Fenglin Township is located in the middle of the East Rift Valley plain, nestled between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range. Fed by unpolluted water sources from the Central Mountains, Fenglin has nurtured its residents with the Hakka people’s traditional emphasis on education. This has earned Fenglin the well-deserved reputation as both the “Town of Longevity” and the “Hometown of Principals.” It is also the first town in Taiwan to receive official certification from Italy’s Cittaslow International organization.

Fenglin’s development dates back to the Qing Dynasty. During the Japanese colonial period, it was established as a town and administrative center, and became one of the three government-run immigrant villages in Hualien. Today, it still retains its grid-patterned streets and Shinto shrine, along with the highest number of Osaka- and Hiroshima-style tobacco curing barns in Taiwan. These barns bear witness to the economic importance of yellow tobacco in eastern Taiwan from the Japanese era through the postwar years. The Lintianshan Forestry Cultural Park also preserves a rich array of logging tools and equipment from the old forestry industry, showcasing how the park once played a vital role in generating foreign exchange for the country and earning the nickname “Little Jiufen.”

When you’re feeling tired, unwind at attractions like Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch and Resort, the Fongyi Industry Road, the Principal Dream Factory, the Hakka Cultural Museum, Phoenix Waterfall, and the centuries-old bishopwood tree. Enjoy the grasslands, cherry blossoms along the Sakura Path, and experience the richness of Hakka culture while breathing in the refreshing negative ions that bring peace to both body and mind.

If you’re hungry, savor local specialties such as chive stinky tofu, forest-grown produce from Linrong, beef noodles, vegetable buns, ai-ban (mugwort rice cakes), and a wide array of Hakka delicacies. If you’re sleepy, there are many cozy guesthouses and backpacker hostels ready to welcome you.

Before heading home, don’t forget to pick up Fenglin’s “Three Treasures” – peanuts, soy milk, and pickled chili peppers – along with handcrafted Hakka plant-dyed products as the perfect souvenirs.

For those who love lively festivities, Fenglin has something for everyone: the Tung Blossom Festival, Watermelon Festival, Peanut Festival, Harvest Festival, Hakka Carnival, New Year’s Eve celebration, and much more. With new events and scenery every season, Fenglin is always ready to welcome you to come and connect.