History of Taiwan: US Military Station
The USA has always been an important factor in Taiwanese history. I mean long before our president Ing-Weng Tsai (蔡英文) made a phone call to congratulate Donald Trump.
During WWII, the US Air Force used to bomb Taiwan to weaken the Japanese (Taiwan was the colony of Japan at that time). The “Taihoku Air Raid (台北大空襲)” nearly destroyed Taipei City. The number of death was over 3,000 people.
Things changed after WWII when the US started the battle against the communist. Due to the geographic proximity, Taiwan became the place where the US troops stationed during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The American pop culture, as well as the value of freedom and democracy that were introduced by the troop, have created lasting influences to Taiwan.
Back in the days when Taiwan and the US were still in diplomatic relation, the “Taipei Film House (or Spot Taipei 光點台北)” used to be the official residence of the US ambassador. In fact, Richard Nixon stayed here when he visited Taipei.Now, this white western mansion has turned into the movie center. This is one of the few places in Taipei that plays art films from all over the world.
@How do I get there?
Take MRT Red Line to ZhongShan Station (中山). Take Exit 3 and turn left on Sec.2 ZhongShan North Road (中山北路二段).
Going further to the north, the US troop used to own the best resort spot around Taipei. The old US military dormitory was located in the YangMing Mountains, along with the National Palace Museum and the hot springs. These short houses with big yards are very spacious. It was an imitation of the US lifestyle, in the hope of making every soldier who stayed here felt like home.
Since the US troops no longer stay here, the renovation is in progress. Part of the houses has already become restaurants and cafés that serve delicious pie and play movies.Keep going up, there are bars on the way that own the magnificent night view of Taipei city.
@How do I get there?
Take MRT Red Line to ShihLin Station (士林). Take Bus no.111 at Exit 1 and get off at ShanZiHou Police Station (山仔后派出所).
If you pay a visit to National Taiwan University (NTU), you will find a small church at the corner of the campus right next to College of Management (管理學院). It was built for the 327th Air Division. The Taipei Air Station of the US Air Force used to be here.
Starting from the 1960s, many Taiwanese with higher education went to the US to start a new life. Whether they were trying to pursue the American Dream or seek political protection, they formed the first wave of immigration. There was a saying that goes like this “come, come to NTU, go go to USA (來來來，來台大；去去去，去美國).”
World renowned scientists David Ho (何大一) and Henry Chang-Yu Lee (李昌鈺) kicked off their career after they moved to the US. The parents of NBA player Jeremy Lin and fashion designer Alexander Wang also went to the US in the same period of time.
@How do I get there?
Take MRT Green Line to GongGuan Station (公館). Take Exit 2.
In between the Pacific Realm and the edge of Eurasia, Taiwan has been the place that the super powers always wanted. Simply see how China and the US use Taiwan in their political struggles nowadays.
However, from a cultural perspective, the openness we possess was inspired by the US during the American Aid. It has become the value that sets us apart from the Chinese speaking countries around.
For those who can read Mandarin, feel free to visit my Mandarin Blog: Donna Wang, 多拿王拿很多
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