From Kaohsiung Airport to Chiayi & Fenqihu

<< Previous Post: To Kaouhsiung Again! But This Time Flying With AirAsia <<

 

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 

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To Kaohsiung Again! But This Time Flying With AirAsia from KK

Flight from Kota Kinabalu to Kaohsiung - this is considered to be a pretty new route by AirAsia cause all these while they only fly between Kota Kinabalu and Taipei. In case you are wondering, I've been to Kaohsiung before back in 2015 (old post here) but I was taking high-speed rail (HSR) from Taipei. Hence for this round, we'll be flying directly into the second busiest airport in Taiwan.
[Unfortunaly, AirAsia suspended this route between Kota Kinabalu and Kaohsiung effective 7 April 2025 😥] 

 

#2: AirAsia's in-flight meals are pretty good actually, especially their Pistachio Coconut Latte

#3: Arrived at Kaohsiung International Airport after nearly 3 hours of flight from Kota Kinabalu 

#4: Do take note of the quarantined items, especially pork and meat products.
A Malaysian traveller was fined NT$30,000 (RM4,000) for bringing two pieces of fried chicken into Taiwan in 2018 (here) 

#5: Remember to fill in all your details and submit online arrival card before arriving Taiwan 

Taiwan Arrival Card here

#6: Visitor Information Center at the airport

#7: Starbucks, Family Mart and money charger are among the shops available at the airport

#7: It's easily accessible to the city center via metro from Kaohsiung Airport 

From Kaohsiung International Airport, we'll be heading to Alishan, a popular mountain resort which is well-known for its stunning sea clouds, breathtaking sunrise and ancient forests that I will be sharing more in the next upcoming post.

[Credit To: AirAsia Newsroom, Borneo Post]

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Summary of My 2024 Guangzhou & Tokyo Trip With China Southern Airlines [10D9N]

Summary of My 6D5N China Trip
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu → Guangzhou (post here)
Day 2: Guangzhou → Tokyo Haneda → Fujikawaguchiko (post here)
Day 3: Fujikawaguchiko (post here)
Day 4: Fujikawaguchiko (post here)
Day 5: Fujikawaguchiko → Tokyo (post here)
Day 6 - 8: Tokyo (post here)
Day 9: Tokyo → Haneda → Guangzhou (post here)
Day 10: Guangzhou → Kota Kinabalu

Internet Data
Normally, I will purchase the physical Sim card or like currently I will get e-Sim from Hello1010 but because I will be going to Japan right after coming back from my previous trip to China in October last year (both of my trips were within a month), hence I have decided to purchase the roaming package from CelcomDigi. I will always try to compare both packages from Hello1010 and CelcomDigi first, before proceed to purchase any Internet data from any of them.   

Total Damage for 3 Adults & 1 Infant

PARTICULARS FOR 3 ADULTS + 1 INFANT	AMOUNT
	JPY	RM
Air Fares China Southern Airlines   Accommodations Frida Hotel Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport  [1 Night] Fujikawaguchiko [3 Nights] Tokyo AirBnB [4 Nights] Guangzhou – Vanhome Serviced Apartment [1 Night]   Transportation Nissan Rent A Car ETC Fuel Taxi to Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro Limousine Bus to Haneda Tokyo Airport Food and beverages	-     - - - -     - 6,430 4,551 1,500 -   -	5,529     163 2,158 2,252 281     2,032 183 130 43 123   1,340
	TOTAL	14,234

My Travel Haul

When comes to Japan, it's really really hard to control myself when comes to shopping. No matter how many times I've been to Japan, I still found that there are so many things I want to buy. Snacks, face masks, beauty & skin products and souvenirs are most of the things I will purchase when visiting Japan. And my favourite to shop - Don Quijote, Daiso and Nakamise Shopping Street at Asakusa.  

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Transit & Explore Guangzhou Before Flying Back To Kota Kinabalu

<< Previous Post: Tokyo (5D4N Itinerary) After Fujikawaguchiko <<

After 8 days in Japan, it's time to bid "Sayonara" to my most favourite country. Really wish I could return to Japan every year but maybe it's wise to save money to go and visit other countries I've never been to as I've been to Japan more than 10 times. Because we're flying with China Southern Airlines, we have to transit in Guangzhou before flying back to Kota Kinabalu and this required us to book one night stay at Guangzhou as well. 

#1: Goodbye Tokyo! Goodbye Japan! Hope to see you again

#2: In-flight meal for Tokyo - Guangzhou route 

Pretty satisfied with their meal especially their cold soba, fresh fruits and delicious dessert 

OUR ACCOMMODATION IN GUANGZHOU

#3: Vanhome Serviced Apartment

#4: We booked deluxe twin room that come with two queen sized beds 

Vanhome Serviced Apartment

Date Stayed: 8 November - 9 November 2024 (1 Night)

Room Rate: RM281 for Deluxe Twin Room (Booked from Booking.com)

Nearest Station: 

Subway - Gongyuanqian Station under Guangzhou Metro Line 1 or 2 and exit from Exit D to reach Beijing Road Pedestrian Street

Bus - Multiple bus routes are available, such as Bus No. 3, 10, 66, etc., to Beijing Road Station. 

BEIJING ROAD PEDESTRIAN STREET

The location of our stay is unbeatable because it is situated right in the center of Beijing Road Pedestrian Street of Guangzhou. Stretching over 1,500m long, this pedestrian street offers wide array of options from local snacks and food to trendy clothes and gadgets. At here, we settled our dinner, enjoyed sweet and hearty desserts and bought some souvenirs to bring back home. 

