Tainan Day Trip From Kaohsiung

Sits on the southwestern coastal plains of Taiwan. Tainan is easily reachable from Kaohsiung via train as it takes super short 13-minutes ride (if taking the fast high-speed rail). This is exactly what we did right after came back from Fenqihu and Alishan. 

HOW TO GET TO TAINAN FROM KAOHSIUNG 

There are two types of trains you can opt for:

1. High-Speed Rail (HSR) - Super fast and easily reach Tainan within 13 minutes from Kaohsiung. However, HSR stations are situated quite distance away from the city centers.
2. Regular TRA train - Slower than HSR but TRA stations sit right in the heart of both cities which make this more convenient and direct option for going from one downtown area to another. Although the ride takes roughly around 30-35 minutes, it's cheaper than HSR. 

Credit to Asia Odyssey Travel

WHAT WE DO IN TAINAN

1. Anping Old Street 

Built by Dutch, Anping Old Street is Taiwan's oldest street featuring countless shops, stalls and eateries. It's pretty nice historical street to visit with plenty of handmade items along with good selection of light Taiwanese street snacks. 

 

2. Anping Old Fort

Known as Fort Zeelandia, Anping Old Fort is the first fort built by the Dutch in Anping District, Taiwan where it has been the administrative center of Dutch regime and the hub for trading. Today the only remnant of the Dutch period is the southern brick wall outside the front gate of the Old Fort, covered in the tangled roots of old banyan trees. 

Admission Fee: NT$70

Opening Hours: 8.30am - 5.10pm daily 

3. Anping Tree House

Anping Tree House is a former warehouse in Anping District but currently overtaken and occupied by banyan trees. It features a platform above known as The Skyway. There is a coffee shop within the premise but bear in mind, they only accept cash. And don't forget to try their ice-cream, especially during the summer time.

Admission Fee: NT$70

Opening Hours: 8.30am - 5.10pm daily 

4. Blueprint Culture & Creative Park

Nestled within the historic Old Judicial Dormitory area, this creative space features quaint shops, art studios and hosts cultural events. If you are looking for local handmade crafts and arts, this is the place that you are looking for. 

Opening Hours: 1pm - 9pm (Closed on Tuesday)

5. Hayashi Department Store 

Being the largest of Tainan's old building, Hayashi Department Store was the first modern department store with elevators in Tainan during the Japanese occupation. This cultural based shopping mall has not only features Taiwanese designer clothing, household items and traditional desserts but also brings more fine cuisine and restaurants to the renewed version. Japanese Izakaya, retro cafes, tea shop and desserts can be found within the building. And on the rooftop, not only you can the amazing view of Tainan streets, but there is also a Shinto shrine built during the Japanese Colonial Era right on the top floor. 

Opening Hours: 11am - 9pm daily

6. Chin Men Theater

Also known as Quan Mei Theater, this historic cinema is one of the oldest second-run theater in Tainan. It gained international fame for its hand-painted movie posters. And for your information, it was a favourite haunt for the world-famous director Ang Lee when he was a student in Tainan.

7. Garden Night Market 

Often considered to be the largest and most famous night market in Tainan, you shouldn't leave Taiwan without dropping by this night market. With nearly 400 food stalls and many dining facilities available, be prepared to feast your hungry tummy. 

Opening Hours: 5pm - 12am on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only 

IS DAY TRIP TO TAINAN FROM KAOHSIUNG DOABLE?

Yes, a day trip from Kaohsiung to Tainan is exceptionally doable, especially with it's a short 30-35 minutes train ride away. This makes it easy to see many of Tainan's must see sights and attractions in a single day.  

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Day Trip to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area From Fenqihu

<< Previous Post: From Kaohsiung Airport to Chiayi & Fenqihu <<

 

Fenqihu, where we overnight is the half-way point on the way to the top of Alishan and it takes almost an hour from there to Alishan. As we need to catch the earliest train in order to witness the sunrise, we pre-booked taxi from Fenchihu Hotel to pick us up at 4am. The 1-hour ride to Alishan National Forest Recreation costs NTD1,600 (approx. to RM220) and we're lucky to find someone to share the ride with us. 

#1: From Fenqihu to Alishan, it takes nearly an hour car ride.

Originally built to transport log of cypress trees, Alishan Forest Railway is now operating as a scenic tourist route from Chiayi to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. The railway features 3 branches within the park; the Zhushan Line for sunrise and sea clouds viewing, the Zhaoping Line to the Chaoping Area and the Sister Ponds Trail, and the Shenmu Line to see the scared trees. After extensive repairs following typhoon damage, the line to Alishan fully reopened in 2024, connecting it to the mountainous region's villages and cultural heritage sites.  

#2: Zhushan Line Schedule & Fares 

They will even clearly stated the sunrise timing

#3: Zhushan Station - The highest point on Taiwan's railway network

#4: While waiting for the sunrise, you can grab some hot drinks or food from the stalls outside the railway station 

#5: Actually both of my husband and I were more anticipated on Unkai (sea of clouds) than the sunrise but unfortunately, we didn't catch any of Unkai. 

#6: Right after the sun rose, we need to immediately catch the train from Zhushan Station because there will be no more train after that. 

#7: From Zushan Station, we alighted at Chao Ping Station for some hiking activities. 

If you are visiting in spring time (between late March to early April), Chao Ping Station (Zhaoping Station) is well-known for cherry blossoms viewing area. Even though it's not a spring time during our visit, Chao Ping Station marks the starting point of the hiking trail that leads to the Sister Ponds Trail. 

#8: Hiking through the lust forest was breathtaking. 

#9: Sister Ponds Trail

#10: Shouzhen Temple, the largest temple within Alishan area and also the highest altitude temple in Taiwan. 

#11: By the way, if you are wondering how's the hike? Well, it's one pretty easy hike for us 

#12: Three Generation Trees 

#13: From Chao Ping Station, the trail leads us to Shenmu Station 

#14: Mandatory photo with the railway track in Alishan 

#15: Shenmu Line to Alishan 

#16: Hotels within Alishan area 

#17: Other facilities can be found in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area:

• Visitor's center
• Post office with ATM 
• Restaurants, tea shops and souvenir stores 
• 7-Eleven convenience store (the highest 7-Eleven in Taiwan) 

Is it day trip from Fenqihu to Alishan doable? Yes, it's possible for us where we able to witness sunrise at Zhushan, hiking at Chao Ping and catch train from Shenmu back to Alishan. 

#18: We ended our Alishan trip by taking train back to Fenqihu

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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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