Small Town Ramble-Fenglin Hakka Town
Located in the Central Mountain Range and Coastal Range, Fenglin Township is a Hakka Town dominated by the Hakka. It has been a highly academic area since long in the past with almost a hundred residents being principals. It is believed to be the town with the highest density of principals in Taiwan, and hence is known is the “hometown of principals.”
As a member of Cittaslow International, Fenglin adopts LOHAS and holds interesting events such as Watermelon Festival and Haunted Night annually. The old tree, tobacco barn, ancient houses, farmland, as well as the cheap yet delicious treats such as twisted roll and Hakka delicacies make people unconsciously slow down their pace of life . Compared to the daily hectic life, visitors experience unique slow tourism and feel the charm of this Hakka slow town.
The 3 Must-Try Things in Fenglin
- 1
Taste stinky tofu, lemon juice, and pork knuckle. Don't forget to take home a set of Three Gems of Fenglin
Be sure not to miss the delicacies loved by the locals when you visit Fenglin! These delicacies include stinky tofu with chives, sweet and sour Mingsin lemon juice and traditional pork knuckle. Before you leave, don't forget to bring a set of Three Gems of Fenglin, the peanuts, the soya milk, and peeled chili pepper home for family and friends.
- 2
Take a stroll at the must-visit sites of century-old Immigrant Village, the tobacco barn and the historic forest area.
During the Japanese Occupation, Fenglin was one of the three largest immigrant villages in Hualien and also the main site for tobacco production. The street still retains the checkerboard style of planning up till today, and there is also the most well-preserved tobacco barn community in Fenglin. In addition, do not forget to visit the classic historical building of Lintianshan Forest Area, which was Taiwan's 4th largest forest area.
- 3
Get lost in the tobacco barn and dress creatively for the Haunted Night in the Ghost Month
With strong Japanese influence, Fenglin Township hosts “Haunted Night” annually during the Ghost Month based on the lunar calendar. It is a parade where the participants put on realistic make-up and dress up as ghosts or demons. This carnival of the dead is the must-go for visitors!
Annual events
Arrowhead-Bamboo Shoots Festival
Season: March - April
The pollution-free and pest-free environment of Wanrong is suitable for the growth of arrowhead bamboo shoots, which are fresh and delicious. As a result, there are always a series of activities including tasting and speed walking to celebrate the season of arrowhead bamboo shoots. This allows visitors to enjoy the healthy yet delicious bamboo shoot delicacies.
Fenglin Watermelon Festival
Season: May - June
There are always a tasting ceremony and watermelon picking event during the season for the sweet, juicy and crunchy Fenglin watermelon. The quality Fenglin watermelon has been selected as the after-meal fruit for the state banquet, and hence is also known as the President Melon!
Fenglin Peanut Festival
Season: July
Have you ever imagined what farm life is like? The Peanut Festival, Fenglin, which is known for producing peanuts, allows you to experience a series of fun activities such as peanut harvesting, peanut peeling, and the unique activity of pinching the face with peanuts. This gives the visitors a taste of the LOHAS the farmers have!
Haunted Night
Season: July in the lunar calendar
The Haunted Night held every July (according to lunar calendar) integrates the local culture and custom into a ghost parade. Not only does it contribute to the buzzing and amusing atmosphere, but also gives the visitors a different Haunted Night experience annually.
This is how you tour Fenglin.
Fenglin Principal Dream Factory
The Fenglin Principal Dream Factory was formerly the “Residence for Karenko Prefecture Houringun Official” and was also the dormitory for Mr. Zhang, Qi-Lang, the first principal of Fenglin Junior High School. It is currently the exhibition center for community artifacts.
Tel: +886-3-8764779
Address: No. 16, Minsheng St., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Feng Colorful
When visiting Feng Colorful, visitors can experience the process of fabric dying and create their own work on top of purchasing the Hakka style plant-dyed products handmade by the locals.
Tel: +886-3-8760905
Address: No. 49, Zhongmei Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Tobacco Building Cultural Village
Fenglin is the town with the most well-preserved tobacco barn in Taiwan, preserving the memories of the “Green Gold”. During the Japanese Occupation, tobacco was the crop of highest economic value and the tobacco barn was where tobacco was preserved and processed.
Address: Junction between Darong 2nd Rd. and Minyou Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Zantan Studio
Zantan Studio showcases the manufacturing process from bamboo to bamboo charcoal and to various products. In addition to knowing the pros and cons of bamboo charcoal, visitors can also make their own souvenirs and have a great time.
Tel: +886-3-8763488
Address: No. 15, Zhengyi Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
The spacious Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch & Resort is a must-go for families visiting Fenglin. The visitors can take the tourist train or rent a bicycle/electric car to tour the ranch and be in close proximity with the cute animals.
Tel: +886-3-8772666
Address: No. 20, Yongfu St., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Lintianshan Forest Area used to be Taiwan's 4th largest forest area. During the Japanese Occupation, large-scale logging took place here with almost three thousand people working here in its prime. It was also known as “Little Shanghai”. One can imagine how prosperous it was then.
Tel: +886-3-8772666
Address: No. 99, Ln. 99, Linsen Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Lintian Shrine
It is a shrine on a smaller scale built during the Japanese Occupation. Although the main shrine is gone, the foundation is still fully intact, and the names of most devotees are still discernible. It provides a clue to how the immigrants' religious center was during the Japanese Occupation.
Tel: +886-3-8751703 Address: Ln. 41, Fuxing Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Fenglin Night Market
Taking place on Saturdays, Fenglin Night Market is located on the two sides of Zhonghua Road. Various vendors gather there to sell different mouth-watering night market delicacies including popcorn chicken and stinky tofu.
Address: Zhonghua Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County
Eat in Fenglin
Mingsin Ice
Tel: +886-3-8764168
Address: No. 26, Xinsheng St., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyYouweng Stinky Tofu with Chives
Tel: +886-3-8763469
Address: No. 20, Sec. 2, Zhongzheng Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyHuiyu Stinky Tofu with Chives
Tel: +886-921170365
Address: Square opposite No.61, Sec. 2, Zhongzheng Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountySanli Ice Cream
Tel: +886-3-8762932
Address: No. 263, Sec. 2, Zhongzheng Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyJinpin Peeled Chili Pepper Main Store
Tel: +886-3-8762233
Address: No. 468, Sec. 2, Zhongzheng Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyPapa Han Honesty Twisted Roll
Tel: +886-3-8762911
Address: No. 61, Zhonghe Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyGoodeatss Peanuts
Tel: +886-933528448
Address: No. 46-1, Zhonghe Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyCarter Peanuts
Tel: +886-3-8760613
Address: No. 227, Sec. 1, Zhongzheng Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyManmei Pork Knuckle
Tel: +886-3-8751298
Address: No. 10, Wansen Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyZhong's Cured Pork Store
Tel: +886-3-8751262
Address: No. 20, Changqiao Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien CountyShulinwei Hakka Eatery
Tel: +886-3-8761971,
0928-569958
Address: No. 41, Sec. 2, Zhongzheng Rd., Fenglin Township, Hualien County