Recently, because the Hsinchu County government has incorporated the railroad into its "Tung Flower Season" event, this railway has taken the edge in popularity among day-trippers over the Pinghsi or Chichi lines.
近年由於客家委員會與新竹縣政府舉辦「客家桐花祭」大力包裝，頗有凌駕過平溪與集集支線的觀光氣勢。