The Ancient Forest X Nostalgic Old Street – “Southern Taiwan’s Jiufen” at Fenchihu is Truly Uplifting

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Located at a midway station of the Alishan Forest Railway and famed for its railway bento, old street, and natural scenery, Fenchihu, also known as “Southern Taiwan’s Jiufen,” gets its name from the Hokkien word for “low-lying land.” In reality, there is no lake here, and due to its resemblance to a winnowing basket, it is also called “Winnowing Basket Lake.”

In the early days, the slow speed of steam trains on the forest railway made mealtime a significant challenge. To address this daily necessity, the bento industry emerged, earning Fenchihu its reputation as the “Kingdom of Bento.”

Aside from the cultural charm of Fenchihu Old Street and the railway station, the area’s six scenic spots are another major highlight of a visit to Fenchihu. Among them, the forest walking trails and nostalgic old street allow visitors to forget their worries and immerse themselves in history and culture.