The Jiji Line is the longest branch line in Taiwan’s railways, connecting Changhua’s Ershui Township to Nantou Shuili Township, formerly a transportation railway for the construction of reservoirs and water conservancy development, and now it is a very famous tourist railway with rich tourist resources! The Jiji Railway passes through 7 stations, including Ershui, Ershui, Yuanyuan, Zhuoshui, Longquan, Jiji, Shuili, and Checheng, and the pastoral scenery, natural forests, and small town humanities along the way are all must-see highlights for tourists.

Jiji Railway Axis|Ershui Station

Ershui Station is a transfer station for the Taiwan Railway Longitudinal Line and the Jiji Line, and is also the starting station of the Jiji Line. Stations leading to Sun Moon Lake, Shuili, Checheng and other stations will transfer here. The quiet Ershui, the small town has the natural scenery of Bagua Mountain and Zhuoshui Creek, making it surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the scenery is charming. Ershui Station is a place with a lot of history, built in 1905 and renovated in 1935, and has been in use since then, carrying many historical stories.

Ershui sightseeing bicycle path

The sightseeing bicycle path located in Changhua Ershui Township is a bicycle path built along the Jiji branch line, with a total length of about 8 kilometers, along the way will pass through the Babaozhen Waterway, Ershui Station, Mr. Lin Temple and other tourist attractions, along the way the beautiful pastoral scenery, flowers blooming with different seasons, fruit trees, old trees in the fields, wooden houses, so that the Ershui sightseeing bicycle path has a comfortable natural scenery.

28 Shui Shui Park

Erba Shuishui Park is located near Ershui Station, a fighter jet and three old trains are preserved in the small park, giving it a very railroad atmosphere. There are also some simple amusement facilities in the park that allow children to discharge their batteries. You can see the characteristics of the park where the train passes, attracting many professional photographers to capture the beautiful scenes of the train passing by. When you are bored waiting for the train, you can come to Erba Shuishui Park for a walk!

Songbai Ridge Shoutiangong

Songbailing Shoutiangong, which is full of incense and has beautiful scenery, is the center of belief in Xuantian God with a history of more than 300 years. Located in Mingjian Township, Nantou County, on a mountain at an altitude of about 400 meters, the magnificent scenery is refreshing, and when the clouds and mist are full, it feels like you are in a fairyland. Shoutiangong is known as a Taoist holy place, and its spiritual talents and spiritual effects are prominent, attracting many believers to worship. The surrounding shopping streets sell a variety of snacks, agricultural specialties, high-quality tea and other products, and don’t forget to eat delicious food while enjoying the scenery.

Jiji Railway Axis|Source Station

The small and cute source station, formerly known as “Nose Head Station”, is a quiet unmanned station and the last stop of Jiji Station in Changhua County. There is less of the hustle and bustle of the city here, and there is a more peaceful and lonely atmosphere. The tracks in the station are close to the surrounding houses, forming an interesting picture of homes next to the railway tracks and full of life. In early spring, when the romantic pink Douglas trees bloom, the pink flowers against the blue sky, paired with the intertwined pictures of railroad tracks and trains always attracting many travelers to stop and admire.

Babao Canal

Along the Ershui Bicycle Path, you can see the waterways of the Babaozhen and various Babaozhen memorial buildings. The Babaozhen was an important water conservancy project in the early construction of the Changhua area, and in the Babaozhen Park, you can see pavilions, large waterwheels, and children’s amusement facilities, as well as the longest aqueduct in Taiwan. Riding a bicycle here, you can hear the sound of roaring water, and watching the water gate introduce the abundant turbid water stream into the Babaozhen, which inevitably reminds people of the scene of Changhua’s ancestors working hard to irrigate back then.

Mr. Lin Temple (Water Diversion Park)

Mr. Lin Temple was built to commemorate the old gentleman who gave key technical guidance when the Babaozhen was built, and it has a history of more than 200 years, and is a small and exquisite traditional temple located next to the Babaozhen. The famous local “Water Running Festival” event in Ershui is held here every November, with several runners wearing traditional clothes and holding sacrificial offerings in their hands running in front of the Babaozhen to divert water and unfold lively.

 Zheng’s ancient house

The Zheng family’s ancient house, which has a history of nearly 100 years, is a traditional Fujian-style courtyard building and the most well-preserved ancient house courtyard building in Ershui Township. Zheng Shi Ancient House was built one after another during the Japanese colonial period and has been preserved to this day, with architectural styles from different periods, which can be said to be a monument full of history and culture. With the scale of three entrances and three courtyards and eight dragons, with Bagua Mountain as the back of the screen, and a large fish pond in front of the courtyard, such a picture was at the level of a large mansion in the past, and it is very worthy of precious preservation.

