The LinTian Mountain Forest Farm Transforms into a Cultural Park — Legacy Buildings Narrate the Past

▲ The starting point of the alpine railway — in the early days, forest workers had to venture deep into the mountains to transport felled timber to Morisaka (known as Senbaku during Japanese rule, pronounced "Morisaka" in Japanese, now called LinTian Mountain).

Photos & Text /Shadow


On the morning of the second day in Hualien, I drove to Fenglin Township, home to the LinTian Mountain Forestry Culture Park, one of Taiwan’s four major forest farms. The drive from Hualien City to Fenglin takes about an hour. The LinTian Mountain Forest Farm preserves the cultural history of early Taiwanese forestry and logging. Thanks to the efforts of relevant organizations, it has become a well-known tourist attraction in eastern Taiwan.

I visited once a few years ago, and back then, LinTian Mountain looked somewhat different from how it appears now. It's likely that the local management has actively enhanced the facilities in the exhibition halls over recent years, allowing LinTian Mountain to more authentically showcase the bustling charm of the mountain town in those days.


Zhongshan Hall is the landmark of the LinTian Mountain park area. In the past, it served as a venue for graduation ceremonies and theatrical performances. In the 1950s, two movie projectors were purchased, and around three free screenings were held weekly, providing leisure and entertainment for residents of nearby towns. Nowadays, Zhongshan Hall occasionally shows films about the history and ecology of LinTian Mountain. If time permits, it's worth taking a seat and enjoying them.


Besides learning about LinTian Mountain’s past and present through films, there are also stunning wood carvings displayed along the sides.

One unique feature at Zhongshan Hall is this elderly gentleman pictured here, who enthusiastically introduces visitors to the characteristics of Taiwan’s rare timber. He even demonstrates by shaving off wood slices for people to smell and distinguish, explaining the types of wood. The wood shavings he creates can be taken home by visitors — I grabbed one myself. It had a wonderfully fragrant aroma, and I heard the scent can last for about two days.


After leaving Zhongshan Hall, I began strolling through the park. This is the starting point of the alpine railway. In the past, timber was transported via aerial cableways and alpine railways. After the Wanrong Forest Road opened in 1983, trucks took over the transportation, and the alpine railway and cableways became part of history. As time passed, traces of the years remain on the alpine railway, and moss grows on the steps — these remnants allow us to imagine the past mountain town scenes.


During the peak logging period, this place resembled a small settlement. During Japanese rule, the Taiwan Industrial Corporation built a number of staff dormitories — traditional Japanese wooden houses with black fish-scale tiles. Now weathered and worn, they form uniquely charming Japanese-style architecture.

Long benches are placed in front of the dormitories. One can imagine workers returning from the mountain forests, sitting here chatting with one another. The scene seems to come alive again. Even after so many years, the wooden structures still carry warmth and a sense of human connection.


The former communal cafeteria, which once fed thousands of forestry workers, has been renovated into the Wood Carving Museum I. Meanwhile, Museum II used to be the welfare center, fish and vegetable department, and laundry — now it’s a wood carving exhibition hall. Renowned woodcarvers have repurposed driftwood, crafting lifelike artworks and giving new life to the discarded wood.


The massive camphor tree trunk in Wood Carving Museum I is a species unique to Taiwan and is classified as a first-class nationally protected tree. It grows at altitudes between 450 and 2,000 meters, and is known for its rich fragrance, often used in carving Buddha statues.

In fact, every wood carving in the exhibition hall is quite remarkable — masterfully crafted by skilled artisans, each piece is breathtaking. Seeing these works in person, all so full of vitality, truly makes one admire how the artisans utilize the characteristics of the wood, carving extraordinary pieces stroke by stroke.


Next, I left the wood carving museum and entered what used to be the Japanese dormitories, now converted into a historical photo archive. It offers visitors a glimpse into the people and events of LinTian Mountain’s past. Through black-and-white photos, one can learn about the daily lives of those who lived here.


These precious historical photos are not easy to preserve. Matching them with the current buildings evokes a feeling that while the scenery remains, everything else has changed — a sentiment that lingers for a long time.

The Asahidō Pavilion stands beside the alpine railway, in front of the Field Manager’s Office. It carries the meaning of ascending high to overlook everything. The rising sun in the east brings hope to each new day.


The Field Manager’s Office was built according to the “Taiwan Governor-General’s Official Residence Construction Standards” issued in the 11th year of the Taisho era in Japan. It’s a traditional Japanese-style semi-detached building, exuding a strong Japanese atmosphere — definitely worth a visit.


The Field Manager’s Office was only officially opened to visitors in 2013, allowing curious guests to catch a glimpse of the once-mysterious official residence.

Visitors must remove their shoes to enter. The wooden official residence emits a rich scent of Hinoki cypress, maintaining its authentic Japanese architectural style. It’s divided into sections such as the entrance hall, guest room, bathroom, kitchen, and toilet. The interior also documents key events in LinTian Mountain’s history. Those wanting to learn more about its past can take a moment to explore.


Behind the Field Manager’s Office lies a large courtyard, offering a view of the LinTian Mountain settlement and distant vistas of the opposite mountains and Wanli River.


Finally, next to the Field Manager’s Office is the former section chief dormitory, now repurposed as the park’s visitor center and café — also a semi-detached building. It’s a pity we didn’t have enough time; otherwise, enjoying a cup of coffee surrounded by such beautiful scenery would have been quite delightful.

At the entrance is a LinTian Mountain commemorative stamp, allowing visitors to leave with a stamped memento.


The LinTian Mountain Forestry Culture Park is currently managed by the Wanrong Work Station. During Japanese rule, it was overseen by the Hualien Port Timber Corporation and the LinTian Mountain Logging Division of the Taiwan Industrial Corporation. After the retrocession, it was managed by Taiwan Paper Company, Taiwan Chung Hsing Paper Corporation, and the Forestry Bureau, until 2001 when it was officially placed under the Wanrong Work Station of the Hualien Forest District Office, Forestry Bureau.


When I visited LinTian Mountain a few years ago, I was quite impressed by this exhibition hall. During the logging period, it was a warehouse for machine parts, but later became a place showcasing the imagery of local life and logging operations. I remember even making my own hand-printed towel at the exhibition hall back then. Unfortunately, after moving homes several times, that handmade towel has been lost — truly a pity.

The retired Kato-type gas locomotive is the last train model used to transport timber before the opening of the Wanrong Forest Road. It now stands in the locomotive shed for visitors to view and photograph.


This concludes the tour. In 1988, LinTian Mountain officially became part of history. The people who once worked or lived here gradually moved away, but the buildings remain standing — like this large tree, still firmly rooted and surviving here. Through the remaining relics, it feels as though we’ve traveled back in time, showing that this place once left a remarkable chapter in Taiwan’s forestry history. It’s definitely worth a visit.
 

[LinTian Mountain Forestry Culture Park]

Address:No. 99, Lane 99, Lin Sen Road, Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Phone:03-8751703
Opening Hours:09:00～17:00
Closed:Mondays
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