Leaning Mailboxes – Taipei City, Taiwan - Atlas Obscura

Leaning Mailboxes

These charming mailboxes became social media stars after a typhoon failed to topple them. 

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In 2015, Typhoon Soudelor hit Southeast Asia, drenching certain regions with high levels of rain and battering the land with fierce winds. A total of 59 people perished, and the damage cost an estimated 3.72 billion USD.

But in Taiwan, the typhoon created not only havoc, but also a new roadside attraction. There, two ordinary red and green mailboxes were hit by a wind-blown billboard during the storm. They managed to survive the attack, though they now lean at a wonky angle.

After the two resilient mailboxes were featured on national and international news, locals began queueing up to take pictures with the charming little structures. People staged photoshoots pretending to heave the crooked boxes back upright or act as though they’ll be crushed beneath them. Locals even named the beloved mailboxes “Little Red” and “Little Green.”

After realizing how popular they were with the public, the Taiwanese National Mail decided not to replace them and instead left them as is. Incredibly, the mailboxes still accept letters. Anything that goes through these unusual mailboxes even gets marked with a special stamp.

Know Before You Go

Visitors heading to Taipei can find the two twisted mailboxes near the intersection of Nanjing East Road and Longjiang Road. The popular mailboxes have become a social media attraction, so it is advised to go earlier in the day to avoid crowds. 

In partnership with KAYAK

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