Taichung Prefectural Hall, Administrative monument in West District, Taiwan
Taichung Prefectural Hall is an administrative monument in West District and stands under national protection as a country-level heritage site. The three-story building shows a symmetrical facade with granite columns and ornamental details reflecting the colonial building style of the early 20th century.
The building opened in 1913 as the center of prefectural administration under Japanese rule and remained active in that role until 1945. After the end of World War II the function changed, but the structure itself remained largely intact and was later protected as a national monument.
The name refers to the period when Taichung functioned as a prefecture and central decisions were made inside these walls. Visitors notice at the entrance how local administrative tradition connects with colonial architecture, now serving as a witness to a complex historical period.
Several bus lines stop nearby and connect the monument with the main train station and other parts of the city. Last admission takes place in the late afternoon, so a visit in the morning or early afternoon is recommended for enough time to explore.
During the restoration in 2008 experts found the original blueprints hidden in the walls, revealing construction techniques previously unknown. These drawings helped to better understand the original intentions of the architects and to restore certain details with precision.
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