How to Plan a Perfect Taiwan Vacation by Train

With its fascinating blend of centuries-old traditions and 21st century technology, Taiwan is a unique destination that fascinates visitors on many levels. It’s also a country that’s especially easy to navigate, thanks to its compact size and efficient and comfortable transportation systems. And creating itineraries that include multiple cities and towns are a snap, too.

I spent two wonderful weeks exploring Taiwan recently, and I relied almost exclusively on mass transit to get around the major cities and the island overall. But my trip could also work for a stay half that length, since it’s so easy to get around. 

What to Expect in Taiwan

Located in the western Pacific Ocean about 100 miles from the coast of southeastern China, Taiwan is a self-governing island that measures about 245 by 90 miles. Also known as the Republic of China, the island maintains a tense relationship with mainland China. But it is a rewarding place for travelers looking for memorable experiences in a destination that isn’t as high-profile on the world tourism map. 

I was impressed with many aspects of Taiwan: its sophisticated and diverse culture and history, its beautiful landmarks and its mouthwatering foods. But I was especially wowed by the island’s aforementioned transit systems, and the sleek Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), in particular, which I regularly used during my trip.

Things to Do in Taipei

My husband and I began our visit in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital and primary gateway for international visitors. Arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport was a pleasant experience and provided our first glimpse of the island’s mass transportation, as we hopped onboard the Taoyuan Airport MRT line, a metro line that connects the airport with Taipei Main Station, in the city center. 

We visited most of the city’s top attractions, including Taipei 101, a 1,667-foot skyscraper that was the world’s tallest building when it opened in 2004; the National Palace Museum, which has one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art; and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, dedicated to the memory of former president Chiang Kai-shek. We also spent lots of time sampling cuisine and shopping in the city’s legendary night markets in neighborhoods like Ximen and Shilin.

Our base in Taipei was the Hotel Resonance, the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton property in the Asia-Pacific region. This stylish hotel, which opened in 2020, features amenities like a complimentary minibar, complimentary laundry room and a beautifully designed shower suite for guests to use before or after long flights if they can’t yet access their own rooms.

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Throughout our visit in the capital, we found Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (also called the MRT or Metro) to be a great way to navigate the city, with its fast and efficient service and inexpensive fares. We especially liked using the Taipei Easycard, which can be used on the Metro in multiple cities and even at some convenience stores. 

What to Expect in Kaohsiung

We also took the THSR, a high-speed rail system with trains that can travel as fast as 185 miles per hour, to reach Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s third-largest city. It made the approximately 185-mile trip in just under two hours.

For most of our long-distance rail trips in Taiwan, we splurged on business-class seats, which feature roomier assigned seats and include free coffee, tea, juice or water and a light snack. (We did travel one segment in a standard coach car, and found it to be quite comfortable, as well.) 

Kaohsiung is known by well-traveled globetrotters for several reasons. First, the city is visually stunning, with a dramatic waterfront silhouette that includes architectural landmarks such as the Pier-2 Art Center. There’s also a group of former shipping warehouses that have been repurposed to house shops, art studios, bars and restaurants. Nearby, we enjoyed a short ferry ride to Cijin Island, an urban island where we strolled the beach, rented a fancifully decorated electric cart and walked through the Tunnel of Stars, an illuminated passageway that leads to a lovely ocean view. 

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Another must-see in Kaohsiung is Lotus Pond, a body of water that’s complemented by several colorful religious sites, including the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Zuoying Yuandi Temple and Spring and Autumn Pavilions. On the outskirts of the city, we marveled at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan and the home of the tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue in Asia.

The Kaohsiung Metro (also called the KRTC) provided transportation for most of our city outings in Kaohsiung — and the city’s urban rail system is actually home to its own tourist attraction in the Formosa Boulevard Station, which often ranks in listings of the world’s most beautiful subway stations. Its main focal point is the Dome of Light, a colorful work by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata that tourism officials claim is the largest illuminated glass dome in the world. 

What to Do in Tainan

Only about 15 minutes by high-speed rail from Kaohsiung is Tainan, which was founded in 1624 and is Taiwan’s oldest city. Top historic sites include the Anping Fort, which was built between 1624 and 1634 by the Dutch East India Company; the Anping Tree House, a former warehouse now overgrown with Banyan trees; and the Anping Guanyin Temple, which was built in 1590 and predates the founding of the city. 

Additional noteworthy attractions are in the West Central District, including Chihkan Tower, built in 1652 by the Dutch; the Tainan Confucius Temple, which dates to 1666; and the Tainan Art Museum, which is set in two dramatically different structures: an art-deco-style former police headquarters and a 21st-century construction with contemporary design elements.