44 South Military Village is a preserved former soldiers’ housing enclave in Taipei’s Xinyi District, close to Taipei 101. Its compact lanes and small houses offer a glimpse of the homes built for military families who came from mainland China after 1949. A mini museum uses photographs, displays and timelines to trace everyday life, and parts of the site now hold a community centre, theatre, cafés and shops. Come for a short history stop and a striking contrast between the old village and the tower nearby.
How the village began
The housing village was built for veterans of the Kuomintang army and their families. After the KMT lost the Chinese Civil War in 1949, soldiers and families arrived in Taiwan from mainland China. The modest homes were assembled from materials including wood, bamboo and corrugated metal.
The site no longer serves as military housing. Part of it has been preserved as a cultural and educational space, while other areas have been adapted for community use.
The museum and village today
The mini museum uses photographs, timelines and displays to show aspects of Taiwanese life in earlier periods. It is a useful stop for context before walking through the surviving houses and narrow lanes.
The village also contains a community centre and a theatre. Cafés and small shops occupy parts of the site, and market stalls appear at weekend events. The preserved buildings sit close to Taipei 101, creating a sharp change in scale between the low homes and the tower.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee?
The mini museum is free to enter.
How long do you need at 44 South Military Village?
The site is compact. Allow about 15 to 30 minutes, with extra time if you want to look through the mini museum or browse the shops.
When are markets held?
Weekend markets and events take place at the village. A weekly farmers’ market is also associated with the site.