Zhuoshui station

Zhuoshui Station is the first stop of the Jiji Line into Nantou, which has a beautiful and cute surrounding landscaping layout that combines the characteristics of local agricultural products, and there is also an artistic steam train landscaping outside the station. In the past, Zhuoshui Station was a means of transportation for transporting bananas in Zhongliao and Jiji, and it had a prosperous and glorious period. After the devastation of the 921 earthquake and the reconstruction after a temporary suspension, it has given this place a new look, with new parking lots, observation decks, landscape pools and other facilities.

Mingjian Night Market

Although the scale is smaller and seems simple compared to the tourist night market, it is cheap and has a variety of snacks. The snacks at the Mingjian Night Market are usually not too thunderous, steak, red leaf tea eggs, oyster omelets, tofu pudding, chicken cakes, all of which are delicious snacks recommended by locals.

Zinangong

Zhushan Zinangong is a very popular temple of wealth in Taiwan, dedicated to the god of virtue and righteousness, in addition to being the faith center of the locals, there are often believers from other places to worship, and the incense is prosperous and very effective. Every Spring Festival, a large number of people often come to Zinangong to pray for blessings, praying for wealth, fortune, golden roosters, etc., to bless the future with peace and good luck.

Jiji Railway Axis|Longquan Station

Longquan Station is an unmanned station on the Jiji Line where fewer passengers stop, and it has attracted attention because of the nearby Jiji Green Tunnel. It is full of old-fashioned flavor, and the blurred boundaries with the surrounding countryside, resulting in a sense of life and human touch, which gives Longquan Station a warmth and is very suitable for roaming and relaxing here. Longquan Station is the only station on the entire Taiwan Railway line where trains run at the same door, which is very special.

Tianxing Kiln Pottery Village

Tianxing Kiln is located next to the Jiji Green Tunnel, and there is a traditional snake kiln in the park that has been around for more than a decade, which is one of the early kilns that produced glazed tiles. Now that you can follow the guide and appreciate the history of this spectacular old snake kiln and history, you can also buy beautiful ceramic works and practical daily pottery accessories.

Jiji Green Tunnel

Jiji Green Tunnel is a green tunnel with thousands of camphor trees, straight roads and towering green shades on both sides, as far as the eye can see, it seems endless, such a green and lush scenery always makes people feel relaxed, and passing vehicles will unconsciously slow down and enjoy the atmosphere here. Riding a bicycle here to experience the comfort of the gentle breeze, occasionally a small train passing by, making the scenery more beautiful and moving.

Jiji Railway Axis|Jiji Station

Jiji Station is not only the central station of the Jiji Line, but also a well-known landmark in Jiji Town. The station is made of cypress wood and has a retro Japanese appearance, attracting tourists to make pilgrimages and becoming a famous tourist attraction. Although it was destroyed by 921, the renovated Jiji Station still retains its Japanese-style appearance, full of nostalgia. There is a retired steam locomotive in front of the station, so be sure to take a photo when you come here!

Jiji Wuchang Temple

Jiji WuchangTemple worships the God of Xuantian, which collapsed during the 921 earthquake and was rebuilt and a new temple was built next to the old site. Wuchang Palace preserves the buildings that collapsed and were damaged at that time, which not only makes people feel the power of the earthquake and feel the shock of nature, but also becomes a historical landmark of this town. The rebuilt temple, with its magnificent and solemn appearance, is amazing, and also shows the energy of rebirth and hope.

Center for Endemic Biological Research and Conservation

The Biological Research and Conservation Center is a research unit of the Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan, which conducts species and ecological habitat surveys, restoration, and ecological education for Taiwan’s endemic species and precious and rare organisms. In addition to the research room, the Special Biological Center also has a rich exhibition area open to the public, displaying the introduction of diverse conservation animals, habitat environments, biological characteristics, etc., which is a good place to bring children to learn and inspire their love for nature.

Jiji Railway Axis|Shuili Station

Shuili Station is the largest station on the entire Jiji Line and the closest station to Sun Moon Lake. Shuili Station, surrounded by mountains, is different from the simplicity of other stations, the appearance of Shuili Station adopts an antique Western-style style, and the architectural scale is also more magnificent. There are also many delicacies around Shuili Station, snacks such as meatballs and noodles, as well as old-fashioned shops, which are very suitable for walking around and roaming easily.

