Xihu, Changhua

Xihu is a traditional farming village located in the middle of Changhua County, Taiwan. Along with Xiluo, it is one of the centres of vegetable-growing on the western side of the island. Famous local foods include lamb hotpot and kyoho grapes.

During the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan (1895-1945), Xihu was an important center for sugar manufacturing; because of demand for sugar transport, a railway system was set up. Local offiicials have now set up a tourist train featuring a 60-year-old steam engine that pulls several train carriages full of tourists during weekend runs. The locomotive is Taiwan's first unmodified steam engine, Engine No. 346. Train lovers will enjoy the short ride.

The area of Xihu village is 32.0592 km², with a population of about 56,000 people. The village has one senior high school (溪湖高中), two middle schools (溪湖國中, 成功國中), and five elementary schools. (湖東國小, 湖西國小, 湖南國小, 湖北國小, 溪湖國小).