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Regent Holidays · Tailor-made

Taiwan Rail Explorer: Scenic Routes and Offbeat Encounters

Taiwan rail loop from Taipei through mountains, coast, and island on heritage trains

Illustration of Taiwan Rail Explorer: Scenic Routes and Offbeat Encounters

Regent Holidays operates this 12-day Taiwan Rail Explorer as a tailor-made guided journey combining scenic heritage trains, local encounters, and city exploration. You depart the UK, arrive in Taipei, then travel mostly by rail through Taiwan's mountains, coast, and islands, staying in solid 3-star hotels and ending back in Taipei. Day 3 takes you by train from Taipei through mountains and coastlines to Taitung, where on Day 4 you cook traditional lunch with the Etolan Indigenous tribe. Days 5 and 6 feature the Breezy Blue, a restored 1950s diesel train through mountain tunnels to Taiwan's southernmost station, and the VIVID Express climbing through tea plantations to Alishan, where you catch the sunrise via the historic Alishan Forest Railway on Day 7. Days 8 and 9 shift to Kinmen Island, an offshore destination where you harvest oysters and make brooms with locals. The guide meets you at each airport, arranges all transfers, and offers local recommendations throughout. Accommodation, meals as specified, activities, and entrance fees are included; travel insurance and tips are not.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip combines multiple transport modes: four rail segments, two domestic flights, and coach transfers. While rail is featured, the journey is not rail-only.
  • Regent Holidays describes this as a tailor-made itinerary; confirm exact departure dates and any seasonal availability before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly to Taiwan

    Depart the UK on your flight to Taiwan.

  2. Day 2overnight: HOTEL COZZI Taipei Zhongxiao

    Arrive Taipei

    Arrive in Taipei and meet your guide at the airport for a smooth transfer to your hotel. Take the rest of the day to rest after your flight.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Century Hotel

    Taipei to Taitung

    Take the morning train from Taipei to Taitung, passing through mountains and coastlines. Explore Taitung Forest Park by bike. End the day at a hot spring hotel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Century Hotel

    Taitung Indigenous Experience

    Spend the day with the Etolan tribe, walking through the village, foraging and preparing a traditional lunch together, and taking part in a hands-on craft session.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Holiday Inn Express Chiayi

    Taitung to Chiayi

    From Taitung Station, board the Breezy Blue, a restored 1950s diesel train, along the South Link Line through mountain tunnels to Pacific coastal cliffs, stopping at Jinlun, Dawu, and Fangshan (Taiwan's southernmost station). A van transfer continues to Chiayi.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Alishan Gou Hotel

    Chiayi to Alishan

    Board the VIVID Express from Chiayi to Fenqihu, a scenic mountain train through dense forest and tea-covered hills. Explore Fenqihu's historic village, then continue into Alishan National Scenic Area.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Holiday Inn Express Taichung Fengchia

    Alishan to Taichung

    Catch the sunrise in Alishan via the Alishan Forest Railway, explore the National Scenic Area, then take the high-speed train from Chiayi HSR Station to Taichung. Visit the bustling Fengchia Night Market.

  8. Day 8overnight: Hai Yuan Zi

    Taichung to Kinmen

    Fly to Kinmen from Taichung Airport. Visit the Mashan Observation Post, the Kinmen Museum of History and Folklore, Juguang Tower and the Troops Headquarters, the Houpu 16 Arts and Culture Zone, and Jiangongyu Islet for sunset.

  9. Day 9overnight: Hai Yuan Zi

    Kinmen Island

    Take part in a hands-on broom-making workshop using kaoliang straw, then an oyster harvesting experience. Explore the Jiugong Tunnels and the Beishan Broadcasting Wall, ending at the Cihu Luo Ri Guan Hai Platform for sunset.

  10. Day 10overnight: HOTEL COZZI Taipei Zhongxiao

    Kinmen Island to Taipei

    Fly back to Taipei this morning and settle into your hotel, with free time to explore the capital at your own pace.

  11. Day 11overnight: HOTEL COZZI Taipei Zhongxiao

    Taipei City Tour

    Visit Longshan Temple and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Lunch at Din Tai Fung. Head up to the Taipei 101 Observatory, then explore Da Dao Cheng and Dihua Street.

  12. Day 12

    Depart Taipei

    Enjoy a final wander through Taipei. Your guide will meet you at your hotel for the transfer to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Morning train from Taipei to Taitung passes through mountains and coastlines, followed by exploration of Taitung Forest Park by bike.
  • Day 5Board the Breezy Blue, a restored 1950s diesel train on the South Link Line, traveling through mountain tunnels to Pacific coastal cliffs and Taiwan's southernmost station at Fangshan.
  • Day 6The VIVID Express climbs through dense forest and tea-covered hills from Chiayi to Fenqihu, then continue into Alishan National Scenic Area.
  • Day 7Watch the sunrise in Alishan via the Alishan Forest Railway, then take the high-speed train from Chiayi to Taichung and visit Fengchia Night Market.
  • Day 9Hands-on oyster harvesting experience and broom-making workshop using kaoliang straw on Kinmen Island, ending at the Cihu Luo Ri Guan Hai Platform for sunset.

Included

  • Return international flights as per the itinerary
  • All taxes and charges
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Transfers as specified
  • Activities and excursions as specified
  • All entrance fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Not included

  • Travel Insurance
  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. Regent Holidays provides a guide throughout who meets you at the airport, offers local recommendations each day, and arranges all transfers and activities.
Which trains are included?
The itinerary includes rail service from Taipei to Taitung, the Breezy Blue heritage diesel on the South Link Line, the VIVID Express from Chiayi to Fenqihu, the Alishan Forest Railway for the sunrise, and the High Speed Rail from Chiayi to Taichung.
What is included in the price?
Return international flights, accommodation in named hotels, all specified meals, transfers, activities, and entrance fees are included. Travel insurance, tips, optional excursions, and unspecified meals are not.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
There is moderate walking in cities and villages, bike exploration in Taitung, hands-on activities such as oyster harvesting and craft workshops, and an early morning ascent to Alishan for sunrise. No strenuous hiking is noted in the itinerary.
How long is the trip and where does it start and end?
The trip is 12 days and 11 nights, starting in Taipei and ending with your departure from Taipei airport, with intermediate stops in Taitung, Chiayi, Alishan, and Kinmen Island.

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