Taichung Fourth Public Market (臺中市第四市場) - Spectral Codex
Spectral Codex
臺中市第四市場

Locations

Completed in 1932, Taichung Fourth Public Market (臺中市第四市場) was located near the Imperial Japanese Army’s Third Infantry Battalion (台中步兵第三大隊), which became the Gancheng Base (干城營區) of the ROC Army in the post-war era. It prospered on the eastern edge of urban Taichung until the army relocated to a base in Kaohsiung. Thus began a long decline that led to abandonment at some point, perhaps as late as the 2000s.

The outer row of shops from across the street. This block may have been built in the post-war era.
The outer row of shops from across the street. This block may have been built in the post-war era.
The passage through the sealed and abandoned market.
The passage through the sealed and abandoned market.
A vintage Chinese medicine shop advertising, among other wares, tiger penis (虎鞭).
A vintage Chinese medicine shop advertising, among other wares, tiger penis (虎鞭).
Moss-covered awnings around back.
Moss-covered awnings around back.
A view of the vaulted rooftop with ventilation.
A view of the vaulted rooftop with ventilation.
Around the side of the grungy old market in 2016.
Around the side of the grungy old market in 2016.

The design of this market follows a typical pattern for Japanese colonial era facilities with reinforced concrete walls and a vaulted roof with wooden trusses and ventilation at the top. It was recognized for its heritage value in 2014 and restoration efforts began in 2018. Since 2021 it reopened as a cultural and creative hub, housing exhibitions on the building’s history, artisanal shops, and a café serving locally-inspired drinks and snacks.

First look at the newly renovated Taichung Fourth Market. The building at left seems to have been cut in half.
First look at the newly renovated Taichung Fourth Market. The building at left seems to have been cut in half.
Inside the nicely restored public market. There is a little museum space with more about the history of the building.
Inside the nicely restored public market. There is a little museum space with more about the history of the building.
Apart from a gift shop there is also a nice café serving Taichung-inspired drinks and snacks.
Apart from a gift shop there is also a nice café serving Taichung-inspired drinks and snacks.
An original sign for the public market hangs prominently in the café.
An original sign for the public market hangs prominently in the café.
Neatly restored with a fresh coat of paint.
Neatly restored with a fresh coat of paint.

Map

Heritage Status

  • Historic Building (歷史建築)

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Author

Profile photo of Alexander Synaptic, founder of Spectral Codex
Alexander Synaptic
Curator, Spectral Codex

I am a web application developer, photojournalist, urban explorer, and history enthusiast passionate about the open web and documenting my experiences on this planet. This project was founded in the early 2010s and has evolved into a sort of personal Wikipedia of places that interest me (and often the photographs I’ve taken there). I’m originally from Toronto, Canada, but spend most of my time residing in Taiwan.