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Xinyi Assembly Hall_Forty-four South Village

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Post date:2021-03-30

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Xinyi Assembly Hall, Taipei City
Laying in the shadow of Taipei 101, a state-of-the-art skyscraper looming over the city, is a collection of old buildings with distinct architecture reminiscent of simpler days gone by. Known as Forty-four South Village -this was Taipei’s very first military dependents’ village.

In 1948, during the Chinese Civil War, the 44th Arsenal of the Combined Logistics Command retreated from Shandong Province to Taiwan. Forty-four South Village was located just to the south of the arsenal after it moved to Taipei, earning its moniker.  It housed the arsenal’s personnel and served as temporary housing for them. Over time, it became a community filled with its own unique culture. As you can see, the living quarters in Forty-four South Village were rather cramped and simple, with residents sharing public toilets.   

Laying testament to the village’s past life, during renovation they made a point to preserve an old bunker on the premises – a reminder to visitors that this also was once an installation of the war.  Over the decades, as Taipei’s Xinyi district began to prosper, and the original residents slowly moved out, community and cultural groups called for village’s preservation.

Today, Taipei City has well-preserved the style and atmosphere of what a military dependents’ village in the 1950’s would have looked like. In 2003, the Taipei City Government designated this area as the Xinyi Public Assembly Hall and after renovation, inside of each building, you can find various exhibitions, cafés, shops, and restaurants.  Or if you want to take a break, just stretch out on the grassy slopes outside. 
So, if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Xinyi commercial and financial District, there’s no better place to escape than Forty-four South Village!

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