7-Day Kaohsiung - Chiayi (Alishan) - Taipei, Taiwan Itinerary

DAY 0

04:10 pm to 5:55 pm - Flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Kaohsiung International Airport via Airasia

Tip: Come at least 3-4 hours before your flight so you can have enough time for check-in, immigration, and security check.

7:00 pm - Travel to Skyone Hotel

We took a train to Formosa Boulevard Station (Red Line), then booked an Uber from Formosa Boulevard Station to Skyone Hotel. The distance between the station and hotel is walkable but with our huge luggages, we opted to book a car instead.

Skyone Hotel Address: No. 149號, Liuhe 2nd Rd, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/j5a4R4ttvU4gsWts5)

8:00 pm - Dinner at Liuhe Night Market

10:00 pm - Rest

DAY 1 - KAOHSIUNG

7:00 am - Breakfast at Mei Lin Breakfast

9:30 am - Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

How to go to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum from Formosa Boulevard Station:

1. Take the Red Line to Zuoying THSR Station

2. From Zuoying Station, take Exit 2, and hop on E02 bus (Harvard Express) that goes straight to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

11:00 am - Head back to Zuoying THSR Station

To go back to Zouying THSR, wait for the return bus outside Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.

12:00 pm - Lunch at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Mall Food Court

2:00 pm - Lotus Pond/Dragon Tiger Pagoda

3:00 pm - Pier 2 Art Center

We didn’t stroll much around the area because of the heat, so we decided to proceed to our next destination.

4:00 pm - Cijin Island

How to go to Cijin Island from Pier 2 Art Center

1. Walk or Take an Uber to Gushan Ferry Pier Station

2. Take the ferry to Cijin Island Station

Things to do in Cijin Island:

1. Rent a bike to explore the island. There is a bicycle path/lane around Cijin Island, so it’s relatively safe to bike around

2. Eat local street food and seafood along Cijin Old Street, visit beachfront bars

3. Shop for souvenirs

4. Watch the sunset

5. Visit the picturesque spots around the island

7:00 pm - Dinner and Shopping at KW2, Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No.2

9:00 pm - Rest and prepare for Day 2

DAY 2 - CHIAYI

4:30 am - Check out from the Hotel and head to Zuoying THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail) Station

5:30 am - Ride the THSR to Chiayi THSR Station

You may book your THSR tickets via Klook.

Tip: If you’re spending just a night at Alishan, you may pack your essentials in a bag and leave your huge luggages at the Chiayi THSR lockers so you don’t have to carry them to the mountains. It will make your traveling easier (and lighter).

6:00 am - Taxi to TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) Chiayi Station

Note: The TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) is a different railway system.

9:00 am - Alishan Express Ride to Fenqihu Station

How to book an Alishan Express Ticket:

1. Reserve your tickets at https://afrts.forest.gov.tw (Select ‘General Booking’ option under ‘Online Booking’). Take note that you can only book 15 days ahead of time. The seats easily run out so book as early as you can!

2. An e-mail will be sent to you containing your reservation number. Use the reservation number to claim your tickets at Chiayi TRA station.

3. You may check the updated schedule of Alishan Express here: https://afrch.forest.gov.tw/EN/0000115

Note: Don’t forget to enjoy the scenic train ride!

12:00 pm - Lunch at Fenqihu Old Street

We had a quick lunch at Fenqihu Old Street before our 12:50 pm bus ride to Alishan. Make sure to try the famous bento meals!

12:50 pm - Ride the bus from Fenqihu to Alishan

2:30 pm - Buy sunrise tickets at the Alishan Train Station for the next day

4:00 pm - Check in at Gau Shan Ching Hotel

6:00 pm - Eat hotpot at Ali Shan Restaurant

8:00 pm - Rest

BONUS TIPS & REMINDERS FOR TRAVELING IN TAIWAN

1. GET AN EASYCARD. Use your EasyCard to pay on trains and buses. Most shops and restaurants also accept payments via EasyCard.

