Cypress Park Introduction
The Alishan Forest Railway begins at Beimen Station in Chiayi City, hence it is referred to as the gateway to Alishan. Initially, the Alishan Forest Railway transported timber down to Chiayi City, which led to a booming business for timber merchants and sawmills around Beimen Station, creating a prosperous scene at the time and promoting commercial development in the area. The traditional Japanese-style houses built in the vicinity used cypress wood as a major characteristic of Japanese architecture, as well as a testament to the history of Alishan's forestry development. The Huai Yi Forest Village operates mainly within the park area on both sides of Linsen East Road, covering an area of 3.4 hectares. To the north lies the current location of the "One Heart Two Leaves Pavilion," which originally served as a dormitory for Japanese junior staff, while the southern area was occupied by high-ranking official residences. After more than sixty years, Huai Town has been restored using traditional Japanese construction methods and as much original material as possible, preserving 29 historical wooden structures. After four years of renovation, the elegance of the original cypress village has been revitalized. This place is not only the earliest forestry village in Taiwan but also the most complete and extensive group of Japanese official residence architecture. The Forestry Club, designated as a historical site, was built around 1914 and served as a recreational spot for the Taiwan Governor-General's Forest Bureau at the time. Its architectural style mimics the Tudor buildings of 17th century England, with an indoor area of about 75 ping. In 1946, it was used as a hall for the Forest Management Office, converted to Zhongxiao Kindergarten in 1948, and was borrowed by the Chiayi County Office of the Investigation Bureau from the Ministry of Justice for office use until 1987, when it was returned and later repurposed as dormitories for single forestry staff. It is now listed as a historical site in Chiayi City, carrying the memories of forestry history. The "Sen Market," transformed from the One Heart Two Leaves Pavilion, collaborates with over 100 brands and agricultural cooperatives across Taiwan, providing high-quality products directly delivered from the source. It also partners with the 40-year-old agricultural lifestyle magazine "Country Path," showcasing emotional agricultural products through the fascinating stories of farmers, and by using curated displays to present content from the magazine, consumers are greeted with a three-dimensional exhibition upon entering the One Heart Two Leaves Pavilion. This innovative display method creates a deeper connection between consumers and agricultural products, fostering an experience that resonates with the land!
