Fenqihu Old Street is a mountain railway town in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, sitting at about 1,405 meters above sea level. It grew up around the station established when the Alishan Forest Railway opened in 1912, and it is regarded as one of the birthplaces of Taiwan's railway bento culture. A century-old wooden streetscape lines both sides of the tracks; once a vital mountain supply hub, it has since transformed into a village that preserves its timber shophouse character — a singular place to experience Taiwan's railway history.
Fenqihu Station was established when the Alishan Forest Railway opened in 1912; its flat terrain and locomotive depot and supply facilities allowed it to grow into a major mountain settlement. Early steam trains typically stopped there around midday to refuel, giving crew and passengers time to eat — the origin of Fenqihu's railway bento culture. Before the Alishan Highway (Provincial Highway 18) opened in September 1982, Fenqihu served as the main relay stop into the Alishan region, and at its peak the bento vendors reportedly sold over 2,000 boxed meals a day.
Highlights of Fenqihu Old Street
Fenqihu (formerly known as Benjilhu) sits in a basin ringed on three sides by mountains, a topography that gave rise to its original name, meaning "dustpan lake." When the Japanese colonial-era Alishan Railway opened and Fenqihu became an intermediate station, its flat terrain and the presence of a locomotive depot and supply facilities allowed a substantial mountain settlement to grow. The surviving timber shophouses lining the tracks date largely from the Japanese colonial period through the early postwar years; though weathered by time, they still reflect the layout of the old mountain town.
Fenqihu's bento box tradition grew from the needs of railway workers and travelers, served in wooden boxes and known for its mushroom-and-pork-rib rice — the birthplace of Taiwan's railway bento culture. The old street also sells Alishan area specialties such as high-mountain tea, processed bamboo shoot products, and mountain-grown produce; the local mountain snacks are well worth sampling. The railway scenery and mountain forest atmosphere make excellent subjects for photography.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Take the Alishan Forest Railway to Fenqihu Station (check the official timetable); by car, follow Provincial Highway 18 and turn off at the Fenqihu junction.
- Most old-street shops open from around 10:00 a.m. Plan to arrive in the morning and leave before dusk to avoid driving mountain roads after dark.
Nearby Connections
- The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area lies further up the mountain; Fenqihu works well as a stop on the way up or down.
- Zhuqi Township also has Zhuqi Water Park, which can serve as an additional stop after descending the mountain.
Source: Public historical records from the Alishan Forest Railway and local archives. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above sea level is Fenqihu?
Fenqihu sits at approximately 1,405 meters above sea level, an important relay stop along the Alishan Forest Railway.
How did Fenqihu's railway bento culture start?
Steam trains commonly stopped at Fenqihu around midday to refuel, giving crew and passengers a chance to eat; local residents began selling freshly cooked meals, which grew into Fenqihu's signature railway bento culture.
Where does the name Fenqihu come from?
Fenqihu was formerly called “Benjihu,” meaning “dustpan lake,” after its basin-like terrain ringed by mountains on three sides — despite the name, there is no actual lake.
When was Fenqihu's bento trade at its peak?
Before the Alishan Highway opened in 1982, trains were the main way in and out of Alishan and ran on limited schedules; at its peak, Fenqihu vendors reportedly sold over 2,000 bento boxes a day.
Sources
- 阿里山林鐵中繼站「奮起湖」的輝煌歲月－微笑台灣 — 便當文化起源與鼎盛時期銷量
- 林業鐵路－歷史介紹－阿里山林業鐵路及文化資產管理處 — 阿里山森林鐵路1912年通車歷史