The house originally served as a dormitory for local government employees, specifically those working for the Taoyuan County Government.
The structure is built using a traditional wooden post-and-beam system, notably constructed without the use of nails in many structural areas.
It survived extensive urban development in Zhongli due to its designation as a protected historical building in the early 2010s.
The garden contains aged trees that predate the building, providing a historical landscape context.
The interior contains an original 'tokonoma' (recessed alcove), a classic feature of Japanese interior design used to display art or seasonal decorations.
Zhongping Road Story House is a meticulously preserved Japanese-style wooden residence originally constructed in the 1930s to serve as a dormitory for public servants. It stands as a rare surviving example of Taoyuan's colonial-era residential architecture within the urban Zhongli District. The house showcases traditional Japanese building techniques, including wooden joinery, tatami mat flooring, and a shallow-hipped roof design. Following a comprehensive restoration, the space functions as a cultural hub focusing on local history and community storytelling. It features original structural elements combined with carefully curated period furniture and interactive exhibits. The property is set within an enclosed courtyard garden that offers a visual contrast to the surrounding modern concrete development. Visitors can explore the intimate room layouts that illustrate domestic life during the mid-20th century.
The veranda (engawa) facing the garden provides the most authentic perspective of the house's architecture.
Remove your shoes before stepping onto the interior tatami floors to preserve the traditional materials.
Check the official Facebook page before visiting to see if a temporary community workshop or local craft market is scheduled, as these often occupy the garden space.
Carry socks, as they are mandatory for walking on the preserved wooden and tatami flooring.
Do not attempt to touch the artifacts or climb onto the tatami platforms unless specifically permitted by signage.
Typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Shoes must be removed at the entrance; wearing socks is required; maintain a low volume inside the wooden structure.
