Checheng and Shuili Snake Kiln are among Nantou's most distinctive industrial heritage sites — a former sugar and timber railway terminus paired with a wood-fired snake kiln founded in 1927. Checheng's wooden station retains its Japanese colonial-era style, while the kiln continues the craft of pottery firing using traditional wood-firing techniques; together they document Shuili Township's industrial transformation.
Checheng Station is the terminus of the Jiji Branch Line railway and was historically a hub for sugar and timber transport during the Japanese colonial period. Shuili Snake Kiln was founded in 1927 by Lin Song-jiang, with the Xiexing Kiln Factory established in 1931; the kiln body is about 31 meters long and winds up the hillside like a snake, giving it its name. In 1993, third-generation kiln owner Lin Guo-long transformed the historic kiln into the tourist-oriented Shuili Snake Kiln Ceramics Cultural Park.
Highlights of Checheng Historic Station & Shuili Snake Kiln
Checheng Station is the final stop on the Jiji Branch Line railway; historically its main function was transporting sugar cane raw materials and timber, and during the Japanese colonial period it housed a sugar factory and sawmill. The wooden station building is fully preserved today, with a clear wooden platform structure, and next to the station is a timber industry exhibition hall introducing the history of Checheng's lumber trade. The surrounding village has the Checheng Reservoir as a scenic feature, as well as a shopping street converted from wooden buildings, creating a relaxed overall atmosphere. Shuili Snake Kiln is about 5 to 10 minutes by car from Checheng; its history dates back to 1927. The kiln body winds up the hillside like a snake, hence the name, and the wood-fire heating method preserves traditional techniques.
In addition to displaying the snake kiln structure, Shuili Snake Kiln also offers pottery experience courses — visitors can hand-throw clay on a potter's wheel or paint ceramics. The kiln-firing cycle still takes place regularly; if your timing aligns, you may be able to watch a live firing in progress. The park sells finished kiln-fired ceramics, including everyday vessels and art pieces. The quality of each piece varies due to the natural ash glaze effects of wood firing — quite different from the uniformity of mass-produced electric kiln work. Combining both sites, you can comfortably plan a half-day to full-day visit.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time Required
- You can take the Jiji Branch Line from Jiji Station to Checheng terminus in about 15 minutes. By car from Shuili town center to Checheng takes about 10 minutes; the drive between the Snake Kiln and Checheng is about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Combining both sites, allow 3 to 4 hours; add more time if you include a pottery experience session.
Nearby Connections
- Jiji Train Station (Jiji Township) is along the Jiji Branch Line — you can arrange a day trip by train that connects Jiji town and Checheng on a single railway route.
- Heading north along Provincial Highway 21 leads to Sun Moon Lake, which can be incorporated into a mid-Nantou itinerary.
Sources: Shuili Snake Kiln official website, Checheng Timber Industry Exhibition Hall interpretive materials. Photos pending replacement with Dio's original shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical significance of Checheng Station?
Checheng Station is the terminus of the Jiji Branch Line railway and was a hub for sugar and timber transport during the Japanese colonial period; its wooden station building remains fully preserved.
When was Shuili Snake Kiln founded?
It was founded in 1927 by Lin Song-jiang, with the Xiexing Kiln Factory established in 1931.
Where does the name "Snake Kiln" come from?
The kiln body, about 31 meters long, winds up the hillside like a snake, giving it its name; in 1993 the third-generation owner transformed it into a tourist-oriented ceramics park.
Sources
- 水里蛇窯 - 維基百科 — 創立年份、窯長、轉型歷史