I’ve got a free day coming up and was thinking of taking a train just for the views. Any recommendations for the most scenic route? Preferably something doable as a day trip from Taipei.
Thanks in advance!
Alishan Forest Railway, obviously, though lot of the mountain scenery is blocked by trees.
East Rift Valley
Kaohsiung-Taitung
and perhaps the branch lines
Pingxi
Neiwan
Jiji
Not sure if it qualifies as train ride, but I enjoy the mini trains too, like the Wulai one.
2 Likes
Seconding Neiwan. Lovely little ride and you can enjoy quite a pretty area when you reach the end as well. Temperature is usually a bit cooler as well.
1 Like
Yep. Neiwan easily doable in one day. Little town to walk around.
The exact lines and order I was going to say as well. The Ali mountain one probably still requires booking ahead, it’s been a decade without service and the train heads are hot n heavy for it. Plan ahead for that one, but worth it before another typhoon takes it out (again).
From Fangliao onwards towards the east it’s pretty nice all the way up the east coast.
Basically all nice I just think the Pingtung up to Taipei via western side is an easy pass as it’s all Grey and factoryville. Outside of taiwans sludge, they are all GREAT.
The rice fields in the east are full green now. Next month will start changing to seeds and colors will change. Good time to see some terraces and rice fields. After they harvest it’s brown and ugly for a month along much of the rail way.
The souther cross mountin pingtung section you get to see lots of cool banyan trees. But they fly by fast and lots of tunnels.
2 Likes
Bong Bong Train Taipingshan
太平山林業鐵路|太平山站| is small fun.
2 Likes
Nice ride, but scenery also blocked by trees and/or fog. 
2 Likes
Has anyone taken the Breezy Blue train?
https://tip.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip/tip00N/tipN01/blue/index?lang=en_US
Old local trains, no air-con, just fans, and you can open the windows like in the good old days. Love the concept. Not sure about the diesel fumes in the tunnels, though.
3 Likes
It’s 38 today. Might wait for December 
Yes the Bong Bong train scenery is mostly trees and fog. Nice in its own way.
1 Like
This would be a nice day trip from Taipei too: bus to Wulai, walk around, Atayal food for lunch, small train further into the mountains, with a visit to the Neidong Forest Reserve. Hotspring visit at the end, if that’s something one likes.
Guy
1 Like
How about a scenic peddle cart ride on an abandoned railway.
Shen’ao Rail Bike (Badouzi Station)
深澳鐵道自行車 八斗子站
1 Like