Cypress Forest Village Introduction
The Alishan Forest Railway starts at Beimen Station in Chiayi City, which is why it is referred to as the gateway to Alishan. In the early days, the railway transported timber down the mountain, gathering in Chiayi City, which boosted the business of lumber yards and sawmills around Beimen Station and led to a prosperous scene at that time, also promoting commercial development nearby. The Japanese-style houses built around that time used cypress wood, which became a distinctive feature of Japanese architecture and a testament to the history of Alishan's forestry development. The Huaiyi Forest Life Village operates within the area along both sides of Linsen East Road, covering a total area of 3.4 hectares. To the north is the area where the "Yishin Erye Hall" currently sits, which was originally a dormitory complex for Japanese junior staff, while the southern area housed accommodations for higher-ranking officials. After more than sixty years of weathering, Huaiyi has been restored using traditional Japanese construction methods and as much original material as possible, preserving 29 wooden historical buildings. After four years of reconstruction, the charm of the old Huai Village has been revived. This site is not only Taiwan's earliest forestry village, but also has the most well-preserved and extensive collection of Japanese official residences. The Forest Club, designated as a city historic site, was built around 1914 and served as a recreational facility for the Forestry Bureau of the Governor-General of Taiwan at that time. The architectural style imitates Tudor-style buildings from 17th century 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 changed to Zhongxiao Kindergarten. In 1984, it was borrowed by the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice for use as an office until it was returned in 1987, and subsequently became a dormitory for single employees of the Forestry Bureau. Today, it is listed as a city historic site in Chiayi, holding the memory of forestry history. "Sen Market," transformed from the Yishin Erye Hall, collaborates with over 100 brands and agricultural associations across Taiwan to provide high-quality products delivered directly from the source. It also partners with the agricultural lifestyle magazine, Rural Road, which has been around for over 40 years, to find exquisite agricultural products that resonate with consumers through compelling farmer stories. Utilizing curation, the content of Rural Road is used as exhibition material; consumers entering the Yishin Erye Hall will first see a three-dimensional presentation of the magazine's content, allowing them to resonate even more with the agricultural products and creating an experience that connects them with the land!
