萬籟有聲


Sounding Wanhua

Welcome.

This project invites you to explore the sonic landscapes of Longshan Temple area in Wanhua, a district in Taipei City with a rich history of early settlement and everyday culture.

Put on headphones for optimal listening experiences.

The background music you are listening to right now incorporates sounds which were recorded in Wanhua. The sounds of the Metro approaching, ritual chants in the temple and people chatting in the park are all part and parcel to how the area "feels". We will trace the sounds of the area through a number of ways today.

First, take a listen to the recordings below. They are from different locations in our site area. Use the Day/Night Mode Switch on the right to explore how the sound changes throughout the day.

龍山寺

Long Shan Temple

Longshan temple bustles during the day. Thousands of visitors from nearby or overseas. Clam into the day. Regardless of what they come for, the sound the signature waterfall can calm people down, with its almost white-noise like texture.
On each morning and afternoon, the monks lead a scripture reciting session. The recurring, monotounous sound of the monks blend with the less in sync recitations by other worshippers, no one else would speak a word.
In other moments, people socialize, pray and throw divination blocks to seek answer from the above. Every other 5 minutes, the sound of somebody tossing fortune sticks comes up as long, thin sticks colliding with each other in the container.

艋舺公園

Banga Park


Right across from the temple facing guangzhou street is Bangka Park. It was designed to synergize with Longshan Temple, and together revitalize the district's atmosphere and attractiveness. Before long, it became one of few gathering spots for the homeless population in Taipei City. Though some might find it dangerous or unpleasant, the park is in fact bustling with activities that attract people from all walks of life. During day time, people come and play chess, chat and (very enthusiastically) talk about which lottery number to go for. Some buy food and drinks from nearby and stay for the entire day. Others walk around and greet familiar faces in each part of the park. From the afternoon, a water show takes place in the central plaza every hour.

龍山地下街

Long Shan Underground Shopping Street


Right below the park is the Longshan Metro Station and the shopping street. Instead of luxury brands or gourmet food, the shopping street hosts a multitude of other businesses: fortune tellers, massage spots, tea shops and religious supply. The two tea shops are frequented by the homeless population in the park, as it serves cheap fruits and drink but offers air-conditioned seats to rest and socialize. One of the shops is often visited by a group of people with hearing impairment. While it might sound like nothing's going on, they engage in heated debates through hand gestures. Where sunlight does not travel, time flows differently. Day and night becomes blurred in the underground, and the soundscape also continues without much change, until the shops close down late into the night.

龍山文創基地

Long Shan B2


Longshan B2 is a space in-between. It used to be an extension of B1's locally-oriented business functions. After handing over to the department of cultural affairs three years ago, it is now a testing ground of a diverse, but somewhat scattered group of cultural industries: Tea art, Taiwanese Manga, Heritage restoration workshop, garment store, music livehouse all take a spot in the spacious site. But on an average day, not much people come to visit despite its accessibility. One corner of B2 has recently become a base for young breakdancers and dance instructors to practice their skills. The occasional dance battles attract young talents down in B2, the echoic underground fills up with energetic music and passionate cheers.

The sound snippets below are arranged according to the time and location of recording. The width of the page signals a whole day; as you scroll down you could access sounds from underground. Hover over the circles to preview the sounds from different locations and try create alternative soundscapes by clicking on them. What might the imaginary world you've created look like?

Bounded by our past experiences, we all hear different things even in the same setting. Could there be a way to feel how others listen? In an attempt to do so, I've created a fictional audio walk from an interview with a homeless lady in the park.

To start the audio walk, take the MRT to Longshan station and press play as you walk out the train. Follow the guidance to move around the area.

Flowstrong · Soundwalk