Before I proceed with my story on Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, let me share with you of our journey from Kaohsiung Airport to Chiayi and Fenqihu, where we will be overnight before heading to Alishan. For your information, this is my second time to Alishan after my first trip there back in 2019 (post here). Unfortunately, we're unable to do any sightseeing during our first visit due to the adverse weather - it's raining cats and dogs. Therefore, we decided to return to Alishan once again to try our luck for the second time.
FROM KAOHSIUNG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT >> CHIAYI
1. Take Metro Red Line from Kaohsiung International Airport to Kaohsiung Station.
2. Then, take TRA train from Kaohsiung Station direct to Chiayi Railway Station.
#1: TRA train from Kaohsiung Station direct to Chiayi Railway Station
#2: Chiayi
FROM CHIAYI TO FENQIHU
There are plenty of accommodations within Alishan but because we planned our trip quite last minute, most of them are either fully booked or significantly costly. Hence, my husband suggested to stay at Fenqihu.
From outside of Chiayi Railway Station, catch bus 7302 to Fenqihu.
#3: Bus 7302 from Chiayi Railway Station to Fenqihu
At first, the bus ride from Chiayi to Fenqihu was pretty smooth but not until, there was a constant beeping sound from the bus out of nowhere. Due to that, the bus driver decided to stop the bus engine for a while and restart again but somehow, the bus refused to operate as usual. After trying for few times, the bus driver informed us that the bus had broken down and we need to walk to Fenqihu which might takes about 30 minutes or more. Like what? Rather than waiting for the next bus that might takes more than 1 hour, we had no choice but have to walk on our own. Thankfully, a good Samaritan who happened to passby was willing to give us a ride to Fenqihu. Dear God, please bless this gentleman with abundance of health, wealth and happiness.
#4: Our bus broke down in the middle of the journey but thankfully, this kind and helpful local Taiwanese willing to give us a ride to Fenqihu.
FENQIHU
In Fenqihu, we decided to overnight in this little mountainous town for 2 nights in order to have more time to explore around without rushing here and there. However, because our plan to Alishan were kind last minute, hence we ended up staying in 2 different accommodations.
#5: Fenqihu, a railway town on the Alishan Forest Railway
1st Accommodation - Fenqihu Deep Forest Inn
Date Stayed: 27 November - 28 November 2024 (1 night)
Room Rate: NT$1,800 for a double bed room with breakfast included
#6: Our first night stay - Fenqihu Deep Forest Inn
#7: Double bed room attached with private bathroom
2nd Accommodation - Yeashow Villa
Date Stayed: 28 November - 29 November 2024 (1 night)
Room Rate: NT$1,500 for a double bed room
#8: Our second night stay - Yeashow Villa
One of the things you should do and try when visiting Fenqihu is to have their bento box. There are plenty of bento box restaurants around Fenqihu and we managed to try 2 of them. Most of these bento boxes come with a combination of rice, meat (normally pork and chicken), braised egg, local bamboo shoots and a mixed of different type of vegetables.
#9: One of the most popular bento boxes in Fenqihu - located inside Fenqhi Hotel. Also the most expensive one. We ordered the mix chicken and pork bento which costs NT$190.
#10: Both my husband and I felt that this bento box which located a little further from the old street was much more better. The name of the restaurant is in Chinese and so, I just share the google map here.
#11: Bento box menu
#12: This bento box restaurant is just right next to the train station platform
Besides bento box, we did try few of the street snacks in Fenqihu such as fried donut and stuffed rice cake. How to know which one is the best since there are many shops selling the same thing - just follow those with long queues.
#13: Some of the street snacks we managed to try - fried donut and stuffed rice cake
#14: Fenqihu Old Street - the highest old street in Taiwan
This old street reminds me of Jiufen but in smaller version
#15: Wasabi in Fenqihu
If you have extra time just like us, you can do bamboo forest hikes around the village. There are few trails but we decided to go for the easy one - Fenqi Trail which takes around 1 hour to complete the whole trail.
#16: Fenqi Trail
Lovely photos! And the food looks very good. Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteSuddenly bus broke down out of no where.. mmg luckly la ada orang local bantu bawa sampai Alishan.. Fried Donut and stuffed rice cake tu nampak sedap.. 🤤🤤
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