Cypress Forest Village Introduction
The starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway is Beimen Station in Chiayi City, which is thus referred to as the gateway to Alishan. In the early days, the Alishan Forest Railway transported timber down to Chiayi City, leading to a flourishing business of lumber yards and sawmills around Beimen Station, creating a prosperous scene at that time and promoting commercial development in the vicinity. The Japanese-style houses built in the area were primarily constructed using cypress wood, which is a notable characteristic of traditional Japanese architecture and a testament to the history of Alishan's forestry development. The Cypress Village is mainly located on both sides of Linsen East Road, covering an area of 3.4 hectares. To the north is the area where the "Yishin Erye Pavilion" is currently situated, which was originally a dormitory for Japanese staff, while the southern area consisted of residences for higher-ranking officials. After more than sixty years of time, the Cypress Town has been restored using traditional Japanese construction methods and as much original material as possible, preserving 29 wooden historical buildings. Following four years of renovations, the grandeur of the Cypress Village has been restored. This place is not only the earliest forestry village in Taiwan but also has the most complete and extensive collection of Japanese官舍 (official residences). The Linye Club, designated as a historical site, was built around 1914 and served as a leisure spot for the Forestry Bureau of the Governor-General of Taiwan. Its architectural style is modeled after 17th-century Tudor buildings from England, with an indoor area of about 75 ping. In 1946, it served as the auditorium for the Forestry Bureau, and in 1948, it was converted into a kindergarten. In 1984, it was borrowed for office use by the Chiayi County Investigation Station of the Ministry of Justice until its return in 1987, after which it was repurposed as a dormitory for unmarried employees of the Forestry Bureau. Today, it is listed as a historic site by Chiayi City, carrying the historical memory of forestry. The "Sen Market," transformed from the Yishin Erye Pavilion, collaborates with over 100 brands and agricultural associations across Taiwan to provide high-quality products directly from the production area. It also partners with the countryside magazine "Lukang Road," which has been promoting agricultural living for over 40 years, drawing inspiration from compelling stories of farmers to find captivating agricultural products that resonate with consumers. Furthermore, it employs exhibition techniques that use content from the magazine as display materials. Upon entering the Yishin Erye Pavilion, consumers will first encounter a three-dimensional display of the magazine’s content, enhancing their emotional connection to agricultural products and creating a memorable experience inspired by the land!
