After settling down, we proceed back to Taichung station to buy tickets to Jiji Line (集集线). Its similar to Pingxi Line in Taipei, having trains into the towns at hourly intervals.
We missed the train timing to get to Jiji line and therefore the station master advised us to alight at Ershui （二水）on Chang Hua Line hoping to get a connecting train to Jiji. Tickets from Taichung to Jiji station is NTD 102. Unlike Pingxi line, there is no unlimited rides here, you need to purchase tickets every time u board the train.
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| Tickets to Jiji |
Journey to Ershui station takes about 50min, it is a small station along Taichung line. Nothing much to see and do. The station was very empty when we reached. I was hoping that Jiji Line would not be as packed as Pingxi line.
As the next connecting train is nearly an hr away, we had no choice but to wait here. Taking silly pictures, chatting, looking at the surrounding...Mr Love was a bit restless from all the traveling.
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| Waiting for the 14:35 train to Jiji |
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| Waiting area for the special train |
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| Very isolated place |
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| Timetable of passing trains via Ershui station |
The train to Jiji is similar to that of Pingxi, TRA had decorate the trains specially. The carriages were pretty empty and we got seats easily. Jiji is around 30min away from Ershui station.
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| The train |
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| Along the way |
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| Zhuoshui station |
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| Inside the train |
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| Jiji station |
Jiji town is actually within Nantou county and this branch line of TRA was severely damaged during an earthquake in 1999, it was reopen in 2002 after reconstruction.
It is originally built to facilitate construction of power plants in Sun Moon Lake. It is actually pretty near to SML here and usually people will do a 1 day tour of SML along with Jiji Line. However, I find it too packed and thus split up the 2 places to visit.
Jiji station is actually a modest looking station, reminding me of Kluang station in mummy's hometown. Its seems to be like a small town too. I had not done much research for where to visit and thus will have to rely on our gut feelings.
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| Jiji station |
Its 15:09 when we reached Jiji and I checked for the timetable on next train to Checheng. Next train would be at 16:33 and 18:01. 6pm train would be too late by the time we reached Checheng, everything would be dark. I then brought the tickets for 4pm train.
Train tickets on Jiji line are different from the normal tickets. Its the only branch line that still uses the old school tickets and you can keep use it as a bookmark.
Having brought the tickets, we began our tour in Jiji, with me keeping check of the time to come back.
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| Tickets to Checheng |
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| Shops along the street |
The street surrounding train station is buzzing with activities. Not sure whether is becuz its a Sunday. There are even a small bazzar there with games and food stores .However, we noticed, many here are locals. Neber did we noticed any other tourists like us here. Guess it is not as popular as Pingxi line yet or it is simply too far and time consuming to travel here.
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| Landmark |
We decided to turn left as we exit the station and walked around aimlessly for a while before coming across a stall selling goreng pisang (Fried bananas). Seems to be a popular stall with all the pictures taken with various artists. Ordered 1 serving to try it out. It was indeed yummy!
Later, I learnt from Shan Shan Jie that Jiji is well known for growing bananas. But she was luffing hard at us for eating someting we could easily get in SG.
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| Name and menu of the store |
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| Pictures with various artists |
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| Busy street |
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| 1st time seeing non air con bus in Taiwan |
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| Preparing the pisang |
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| Our goreng pisang |
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| Super big ass dog |
After buying the fried banana, we turned back and walked towards the station to check out the bazzar which is to the right of the station.
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| Fried donuts |
We spotted a stall selling onion pancakes again and Mr Love insisted to buy 1 to try out. The stall owner was abit amused that we didnt bother to try the stall's speciality- butterfly fritters. I think Mr Love is trying to taste all the available onion pancakes in Taiwan.
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| The story of the butterfly fritters |
Truth to be told, none of it we tried where else in Taiwan can fight against the 1 we tried in Yilan. Period. While the 1 we tried in Yilan is handmade after ordering, the other are just ready made and heat up after ordering. Many a times, we find them to taste more like prata except they added in the spring onions.
Still, Mr Love did not give up his quest to look for something that can match the 1 we had in Yilan. Haha
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| Looks yummy |
We realised there is a mini fun fair on the other side of the tracks behind the station and went over. There is a go cart area also, but we did not have the time to play. Walked around the fun fair and then decided to return to the station as it is already 16:10.
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| Directions to a mini fun fair |
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| Big fat rabbits |
Walked thru the bazzar again to get back to station and this time, I was stopped by a sausage vendor. Haha Like Mr Love, I have my own personally liking of Taiwanese food and this time round is rice sausage. Hehe.. brought 1 to try but regretted it. No only it is pretty tasteless, the vendor did not add in any prickles, only adding some dark soy sauce on it only.
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| Which 1 is to your liking? |
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| Tasteless 米肠 |
Having eaten so much tings, it is time to look for someting to drink. There is a stall here selling traditional red tea (古早味红茶). I totally have no idea what it is but decided to buy 1 and try. Haha It is just normal red tea lo, just that it is extra cooling under this hot sun.
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| 古早味红茶 |
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| Spotted 台湾好行 bus here too |
There is also a shop here selling biscuits shaped like Jiji Line train tickets. I was beri tempted to buy home but realised they do not come in chocolate flavours. Hehe gave up the tot as it is pretty expensive and moreover, I do not fancy butter cookies. Secretly took some pictures when the store owner is busying entertaining others. Hehe
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| Cute container |
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| The ticket biscuits |
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| My snack while waitin for the train |
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| Waiting area |
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| Ticketing booth |
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| I was fascinated by these as a child |
We came to the end of touring Jiji town as the train arrival time gets closer. It was a short tour around this town due to time constraint but nevertheless we njoy our short stay here with the food. But I am not sure whether we would revisit here in future trips as the travelling time is simply too long.
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