New Taipei City Indigenous Services Center Renovated, Set to Become Cultural Hub with Cloud Leopard Mural

The New Taipei City Indigenous Peoples Bureau stated that the renovation of the Indigenous Services Center is nearing completion, covering facade refurbishment, waterproofing, thermal insulation, and interior space optimization. The highlight is the mural of clouded leopards and mountain forests on the exterior wall. The center is expected to open by the end of September.

The Bureau noted that the North Indigenous Center (Beiyuan Center) has been in use for over 20 years. Renovations began in February of the 114th year of the Republic Era (2025), with a total investment exceeding 50 million TWD. The project is currently in the final stages of completion.

This renovation not only improves building safety and facility hardware on each floor but also aims to become a new urban indigenous cultural base that integrates cultural inheritance, education, youth empowerment, and public services. It will also promote tribal language education and foster intergenerational exchange and cultural innovation.

The unique exterior murals and entrance installations were created by Rukai artist Du Hansong, based on the philosophy of "Indigenous Peoples and the Land." Using mythical animals, common plants, and indigenous totems, the artwork showcases the cultural spirit of indigenous connection to the land and their ancestral wisdom.

The murals feature charming depictions of clouded leopards, black bears, pangolins, Japanese white-eyes, mountain hawk-eagles, flying fish, and crabs, combined with plants like betel nut trees, ferns, and alocasia. The vivid colors and lively composition are full of vitality and cultural character.

Mayor Hou Yu-ih inspected the progress today and commended the center’s new totems, noting that they symbolize the indigenous people's resilience and pride when facing new environments and challenges. He suggested lowering the height of the open-plan counters and adding coffee machines to reduce the sense of distance from public sector spaces, while also integrating with the community to increase usage rates and create a "good for all" space.