Ride iron horses and explore Jiji Town to the fullest—what an exciting one-day adventure in this charming town!

By MOOK Scenic Spots / Compiled and Reported
 
Taiwan's railway culture boasts a history of over a century, and Jiji Town in Nantou County is a must-visit destination for train enthusiasts. The Jiji Railway Line is the longest branch line in Taiwan, offering a delightful and picturesque journey full of scenic and cultural attractions, making it perfect for a weekend family getaway to explore the town and soak up the beauty of Jiji.

Located in Nantou, the Taiwan University Experimental Forest is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, especially in spring when the blossoms are in full bloom, attracting many visitors. The Phoenix Nature Education Area within the Taiwan University Experimental Forest is home to over 300 delicate pink Higan cherry trees. Strolling through the beautiful cherry blossom tunnel feels like being in a romantic overseas attraction.

The Jiji Railway Cultural Expo Museum is located next to Jiji Station. Established in 1998, it was originally an old Taiwan Railways warehouse and was repurposed to promote Jiji’s railway cultural tourism. This wooden, antique-style building features a floor designed to resemble railway tracks and displays valuable artifacts related to railway culture, as well as a model of Jiji Town, adding an intellectual charm to this small town.

Zhejiang’s Taishun is known as the “Hometown of Covered Bridges” in China, with covered bridges that have a history of 600 years. Such unique bridges also appear in Jiji Town. This Taishun Covered Bridge was donated to Nantou County by Wenzhou City in China and built under the leadership of Zeng Jia Kuai, a master of Taishun Covered Bridge construction. All materials were transported from Wenzhou to Nantou and assembled on-site. The bridge primarily uses a wooden arch structure, and its most distinctive feature is that it was built entirely without nails using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery.

The 921 Leaning Tower Memorial Park is only about 500 meters from Zhuoshui Station. Visitors can take the Jiji Line to get here or travel to other attractions along the line, making for a fun mini train trip. Due to significant changes in the terrain, cold springs emerged in the area. To echo the old railway tracks, the park’s water play area features winding waterways that guide visitors toward the leisure bike path connecting to Zhuoshui Station, making it the most popular area in the park during summer.