Shuiyun Bridge

Located near the confluence of Shuili Creek and Zhuoshui Creek, next to the Jade Pipe Office, Shuiyun Bridge is the first bridge in Nantou County to be fully solar-powered at night. In addition to viewing, you can also walk and stargaze on the Shuiyun Bridge with colorful neon lights at night, enjoying the gentle breeze and comfortable time. The bicycle path of Shuiyun Bridge is often used by people to rest and exercise here, revitalizing their bodies and minds.

Shuili Water Park (Shuili Water Play Festival)

Shuili Water Park is located next to Shuiyun Bridge and is a water-friendly park in the city, with very convenient transportation. The quiet environment, good water quality, and beautiful scenery make many people stop here. Every summer, the Water Play Festival always attracts many people. The water depth of the Water Play Festival is about the height of the calves of adults, and the friendly environment allows children of all ages to have fun and cool off.

Shuili Snake Kiln Pottery Cultural Park

To arrive at the entrance of the Shuili Snake Kiln, you must first walk through a beautiful tree-lined path, lined with many landscaping related to clay, providing materials for tourists who like to take pictures. The Snake Kiln Pottery Park is like a simple small village, with an antique atmosphere that complements the elegant pottery, making it a famous check-in hotspot in the water. In addition to learning about the history of the snake kiln and the past and present of pottery, you can also participate in DIY and experience various pottery activities, or you can sit down, order a pot of coffee or tea, and quietly enjoy the cultural atmosphere of this century-old snake kiln.

When you come to the Shuili Snake Kiln, in addition to playing pottery, you can also eat soil? The “Tutu Dessert Shop” has a tire stirring clay roll with the concept of kneading the clay and stirring the tire, as well as the blue and white porcelain cheese mousse that is as exquisite as a work of art, all of which are worth trying!

Jiji Railway Axis|Checheng Station

The terminus of the Jiji Line, Checheng Station, is a retro-style station with wooden materials as the architectural theme, with an elegant style and frugal shape, reflecting the green mountains and green waters in the distance, with a kind of quiet beauty of a quaint mountain town, attracting many tourists to travel here. Checheng Station used to be a transshipment point for the sugar produced by the Puli Sugar Factory, and the spectacular glory of many trolleys parked made people at that time call it “garage” in Taiwanese, hence the name.

Checheng Timber Reservoir

Chechengyuan is a town with a developed wood industry, and the wooden storage pond was used to store precious logs in the past 50-60s. Today’s wooden storage pond naturally no longer stores logs, but has built a complete trail around the lake next to the pool, planted with camphor trees, larch and other trees next to the trail, rich and clean natural ecology, and attracts many waterbirds and small animals to inhabit here. Green mountains, green water, and Japanese-style wooden buildings, as well as the water duck family that comes out from time to time to probe their brains, add another dreamlike and beautiful scenery to the Shuili Bicycle Trail.

Checheng Wood Industry Exhibition Hall

Checheng was once famous for its forestry industry, and during the Japanese colonial period, it was an important area for the logging industry, and the Checheng Wood Industry Exhibition Hall was the site of the factory at that time, which displays the history of Taiwan’s wood industry and allows future generations to understand the rise and fall of the logging industry. In addition to forestry culture, the scenery outside the Wood Industry Exhibition Hall is also very charming, and in winter, dense larch pines stand around the reservoir, a beautiful sight that makes people want to leave.

Lin Ban Dao Experience Factory

Located outside Checheng Station, Lin Ban Dao Experience Factory is a wood products specialty store with DIY woodworking activities, with nearly 100 pieces of wood products, providing cut wood chips for DIY combination. Coming here, adults and children can transform into small carpenters and enjoy the fun of investing their creativity and imagination in their creations. The Lin Ban Dao Experience Factory also sells finished products, handicrafts, etc., with the color of raw wood and the unique aroma of wood, which is of high quality and loved.

Railway Tourist Elementary School

Checheng’s new highlight – Railway Tourist Elementary School, is renovated from the abandoned Checheng Elementary School, injecting living water into the old land and making it a new tourist attraction. The Railway Tourist Elementary School is a park with the theme of railway history, retaining the local railway characteristics and adding new elements to history and culture, such as art and cultural spaces, local catering, creative products, etc. In addition to the railway exhibition hall in the park, the outdoor retired locomotives and retro carriages are also well photographed, fully feeling the charm of the railway.