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■ To proceed with the restoration project of the Old Baji Tunnel and its surrounding environment, the northern entrance area of the (pedestrian) Old Baji Tunnel (including restrooms and the trail leading from restrooms to the Governor's Office Trail) and the southern entrance area of the tunnel will be closed for construction starting from April 21, 2024, as detailed in the link [https://www.scenic.tycg.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=9476&s=1558831](https://www.scenic.tycg.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=9476&s=1558831). Preparing to visit the Baji Tunnel? First, be sure to know whether you're visiting the New or Old Tunnel! The highway connecting Cihu and Fuxing via Highway 7 currently maintains a "dual existence" system: the New Baji Tunnel is currently a two-way vehicular road, while the Old Tunnel has been converted into a recreational trail, with these two tunnels silently witnessing half a century of historical changes in Baji. To understand the origin of the Baji Tunnel, one must consider the strategic location of the Baji area (formerly called Batje). Historically, it was the essential route between Daxi and Jiaobanshan. In 1944 (Republic of China era, Year 33), the Japanese constructed a tunnel with pedestrian, air-raid shelter, and evacuation functions here, also serving as a strategic base in Jiaoban Mountain. This tunnel was interrupted by rockfall in 1957 (Republic of China era, Year 46) and was rediscovered 8 years later, becoming today's Old Baji Tunnel. With a total length of approximately 343 meters and a width of 4.5 meters, the southern entrance retains an inscription by Huang Jie, the then-Governor of the Taiwan Provincial Government, reading "Baji Tunnel, Northern Crossroad Highway." Later, due to insufficient road capacity, the New Baji Tunnel for two-way traffic was built separately. The restored Old Baji Tunnel differs from before in two aspects: the structure now uses reinforced concrete, and although it allowed vehicular passage previously, it operated as a single-lane road with traffic control managed by conscripts at the tunnel entrance—a sight undoubtedly fondly remembered by many. In 1993 (Republic of China era, Year 82), the dual-direction New Baji Tunnel opened, officially ending the Old Tunnel’s transportation function as a highway. Previously closed twice, the Old Baji Tunnel was transformed into a scenic trail in 2007 (Republic of China era, Year 96). Inside, one can see lightweight railway tracks built during the Japanese occupation and the "tai che" (or "hand-propelled car") representing that era, used for both passenger and freight transportation with self-controlled speed. In today's Old Baji Tunnel, the scenes of laborers sweating while hauling cargo have vanished, replaced now by tourists riding the "tai che" for photographs, recalling the image of bygone times. From the Old Tunnel, visitors can connect to historic trails such as the Governor's Office Trail and the Baji Forest Canopy Trail, serving as optional attractions for added exploration.