VISIT THE NOSTALGIC AND CHARMING CHECHENG TRAIN STATION IN NANTOU, TAIWAN
CheCheng Station車埕火车站
A laid-back well-preserved station that is still functioning today. This station has been marked as the prettiest station in Taiwan, despite being greatly damaged during the 921 Earthquake and had since been restored. Serene and tranquil.
Japanese Influences
Checheng railway station is the terminus for the Jiji Station and the more famous cousin of JiJi station. Jiji line was built as a supplementary to transport equipment for construction work during the Japanese war period. The 30 km line takes 45 minutes and stops along Jiji, Shuili and Checheng. Checheng is a rustic, laid-back station. With a rich history and heritage of being a former holding depot for trains, this was a place prosperous with logging activities and the main point for timber transportation.
Olden Days' Charm
I was in awe coming to Checheng station. If not for the many locals and tourists scattered around, I would have thought that this was an abandoned part of the city. No, it’s definitely not a bad thing. Many of Checheng’s nostalgic, yesteryear facades and old trains were preserved.
You can spot many hydroelectric points along the way.
How to get there?
This is the bus schedule to Checheng and back to Shui She Bus terminal/visitor centre ( as I would call), located within Sun Moon Lake ( SML is the next nearest, popular tourist destination and would thus make for a better location for an overnight stay if Checheng station is your 1-day trip plan.)
There will be counters at the Shui She terminal and you can ask for the bus SML- CheCheng Bus 6671 journey and time schedule. The journey took 30 minutes and passed by places like Toushe, XiangShan Visitor Centre ( also famous for its architecture).
When returning to SML, head to the opposite bus stop from where you alight. But it will often be packed with tour buses. Look out for your bus Number 6671 when the timing for arrival nears.
The buses are often very punctual.
There are unfortunately not many locals or tourists who boarded the bus. Locals usually drive or ride their scooters and tourists, well, mostly came with coaches? And the rest would have taken the train to other stops.
There are unfortunately not many locals or tourists who boarded the bus. Locals usually drive or ride their scooters and tourists, well, mostly came with coaches? And the rest would have taken the train to other stops.
Looking for accommodations?
Within CheCheng region, check rates below.
Within Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township
Yue Lake Backpackers - I stayed.**
(Recommended. Clean and spacious. Will blog about it later)
Catch the JiJi-Shuili-CheCheng train
When the train stops at the station, snap shoots with it.
It will be nice to take a train ride. Tickets are available for purchase on the spot. There is a Jiji 1 day pass.
Try it!
Let's Walk The Station
Back to the old historical CheCheng Station.
The timber logging historical aspects are still very much present in the station.
Old-time trains on display.
Water dyke during war times.
CheCheng Wood Museum 車埕木業展示館
Another Icon in this station.
This museum offers a glimpse into the past timber logging industry and lets you have your chance in making your own craft when you pay a token sum.
This museum offers a glimpse into the past timber logging industry and lets you have your chance in making your own craft when you pay a token sum.
Wood-Handicraft Workshop
Schools love to send their kids here for educational and fun workshops that spike their creativity and pull them closer to nature. I witnessed so many school groups having their excursions.
Eat @Cedar Tea House 木茶房
This dining place is another star pick for visitors. The pricings are slightly higher than normal bento lunchboxes. For the experience, just try once, it's worth it. =)
The gorgeous wooden bucket below is what you can bring home. Comes with a DIY hot-stamping experience on the lid.
The map of the station might look big, but it's not. You will be able to spot this dining place a short distance from the museum.
553, Taiwan, Nantou County, Shuili Township, 民權巷101號
Interior
This is the order chit.
The Wooden Bucket Bento Meal costs NT $390 ( SGD $16) and you can choose from a variety from Smoked Chicken Drumstick, Grilled Mackerel or Dong Po Pork. It's definitely on the higher end of a typical bento at the train stations about possibly NT$150/$200+
Gorgeous??
It was surprisingly tasty! The rice fragrant with the gravy and the braised chicken drum though slightly thicker at the skin was tender and flavorful!
I was in fact, astonished by the portion served. The rice was generously filled to the brim with ingredients like corns, tofu, veggies, Chinese sausage. The sides were plentiful as well. Salad, fruit and a grass jelly bowl with a cup of tea to go along with it. It was definitely very very filling!
Well worth the price~~
Of course, sharing is a good idea too if you want to eat other snacks along the way.
A pretty bag to store your bucket thereafter too,
Go Go!
CheCheng Station is a historical place to be while exploring nature at the same time. It's a serene, calm and peaceful place to be and I strongly encourage you to make the trip down yourself. If you are not taking the Jiji line just be sure to take note of the bus schedule timing back to Shui She, from the timetable I posted above.
Enjoy this historical journey of Nantou, Taichung.
Information about the passes and transportation in Nantou
PIN FOR LATER!
7 comments
This station is so interesting and love the history. The painted trains are so cute. The Bento box looks so nice too. Very cool place to visit!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cherene! Glad you love it:)
DeleteThis looks awesome! I love the tea house and the interesting historical aspects. I'd love to visit!
ReplyDeleteHi Lia! Glad you love it. Make a visit one day!
DeleteIt looks awesome! I'd love to visit this place one day!
ReplyDelete-Kiara
www.viaisabelle.com
Hi Kiara! Yeah it does :) Come come!
DeleteSuch a great post! hope you're having a wonderful day! You will like to see more fun from here.
ReplyDelete