Chiayi

I was happy to see the Chinese cabbage, which I couldn't see during my last business trip. Entry was smooth, and the view from the restaurant was also great.

It was as comfortable as Japan's Shinkansen bullet train. I was glad I could use it at half price for a one-way trip. Booking was also smooth.

The contact information provided the day before was clear, the driver was friendly, and after picking up the luggage, I contacted him by phone. He quickly arrived at the designated pick-up/drop-off point and even helped put the luggage in the trunk. He navigated the route using Google Maps, was a good driver, and the car was comfortable and clean. He was also willing to let me know if I had any special needs. Overall, it was great value for money and highly recommended! 👍🏻

I also participated in a tour in January, so this was my second time. I feel bad about the difficulty of communication on local tours because I don't speak Chinese (and my English is quite shaky), but when I participated in January, I was able to communicate fairly well using a translation app on my phone, so this time I also informed them in advance that I couldn't speak the language before signing up. I usually go alone wherever I can (I've been to Alishan once by Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus), but tours are definitely more efficient for sightseeing. Our driver this time, Wang Wang, used LINE's translation function to communicate frequently in the group chat, and he also shared a lot of local information during the hike, which made it incredibly enjoyable. Thank you so much for your kindness. The group from Hong Kong who were in the same car were also very cheerful, and we had a wonderful day. Alishan truly has beautiful scenery, and walking there feels like a cleansing experience. It has become a precious memory.

We rented two cars this time, but due to system settings... there was a discrepancy with the store... during this Mid-Autumn Festival holiday... everyone waited for almost an hour to pick up the cars. During this time, there was also an extra charge for full vehicle insurance... the cost of two cars for two days was equivalent to renting another car... haha... but the cars were in good condition, and the air conditioning was cool enough... so it was acceptable. As for fuel and mileage metering, I think it's best to write that in the rental agreement... so consumers can weigh the total cost and avoid exceeding their budget.

Key Points: 1. Based on this experience, it's highly recommended to book your train in advance through the official website. Even if the train is crowded, this guarantees priority boarding and a seat. 2. Scanning QR codes along the way is incredibly convenient. Saving screenshots allows free access to the Alishan ticket office; this also means you can take a bus from the transfer station to Fenqihu, although the round trip takes time, so travelers only having one day should consider their time. Random Thoughts & Impressions: At the Chiayi Station bus stop, a man was constantly calling out to passengers waiting to take the bus up the mountain. It was easy to mistake him for an official staff member maintaining order. However, he kept using a threatening tone and exerting psychological pressure, saying there were only 26 seats on the bus and those arriving later wouldn't be able to get on, and that our family happened to be in the first row where no one could get on. This put a lot of pressure on the later arrivals. It wasn't until we negotiated prices with them that we realized he was actually running a private charter service. Actually, there were standing room and empty seats on the bus, it just depended on the location. Standing all the way up the mountain for about 2.5 hours was indeed very tiring, and it was especially uncomfortable for me and my child to sit in a seat made up of wheelchair space. But what surprised me this time was that someone in my family who gets carsick even on oxcarts, and someone like me who gets carsick on highways… didn't get carsick on the mountain road this time?! Even I found it incredible. Perhaps it was because the driver kept the accelerator steady, without flooring it or braking suddenly, and maintained a certain speed uphill.

Both the sweet and savory meals were delicious, and the train stopped twice to explore, listen to historical stories, and take photos of Turtle Island. The interior of the train was upscale and comfortable, and the service staff were very friendly.

I used this service for a round trip to Kaohsiung. At the ticket counter, you show your reservation number and passport to receive a ticket booklet, which you then show to pass through the gate. Due to my travel itinerary, I could only go to Kaohsiung, but it was definitely worth it. It's a great opportunity to visit cities other than Taipei! I think it will become a popular service for repeat customers.