Taichung has kicked off restoration work on two of its historic sites—the former Jin Yuan Ji Lin's Mansion and the Shuinan Tobacco Barn—with a joint construction briefing and groundbreaking ceremony held on the afternoon of March 25, 2025. The event drew a crowd of notable attendees, who gathered to witness this significant moment marking a key step in preserving and revitalizing Taichung’s cultural heritage. During her remarks, Culture Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-chun highlighted that the restoration projects go beyond the preservation of historic buildings, aiming to carry forward Taichung’s local heritage. Once restored, both sites are expected to become key landmarks where residents can understand better about the city's cultural memory, enriching Taichung’s historical depth.
According to the Cultural Heritage Department, the former Jin Yuan Ji Lin's Mansion stands as a testament to the land development and social activities during the period of Qing rule. The traditional ceremonial layout and deity spaces within the Siheyuan reflect an important reflection of early Taiwanese society. Once restored, the mansion will be transformed into a place for cultural and eco-education, featuring exhibition halls and office space, while also stimulating local tourism. Local residents are eager to see it become a public green space and a venue for cultural and leisure activities, allowing more people to explore its historical significance. With a restoration budget of around NT$82 million—funded equally by the Ministry of Culture and the Taichung City Government—the project is being designed and supervised by JPC Architects and built by Zuo En Construction. Completion is scheduled for 2028.
The Shuinan Tobacco Barn, the last of its kind in the Shuinan area, is more than just a physical structure for local residents—it stands as a witness to past daily life, representing the region’s agriculture-based economy and the hard work of its people. The restored building will serve as a community activity center and be part of a larger cultural heritage network highlighting Taichung’s tobacco industry. This project aims to give the public deeper insight into central Taiwan’s tobacco history. Shuinan Village Chief Lai Chin-tang has expressed hope that the project will reconnect youth with this chapter of the city’s past. With a total budget of NT$44 million—funded equally by the Ministry of Culture and the city government—the restoration is being designed and supervised by Kuo Chun-pei Architects and built by Zuo En Construction. Completion is scheduled for 2027.
The Cultural Heritage Department used the construction briefing as an opportunity to inform the public about the upcoming restoration process and share in the anticipation for the completed projects. Additionally, respecting local traditions, groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the Shuinan Tobacco Barn and the former Jin Yuan Ji Lin's Mansion yesterday and today, respectively, praying for good weather and a successful construction.
The Cultural Heritage Department also noted that several other significant cultural heritage restoration projects are currently in progress throughout Taichung, including the city-designated historic site Liang’s Residence (Ruilian Hall) in Dajia, a historic Japanese-style guesthouse on Siwei Street, West District, and a group of old Japanese dormitories on Chaoyang Street. Moving forward, the department will continue to strive for funds to restore and breathe new life into these cultural sites, ensuring that the city's cultural context and historical narratives are passed down to future generations.
The construction briefing and groundbreaking ceremony were attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Culture Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-chun, Civil Affairs Bureau Director Wu Shih-wei, Director Ho Yi-cheng from the Monuments and Settlements Division of the Ministry of Culture, Legislator Huang Chien-hao, city council members Chen Cheng-tien, Shen Yu-lien, and Hsieh Chia-yi, Taichung City Cultural Heritage Department Director Lee Chih-fu, Beitun District Chief Chen Tsung-chi, Shuinan Village Chief Lai Chin-tang, Renmei Village Chief Chu Ching-hua, Shuinan Community Development Association Chairperson Liao Hung-chih, representatives from Kuo Chun-pei Architects, JPC Architects, and Zuo-En Construction Co., Ltd. City council members Tseng Chao-jung and Lai Shun-jen also sent representatives to give their regards.