Not just a train station！ Authorized UK “water slide” introduced – 3 must-visit spots in Jiji Town

Reported by You Tzu-ju / Special feature and photography
 


Many towns in Taiwan, like Jiji, may be small but have forged a unique vitality. However, they also increasingly face issues such as population decline and youth leaving their hometowns. Chen Chi-heng, Magistrate of Jiji Township, pointed out that the “town water slide” in the Green Tunnel aims to boost the town’s visibility through an attractive highlight.Cheng Shih-yu, CEO of organizer Left Brain Creative Marketing, said the reason for choosing a town instead of a city is to allow more travelers to deeply understand Jiji Town.“Jiji is not just about the little train – there are also mountain bananas and handmade guitar shops, as well as Taiwan’s first wildlife emergency rescue station, all lesser-known features of Jiji.”

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Jiji Mountain Banana Cultural Hall

▲ Next to the Jiji Mountain Banana Cultural Hall is Ji Yuan Guo, a sales center for mountain banana products.

In Jiji Town, local residents have come together to promote Jiji mountain bananas by gathering produce from small farmers to create mountain banana products, aiming to let more people know about the delicious local bananas. The founder of the Jiji Mountain Banana Cultural Hall, Huang Jung-hsuan, a third-generation banana farmer, established the Jiji Mountain Banana Cooperative out of concern that Jiji’s bananas were largely forgotten. The cooperative integrates local banana farmers’ produce, develops natural banana-based products, and uses the cultural hall to help more travelers get to know the fruit.

Next to the Jiji Mountain Banana Cultural Hall is Ji Yuan Guo, a sales center for mountain banana products. Here you can try the “banana egg roll,” with over half made using mashed mountain banana – unlike typical crispy egg rolls, it offers a rich banana aroma. Huang Jung-hsuan said they plan to establish a banana sightseeing factory in the future, allowing more people to understand the hard work and process behind the product, and to let Taiwan’s unique treasure be known to more.


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Address: No. 70, Minsheng East Road, Yongchang Village, Jiji Township, Nantou County
Phone: (04) 9276-4562
Business hours: 09:00–17:00

Zhen Sheng Guitar Shop


▲ One of Taiwan’s rare places for handmade guitar making.

At one end of Jiji’s Green Tunnel stands an unassuming little shop. This is one of Taiwan’s rare places for handmade guitar production – where a single craftsman makes just 100 limited-edition guitars per year. The sound is mellow and beautiful, once sought after by musicians on Taiwan’s Five Lights Award, and is now the dream guitar for musicians both at home and abroad.

“Once the guitar in hand is finished, there won’t be another” – this is what makes Zhen Sheng Guitar Shop so special. Each handmade guitar is unique. Shop owner Shi Chen-sheng measures each customer’s arm and hand length for custom-made guitars. He makes no more than 100 guitars per year, completing every step by hand.


▲%嫉曛魇?裆?嵋勒湛腿说纳沓ぜ笆殖ふ闪恐谱鳎?荒曜疃嘀蛔鞅00把吉他，每一个步骤都亲手完成。


Zhen Sheng Guitar Shop
Address: No. 131, Caoling Lane, Jiji Township, Nantou County
Phone: (04) 9278-1243
Business hours: 8:00–17:00

Endemic Species Research Institute

▲ Established in 1993, the “Wildlife Emergency Rescue Station” helps many wild animals get a chance to return to nature.


The Endemic Species Research Institute is one of only two major facilities in Taiwan. Since establishing the “Wildlife Emergency Rescue Station” in 1993, it has helped numerous wild animals affected by natural disasters and human activities. After emergency care, treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation training, around 40% of the animals can be successfully released back into the wild. However, some animals, severely disabled and unable to survive independently, are permanently housed and cared for. The rescue station turns those that cannot return to the wild into “animal ambassadors,” helping the public understand the challenges faced by wildlife, prompting reflection on human-caused harm, and even showcasing their indomitable vitality.