#5: Beijing Road Pedestrian Street of Guangzhou

#6: Plenty of shopping malls and restaurants around

#7: One photo for the memory

#8: The Big Buddha Temple of Guangzhou 

#9: We had claypot rice for dinner and then continue with dessert.

On the next day, we had porridge and rice noodle roll for breakfast

It's time to go back home - for real. But before boarding, I got the opportunity to experience China Southern Lounge - thanks to my credit card for this privilege. It's less crowded than those lounges in klia and Changi airport. The best part, I can even take away some snacks, sandwiches and pastries.  

#10: China Southern Lounge at International Departure (Terminal 2)

Just when we thought our flight was pretty smooth one and will be ever to land accordingly to the scheduled arrival time, oh boy, something beyond our expectations had just happened. The weather in Kota Kinabalu was so horrible that the captains unable to land. So at the end, we're diverted to Bandar Seri Begawan (that's the Brunei's main airport) and waited for nearly 2 hours before we were given a green light to return to Kota Kinabalu. This is the first time I have experienced this throughout my travelling history. Have any of you experienced this before? 

#11: Diverted to Bandar Seri Bewagan (Brunei's main airport) due to the horrible weather in Kota Kinabalu

We landed safely at Kota Kinabalu International Airport around 10-11pm when the original scheduled of arrival time was supposed to be 6pm. 

I will be sharing my Japan's travel haul in the next upcoming post. 

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2024 Tokyo Trip (5D4N Itinerary) After Fujikawaguchiko

After spending 3 nights in Fujikawaguchiko, we then drove back to Tokyo and spent another 4 nights at this bustling and vibrant capital city of Japan. Hence for this post, I will do a compilation for all the places we went in Tokyo instead of doing separate post. For your information, this is my 7th trip to Tokyo and therefore, some of the places I've been over and over again. 

Here are my previous posts
Day 1: From Tokyo Haneda Airport to Fujikawaguchiko (click here)
Day 2: Second Day in Fujikawaguchiko (click here)
Day 3: Third Day in Fujikawaguchiko (click here)
Day 4: Fourth Day in Fujikawaguchiko Before Driving Back To Tokyo (click here)

Day 5: Tsukiji Outer Market + Ginza    

• Kick-off our day by heading to Tsukiji Outer Market for some street food such as Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) and strawberry Daifuku. We even dined-in at Sushi Zanmai 
• From Tsukiji, we walked to Ginza which takes about 20 minutes of walking. Shop till we drop at Uniqlo Flagship Store which spanning over 12 floors. The world's first Uniqlo Coffee is located on the 12th floor. 

#1: Strawberry daifuku 

#2: Food we had at Tsukiji Outer Market  

#3: 12-storey of Uniqlo Flagship Store and Gu at Ginza 

#4: Uniqlo Coffee Ginza on the 12th floor - the world's first Uniqlo Coffee

#5: Ginza 

Day 6: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo + Shibuya + Tokyo Station 

• Taking bus from Shibuya Station to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo 
• Going back to Shibuya to shopping and having lunch there
• Dropby Tokyo Station for phototaking and to get more omiyage (souvenirs) like Tokyo Banana and Calbee for my siblings and friends. 
  
  
  
  #6: Taking bus from Shibuya Station

#7: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo in Nakameguro neighbourhood is the largest Starbucks in the world 

#8: Starbucks special edition mugs 
 

#9: Shopping around Shibuya and having lunch there 

#10: Finally got my first handbag from Blue Label Crestbridge 

#11: Tokyo Station. Love this shot took by my mom  

#12: Tokyo Gift Palette & Okashi Land 

Day 7: Asakusa + Akihabara + Ikebukuro

• Asakusa - my all time favourite place to buy souvenirs, arts and crafts. I got magnets, T-shirts, tote bags and etc here.  
• Hunting for my brothers' items at Akihabara. And this is the first time we had McD for this trip. 
• Ended our night at Ikebukuro before going back to our AirBnB.

#13: Sensoji Temple, Asakusa 

#14: Cute and adorable souvenirs at Nakamise Dori Street 

#15: Akihabara

#16: Our first McD for this trip 

#17: Ikebukuro 

Day 8: Sayonara Japan!

• On the last day of our trip, we took taxi to Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro to catch limousine bus to Haneda Airport. If we take taxi straight to the airport, it will definitely burn a huge hole on our wallet. It's advisable to pre-book in advance to secure your seat and you can book from Klook.

#18: Catching limousine bus from Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro to Tokyo Airport 

#19: Timetable of the limousine bus to Narita and Haneda Airport 

It's advisable to pre-book in advance to secure your seat and you can book from Klook.

OUR AIRBNB IN TOKYO

In Tokyo, we chosen to stay in AirBnB instead of hotel because I prefer to have facilities and amenities such as kitchen, living area and washing machine. And so we found this one nearby Shiinamachi Station. In terms of size, I love that it's pretty spacious and I like the separate bathroom and toilet.

However, the only thing I dislike about this AirBnB is the location where we have to walk nearly 15 minutes from the train station which it's kinda exhausted, especially after a long day at outside and you wish to reach your stay as soon as possible. 

AirBnB in Toshima City 

Date Stayed: 4 November - 8 November 2024 (4 nights) 

Room Rate: RM2,230 for 4 nights (Booked from AirBnB) 

Nearest Station: Shiinamachi Station, Seibu Ikebukuro line (South Exit)


By the way, our trip didn't end here cause we will be flying to Guangzhou for another long transit before flying back home sweet home to Kota Kinabalu. 

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