臺北市政府文化局

Starting from exit 1 of Gongguan metro station, a brief walk through Shuiyuan Market and Gongguan shopping area leads to the entrance to Lane 230, Tingzhou Road Section 3. Stepping into the lane feels like embarking on an adventure.

The first thing you notice is the Gongguan parking lot on your right, the lush greenery behind it, and the recreational areas under the Fuhe Bridge (including a multi-use sports field and Yongfu Park). In the 1950s, its proximity to a water source and the Presidential Office meant this area briefly served as the base for the Northern Taiwan Defense Command Headquarters, and the sports field was once a training ground for the Presidential Guard. The barracks were gradually dismantled starting in 1994, and today there are few remnants of this military history, such as the entrance barracks.

Before entering the Treasure Hill settlement, it’s recommended to first visit the large grassy field in Yongfu Park, where you can see the entire hillside community. Known locally as Little Guanyin Mountain, the hill was cultivated during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty by settlers from Quanzhou, who built Guanyin Temple at the foot of the hill to honour the bodhisattva Guanyin. This temple became the spiritual heart of the community, and though it underwent several reconstructions during the Qing Dynasty, Japanese rule, and the post-war period, some Qing-period stone carvings, wood carvings, and steles remain intact. Particularly notable is the Guanyin Pavilion Stele, erected in 1798, which recounts the temple’s founding.

The 1950s was an economically challenging time, and the masses of soldiers and officials who arrived with the Nationalist government began constructing makeshift homes using local materials. These efforts included converting military dormitories and official housing into a burgeoning community, forming the Treasure Hill Settlement.

By the 1980s, the settlement was under threat from urban development plans that would have transformed the area into a flood control zone and recreational park. Following advocacy by residents and various groups, in 2004 the settlement was finally recognized as a historic site, which led to its revitalization as an arts hub and resulted in today’s Treasure Hill Artist Village, where residents and artists coexist in a model of “artistic symbiosis”.

Exploring the Treasure Hill settlement feels like the highlight of this adventure. Every turn reveals old houses given new life through ingenious design. Come and join the expedition—step into the past and stride into the future.