Fenqihu, Mountain railway village in Zhuqi Township, Taiwan.
Fenqihu is a mountain village located at 1,405 meters elevation in the Alishan region, surrounded by three slopes that form a natural basin. The settlement features houses clustered along the historic railway line, with narrow pathways and traditional wooden buildings.
The Japanese administration built the Alishan Forest Railway through Fenqihu in 1912 to transport camphor wood from the mountains. The village quickly became a major station and developed into a hub for trade and supplies along the railway line.
The village preserves its railway heritage through traditional wooden architecture and the cultivation of local tea on the surrounding slopes. Residents prepare specialized wooden boxes filled with local specialties that visitors can take home.
The village is reachable by regular buses from Chiayi, with departures from both the conventional train station and the high-speed rail terminal. The best time to visit is during tea harvest season or months with clearer weather, when mountain views are most rewarding.
The area is home to a special variety of square-shaped bamboo stems that grow exclusively in the mountain forests around Fenqihu. This unusual bamboo variety was developed locally and is now used for both craft products and culinary purposes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
