Trains return to Jiji Line after 4-year closure

Trains return to Jiji Line after 4-year closure

2026-01-05

Train services have resumed along the historic Jiji Line in Central Taiwan. The railway closed down in 2021 after collapses and a tunnel widening project, which heavily impacted the local tourism industry. But now that trains are running between Zhuoshui and Jiji once again, local businesses are excited about the return of tourists. Services along the full stretch of the line are expected to resume by July.

A train inches into Jiji Station for the first time in four years. Railway fans have flocked here for the momentous occasion.

Train fan
Visiting Jiji
It’s so fresh and new. I’m so glad the Jiji Line is open again. The scenery along the first stretch is stunning. There’s a lush green tunnel.

Train fan
Visiting Jiji
It’s been ages since I rode the train here, so I came to give it a try.

The line closed in 2021 due to slope collapses and a tunnel project. For more than four years, the tourism industry in the area has suffered, as visitor numbers dropped sharply. Businesses had longed for this moment.

Shop owner
Runs business in Jiji
It’s been a long wait. There’s so few people. But we hope crowds will come back with the line’s reopening.

Shop owner
Runs business in Jiji
Of course I’m happy. Besides making transport easier, it can help the local economy recover and return to its former prosperity.

Shops are stocking up ahead of the arrival of tourists, who will be able to see a renovated train station plaza offering open views and easier access.

Chen Shih-kai
Transport Minister
Services have resumed up to Jiji. We expect to reopen the whole line until Checheng by July. Keep your eyes peeled.

In the first phase of reopening, services have resumed between Zhuoshui and Jiji. The entire line until Checheng is expected to reopen in full this summer.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#train #traintravel #taiwantourism #taiwan #nantou #jiji

睽違四年復駛迎商機台鐵集集火車站湧觀光人潮

2026-01-05

台鐵集集支線，2021年因邊坡崩坍及隧道擴孔工程，停駛超過4年，5日迎來第一階段復駛，有不少火車迷搶票，體驗復駛首班車，心情相當興奮。集集火車站周邊店家，總算盼來睽違已久的觀光人潮，希望集集線復駛，能讓商圈重拾以往商機，交通部長陳世凱也說到，今年七月有機會全線重啟。

集集火車站，列車緩緩駛進月台，停駛四年多，如今重新復駛，火車迷特地趕來朝聖。

[[民眾]]
“感覺很新鮮，恭喜集集線又開始復駛。這一段其實沿路風景蠻漂亮的，剛好有經過綠色隧道。”

[[民眾]]
“距離上次搭集集火車，也是好幾年前了，想說回來搭看看。”

台鐵集集支線，2021年因台16線邊坡崩坍，以及隧道擴孔工程停駛逾4年，衝擊沿線，觀光人潮銳減，周邊店家生意大受影響，現在總算盼來列車復駛。

[[附近店家]]
“期待很久了，因為現在人潮變少，讓它(集集線)如果通的話，人潮一定會帶動。”

[[附近店家]]
“我當然很高興，除了可以促進這邊的交通方便之外，還有能讓這邊的經濟，能恢復像以前一樣的繁榮。”

附近店家忙著備貨，喜迎觀光商機，而這次集集火車站也大翻新，站前廣場視野與動線，變得更加開闊。

[[交通部長陳世凱]]
“我們現在復駛到集集站，那如果要到車埕的話，我們在今年七月份會復駛到車埕站，也就是全線會復駛，請大家期待。”

台鐵集集支線，一月第一階段濁水至集集復駛，集集到車埕路段七月通車，屆時全線將恢復行駛。

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After retiring from his performing career at the age of 60, one artist started a ranch in Taitung, which he passed down to his children. After working hard over three generations, the family turned the farm into a coffeehouse, specializing in extravagant brunches made with local ingredients. They also opened an exhibit in their grandfather’s memory, giving visitors a taste of Taiwanese showbusiness in the 1960s.

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It’s very hearty, and quite chewy when I bite into it.

They also serve an entire roasted chicken, with a golden, shiny skin that makes your mouth water. With its large, extravagant portions, this restaurant has attracted many customers.

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People online have been tagging this restaurant, so I came to try it on my day off.

This family business has a unique history. It was started by a Taiwanese comedic actor from the ’60s, Chen Ping-nan, known by the stage name Tuo Hsien, who started a ranch in Taitung when he retired. Now it is managed by the third generation, who revitalized the business by transforming it into a coffeehouse that specializes in extravagant brunches using local ingredients.

Chen Pei-yao
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Our vegetables are organically grown in Luye and our fish is from the Chenggong Fisherman’s Association. For fruits, we do our best to use fresh ones that are in season.

The third generation also opened an exhibit in honor of Tuo Hsien, giving visitors a glimpse into his artistic career and Taiwanese show business in the ’60s. They also cooperate with local farms to promote regional agricultural products.

