Old Town Jingtong

I was already at Shifen before 12 noon.  It was still early so I went to Jingtong first, which is the end of the Pingxi line.  One-way train ticket between Shifen and Jingtong costs NTD15.  One thing I noticed though is that they have made Shifen Station (at least for the day) a transfer station.  Either you ride the train that is Jingtong-bound or Ruifang-bound.  This scheme is much better than having the train go the full route of Ruifang to Jingtong.  The trains are most likely stuck in "traffic" when it comes to Shifen because a lot of people are on the tracks.

During this time of the day, the train is not yet that crowded

It was about a 15-20 minute train ride from Shifen to Jingtong.  I've actually passed this town on the bus ride but since it's a non-stop bus, I can just get off at Shifen.  Jingtong was, as they say, the location of TW drama's "The Poor Prince" which stars Vic Chou.  Some scenes from Meteor Garden 2 were also shot here (it's the town where Shan Cai and Lei went into "hiding").

 

There are signs telling people not to walk on the tracks but people still do so, including me.

Train on the Pingxi Line

Jingtong Station

Jingtong Station

Jingtong Railway Story House

Upon exiting the station, I turned left.  This is the way to Lover Bridge (Zhongpu Bridge). 

One needs to go down some steps to get to the bridge.  If you are a fan of Meteor Garden (part 2), the bridge might seem familiar.  This is the bridge where Dao Ming Si got the meteor ring thrown by Shan Cai towards the latter part of the series.

Zhongpu Bridge

Wishes on bamboo tubes hanging by a tree near Zhongpu Bridge

Zhongpu Bridge

I went past the bridge onto the other side and walked the path to the main road but there's nothing to see here so I just went back and continued to the other side of the railway station, walking the length (it's just short anyway) of the most popular street in Jingtong -- Jingtong Old Street.  The stores here sell street foods, souvenirs, guitars among others.

Stores at Jingtong Old Street

Carton King in Jingtong Old Street

Had lunch at this place that's just beside the railroad tracks

Miner's Lunch (pork chop with tofu, seaweeds and other veggies) -- with a view

The path leads to the main road.  Across it is the Tai Young Club and the Japanese Dormitory District.

Path to the main road

Tai Young Club

Tai Young Club

Tai Young Club

Japanese Dormitory District

View from the bridge on the main road

Jingtong landmarks on the main road

While waiting for the train, I went to the other side of the tracks, up the steps to get a view of what's there.  I just got to the area near the station and didn't go for the trail.  I might do that next time.  For now, I just wanted to get back to Shifen.

Up the steps on the other side of the tracks at Jingtong station