Loop Taiwan by Train | The Best Way to Explore for a Week Holiday

Joost
2022年10月3日
讀畢需時 3 分鐘

已更新：2023年4月7日

After Landing

From the US I flew into Taipei. After arriving in Taiwan I immediately hopped on the high speed rail towards Kenting; take the train to Kaohsiung City (with the KLOOK pass (https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/808-3-day-thsr-tourist-pass-taipei/).

(Photo Credit | #iChicPlaces )

From the station in Kaohsiung City I took a Taxi (red circle spot) to Hengchun/Kenting. Note that English is less spoken in this southern area but Kenting is a popular destination that all taxi drivers will know.

(Source | Railway Station)

KENTING

Kenting national park is a somewhat tropical beach and nature park that occupies the very southern tip of Taiwan. A nice place to relax, get in some beach time and walking in the forests, also a popular tourist destination of many Taiwanese.

(Photo Credit | Joost)

Hengchun

In Kenting I stayed in old town Hengchun - an interesting small historical city that has some old walls as markers of its colonial days. A very affordable place where I also rented a scooter to drive to explore the southern coast.

(Photo Credit | Joost, #iChicPlaces )

Hualien

The next stop was Hualien - I took the TRA train to Hualien Station (https://www.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip?lang=EN_US - with KLOOK pass again providing some discount). This train ride is slower than the highspeed rail but it traverses a beautiful mountain area before arriving on the east coast of Taiwan.

Hualien is the ultimate outdoor destination on the east coast (and one of the best in the country) - close to the famous Taroko gorge, harboring a mountain range very close to the ocean.

(Photo Credit | #iChicPlaces - Facing to the Pacific Ocean)

Taroko Gorge

HIKING

In the Taroko gorge I hiked Hike Zhuilu old trail - a small trail carved out of the side cliff of the gorge with dramatic, beautiful views of the canyon (it does have a steep drop-off into the gorge!)

(Photo Credit | Joost)

The Zhuilu old trail was originally used by Japanes as a worked road for local natives to enable the construction of the larger roads through the canyon.

(Photo Credit | Joost)

The hike requires an advance reservation to get in the park (https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/Tourism/TrailList) or
if you're a less experienced hiker you might want to book a tour (e.g. https://www.islandlifetaiwan.com/on-the-edge-of-insanity-taiwans-zhuilu-old-trail/)
Just a drive into Taroko at the bottom of the canyon is pretty and popular too - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g13808541-d819697-Reviews-Taroko_National_Park-Xiulin_Hualien.html

CANYONING

Another great activity in the Hualien area I did was a canyoning trip; with 2 guides hiking up a mountain and then abseiling through a waterstream and several waterfalls.

I booked this canyoning trip with meet my guide https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g13806634-d7292055-Reviews-Meet_My_Guide_Outdoor_Adventures-Hualien_City_Hualien.html.

(Photo Credit | Joost)

Hualien City

In Hualien city I enjoyed the night market for different kinds of food, as well as the park east of the night market (towards the beach) which had some cool light effects.

(Photo Credit | Joost)

I stayed in the WOW hostel which had comfortable private rooms, and very good services https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g13806634-d2450404-Reviews-Hualien_Wow_Hostel-Hualien_City_Hualien.html

Taipei

From Hualien I took the train to back to Taipei, completing my week-long circle around the island. I spent a few days in Taipei where I enjoyed all kinds of local foods, as well as a local (very strong!) massage.

I also visited the highly recommended national palace museum with its unique exhibition of art/treasures that narrates the history of China through the ages.