Once a humble post station, now gracefully elegant—rediscover Jiaxian.

Text & Photography / Kaohsiung City - Government Information Office
 
 
Once a humble post station, now gracefully elegant—rediscover Jiaxian. In the past, mentioning Jiaxian would bring to mind its fragrant and chewy taro. But after Typhoon Morakot and the devastating 88 Flood, Jiaxian became synonymous with the post-disaster memories of Xiaolin Village. A decade has passed since Typhoon Morakot, and tourism in the Jiaxian commercial district is gradually warming up again, with attractions like Jiaxian’s Cat Alley and Herb Garden also driving a "from farm to table" food journey. Just as depicted in the documentary *Pulling a River* filmed in Jiaxian, you must participate—for the worst of times to possibly become the best.

Historically, Jiaxian has been the gateway to the mountainous region via the South Cross-Island Highway, holding an important strategic position as a transportation hub. As a result, Jiaxian rarely served as a main attraction but rather as a stopover station. In the days of inconvenient transport, travelers going back and forth between the city and Baolai or Namaxia had to stay overnight in Jiaxian, making it an early resting place for passersby.

A great fusion of ethnic cultures
Jiaxian is a typical immigrant society. The earliest true indigenous inhabitants were the Kanakanavu people of Namaxia. During the Qianlong era, a man named Jiaxian came here to cultivate the land, marking the beginning of Jiaxian’s cultural fusion. The name “Jiaxian” originates from this man, and even today, respected local figures often have the suffix “-xian” (仙) added to their names as a sign of honor.

Most of present-day Jiaxian was established during the Japanese colonial era. At that time, the Japanese needed large quantities of camphor oil for national defense industries and undertook extensive forest development. The earliest camphor tree extraction area was in Jiaxian, where the Taiwan Camphor Cultivation and Exploitation Company was founded. In front of the Jiaxian Branch of the Qishan Police Substation on Anlao Street stand three lush century-old camphor trees, transplanted here in 1907.
 

Cat Alley: A Search for Childhood Memories
Jiaxian Cat Alley is almost a must-visit spot for tourists. Located at Lane 40, Lin Sen Road, it sits right at the heart of Jiaxian, with the Jiaxian Post Office serving as the dividing line between the northern and southern sections of the street. Created by local residents and schools, this vibrant alleyway is themed around cats. Walking through the “Orange Cat Postman”-shaped mailbox into Cat Alley, you’ll find colorful umbrellas hanging throughout the lane, creating a veritable palette in the sky. Cat and mouse, orange cats delivering mail, the master chef cat, and cheerleading cats all make playful appearances, brimming with childlike charm.