Sprawling east of Chiayi City, Fanlu Township is a rural district in Taiwan’s central south-west that’s traversed by several rivers. It encompasses 11 villages and part of the rugged Alishan Range, which is named after a local Indigenous word meaning "ancestor mountain”.
Things to do in Fanlu Township
Impressive views across the Alishan Range are on offer from the Chukou Nature Center, which occupies a former farm of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation. It plays an important role in the cultivation of rare species, with a treebank and several greenhouses among its facilities. Explore its eco-waterways and sustainably designed buildings that reflect a harmonious interaction between man and nature.
Spanning the Bazhang River is the historic Dijiu Suspension Bridge, which first opened to pedestrians in 1937. Also not to miss is the Tianchang Suspension Bridge that connects to the Longyin Temple. Its elaborately decorated buildings are fronted by a square that is a popular setting for hikers to rest after exploring the surrounding trails.
At the western end of Fanlu Township is the Jen-Yi-Tan Reservoir, which was created with the damming of the Bazhang River in 1980. Its shores are fringed by tree-lined walking trails and dotted with pavilions where you can picnic or enjoy the views. The Jen-Yi-Tan Reservoir attracts local kite flyers and there are several vendors selling barbecued corn and drinks.
Getting around Fanlu Township
Fanlu Township is 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Chiayi City and 40 minutes from Chiayi Airport, which has flights to Kinmen and Penghu. The much larger Taichung International Airport is 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across Asia. Buses travel through Fanlu Township while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region.