Chiayi

The airport pick-up and drop-off area was heavily congested, and it took 15 to 20 minutes to wait for a car to circle around and get in. The ride was comfortable, and the service was excellent.

The entire trip was exquisitely packaged, from receiving the transparent ticket to seating arrangements, concierge service, train ambiance, menu, souvenirs, and more – it felt like opening a gift, with surprises in every detail. Although the weather was overcast that day, preventing access to the most stunning views and coastal scenery, the overall sophistication of the package and food was captivating, making it impossible not to capture it with a camera! I especially appreciated the guided tours at the next stop, which included visits to towns and villages not typically visited on regular tours, offering a deeper understanding of Taiwan's local customs and culture. While the price wasn't cheap, it was still worthwhile. Furthermore, purchasing through KKday offered a $90 discount coupon, making it cheaper than buying directly from the website. And if tickets are sold out on the website, checking KKday again might still offer some availability.

Pei Pei was our guide. She was an amazing driver and super nice. The tour was worth the price considering the difficulty of getting up to Alishan and back. Having a private driver in a private car who worked out restroom stops, helped you take photos, made precise pick ups was perfect. The unexpected part was being asked to purchase extra tickets once we arrived. The 1st was a bus ticket getting you from visitor's center to the trailhead. This was $60 ea and though the signs said credit cards were accepted, there was a well used sign saying the machine was broken. The 2nd was the small little train @ $100ea that took you back to the visitor's center, cash only. They were presented as mandatory tickets and when on a tour you do what the guide tells you. So worth the price and the time if you are looking for an introduction to Alishan but bring extra cash.