High-Speed Rail Stations in Taichung and Changhua Serve as Starting Points to Promote Tourism in Mingjian and Surrounding Attractions
Nantou County, known for its vast area and dispersed attractions, now offers the "Baguashan Route" under the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle service, connecting Taichung and Changhua High-Speed Rail (HSR) stations. Officially launched yesterday, travelers can ride a nine-seater bus from Taichung HSR Station through Zhongxing New Village to Songboling Shoutian Temple in Mingjian Township, or a large coach from Changhua HSR Station to Shoutian Temple and Nantou City. The service also aims to boost passenger numbers ahead of the planned year-end 2025 opening of the "Pine Ridge Star" Scenic Tower in Mingjian, fostering tourism across central Taiwan and Baguashan.
Building Passenger Demand for the "Pine Ridge Star" Scenic Tower
Songboling Shoutian Temple, the main temple in Taiwan dedicated to Xuantian Shangdi, is situated at the highest point of the Baguashan foothills. Visitors can overlook Changhua County from this vantage point, and the surrounding rolling tea plantations form a key hub for Taiwan’s hand-shaken tea production. With a steady stream of worshippers visiting the temple annually, it stands as a significant religious and tourist destination. To capitalize on this, the Nantou County Government is constructing the "Pine Ridge Star" Scenic Tower nearby, set to open by the end of 2025, further enhancing local tourism.
Taichung Line: NT$150 for a One-Way Ticket via Zhongxing New Village
The county government announced that the "Baguashan Route" officially started operating yesterday with dual lines. From Taichung HSR Station, a nine-seater bus route passes through Zhongxing New Village, the Taiwan Mochi Museum in Nangang Industrial Park, the Shude Half-Mountain Dream Factory, and the Monkey Tan Well scenic area before reaching Shoutian Temple and returning. The service runs twice daily, with a one-way fare of NT$150.
The Changhua HSR Station route operates large coaches, traveling through Tianzhong Train Station, Shoutian Temple, and the Mingjian Township Office before reaching Nantou City. This route offers three round trips daily, with a one-way ticket priced at NT$100.
Changhua Line: Three Round Trips Daily via Tianzhong Station
Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua highlighted that the new Baguashan Route enhances local tourism and expands the county’s Taiwan Tourist Shuttle network to 16 lines, the highest number among all counties in Taiwan. She noted that the service will help cultivate ridership for the "Pine Ridge Star" Scenic Tower and stimulate related industries in the local tourism corridor. The county encourages the public to take advantage of this low-carbon travel option and contribute to sustainable tourism development.