2. ESSENTIAL APPS: Uber for transportation, Google Maps for navigation, and Google Translate

3. ACCOMMODATION: Here are the recommended area for accommodation in the places we visited:

   Kaohsiung: Qianjin District

   Alishan: Hotels inside Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

   Taipei: Ximending Area, Taipei Main Station Area, Zhongshan Area

4. Use public transportation. Taiwan has an efficient transportation system - including buses, trams, train lines, and bullet trains. Take advantage of it to get around quickly and maximize your stay.

5. Don’t miss out on Taiwanese breakfast! Try it at least once when you visit Taiwan.

6. AVOID SCAMS: Do your research and learn about the common scams in your destination. Stay alert!

7. BE RESPECTFUL AND MINDFUL: Always remember that we are just guests in the countries we visit. It wouldn’t hurt to show respect to locals, as well as to the other tourists. Take the time to learn about the cultural norms and traditions of your destination.

DAY 3 - ALISHAN

4:30 am - Take the Alishan Sunrise Train

Note: The train departs one hour before sunrise. Tickets can be purchased at Alishan Train Station the day before. Make sure to check the schedule in advance as you buy your ticket, as it changes daily based on the sunrise time. Hotels in Alishan usually have wake up calls for the sunrise train.

5:30 am - Watch the sunrise

7:00 am - Explore Alishan

Prepare for a long walk along the trails of Alishan. The paths are easy to navigate, with clear signage throughout the area. Alternatively, you can choose to ride the Alishan Forest Railway for a scenic and relaxing experience.

See Alishan National Forest Recreation Area map here.

12:00 pm - Lunch

3:00 pm - Take the bus to Chiayi

The bus departs from the Alishan Transport Station, just right outside the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.

5:30 pm - Take the THSR to Taipei

7:20 pm - Arrive at Taipei

7:30 pm - Check in at Star Ximen Hotel

8:00 pm - Dinner and Explore Ximending

10:00 pm - Rest

DAY 4 - TAIPEI

8:00 am - Breakfast at Yong He Soy Milk

9:00 am - Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo

How to get to Maokong Gondola from Ximen Station:

1. From Ximen Station, take the Blue Line to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station

2. Transfer to Brown Line

3. Alight at Taipei Zoo Station (last stop on the Brown Line)

4. Exit the station and follow signs to the Maokong Gondola (a short walk from the MRT station)

The Maokong Gondola has 4 stations: Taipei Zoo Station, Taipei Zoo South Station, Zhinan Temple Station, and Maokong Station.

To get to Taipei Zoo from Maokong:

1. Ride downhill and alight at Taipei Zoo South Station for direct access to the zoo area.

2. Alternatively, continue to Taipei Zoo Station to return to the MRT.

3:00 pm - Head back to the hotel and rest

7:00 pm - Dinner at Raohe Night Market

9:00 pm - Rest

DAY 5 - WULAI

8:00 am - Breakfast at Yong He Soy Milk

9:00 am - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

10:00 am - Depart to Wulai

How to go to Wulai:

1. Take the MRT Green Line to Xindian Station

2. Outside Xindian Station, ride Bus 849

The bus ride takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour. It's better to have a seat, as the roads become curvy on the way there, and it can be difficult to keep your balance while standing.

You may choose to alight at the Wulai Suspension Bridge or at the bus stop. I would recommend visiting the Suspension Bridge to get a scenic view of Wulai.

11:30 am - Lunch at Wulai Old Street

1:00 pm - Explore Wulai

4:00 pm - Head back to Taipei

To return to Taipei, simply follow the route above in reverse.

7:30 pm - Dinner and Shopping at Ximending

10:00 pm - Rest

DAY 6

8:00 am - 6:00 pm - Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall Day Tour

For a seamless experience, we booked the tour via Klook.

7:30 pm - Dinner

9:00 pm - Pack up for flight and Rest

DAY 7

6:00 am - Check out from the hotel and take an Uber to Taipei Main Station

6:30 am - Take the Express Train to the Taoyuan International Airport

10:25 am - 12:50 pm - Flight from Taipei to Manila via Airasia