Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area

The development of the area is closely connected with the local wood industry. A century ago, this land was cultivated by the ancestors of the Ho family of Shuilikeng. Later in the 60s, the land was sold to Chiayi timber trading businessperson Hung Shih Yen in order to provide for the children of the family to go to university.
After the Taiwan Restoration, the KMT government continued the policy that occurred during the Japanese Rule to collect wood with significant economic value, such as Taiwan Red Cypress and Taiwan Cypress, which continued to be an important source of foreign exchange for the nation during the 50s and 80s. At the time, wood such as Taiwan Red Cypress and Taiwan Cypress collected from the national forest compartment of the Danda Forest Area of Central Mountain Range where all brought to Shuili before being distributed to various locations. These distribution centers were known as depots. The most famous figure during this time was Mr. Sun Hai, forestry tycoon who won the bid for Danda Forest Area, built the Danda Forest Road and used the Chechong rail system to transport green lumber. After purchasing the land, Hung Shih Yen transformed the location into a depot and won the bid for the right to collect wood from the forest compartment with his business partner. Later, Hung started storing the wood collected from the high mountains at the location before transporting the wood to lumber mills by land to be manufactured into construction material.
Responding to the needs of the wood trade, Mr. Hung made use of local material and quality wood such as Taiwan Red Cypress and Taiwan fir, applying the technique of western wooden house structures to build the office. Apart from the central part of the building, which was used for the sales business, the buildings nearby were used as a dormitory for employees and were also occasionally served as temporary accommodation for clients, a lot like the modern concept of a B&B.
The Shuili wood industry came to a stop in 1985 with the announcement of a new policy that prohibited the cutting of green lumber. The development of Shuili Township, which was previously known as “Little Taipei” due to its prosperous wood industry, started to decline with the implementation of the new policy. The local area and office started to whither as time went by. After the 921 Earthquake, the land was purchased by renowned local Dr. Yang. refurbished the space and transplanted large amounts of Taiwan Pine, which is the reason for the beautiful scenery we see today.
Abiding by the principle of sustainable development, Dr. Yang applied for the building of his new villa and depot office to be a registered B&B in Nantou County; the buildings are issued Pine Resort No. 260 and Zen Resort No. 279. The two businesses are currently co-managed by a business team by the same name, and hence the name “Resort Zen & Pine.”