The line was originally built by Taipower in 1922 to facilitate the construction of Mingtan Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant in Sun Moon Lake.

The line was severely damaged in the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake on 21 September 1999, but was repaired and resumed operations in February 2002.

Due to the line being single tracked, only two trains can travel the full length at a time, with the two meeting at Zhuoshui Station.

A one-way ticket fare, from Ershui to Checheng, is NT$44 by mileage for adults.

The Jiji Line ticket and one-day round-trip pass is available for purchase at all the following TRA stations: Zhunan, Miaoli, Fengyuan, Taichung, Changhua, Yuanlin, Tianzhong, Ershui, Dajia, Shalu, Douliu, Dounan, and Chiayi.