Carp Hill Miniatures

Carp Hill is one of many rolling hills in Taipei’s Neihu District. Its name comes from its resemblance to a carp, with the “head” at the higher end and the “tail” tapering off. The peak provides a good vantage point over Taipei’s skyline. The path up is mostly a well-trodden path for local hikers — but they're not the only ones out on the trail.

Folk miniatures can be found all along the trail. Liu Yangcheng, a retired local resident, began crafting these tiny models in the 1980s. Over 15 years, he created around 50 miniature scenes depicting Taiwan’s natural beauty and landmarks. These handcrafted works, built with simple materials, capture an earthy charm and a childlike playfulness. As interest grew, the Taipei City Government added signs to highlight and preserve these unique folk artworks.

Starting from the west entrance, the first structure is a miniature Great Wall, forming part of the trail’s railing. Further along the trail, more miniatures appear, though many have deteriorated over the past decades of typhoons and earthquakes.

Some miniatures remain recognizable despite the wear. A scaled-down presidential office building still stands, with Taipei’s skyline as a dramatic backdrop. The famous Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Taipei Station are also easy to spot. Other scenes, such as highway toll stations, are now relics of the past, making this collection not just a display of folk art, but an unofficial time capsule of Taiwan’s changing landscape.