Rail Tour of Taiwan

Rail Tour of Taiwan Overview

Rail Tour of Taiwan The joy of rail travel in Taiwan lies outside the carriage, in the stunning alpine and coastal landscapes rolling past your window. Towns and cities appear, only to merge again into timeless pastoral scenes; great mountain ranges loom, then part to reveal deserted, black sand beaches, the glittering sea beyond.

Rail Tour of Taiwan

Taiwan’s fast and efficient railway system links the country from north to south, east to west. The clean and modern network offers 4 classes to suit any budget and a genuine alternative to the delays and frustrations of airports. The joy of rail travel in Taiwan lies outside the carriage, in the stunning alpine and coastal landscapes rolling past your window. Towns and cities appear, only to merge again into timeless pastoral scenes; great mountain ranges loom, then part to reveal deserted, black sand beaches, the glittering sea beyond. Smaller trains wind through seas of cherry blossom, up beyond the clouds to reveal tumbling mountain rivers, glittering lakes.

Day 1 Arrival in Taipei

Arrive Taipei and take a private transfer to your hotel.

Distance and journey time: 48 km, approx 45 mins

Day 2 Taipei sightseeing

This morning, you will enjoy a private tour of Taipei city and The National Palace Museum.

Taipei-the name means North Taiwan is the principal cultural and economic metropolis. The tour affords a glimpse of Chinese culture and the bustling city. It includes a visit to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall dedicated to the late President, passing the Presidential Square en route. Watch the Changing of the Honour Guards ceremony at the Martyrs' Shrine and onwards to the National Palace Museum which houses the world's largest and most priceless collection of Chinese art treasures. Also included is a visit to the Taiwan Handicraft Centre before returning via Grand Hill.

Day 3 Pingxi Historic Railway Line

Take a taxi to the Taipei Railway Station for the short train ride to Ruifang station. Connect to the Pingxi Line using your one day pass.This pass will allow you to hop on and off at any of the 12 stations on the route. This 8-mile long Pingxi Line is steeped in history and was originally built to transport coal. Admire the scenery on this route that goes pass green mountain cliffs, waterfalls, small mining towns, country hamlets. We suggest that you ride the train to the end of the line at Jingtong and decide where to stop on the return journey. Pingxi and Shifen are two villages of interest and there are also hiking trails that led up into the hills.

Overnight in Taipei

Day 4 Yang Ming Shan National Park and Tamsui sightseeing

Transfer to Yang Ming Shan for an overnight stay at a Hot Springs Resort.

Sightseeing tour of Tamsui - visit Shihsanhang Museum, Fishermen's Wharf, Hung-Mao Cheng, Tamsui Old Street and Guanou Nature Park.

Overnight in Yang Ming Shan.

Distance and journey time: 12 km, 40 mins

Day 5 High Speed Rail from Taipei to Taichung

Transfer to Taipei Railway Station and take the High-Speed Rail to Taichung. On arrival, transfer to Sun Moon Lake for 2 nights at the superb LALU Resort.

Distance and travel times:

Yang Ming Shan to Taipei HSR Station: 18 km, approx 40 mins

Taipei HSR Station to Taichung HSR Station: approx 45 mins

Taichung to Sun Moon Lake: 64 km, approx 1 hr

Day 6 Sun Moon Lake Tour

Full Day Sun Moon Lake tour.

All rooms at the Lalu face the Lake, and you may want to wake up early this morning to appreciate the sunrise. Take your time and enjoy a refreshing breakfast by the lakeside. After breakfast take a private lake cruise directly from the hotel's pier and visit

Lalu island and the Tzi-an Pagoda.

Overnight in Sun Moon Lake.

Day 7 High Speed Rail to Chiayi and Alishan

Private transfer to Taichung TSR train station for a train to Chiayi TSR Station. From Chiayi, take the bus to Mt Ali. Your afternoon tour of Alishan Forest Recreation Area begins with a visit to a 3,000-year-old cypress named The Sacred Tree, struck dead by lightning in 1947. Tour the village museum, The Two Sisters Pond, Three Generation Tree as well as Ali Forest Park. Overnight at The Alishan House.

Distance and journey times:

Taichung to Chiayi by train: approx 1.15 hrs

Chiayi to Alishan by bus: approx 2 hrs

Day 8 High Speed Rail to Kaohsiung

Take the bus to Chiayi HSR station for the High-Speed Rail to Kaohsiung, an international seaport located on the southwest coast of Taiwan. Overnight in Kaohsiung.

Distance and journey times:

Alishan to Chiayi by bus: approx 2 hrs

Chiayi HSR to Zouying HSR: approx 30 mins

Zouying HSR Station to Kaohsiung: 8 km, approx 30 mins

Day 9 Kaohsiung sightseeing

Visit Cheng Ching (Clear Crystal) Lake resort area renowned for its lover’s bridge, ornate pavilions and the Chung Hsing (Restoration) Pagoda, one of the best-known landmarks in Taiwan. Visit the Lotus Lake area, site of the newest Confucian temple, which houses the Spring and Autumn Pavilions.

Overnight in Kaohsiung.

Day 10 Kenting National Park sightseeing

Drive to Kenting National Park for a full day excursion.

Overnight in Kaohsiung.

Distance and journey time: 107 km, approx 2.30 hrs each way

Day 11 Southern Star Link to Taitung

Transfer to Kaohsiung TSR train station. Take the train to Taitung.

Overnight in Taitung.

Distance and journey time by train: approx 2.10 hrs

Day 12 Train to Hualien

Transfer to the train station for train to Hualien. Stay for 2 nights.

Distance and journey time by train: approx 2 hrs

Day 13 Taroko Gorge touring

Tour the amazing Taroko Gorge, a stunning, awe-inspiring river gorge lined by sheer river-carved cliffs of marble. The visit includes stops at the Swallow Grottoes, the Marble Bridge, and the Eternal Spring Shrine. Leave for Taipei via the Hsuehshan (Snow Mountain) tunnel. Overnight in Hualien.

Day 14 Train from Hualien to Taipei

Transfer to the train station for train to Taipei. Arrive for 2 nights.

Distance and journey time: approx 2.30 hrs

Day 15 Northern Coast and Yehliu touring

Proceed to Keelung to visit Chung Ching Park where you can view the huge statue of the Goddess of Mercy and also a panoramic view of Keelung Harbour. Continue to Yehliu Geopark famed for its numerous rock formations resembling a Queen’s head, Fairy Shoe, and Lover’s Rock. Drive to the Northeast Coast, visit Pitou Cape and Nanya Rocks Formation then onward to Chiufen Village. The villages of Chiufen were once centres of gold mining in Taiwan. The gold is gone, but these quaint old villages, built of closely-packed houses clinging to steep mountainsides, continue to offer enchanting scenery and fascinating glimpses into the lifestyles of the past.

Overnight in Taipei.

Distance and journey time: 42 km, approx 1 hr each way

Day 16 Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure.

Distance and journey time: 48 km, approx 45 mins