hexagonal green building hidden in a secluded valley — one of Taiwan’s top 100 distinctive and stylish elementary schools

By MOOK Scenic Spots Christopher | Reported    Photos provided by Today Off We Go Out and Play

Taiwan’s distinctive school campuses are becoming increasingly diverse, offering students richer learning environments. Located in Hualien and nestled deep within Taroko National Park, Xibao Elementary School is not only the only elementary school within the national park but also the first in-system forest experimental elementary school. Having won Taiwan’s top architecture award and being selected as one of the top 100 distinctive elementary schools by a weekly magazine, Xibao Elementary School has no walls — the entire mountain forest is its campus. Its unique geographical location and multicultural background make it the only elementary school in Hualien County that implements a dormitory-based system, forming a big family where teachers and students live and learn together.

The campus design adopts a courtyard style, with the main building featuring a hexagonal roof green building. The creative inspiration came from observations and suggestions by Xibao students. Since there are many bees flying around the campus, the school buildings were designed to resemble a beehive, symbolizing a big family and unity and cooperation.