The village was established on the site of the former Beitou Military Sanatorium, which served recuperating air force personnel.
The architectural style features a mix of Japanese wooden-structure dormitories and later concrete additions made by resident families.
It is one of the few places in Taiwan where military history and volcanic hot spring geology intersect within an urban environment.
The village was saved from demolition after a lengthy preservation campaign led by former residents and local cultural groups.
Several buildings within the village contain visible traces of 'layering,' where residents modified Japanese colonial structures to accommodate growing families over decades.
The restoration project won the Taipei Urban Landscape Award for its sensitive approach to historical site preservation.
Heart Village is the only remaining military dependents' village in Taipei located within a geothermal hot spring area. The site preserves a unique blend of Japanese-era colonial architecture and post-war military housing, reflecting the complex layers of Beitou's history. It functioned originally as a dormitory area for the Sanatorium of the Republic of China Air Force. The site consists of 30 distinct historical buildings that were designated as a historic site by the Taipei City Government in 2012. Restorative efforts focus on adaptive reuse, transforming former military residences into exhibition spaces, artist studios, and community workshops. The landscape design retains original alleyway layouts and materials to maintain the village's intimate, mid-20th-century residential atmosphere.
The central alleyway looking toward the hillside, where the weathered wooden walls and old roof tiles frame the transition between the village and the lush Beitou greenery.
Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes to navigate the original, slightly uneven stone and concrete paths.
Check the official website for rotating exhibition schedules, as the art installations and historical displays change frequently.
Bring a water bottle, as the village is situated on a hillside with limited commercial food and beverage options inside the heritage zone.
Do not attempt to enter private sections of buildings that are not clearly marked as public exhibition spaces.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Respect the residential feel of the area by keeping noise levels low, and do not enter marked-off private construction or restoration zones.
