Losheng Sanatorium (樂生療養院)

I am now enlightened and realise that this is one of the more commonly visited abandoned sites in Taipei, most likely due to the ease of access, preservation of furniture inside, and a lack of security; or perhaps just an indifference toward urban explorers. Though the negligible guard presence is particularly common around abandoned buildings in Taiwan, I want to believe that any watchmen at Losheng are keen for people to visit the sanatorium, take pictures, and share what they have seen with the world to advertise the historical beauty of the site and plight of the residents and neighbourhood. It’s almost certain the surrounding population feel this way, as I was told a story first-hand about how one explorer was offered tea with a couple of locals after being “caught” leaving the site.

The complex is, and has been going through a series of struggles. It was built in 1929 by the occupying Japanese administration to house and treat people suffering from leprosy. Back then the disease was believed to be highly contagious, so institutions like this were set in isolated places, such as islands or mountainous areas to ensure strict quarantine. Fast forward 70 years or so, and the sprawling tentacles of the Taipei MRT system are beginning to reach out further and further to combat high population density within the city limits. The site of the sanatorium has been chosen for redevelopment in the form of a brand spanking new MRT station by the Taiwan government, despite several protests from local residents, activists, and those pesky kill-joys pointing out that destroying a chunk of mountain could have dangerous consequences for the current residents – even the future station – and that the site should be relocated.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the father of Taiwan. Placed just outside the operating theatre.

Nonetheless, the powers that be were insistent that the plans should press on, despite several landslides at the construction site in 2010 which paused matters for a couple of years. As things stand, it seems a compromise has been made to preserve 39 of the buildings, refurbish or reconstruct 10, and demolish 6. From my visit, I’d assume that the demolition has already happened but the refurbishment is on hold for now. The only notable act of preservation is the erection of a huge steel shelter above most of the buildings, shielding most of it from the rain.

The current state of preservation. It’ll probably be a few years before anything else is done here.

Anyway, fancy having a look inside? Although it has been cleared of most of it’s intriguing articles (I read another blogger’s story about finding a heart in a jar) as of September 2017 there’s still more than enough to satisfy the curiosity of the average urban explorer. Loads of equipment, files, beautiful architecture and windows (very much my bag) and an eerie atmosphere that makes the hospital seem like it’s still in use. Maybe it is, I did visit during ghost month…

Managed to unearth a multiple entry permit visa for Hong Kong, I’m guessing it belonged to one of the previous residents. Dated 17th October 1990.

This is an interesting one: it looks like a sign made for a protest but has been left inside the hospital, maybe by a local resident to give visitors more information. Roughly, it translates to “The government is evil, no human rights – who will save Losheng?” Pictures of various politicians have been stuck to a red side and a green side of the circle, but the text is too faded to make much sense of either. The previous president Mr Ma Ying-Jiu is placed at 11 o’clock, who was charged with leaking secret information from a corruption enquiry earlier this year and is awaiting trial.

Now I’m guessing again, but I reckon this is where the doctors kept their lunch.

No idea what’s going on here, sorry.

The old operating theatre. There’s still a fair amount of equipment here, and in pretty decent nick, too.

…including this X-ray machine.

Quality sanding job the boys did on this ceiling. Good work lads.

The nurses office.

Looks like this may have been the mortuary. Unlikely that it wasn’t, as I can’t see anyone bothering to move those slabs.

I didn’t look close enough at these bottles while here, but from this photo the brown containers in the top left look like they may have something interesting inside… looks like I’ll be heading back soon, then.