Showing posts with label military. Show all posts

June 1, 2024

Yunlin Travel: Visiting Erlun's Watermelon Festival, Story House and More!

By Żaneta Hsu June 01, 2024 // No comments

Travel date: 2024/05/04

In early May, we headed to Yunlin and stumbled upon a watermelon festival happening at that time. Curious, we drove to Erlun Township to check it out. Since we were already near Changhua, we decided to make the most of our trip by stopping at other places, such as the Sports Park and the Story House.

Erlun Watermelon Festival (二崙西瓜節)

The Erlun Watermelon Festival, held at the Ziqiang Fruit and Vegetable Market in Erlun Township, Yunlin County, showcases the achievements of local watermelon farmers and offers free watermelon eating activities. The organizers prepared 700 watermelons weighing nearly 10,000 kilograms for the public to enjoy. Additionally, there was a watermelon eating competition. Watermelons were cut at specific times, and people could line up to receive free watermelons provided by the township government and local farmers and manufacturers. Watermelons are a significant crop in Erlun Township, covering an area of more than 500 hectares, with April and May being the peak seasons for production. The festival, organized for several years now, is a celebration of the town's delicious and juicy watermelons.

Erlun Sports Park

After enjoying the sweet watermelons, we visited Erlun Sports Park, which spans 6 hectares and features various attractions such as a military history park, a green space square, a Taiwan Sugar Train Exhibition Ground, installation art, playgrounds, tennis courts, leisure trails, and a parent-child water play area. The Military History Park showcases retired fighter aircraft, tanks, and artillery pieces, accompanied by Chinese introductions.

Erlun Story House (二崙故事屋)

Our next stop was Erlun Story House, located in the old Erlun Police Station, built in 1899. It holds significant historical value and played a crucial role in policing history and the development of Erlun Township. The preservation of the Erlun branch station highlights the development of the police system during the Japanese Occupation period and its contribution to maintaining public order. Registered as a county historic building in 2005, the site was revitalized in January 2014 as the Erlun Story House, serving as a cultural base for sharing, recording, organizing, and creating local stories.

The opening hours are as follows:

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and national holidays: 09:00-17:00

Saturdays: 13:00-21:00

During our exploration, we also tried Jian Bing filled with cabbage and meat. Unfortunately, it lacked seasoning, resulting in a rather bland taste.

Address:

1. Erlun Vegetable Market: 649雲林縣二崙鄉太平路1-11號號

2. Erlun Sports Park: 649雲林縣二崙鄉中正路101號

3. Erlun Story House: 649雲林縣二崙鄉中山路108號

Yunlin Travel: Historic Water Tower in Jianguo Village

By Żaneta Hsu October 06, 2021 // No comments

Sometimes while driving around the countryside in Huwei, we would spot an old tower in the middle of a field. We had been trying to find a road to get there for the past four years, but we weren't lucky back then. The tower is easily visible from the road along the sugar railway line. It is located in the area of Jianguo Military Village. Occasionally, we drive there to see the progress of its renovation. It has already improved significantly compared to a month ago. Many trees and bushes have been cleared, making it easier to see things around. During our recent visit, we noticed more bunkers and other structures that were previously hidden from view. Additionally, the road that used to be blocked was now accessible, allowing us to pass through. That's when we accidentally discovered the road to the "mysterious" tower that we had seen from a distance many times. Finally, we had the opportunity to learn a little about the tower's story.

Jianguo Village Water Supply Tower (建國一村日治高槽給水塔)

The Jianguo Village Water Supply Tower is an old water tower that was used during the Japanese occupation. It served as a water supply facility at that time. Not far from the tower, there are also remnants of a square water source pool and pump room. Similar water towers have also been found in other Japanese naval system flight fields, such as the more famous Hongmao flight field.

