Recent Rains Wash Away Odor in Chiayi's Fenchihu; Renovated Cedar Trail Emanates Fragrance
An odor problem in Fenchihu, Chiayi County, caused by drought in April, has been resolved following several days of heavy rain last week, according to the county's Culture and Tourism Bureau on May 20. The bureau also announced that the local Taiwan Incense Cedar (Calocedrus formosana) trail has been renovated and is now open, offering a pleasant, fragrant experience for visitors. Tourists are welcomed to explore the classic mountain town's railway culture, old street delicacies, and serene forest trails.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 17:04
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(CNA, Chiayi County, May 20, by reporter Tsai Chih-ming) An odor problem that plagued ditches in Chiayi County's Fenchihu in April due to drought has been eliminated, the Culture and Tourism Bureau announced today. Following several days of heavy rain last week, the foul smell is gone, and the recently renovated Taiwan Incense Cedar (Calocedrus formosana) trail is now exuding a delicate, fresh fragrance, welcoming visitors. The Chiayi County Culture and Tourism Bureau told CNA that Fenchihu is an essential stop for any trip to Alishan. It is a classic mountain town cherished by many travelers, preserving a rich railway heritage and offering captivating forest trail scenery. The bureau pointed out that Fenchihu's old street is lined with a variety of local specialty foods, such as traditional savory mugwort rice cakes (caozaiguo), aromatic hinoki donuts, and the cool, refreshing Alishan aiyu jelly, all of which are popular snacks that tourists must try. The Taiwan Incense Cedar trail here is a symbol of Fenchihu's healing charm. Walking through it, the air is filled with a subtle woody aroma. It feels as if with every step, worries dissolve, allowing one to experience the tranquility and cleansing power of the forest. The bureau stated that Fenchihu can attract several thousand visitors on holidays, generating a large amount of wastewater. The dry winter season can easily lead to foul odors in ditches and streams, but as the season transitions from spring to summer, recent continuous afternoon rains have flushed the area, restoring a fresh environment. The Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency noted that the Fenchihu Taiwan Incense Cedar Mother Tree Forest Trail is at an altitude of about 1,400 meters. The area primarily consists of Taiwan Incense Cedar trees planted the year before the founding of the Republic of China (1911), creating a lush, serene, and elegant environment. Taiwan Incense Cedar is one of Taiwan's five precious conifers, often used for construction, furniture, coffins, carving, and decoration. Its wood shavings have a fragrant aroma, commonly known as 'jìng xiāng' (purifying incense), and can be used to make incense sticks.