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When picking ingredients, the first thing we consider is using local produce to support small farmers. Helping others benefits us too, and that’s our starting point.

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Now prices are rising. To enjoy such an extravagant brunch at a relatively cheap price, I think is a great deal.

Taitung offers a relaxing getaway surrounded by tall mountains and blue seas. Tourists here can even enjoy an extravagant brunch made with locally grown fruits and vegetables, for a real farm-to-table experience.

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Tainan convenience store opens Taiwan’s first claw machine arcade

Seeking to capitalize on the booming claw machine market, a convenience store in Tainan’s Yongkang District has opened an arcade in a first for Taiwan. Besides your typical claw machines, it also has lots of licensed characters and blind boxes, as well as a racing and taiko drumming game. Now when customers come to pick up their essentials, they can also indulge in a game or two. In Kaohsiung, another store includes a coffee shop, supermarket, and laundromat, hoping to make life as convenient as possible for its customers.

When you go through this convenience store’s side door, it’s like entering a whole other world.

There are shelves upon shelves of beloved characters, including Pokémon, Pompompurin, Kuromi, Stitch, and the entire “Toy Story” collection. From movies to anime, every popular franchise is here.

They’re all blind boxes. Every single one.

It’s pretty good. You don’t have to go to one of those packed stores to get one.

On the other side are rows of claw machines with toys, snacks — even coffee cups you can exchange for a full one at the counter.

Not only that, but there are also racing and taiko drumming games, fun for people of all ages.

It’s pretty nice. Some kids will absolutely love it.

Customer
It’ll get more people in the door. They’re selling more than just some stuff to eat.

Recognizing the value of the claw machine market, this chain opened arcades at stores in Tainan’s Yongkang District and Sanmin District in Kaohsiung—a first among convenience stores in Taiwan. The model encourages customers to stay a little longer. But it also gives the staff even more to do.

Customer
They have to make drinks, microwave food, run the register, retrieve packages, all that. Here, they also have to arrange the merchandise. It takes a bit more skill.

Not letting this chain steal the spotlight, another convenience store in Kaohsiung went for a three-in-one model. Within the massive 100-ping store, there’s a laundromat, supermarket, and café, serving three needs at once.

Customer
Places are so small these days, it’s hard to fit a dryer. So for this store to offer one right in a convenience store, it’s pretty good.

Convenience stores are no longer just convenience stores. Diversification is the name of the game, as they seek to make daily life and entertainment more convenient for its customers.

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Strangers help shield woman as she gives birth in post office

Sometimes new life comes into this world in the least expected places. Not a hospital in this case, but the lobby of a post office. A woman was running some errands a post office in Changhua when her water suddenly broke. Witnesses quickly called 119 and formed a human wall around her for privacy, as the paramedics helped deliver the baby. Mother and son are both healthy, and the story of this special kind of delivery is sure to live on.

A woman with a side bag suddenly grips her stomach while standing in a post office, apparently unwell. The person beside her noticed something was wrong and called 119. After 39 weeks, the woman’s water broke. By the time the paramedics arrived, the baby had already arrived. Fearing it would be dangerous to move them, they set up right there in the post office. Other visitors and postal workers formed a wall around her so she could give birth to a healthy baby boy in privacy.

Chiang Kun-ho
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The baby had likely already arrived while the woman was standing, emerging near the bottom of her pants. Paramedics immediately administered care for the newborn, whose vital signs were all stable.

This was at the Zhongzheng Road post office in Changhua’s Yuanlin City. The 24-year-old went to run some errands at the post office when her water suddenly broke. Fortunately, everyone there rushed to lend a hand, working together to deliver the special package.

Chen Le-ming
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We stayed put. The staff and patrons circled around her, allowing the paramedics to administer treatment. We also gifted a pair of postal dolls to show that this baby is a child born in the post office.

A normal errand run became the biggest day of this woman’s life, leaving a heartwarming story for the community and once again showing the kindness of Taiwan’s people.

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Taiwanese star Gin Oy offers tips to stay warm in Japanese winter

It’s getting into the peak period for the winter tourism season in snowy Japan and many people are preparing to go there. However, Gin Oy, a Taiwanese actress who has lived in Japan for several years, warns that the Taiwanese habit of bundling up against the cold with layers and layers of clothing is not suitable in Japan as indoor spaces are heated. She even says if you do this, you might get heatstroke if you go indoors. Instead, wear less layers with a few well-chosen pieces. Let’s find out more.

With the peak period in Japan’s winter tourism season approaching, many people are preparing to travel, often packing piles of heavy clothing to bundle themselves up with layers. However, Taiwanese actress Gin Oy, who has lived in Japan for seven years, advises that if visiting Tokyo, unless your itinerary involves being entirely outdoors, avoid wearing layered clothing or thermal underwear, as this can easily lead to heatstroke indoors.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
If you want to stay warm, look at this: a thermal top, a thick sweater, a thick coat, and a scarf. This is the layering that Taiwanese people are very used to. But in Japan during winter, it is not recommended at all. You only need a thick coat and some simple warm clothes.

