[Family Travel]Lazy Guide to Planning a Trip Along the Jiji Branch Line

Nantou can be considered the most diverse county in Taiwan in terms of travel experiences. It offers alpine tourism around Qingjing and Hehuanshan, cycling paths around Sun Moon Lake, as well as unique amusement parks like Monster Village and Xitou Sika Forest. The most appealing railway journey is also available here via the Jiji Line. This time, Baobao Wen is introducing Shuili and Checheng — two stations at the end of the Jiji Line — where you can enjoy delicious food, explore well-preserved remnants of the timber industry, and visit the famously beautiful “Checheng Station” as well as the Mingtan Dam. Come along with Baobao Wen (bobowin) on this adventure right away!

Baobao Wen drove to the destination. The first stop was Checheng Station. The first thing to do upon arrival is to wait for a train. If you don’t have your own transportation, you can also take the Jiji Line train. Fortunately, the arriving train was a painted version. Looking around, you’ll find Checheng surrounded by mountains, with a tranquil environment. Without the crowds, it could easily be a hidden paradise.
(Recommended reading:) Checheng is known as having the most beautiful station and is the last stop on the Jiji Line Railway. Aside from the first section of tracks, no other railways are used by trains. There’s also a fun hand-pushed rail cart you can try. Checheng was one of Taiwan’s three major timber distribution hubs. Nowadays, instead of logging, it has been turned into the Wood Industry Trail featuring wooden crafts where kids can also do DIY woodworking. The Checheng Timber Industry Exhibition Hall is an exceptionally beautiful building worth visiting. The former timber storage and distribution pool has been transformed into a visitor center located by the lakeside, becoming the most scenic spot in Checheng. For lunch, you can dine by the lake at Wooden Tea House, which serves distinctive wooden bucket bento boxes. Heading upwards leads you to Checheng Old Street, where the original wooden bucket bento shop is located, though it’s not air-conditioned, making for a warmer dining experience. You can choose to walk up or drive. Going further up leads to the top of Mingtan Dam. The Mingtan Reservoir was constructed by damming the Shuili River valley to store tailwater from the Sun Moon Lake power plant. After thoroughly exploring Checheng, head to the next stop to enjoy some ice pops in Shuili. There are two long-established ice pop shops on Erping Mountain in Shuili (Daguan Ice Shop and Erping Ice Shop), each with its own charm. To learn more, check the link below. Be sure to try their savory ice pops — the unique taste will leave you longing for more.
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After eating ice cream, you’re probably getting hungry. You can visit the meatball shop that doesn’t open until 2:10 PM. If you’re spending a late afternoon in Checheng, go ahead and line up for meatballs early. Be reminded: once they’re sold out, they’re gone. During Baobao Wen’s visit, they were all sold out within just half an hour of opening. Drizzle them with the special sauce and eat them hot on-site for the best flavor. The shop has limited seating, so remember to queue up for a spot. The final stop should definitely be cycling through the Green Tunnel. The scale of this Green Tunnel section is arguably the most spectacular in Taiwan. Be sure to stop and take a stroll here.
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