By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Taiwan is home to numerous historical and cultural sites and buildings, shaped by periods of Dutch, Qing Dynasty, and Japanese rule. These diverse foreign architectures have become part of Taiwan’s cultural heritage. In Yangmingshan, Taipei, there is a remnant of the U.S. military presence — the former Yangmingshan Friendship Association within the U.S. military housing complex (also known as the American Club). Originally built as the Grass Mountain Youth Club for the children of American servicemen during the U.S. military's stay in Taiwan, it was later converted into the Pacific Friendship Association after the troops withdrew but soon closed down. For nearly a decade, it lay abandoned until it was recently tendered by Taipei’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. After an investment of NT$100 million and two years of restoration, this forgotten piece of cultural history has been revived.
The former American Club at the old U.S. military housing complex in Shanzihou, Yangmingshan, has been renovated and reopened (Image source / Brick Yard 33 1/3 -BY33 American Club)
The American Club was originally the Grass Mountain Youth Club for the children of American servicemen during the U.S. military's stay in Taiwan (Image source / Brick Yard 33 1/3 -BY33 American Club)
After the U.S. military withdrew, the club was converted into the Pacific Friendship Association, which also closed not long after, leaving the building abandoned for nearly 10 years (Image source / Brick Yard 33 1/3 -BY33 American Club)
After an investment of NT$100 million and two years of restoration, the once-forgotten historic building has been revived (Image source / Brick Yard 33 1/3 -BY33 American Club)
The renovated American Club opened to the public in mid-January. Its nostalgic American-style architecture and garden landscaping quickly became a hit online, drawing many visitors for photos and making it a new hotspot for photography.
The revamped American Club opened in mid-January and immediately became a popular spot for photo shoots (Image source / Brick Yard 33 1/3 -BY33 American Club)
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