Authorities in Taichung recently rescued two female college students who went missing while hiking in the Dakeng mountain area. The students reportedly told rescuers that an “old man” had instructed them to “head northeast and follow the riverbed.” However, emergency responders found no nearby riverbed in that direction, sparking renewed discussion and eerie parallels to past ghostly incidents in Taiwan.
The unsettling account reminded many netizens of paranormal stories surrounding the now-abandoned Xining Public Housing Complex in Taipei — a location once known as one of the city’s most haunted buildings. The former Wuchang Police Station, which operated on the building’s first floor, was the site of several strange occurrences, according to officers who once served there.
A retired officer from the former Wuchang station recalled one chilling case from years ago. During his shift, he received a report that a woman was attempting to jump from an upper floor of the Xining building. When he and fellow officers arrived, they found the woman appearing dazed and speaking incoherently, as if in a trance. Despite her frail appearance, it took several people to restrain her and bring her to safety.
When she regained consciousness in the hospital, the woman reportedly told police she had no intention of ending her life. She said she had been shopping near Ximending in New Taipei City when she encountered a mysterious little girl who called out to her. Without realizing why, she followed the child, eventually arriving at the Xining housing complex.
The woman said the girl suddenly vanished, only for her voice to echo from below, calling, “Come down quickly!” Believing the girl was in danger, the woman approached the railing — moments before police intervened to save her.
According to police, the Wuchang Police Station was merged with the Hanzhong Police Station to form the Ximen Police Station in December 2019. The Xining Public Housing building, completed in 1982, is set for demolition next year due to its age and deterioration. The Taipei City Government plans to redevelop the site into new social housing.
While the Dakeng incident remains under investigation, stories like these continue to blur the line between coincidence and the supernatural — reviving age-old legends that linger in Taiwan’s urban folklore.