Yuanquan Station Introduction
Yuanquan Station is located in the southeast of Ershui Township, Changhua County. It has a long history and is one of the earliest railway stations on the Taiwan Railways Administration’s Jiji Line. Yuanquan is a small, sparsely populated village; however, the station has a neat and clean station building and a tranquil, rustic atmosphere. Situated along the Ershui Bicycle Path, it attracts many railway enthusiasts and tourists who come to take photographs and sightsee. The Jiji Line was established in 1922, initially for transporting timber, but gradually evolved into passenger service as the forestry industry declined. The station was originally named Bizar Head Station, and after 51 years, it was renamed Yuanquan Station. Later, it was downgraded to a flag stop. After experiencing severe damage from the 921 earthquake and being out of service for a year, it was renovated and transformed into its current appearance. The revitalized Yuanquan Station connects with nearby attractions along the bicycle path, becoming a quiet and pleasant feature station in Ershui Township. The interiors are tidy, and there are benches provided for visitors to shade from the sun or shelter from the rain, allowing them to enjoy a moment of tranquility while preparing for their next journey. The station is now an unattended flag stop with a limited number of train services passing through. As there is no ticket counter, passengers need to buy tickets on the train. The rain shelter still retains a Japanese railway style, while nearby residential walls are decorated with mosaic artwork inspired by the Jiji Line. There are also small installations and a creatively designed tunnel on the bicycle path that leads to a small park, all of which make Yuanquan Station a unique spot full of surprises.
