Checheng Visitor Center Introduction
Background Introduction: Checheng Elementary School was established in 1957 and relocated to its current site in May 1987 in conjunction with the Ming-Tan Hydropower Plant. Due to the impact of declining birth rates in recent years, Checheng Elementary School, which has a history of nearly 60 years, underwent amalgamation and was officially closed in August 2015. To revitalize the vacant campus after the school's closure, the Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area Administration negotiated with the Nantou County Government for the paid transfer of the school site. From June 2017 to September 2018, the transfer procedures were completed, and the site was planned with the theme of a railway tourism elementary school, which officially opened on September 18, 2019. Design Description: The original auditorium, "Xuehai Hall," has been converted into the Checheng Visitor Center and management office, providing tourists with travel consultation services, as well as facilities such as a breastfeeding room, a prayer room for Muslims, and public restrooms. Cooperation with the Taiwan Railway Administration has led to the relocation of old locomotives (R100 series - R114) and old passenger carriages (35SPK32700 series) for display in the park. Railway tourism themes and train imagery have been incorporated into the design of the Checheng southern entrance corridor, creating a new photo spot in the Checheng area. The original representative buildings of the school, including the command platform and school gate, have been preserved for use as waiting areas and an entrance. The original playground space is utilized for pedestrian walkways, temporary parking for small cars, a turning area for large buses, and temporary passenger loading areas, alleviating the limited road space in the recreational area of Checheng. Outcome Benefits: The repurposed space of the abandoned Checheng Elementary School has been transformed into a railway tourism elementary school, turning the former educational campus into a new tourist attraction. By integrating resources from the Checheng recreational area, including the station, signal tower, transport vehicles, tracks, and turnouts, the railway tourism theme has been strengthened. The government has taken the lead in preserving railway cultural assets and promoting tourism development, which stimulates private investment and creativity, contributing to the rebirth of the Checheng community. In the future, the Administration will continue to collaborate with the Taiwan Railway Administration and other relevant units to promote railway tourism and low-carbon travel, through the integration of Checheng's forestry history, Jiji Line railway tourism, and bicycle low-carbon travel themes, showcasing a diverse recreational style.
