Exploring Xianguang 2nd Village: A Nostalgic Drama Set Photo Walk [Guishan, Taoyuan]

Ever since I accidentally stumbled upon the premiere of the hit Taiwanese TV drama Time Story (Guang Yin De Gu Shi), I was completely hooked all the way to the finale. Beyond the fantastic plot and humor, the casting was spot-on, and the locations were brilliantly chosen—every single scene left a lasting impression.

Xianguang 2nd Village—a former military dependents’ village (juanchun) in Guishan, Taoyuan—was abandoned for years before finding new life as a popular filming location. That iconic alleyway scene under the massive tree in Time Story was shot right here. Since it happens to be practically in my backyard in Guishan, I’ve been dying to visit, step into those real-life sets, and experience the nostalgic atmosphere for myself.

Unfortunately, because this is an old military dependents’ village sitting on military grounds, the area is fenced off and restricted. To step inside, you have to apply for access at the nearby Military Dependents’ Village Museum. We ended up just exploring the perimeter this time, but that alone took us an entire afternoon! There were so many evocative details and scenes to capture. These old villages are truly brimming with stories and traces of time. I’ll definitely submit an application beforehand next time for a proper, thorough photo walk!

Inside the abandoned homes lie ruined furniture, broken doorframes, and rusted water pipes. These narrow alleys feel quiet and empty now, but they once hummed with life—a tight-knit community where neighbors lived shoulder to shoulder, sharing every detail of daily life, right down to what was cooking for dinner.

Weathered and peeling, the old red-tile walls still stand guard around each household—a warm, enduring barrier that feels far more soulful than today’s cold steel and concrete.

The residents are long gone, leaving only vibrant blue walls glowing stubbornly in the sunlight.

A broken thermometer left behind, taking the pulse of a village that has lost its warmth.

Peering through the iron window grilles reveals only scattered wooden debris on the floor, yet you can almost hear the echoes of past laughter.

Sunlight bathes the old tiled roofs in beautiful golden light, but time has marched on. In the background, modern apartment blocks tower over the scene—a quiet, unintentional sigh of contrast.

What was once trendy and bustling in its heyday now stands as a quiet relic of a bygone era.

Vivid red blossoms burst into full bloom, offering a touch of vibrant life against the fading village.

A worn sofa left outside in a corner—was it abandoned in a rush, or left behind out of nostalgic reluctance?

The Zhuyin (bopomofo) phonetic symbols scrawled on the wall evoke fond memories and add to the retro charm—though I suspect a mischievous visitor might have scribbled them on much more recently!

Historic houses dripping with retro atmosphere—a rare military village where the traditional roof tiles remain remarkably intact.

Back in the day, military villages always featured political slogans painted across their walls.

A doorway boarded up, yet slowly crumbling with age.

I couldn’t wait to test out my new 50mm f/1.8 lens! It’s lightweight, budget-friendly, and delivers fantastic results. That wide aperture gives the dreamiest bokeh—and who doesn’t love silky smooth background blur? Best of all, it only set me back NT$3,000 (about US$100) including a lens filter!

Seeing the sunlight hit my Canon 400D resting on the green grass—pure photo-geek bliss!

Essential Visitor Information

  Xianguang 2nd Village, Taoyuan
  Address: Xianguang 2nd Village, Xianguang Lane, Datong Village, Guishan Township, Taoyuan County
(Turn onto Datong Rd from Sec. 2, Wanshou Rd. Walk past Guishan Elementary School for about 10 minutes until you reach Xianguang Lane, where you’ll find Xianguang 2nd Village.)