Courtesy of Editorial Office
Nestled among mountains, Fenglin feels like time slows down. From historic train stations and dye workshops to ancient temples and old dessert shops, tradition and community life intertwine, showcasing the unique culture and rhythm of this slow town.
Fenglin Walking Tour｜Dyeing, Blessings, and Miniature Desserts
Near Fenglin Train Station, the “Floral Handkerchief Plant Dyeing Workshop” uses the land as a canvas. Natural plants like shell ginger, fumu trees, and banyans are used to create dyes, transforming the land’s colors into “floral handkerchiefs,” symbols of Hakka women’s grace and the vitality of handmade crafts. The Shoutian Temple, the town’s religious center, testifies to Fenglin residents’ resilience. Rebuilt after being destroyed during the Japanese era, it enshrines the Holy Emperor Guan and the City God. During the annual Pudu ceremony with eight-tone music, the temple unites local faith and community spirit. Across the street, Mingsin Ice, operating since 1965, is a shared memory for Fenglin residents. From fluffy three-bean ice and traditional ice cream to tangy lemonade, every bite carries the gentle imprint of time, letting visitors taste Fenglin’s stories.
Sample Itinerary｜TRA Fenglin Station → Floral Handkerchief Plant Dyeing Workshop → Shoutian Temple + Mingsin Ice → Principal Dream Factory → TW Shidou → TRA Fenglin Station
The renowned “Principal Dream Factory,” representing Fenglin’s Hakka heritage, is housed in a century-old Japanese wooden building, quietly telling the town’s educational legacy as the “Hometown of Principals.” Restored from the Fenglin Subprefecture’s official residence, the cultural center displays precious artifacts and historical photos, reflecting the Hakka spirit of “Clear-sky Farming, Rainy-day Studying” (people worked in good weather and studied when it rained) and allowing visitors to step back into the era when education was the foundation for developing the town. Outside, the Respect Words Pavilion symbolizes reverence for literacy and knowledge, continuing Fenglin’s enduring dedication to learning and culture.
Nearby, TW Shidou uses a rich bowl of tofu pudding to narrate stories of local revitalization. Originally a Japanese-era tea house, it now integrates dining, agriculture, and cultural experiences. Using locally grown organic soybeans, it offers tofu desserts and diverse activities, letting visitors savor Fenglin’s land, food, and cultural symbiosis at a leisurely pace.