Two layers are enough as indoor spaces and trains in Japan are heated. Wearing too many layers will only make you sweat everywhere. Many people recommend wearing a regular long-sleeved top or thin thermal top, plus a long warm coat. If you are afraid of getting cold, you can also wear a vest. Compared with Taiwan’s style of bundling on layers, this can keep you just as warm without having to keep putting on and taking off layers of clothing.

Member of the public
The biggest difference between Japan and Taiwan is that Japan has indoor heating, so you don’t need to wear too many layers. Basic warmth is still necessary, such as a beanie, earmuff, a mask, and a scarf.

In addition, because Japan is dry and cold, it’s best to wear a mask as much as possible, as it increases humidity around the mouth and helps protect against viruses. As for playing in the snow, don’t ever wear jeans. Instead, wear thick fleece-lined pants, or tights with a cotton skirt, and be sure to wear gloves, a scarf and a beanie.

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Smoking battery at Taoyuan airport put out before incident, but raises concern

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A black side bag lies on the ground, smoke coming from inside. And this was in the busy Terminal 1 at the Taoyuan airport!

My God!

Witnesses gasped in shock. This passenger in a black jacket arrived to board a flight past 10 in the evening when smoke started rising from his bag.

An airport police officer got tongs to carefully pull everything out one at a time. They then handed it over to a firefighter.

It’s a lithium battery.

Wearing full protective gear, the firefighter handles the bag as it’s still smoking. They eventually put the entire thing into a bucket of water to bring down the temperature, averting crisis.

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Although airport operations weren’t affected, frequent reports of battery-related incidents have left passengers feeling worried.

Passenger
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The chemist advised people to make sure that your power banks and batteries meet safety standards to avoid any safety risks.

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The hockey players are all chasing after the puck, when all of a sudden, someone on the black team falls. It looks like he got pushed by an opponent, who also fell, but the physical altercation doesn’t end there.

The player on the white team appears to have lost his temper, and whacks the head of his opponent five times. Everyone freezes in astonishment not knowing how to react. The referee steps in, but the aggressor keeps hurling insults.

Voice of witness
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The white team was more skillful than the black team, but that didn’t stop their player from hurling insults at the beaten player, who couldn’t get up for five minutes.

The white team players were all grownup men, and they led the game by two points against their opponents, who were mostly middleschoolers. Worse, the aggressor, a 28-year-old surnamed Huang, once played for the national team. It’s unbelievable that someone like him would even attack a 15-year-old.

Voice of witness
Watched the hockey game
It’s fair that everyone’s competing with one another, but was physical violence really necessary?

The injured player fell instantly at the impact and couldn’t get up for five minutes. After he was taken to hospital, he was found with blunt trauma in the head area and a mild concussion.

Huang Jean-ping
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I hope that the organizer and its associations will heavily penalize this instance of violence and heavily penalize the player that hit another.

Though the aggressor was once on the national team, it’s fair to say that he has no sense of sportsmanship. The victim’s father was left furious and vowed to take legal action. Taipei’s sports department has also banned Huang from participating in any competition for life.

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Setting off fireworks in prohibited areas becomes explosive issue

Setting off fireworks is a joyful way to usher in the Lunar New Year but be careful just where you set them off. Fireworks are prohibited in port areas in Hsinchu as they could land near fishing boats full of fuel and cause an inferno at sea. You can also get fined from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.

Fireworks are commonly used to celebrate both the Western and Lunar New Year but it’s important to be aware if they are permitted in your area. For example, fireworks are prohibited in Nanliao Fishing Port in Hsinchu, but some people still ignored the rules.

As a result, not only were fire trucks dispatched, but sanitation workers were also overwhelmed by the trash they had to pick up.

Sanitation worker
I’ve been picking up trash for almost an hour. It’s past midnight now.

Member of the public
If the northeasterly seasonal winds are blowing and fireworks are set off and land near boats, it could be a big problem, the whole row of boats could catch fire.

In previous years, people would flock to Nanliao Fishing Port to set off fireworks during New Year’s Eve and the Lunar New Year. However, during the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations, this resulted in three bush fires, keeping the fire department extremely busy. In fact, fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited in all fishing ports in Hsinchu, out of concern that entire rows of boats could erupt in flames.

Liao Wei-cheng
Hsinchu City Government
To prevent fishing boats fully loaded with fuel from catching fire and seriously endangering people’s safety and property, setting off fireworks and fire crackers is prohibited in port areas in accordance with the Fishing Port Act. Violators or their employers will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000.

Welcoming in the New Year is certainly something to be happy about, but if you celebrate in the wrong place and in the wrong way, you might not only spoil the mood, but also face fines.

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