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 plenty of locally inspired ones worth exploring. A new mural village has emerged in Meirenli, Shalu District, Taichung City. The local neighborhood chief secured funding from the municipal government to paint murals on the old red-brick walls lining the community alleys, featuring images such as a cheongsam tailor shop, Black Cat Hotel, and rickshaws. These works recreate the Taiwan of fifty years ago, offering a delightful journey through time like stepping into a time tunnel.

Unlike typical mural villages, Meirenli’s artworks focus on scenes of old Taiwan. Along the way, you can spot old-time convenience stores, vintage public telephones, and even glimpse schoolchildren playing hide-and-seek hidden in the walls. The mural area isn’t large, concentrated along Meixiu Lane and Xinping Lane, featuring a total of five pieces. Though lacking famous anime characters, the strong retro Taiwanese vibe still attracts many visitors for photos and check-ins. One of the most interesting aspects is that the area was once a red-light district forty years ago, surrounded by various brothels. The murals creatively incorporate this history, including an image of a female cat beckoning to a male cat—reminiscent of a sex worker luring a customer—eliciting amused smiles.