Jiaoyou Cycling Path Introduction
The "Jia-Yo Bicycle Trail" is constructed utilizing the idle old railway of the Chinese Petroleum Corporation. It is located next to the CPC factory area on Section 4 of Shih Hsien Road in Chiayi City. The trail passes through four villages: Mei-Yuan, Guang-Lu, Shi-Zi, and Hong-Wa-Cuo, as well as three villages in Shui-Shang Township: San-He, Xia-Liao, and Hui-Gui. It reaches the Tropic of Cancer Station's Astronomical Square, with a total length of 3,500 meters, designed as a dedicated bicycle path and scenic green corridor to enhance leisure and tourism resources in Chiayi City. The newly planned greenbelt has bike lanes, each 2 meters wide, paved on both sides of the original railway. Depending on the terrain and hydrology along the route, resting pavilions, wetland ecology, and lotus ponds are installed. Medium and small trees and both tall and short shrubs are planted along the bike path. Entry flower corridors are set up at important road intersections, fully catering to the multifunctional needs of ecology, aesthetics, tourism, and leisure. The Jia-Yo Bicycle Trail evolved from the "Chiayi Chemical Plant," and its unique historical background makes it a rare industrial relic in Taiwan and a precious cultural landscape resource. The Chiayi City Government thoughtfully planned and revitalized the old railway into a dedicated bike path and public walking trail, naming it "Jia-Yo Bicycle Trail" through a citizen vote. The entire route runs through urban, rural, and pastoral areas, showcasing elegant scenery and a friendly environment, making it a highly attractive tourism destination suitable for family leisure and enjoyment. **History Snippet of "Chiayi Chemical Plant"** The Chiayi Chemical Plant was founded in 1938 during the Japanese occupation by the Taiwan Colonization Company. Using sweet potato residue as raw material, it produced butanol, propanol, and ethanol, becoming the world's largest fermentation-based butanol factory at that time. In 1942, a dedicated railway was established to connect the factory with the main trunk line of the railway. Utilizing butanol to produce iso-octane for aviation fuel, the Chiayi Chemical Plant became an important secret fuel base for Japan during World War II, with solvents transported via the dedicated railway to the main railway and then shipped to Kaohsiung Port for transfer to Japan. **Construction Date:** April 12, 2008
