Tainan

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 contents were plentiful, including a railway bento box and a miniature train; it was great, and the timing was perfect.

People are so helpful while I tried to figure out where to board the train in the huge station. Food was not the best. However it is a very nice way to hv a headline view the country. The mountain and coastal views were gprgeous! if you like Karaoke, there is a karaoke carriage where you can scream your favourite songs while strangers clapped and cheered you on.

The tour guides were very attentive, not only reminding visitors to watch out for tree branches along the way but also explaining many interesting details, making it well worth the visit. I recommend sitting on the sides or in the front row for the best view. It's more comfortable to come on a cool day! Life jackets and straw hats are provided.

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.

It's always crowded, so early reservations are recommended. There's also space to store large suitcases, making it very comfortable.