Chihshang Bawan Cultural Story Museum Introduction
In the past, the train ride from Hualien to Taitung took 8 hours, which led to the creation of the original Chishang lunchbox for travelers to enjoy during the long journey. The first lunchboxes were wrapped in bamboo leaves and contained four triangular rice balls filled with dried meat and sour plums. Over time, the packaging evolved to wooden boxes, filled with rice made from Chishang rice, complemented by braised meat, roast meat, traditional pickles, and shrimp caught from Dapo Pond, among other ingredients. As times changed, Chishang lunchboxes strictly controlled the quality of their ingredients, creating a richer and more diverse menu, while modernizing operations to continue the legacy of this time-honored brand. The Chishang Lunchbox Cultural Story Museum features several exhibition areas, including the "Historical and Cultural Zone," "Farmland and Tools Zone," "Rice Culture Zone," "Chishang Lunchbox Zone," and "Traditional Lunchbox Zone," each introducing the historical development of Chishang lunchboxes through text and images. The museum also preserves traditional stoves and tools used in the early days of lunchbox preparation. Therefore, the Chishang Lunchbox Museum not only offers public visitation but also serves multiple functions, including cultural preservation and education. Visitors to the Chishang Lunchbox Cultural Story Museum can enjoy a variety of experiences beyond just eating lunchboxes, making it a great place to spend some time. Additionally, aside from the spacious and comfortable dining area, guests can enjoy their meals in a decommissioned train car in front of the museum, fully experiencing the nostalgic ambiance of dining on a train. This creates a more delightful travel atmosphere compared to eating Chishang lunchboxes on an actual train.