The water tower is covered with bullet holes. During World War II, when Jianguo Dependent Village was known as the Japanese Navy Dependent Village, the water supply tower became a target of bombing by the US military. The fighting in the central and southern regions, including Yunlin County, was the most intense during that time. The people of Huwei sharpened bamboo poles or tied knives and fought fiercely against government forces at Huwei Airport for three days and three nights. It was the only victory in the Battle of Yunlin, the most tragic battle.

Address:

**632雲林縣虎尾鎮*建國一村日治高槽給水塔***

Yunlin Travel: Jianguo Military Village

By Żaneta Hsu July 24, 2021 // No comments

Travel Date: 2021/07/24

Things are improving in Taiwan, with fewer cases reported recently (around 20 per day, mostly in the North of Taiwan). In two days, the Level 3 restrictions are going to be lowered, allowing for more freedom. Today, after about 2.5 months, we returned to Huwei to visit my parents-in-law. Taking the opportunity to have some time alone, we drove around town to see what has changed. We visited the park near Huwei Sugar Factory and revisited Jianguo Military Village. The town didn't have many people, and not much has changed in the past few months. Some of the military houses are currently under renovation.

Jianguo Village Activity Center (建國一村活動中心)

Huwei Jianguo Military Dependents' Village, once the largest military village in Taiwan, is still in a state of disrepair. Perhaps due to limited resources, the progress of repairs has been relatively slow. Huwei Jianguo 1st Village now focuses on preserving and showcasing the military's cultural features, combining it with intellectual tourism and leisure activities to become a field for experiencing military life and culture. This includes military cultural museums, military-themed accommodations, food, and other leisure public services.

Huwei Jianguo Dependent Village is divided into three villages. The village was built during the Japanese occupation, with military-related buildings such as stables, warehouses, and medical clinics. Only a few buildings were constructed after the war. After the government took over, the village was divided into small compartments and used as dormitories, similar to student dormitories.

Huwei Air Force Base (虎尾空軍基地)

Huwei Air Force Base used to exist in Lianzhili, Huwei Town. Its original site has been transformed into various institutions, including National Huwei University of Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan High-Speed Rail, Yunlin Prison, Elementary School, and Yunlin County Government.

The Air Force Base was established in 1936. In 1944, due to the need for a large number of pilots in the Pacific battlefield, the Huwei Naval Air Force was transferred there to train flight trainees. In the same year, 260 out of 500 trainee flight trainees in Japan were assigned to Huwei for training. Also in that year, the US army began bombing the Huwei Sugar Factory (as the factory produced alcohol fuel) and the Huwei Base.

In 1945, due to equipment, fuel, and personnel exhaustion, the local area was unable to continue training courses. As a result, the Huwei Naval Air Force was disbanded. During its operations, a total of 23 1,000-pound bombs were dropped, causing severe damage to Huwei. The base was repaired and used until 1990. However, around 1994, the base was completely abandoned. With a decreasing number of officers and soldiers stationed there, and the population migrating and aging, only less than half of the population of Jianguo 1st and 2nd Villages remained compared to their heyday, and almost all residents were elderly. The land was later divided and used for building schools, the high-speed railway, a prison, a hospital, and other facilities.

Address:

632雲林縣虎尾鎮建國一村

Kaohsiung Travel: Aviation Museum and Gangshan Town

By Żaneta Hsu October 08, 2020 // No comments

Aviation Education Exhibition Hall (航空教育展示館)

The Aviation Education Exhibition Hall, located on the campus of the Air Force Officer School in Gangshan District, Kaohsiung City, opened on September 19, 2015. The main attractions of the exhibition hall include retired military aircraft, weapons and equipment, aviation engines, and precious historical relics of the Air Force. Additionally, there is a spacious public area outside the museum.

The entrance to the Aviation Education Exhibition Hall is situated on the second floor. For the general public, tickets are priced 200NT.

Notably, the Aviation Education Exhibition Hall is the only exhibition venue in the world where visitors can witness Chinese, American, and Soviet fighter aircraft. As you enter the exhibition hall, you'll encounter real airplanes scattered both on the ground and suspended from the ceiling.