To improve transportation services for tourist attractions in Nantou County, the county government has successfully advocated for the opening of the 15th Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Service Beigangxi Line. On the 28th, County Magistrate Xu Shuhua hosted a trial ride ceremony at the Jiujiufeng Animal Paradise and unveiled the station sign for the zoo. The ceremony was lively and grand, with Magistrate Xu and Councilor Jian Cisheng welcoming the first batch of tourists and presenting them with souvenirs. Magistrate Xu invited tourists from across the country to take advantage of the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle service, enjoy the convenience of low-carbon travel, and easily explore Nantou, soaking in hot springs, visiting the zoo, exploring the secret spots along the Wu River Line, and tasting local delicacies.
The event was attended by representatives from the offices of Legislator Ma Wenjun, Legislator Xie Longjie, and Councilor Lin Youyou, as well as the Tourism Bureau, Taichung Supervision Station, Nantou Bus, Changhua Bus, and other stakeholders.
Magistrate Xu emphasized that Nantou is a vast area, and to improve traffic to tourist sites, she has actively sought Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes since her time as a legislator. After taking office, she has pushed forward her vision of making Nantou a "livable city," promoting low-carbon and sustainable tourism. She thanked the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Tourism Bureau, the Highway Bureau, and local authorities for their cooperation. Nantou now has a total of 16 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes, including the Sun Moon Lake Line, Xitou Line, Qingjing Line, Dongpu Line, Checheng Line, Puli Line, Jiji Line, Ruilong Waterfall Line, Shuanglong Line, Sun Moon Lake-Xitou Line, Sun Moon Lake-Alishan Line, Paoshui Qiucai Line, Douliu-Zhushan Line, and the newly added Beigangxi Line and Bagushan Line. This expansion enhances transportation services for the scenic areas. In addition, in early December, Taiwan Tourist Shuttle will launch a nationwide first QR code boarding system and a second-generation Nantou Tourist Shuttle Card, making it even easier to explore Nantou.
Magistrate Xu added that Caotun and Beigangxi are key attractions along the Wu River tourism axis. The opening of the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Beigangxi Line makes it easier to travel along this route. Tourists can visit landmarks such as the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Center, Jiujiufeng Animal Paradise, Nuomi Bridge, and the Taiya Resort, all while quickly reaching the Beigangxi Hot Springs area. This initiative also aims to help cultivate the habit of using public transportation among visitors, making their travel experience more sustainable and convenient.
Councilor Jian emphasized that Caotun is a place rich in cultural heritage and is home to many hidden gems and local products. She encouraged people from across the country to visit, and promised to collaborate with the county government to boost local tourism.
Taichung Supervision Station official Chen Hongying explained that the Beigangxi Line of Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is an extension of the original 6653 bus route (Caotun-Taiya Resort), now diverted to pass by Jiujiufeng Animal Paradise. The service will officially begin operation on November 29, with initial trips made using 9-seat minibuses. There will be two round trips per day, departing from the Taichung High-Speed Rail Station at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and from Taiya Resort at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The route covers stops at Taichung High-Speed Rail Station, Caotun, Craft Center, Jiujiufeng Animal Paradise, Xiapinglin, Fuguo Tourist Center, Ganzi Forest, Guoxing, Puwei, Qiaotou, Beigangxi Hot Springs, and Taiya Resort, with a one-way fare of NT$187.
The county's Tourism Department mentioned that the Beigangxi Hot Springs, one of the three major hot spring areas in Nantou, is a popular destination for visitors, especially in autumn and winter. The route also passes the National Taiwan Craft Research Center, where visitors can learn about and experience traditional Taiwanese handicrafts. Located in Caotun, Jiujiufeng is a prominent mountain in the county, offering panoramic views and beautiful scenery. The Jiujiufeng Animal Paradise within the recreation park is a popular spot for families, featuring dozens of bird species and other animals. The upcoming Helium Balloon Park, set to open in 2026, is another exciting new attraction. In collaboration with local businesses, the county government has launched a Tourist Shuttle package for visitors to enjoy low-carbon tourism. Further details are available on the official "Nantou Good to Visit" website. Additionally, the Beigangxi Line continues Taiwan Tourist Shuttle's visual identity and provides multilingual travel brochures in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean to cater to international tourists.
To celebrate Nantou having the highest number of Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes in the country, the county government is also offering a lucky draw event. By liking and commenting on designated posts on the "Le Travel Nantou" Facebook page, participants will have a chance to win various prizes, including vouchers for Taiya Resort, entrance tickets to Jiujiufeng Animal Paradise, tickets for the Half Mountain Dream Factory, pineapple cakes from Wele, fresh fruit from Taiwan Mochi Theme Hall, Nantou Smart Travel Cards, and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle tickets. For more information and to enter the draw, visit the Nantou Tourism website and the "Le Travel Nantou" Facebook page.