Chien-Cheng Circle
Encyclopedia
The Chien-Cheng Circle or Taipei Circle, was once a bustling food market and a city landmark in the Datong district
of Taipei
. It existed 96 years from its opening during the Japanese colonial era, to its official closing on Sunday, July 2, 2006 after years of decline in resulting from two conflagration
s in the 1990s and an unsuccessful project to revitalize the market in 2003. After some replanning, it was set to reopen in June 2009, but as of 2010 the reopening date is uncertain.
, oyster omelette
s, fish ball noodles, and unfried spring rolls
.
(馬英九) ordered the demolition of Chien-Cheng Circle. He proposed its reconstruction as part of several projects to revitalize Taipei's older districts. At 10 AM on March 29, 2001, the Chien-Cheng Circle was demolished to make way for its new construction located five meters further south of the original site. The new two-storey cylindrical glass building was designed by Taiwanese architect Lee Tsu-yuan (李祖原) and cost the Taipei city government NT$
160 million in construction fees. An additional NT$50 million in compensation was paid to vendors of the former building. The roundabout was transformed into a crossroad and the surrounding trees were moved to an elementary school in the Xinyi district
. During the reconstruction, the engineering team unearthed an old reservoir built by Japanese soldiers during World War II at the center of the circle. The city government decided to make the reservoir the 105th historic spot in Taipei.
The new Chien-Cheng Circle was opened in the evening of October 4, 2003, housing 20 food booths and a performing arts center at the top of the building. To promote the opening, the city government gave away 700 food-tasting coupons worth NT$100 each and organized a tour led by Chuang Yung-ming (莊永明), vice-chairman of the municipal research department and professor at the Taipei Medical University
. Although the new building was intended to revitalize the market, food vendors had complained that the modern building did not reflect the market's history and lacked a traditional, cultural feeling. They also said that a lack of promotion and assistance from the city government had hurt business.
announced that the Chien-Cheng Circle is undergoing a replanning. It was scheduled to reopen in June 2009. However as of summer 2010 the structure remains derelict and some have postulated the Circle may not return to its former commercial prosperity. In May 2011, the reopening of the Circle was once again postponed due to disputes on lease. Older tenants of the Taipei Circle have blamed the government of the then mayor Ma Ying-jeou for causing the demise of business at the circle.
Datong, Taipei
Datong District is a district of Taipei City, Taiwan. It is located between the Taipei Metro Red Line and eastern shore of the Tamsui River, and between Civic Boulevard and the Sun Yat-sen Freeway...
of Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. It existed 96 years from its opening during the Japanese colonial era, to its official closing on Sunday, July 2, 2006 after years of decline in resulting from two conflagration
Conflagration
A conflagration or a blaze is an uncontrolled burning that threatens human life, health, or property. A conflagration can be accidentally begun, naturally caused , or intentionally created . Arson can be accomplished for the purpose of sabotage or diversion, and also can be the consequence of...
s in the 1990s and an unsuccessful project to revitalize the market in 2003. After some replanning, it was set to reopen in June 2009, but as of 2010 the reopening date is uncertain.
History
The original night market was a circular structure located on a roundabout between Nanjing West Road (南京西路) and Chongqing North Road (重慶北路). It covered an area of 1,722 square meters and dated to the Japanese colonial era. It was the most popular night market in northern Taiwan during the Japanese rule. The 1960s and 1970s were the heyday of the night market with booths numbering close to 200 and serving Taiwanese snacks and delicacies such as glutinous rice dumplingsDumpling
Dumplings are cooked balls of dough. They are based on flour, potatoes or bread, and may include meat, fish, vegetables, or sweets. They may be cooked by boiling, steaming, simmering, frying, or baking. They may have a filling, or there may be other ingredients mixed into the dough. Dumplings may...
, oyster omelette
Oyster omelette
Oyster omelette is a Chinese dish of Teochew/Fujian origin, made famous in Taiwan...
s, fish ball noodles, and unfried spring rolls
Spring roll
Spring rolls is an umbrella term used in some Western cultures to describe disparate varieties of filled, rolled appetizers similar to the Chinese chūn juǎn , from which the term was derived...
.
Reconstruction
Two fires in 1993 and 1999 contributed to the market's decline, and in March 2001 Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeouMa Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou is the 12th term and current President of the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, and the Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. He formerly served as Justice Minister from 1993 to 1996, Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, and Chairman...
(馬英九) ordered the demolition of Chien-Cheng Circle. He proposed its reconstruction as part of several projects to revitalize Taipei's older districts. At 10 AM on March 29, 2001, the Chien-Cheng Circle was demolished to make way for its new construction located five meters further south of the original site. The new two-storey cylindrical glass building was designed by Taiwanese architect Lee Tsu-yuan (李祖原) and cost the Taipei city government NT$
New Taiwan dollar
The New Taiwan dollar , or simply Taiwan dollar, is the official currency of the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China since 1949, when it replaced the Old Taiwan dollar...
160 million in construction fees. An additional NT$50 million in compensation was paid to vendors of the former building. The roundabout was transformed into a crossroad and the surrounding trees were moved to an elementary school in the Xinyi district
Xinyi, Taipei
The Xinyi District is the seat of the Taipei mayor's office and the Taipei City Government. Key buildings including Taipei 101, Taipei City Council, Taipei International Convention Center, Taipei World Trade Center, and various shopping malls and entertainment venues make Xinyi the most modern...
. During the reconstruction, the engineering team unearthed an old reservoir built by Japanese soldiers during World War II at the center of the circle. The city government decided to make the reservoir the 105th historic spot in Taipei.
The new Chien-Cheng Circle was opened in the evening of October 4, 2003, housing 20 food booths and a performing arts center at the top of the building. To promote the opening, the city government gave away 700 food-tasting coupons worth NT$100 each and organized a tour led by Chuang Yung-ming (莊永明), vice-chairman of the municipal research department and professor at the Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University was founded as Taipei Medical College in 1960. It was renamed as Taipei Medical University in 2000. Its campus is in Wuxing Street, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan...
. Although the new building was intended to revitalize the market, food vendors had complained that the modern building did not reflect the market's history and lacked a traditional, cultural feeling. They also said that a lack of promotion and assistance from the city government had hurt business.
Closing
Taipei City Councilwoman Chen Yu-mei (陳玉梅) held a press conference on Thursday (June 29, 2006) to announce the closure and called residents to visit the facility before the official closing on Sunday. The Chien-Cheng Circle had been in decline since its reopening in 2003 and prior to its closing all the stalls on the second floor and five stalls on the first floor had closed with only six stalls on the first floor still in operation. The Taipei City Markets Administration Office in a written statement on July 1, 2006 stated that the renovation project had failed to regain its competitiveness due to the building's design and also problems with vendors. It has given each vendor a sum of NT$800,000 in relocation subsidies.Planned reopening
In 2008, the Taipei City GovernmentTaipei City Government
Taipei City Government governs the city of Taipei, Republic of China.- Administration :The head is the mayor of Taipei and the vice mayor...
announced that the Chien-Cheng Circle is undergoing a replanning. It was scheduled to reopen in June 2009. However as of summer 2010 the structure remains derelict and some have postulated the Circle may not return to its former commercial prosperity. In May 2011, the reopening of the Circle was once again postponed due to disputes on lease. Older tenants of the Taipei Circle have blamed the government of the then mayor Ma Ying-jeou for causing the demise of business at the circle.