You might not immediately recognise the Huajiang Housing Complex, but the Circular Overpass might ring a bell. This distinctive structure frequently appeared in the TV series Living, the film Your Name Engraved Herein, and even a music video by Korean girl group NewJeans. From Longshan Temple metro station, a 10-minute walk west along Heping West Road will bring you to the group of curved, five-storey buildings connected by the iconic circular overpass.
Built in the 1960s and 70s, the Huajiang Housing Complex addressed the lack of urban planning and frequent flooding issues in the Huanhe South Road and Heping West Road area near Danshui River. Disorganized construction there affected both the cityscape and quality of life. In 1969, the Taipei City Government selected this site to rehouse residents displaced by public works and environmental improvement. The complex was coordinated with the construction of Huajiang Bridge and became the first major resettlement site. The large-scale initiative brought together six prominent architects, who used this opportunity to experiment with integrated residential–commercial design.
Inside the complex, beyond the shops on the ground floor, you’ll find facilities such as a police station, community center, market, water tower, and sewage treatment system—composing a self-sufficient microcosm that may surprise first-time visitors. Climbing a narrow staircase tucked between second-floor apartments, you’ll reach a third-floor rooftop garden with tables and chairs, reflecting the architects’ efforts to use communal spaces to improve the residential experience. The standout circular overpass was designed in response to Taipei’s car-centric culture.
Though the exterior of the complex has weathered over the past 50 years, losing its original lustre, it retains the nostalgic essence of the Taipei of the 1970s and 80s, an authenticity that has drawn numerous film and TV productions. Next time you visit Longshan Temple or Huaxi Street Night Market, take a few extra steps to explore the Circular Overpass and discover a slice of old Taipei.