A Day at the Shangfeng Branch of Taichung Public Library
If you enjoy reading by large floor-to-ceiling windows with views of green slopes and blue skies, the Shangfeng Branch will turn your reading routine into a mini getaway. As Taichung's first library themed around environmental education, it shares its space with a nearby school, bringing nature indoors. It has also won multiple architectural awards, which is quite impressive! 😂
Essential Information (Name | Location | Hours | Fees)
• Name: Taichung Public Library - Shangfeng Branch
• Address: No. 5, Lane 255, Shude Street, Shangfeng Village, Daya District, Taichung City, 428009 (next to Shangfeng Elementary School) | Phone: 04-25662188
• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 08:30–21:00; Sunday 08:30–17:30; Closed on Mondays and public holidays. Be sure to check the monthly closure announcements before visiting.
• Admission: Free entry; borrowing policies follow the official website regulations.
• How to get there: Take buses 228, 220, 239, 525, or 529 to "Fengshu Jiao (Shangfeng Elementary School)" stop, then walk about 3 minutes. For drivers, note that **"parking is limited"**, and visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.
Why It's Special: From Grass Slopes to Book Pages
The Shangfeng Branch opened on July 5, 2022. The library is "co-constructed" with the school's activity center, featuring outdoor grass slopes, native plants, and ecological grass ditches. Inside, large glass windows extend the view to the greenery, making reading an activity in sync with nature. Since its opening, the branch has accumulated numerous domestic and international awards (including the Yuan Ye Awards, National Excellent Construction Award, and MUSE Design Awards). Its public art piece "Cultivating Trees, Overlooking Maples" has also received international recognition, making it a "beauty with substance" among community libraries.
Exploring the Library: My Route and Observations
• First Floor | Family and Exhibition Area
Upon entering, you'll find a spacious and bright family area and a new book table. Behind the counter, a display stand resembles a small "themed book island," where kids can lie down to read while parents sit nearby, undisturbed by each other.
• Second Floor | Age-Specific Seating + Window Views
The open shelves, periodicals, youth area, senior area, discussion rooms, and laptop seating are clearly divided by age group. I particularly loved the long tables by the windows, where the afternoon light streams in, and the sound of flipping pages mingles with the occasional chirping of insects—a truly therapeutic background ambiance.
• Thoughtful Facilities
The library is equipped with family restrooms, nursing rooms, self-checkout machines, Wi-Fi, and more. The official seating capacity is 286, ensuring it doesn't feel crowded even during peak hours.
A Bit of History and Design Background
• A Green Building Rooted in the Community: The Shangfeng Branch focuses on "energy saving, energy storage, and energy creation." Its architecture and landscaping bring ecology into daily life, with meticulous arrangements for grass slopes, shading, lighting, and ventilation, allowing you to feel the outdoors even while indoors.
• "Library + School" Shared Vision: During the planning phase, the library collaborated with the education sector to integrate the school activity center with the library, blurring the boundaries between campus and community. This is one of the main reasons it has garnered attention in architectural circles.
7 Reasons to Recommend the Shangfeng Branch
1. Strong Natural Vibes: Grass slopes and tree shadows are just outside the windows, adding a "forest breathing" filter to your reading experience.
2. Friendly Space: Separate seating areas for families, teens, and seniors ensure everyone has their own space without disturbing others.
3. Complete Facilities: Nursing rooms, family restrooms, self-checkout, Wi-Fi, elevators, laptop seating, and more—all in one place.
4. Community × School Collaboration: The integration of the library and school activity center is a rare example of shared space.
5. Award-Winning: From the Yuan Ye Awards to the National Excellent Construction Award and international design awards, it combines aesthetics and functionality.
6. Accessible by Public Transport: Multiple bus lines stop at "Fengshu Jiao (Shangfeng Elementary School)," just a 3-minute walk away.
7. Free and Convenient: As a public library, it warmly invites more people to incorporate reading into their daily lives.
Traveler Tips
• Closed on Mondays and public holidays; evening hours only until 21:00 (17:30 on Sundays). It's easy to lose track of time if you visit late.
• Parking is limited, so plan ahead or take the bus.
• Follow on-site and official website announcements for rules on food, borrowing cards, and locker use.
• Photography Etiquette: Avoid capturing other readers' faces, especially children, to respect everyone's quiet reading time.
📍 Taichung Public Library - Shangfeng Branch | No. 5, Lane 255, Shude Street, Shangfeng Village, Daya District, Taichung City (04-25662188)
🚏 Fengshu Jiao (Shangfeng Elementary School) Stop | Buses 228/220/239/525/529 (3-minute walk from the stop)