Page 50 - 來學華語課本第五冊

Lesson 03 鐵道之旅

Those planning on releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi can use the Taiwan Railway
Pingxi Branch Line. Its original purpose was to transport coal, but it has now developed
into a railway branch line of major tourist value. This route not only offers beautiful views

of mountains, water, and waterfalls, it also affords an experience of small-town atmosphere,
making it very popular with tourists.
If you want to visit the famous Hakka Village, you can transfer to the Neiwan branch

line at Hsinchu. As the train slowly moves forward, the scenery outside the window evokes
a feeling of being back in past times. Also, when coming to Neiwan, you simply must try

the Hakka cuisine so that you head back on a full stomach.
The Jiji Line connecting Changhua and Nantou is Taiwan Railway's longest branch
line. This line was originally built to transport machinery needed for power generation at the

Sun Moon Lake Reservoir. Later, as it grew increasingly famous for the abundant tourism
resources nearby, such as green tunnels, old streets, and historical buildings, it became

Taiwan's earliest sightseeing railway.
In addition to the aforementioned rail branch lines, the Formosa Express is a good
choice for those who want to complete a trip around the island in a limited period of time.

This type of train stops at several distinctive stations where passengers can get off to have
some fun and stroll around before getting back on. In some particular sections of the route,
the train slows down, allowing passengers to admire the beautiful scenery, take photos, and

enjoy the pleasure of the railway journey. In addition, depending on the route you choose,
you can eat different types of railway lunch boxes on the train, allowing flavor to be among
your memories of the trip.

Railways are not only a means of transportation; they are also closely connected
to local culture, history, and social development. Therefore, trains will always have the

charm that no other means of transportation can match. Plan a train trip—Taiwan’s railway
adventures will surely not disappoint you!

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