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Welcome to Taichung
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Although Jiji (Chi Chi) is a small town, with a population of only about 12,000, there is enough to do here to create a great weekend getaway.Probably the first stop for most tourists is the Jiji train station (located at the corner of Min Sheng Rd. and Min Chuan Rd.). This station was originally built in 1933 and is one of only a few wooden, Japanese colonial era train stations in Taiwan. Although this landmark was very badly damaged during the 9-21 earthquake, it has since been rebuilt.
A popular tourist activity is to take the narrow gauge railroad from the Jiji station to Er Shui or Shui Li. A one-way trip to Shui Li takes about 10 minutes. A one-way trip to Er Shui takes about 50 minutes. Check at the station for train times and ticket costs.
Beginning in front of the train station and running parallel to the train tracks is a picturesque 1.6-kilometer bike path, complete with artistic sculptures and Victorian-style street lamps. Single-person and tandem bikes are available for rent.
This path ends at Ming Hsin Hsu Yuan (4, Tung Chang Lane, Yung Chang Li; tel: 049-2762374), a temple devoted to scholars. This is where students go to pray for good grades and test scores. Built during the Ching Dynasty, Ming Hsin Hsu Yuan was originally a school. |
| Useful Links:http://www.taiwanfun.com/central/taichung/articles/0109/0109CoverStory.htm |
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Other sites worth visiting are:
The Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (1, Min Sheng East Rd.; tel: 049-2761331; open 9 am-4:30 pm Tuesday-Sunday)
The Wu Chang Gung Earthquake Memorial (89, Lane 34, Min Sheng Rd.; tel: 049-2762496, 2764229).
The Jiji Waterfall: From the Wu Chang Gung Earthquake Memorial turn left onto Pa Chang Street, then turn left again onto Huan Shan Street. Follow this road until you see the sign for the road leading to the Chi Chi Waterfall. Turn right onto this small road and follow it up a steep hill.
Directions: From Taichung take the Taichung-Nantou Highway (No. 63) to the very end. Or take the Chungshan Freeway's Changhua exit and follow the signs first to Nantou City and then to Ming Chien. From Ming Chien, take Provincial Highway 16 and follow the signs to Jiji. Or, for a more scenic route from Ming Chien, take Provincial Highway 152, a tree-lined winding road with little traffic. |
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