Yuanshan (圓山) is a must-visit area in Taipei city for its array of attractions that can keep you occupied throughout the day. From museums, temples, and hikes to restaurants and bars, the area has it all, including an abandoned amusement park that adds to its allure.
If you are looking for an offbeat experience that transports you back in time, the abanoned amuzement park in Yuanshan is the perfect place to visit. It offers an excellent opportunity to explore traditional houses, courtyards, public squares, and more that retrace what life was in Taiwan three centuries ago.
What can you find?
This place is simply immense, exuding an awe-inspiring, mysterious and spiritual ambiance that’s sure to captivate any visitor. The site is brimming with traditional houses, courtyards, public squares, and other fascinating architectural marvels. Despite its grandeur, the park seems oddly deserted, with only a few joggers occasionally crossing our path. However, what’s truly remarkable is the exceptional maintenance of the park, which remains well-kept despite being abandoned. We observed a few workers diligently clearing away dead leaves, a testament to the government’s commitment to preserving this historic landmark.
Once upon a time, these traditional buildings used to be the proud homes of wax statues showcasing how people lived in the past. Sadly, these statues have since been removed, and the houses are now all locked up. Although a few broken windows offer a glimpse into some of the buildings, they are all completely vacant.
As you continue your stroll, you’ll eventually reach a relatively more “modern” area of the abandoned park. Here, the only remnants of the past are a lonely ferris wheel and carousel. Additionally, there appears to be an abandoned 4D cinema in the vicinity, though it’s unfortunately not accessible to the public.
The history behind this abandoned park
This massive children’s amusement park was constructed during Taiwan’s booming economic era in the 1980s. The park was cleverly divided into three thematic zones – the “World of Yesterday” which showcased a traditional Taiwanese village, the “World of Today” which hosted an impressive amusement park with a grand ferris wheel, and the “World of Tomorrow” which remains shrouded in mystery, as its premises have been cordoned off to the public for reasons unknown.
Interestingly, the park was not truly abandoned but instead relocated to the bustling Shilin district, a single stop away from Yuanshan. While the relocated amusement park continues to draw in visitors, the World of Yesterday was never reconstructed, presumably due to the lack of interest from younger generations.
Despite being abandoned for many years now, the site still boasts a certain allure and continues to be a popular destination for urban explorers, photographers, and tourists seeking a glimpse into Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage.
The site is a magnificent destination for leisurely strolls and capturing breathtaking photographs. For those who relish in eerie environments, visiting during the night can add an extra layer of creepiness to the experience.
Although the abandoned ambiance of the site may hold its own unique allure, I can’t help but feel a sense of melancholy seeing so many well-preserved structures go unused. The park’s location has tremendous touristic potential, making it all the more disheartening to see it lay dormant. Personally, I envision repurposing the houses as exhibition halls, while simultaneously offering visitors the opportunity to partake in traditional Taiwanese attire, reminiscent of similar experiences found in Japan and Korea. With a little imagination and creativity, this park could once again become a thriving cultural hotspot, preserving Taiwan’s rich heritage while simultaneously captivating the hearts of tourists from all around the world.
How to get there?
Located just a two-minute walk away from the MRT Yuanshan station, the park enjoys an ideal location for easy accessibility. If you’re looking for directions, Google Maps identifies the park as the Yuanshan Archeological Site (圓山文化遺跡).
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