Australian rail enthusiasts love Taiwan

Rail enthusiasts from Australia, Japan and the UK have recently discovered Taiwan’s railway network in a 14-day round-island trip.

It is the first time that Taiwan has worked with foreign travel agencies to launch a tour for a multinational group, said Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau.

The 12 British, 36 Australian and 3 Japanese visitors traveled Taiwan’s cities and countryside by subway and island-wide railway and highspeed train networks on September 5.

‘We have been really impressed with the quality of the railways, not only the efficiency, punctuality but also how clean they are, said British tour group organizer Stephen Martin. ‘They are much cleaner than in the UK.’

The friendliness of local Taiwanese people was commended by Australian group leader Owen Johnstone-Donnett.

‘It reminded me of the early days of train travel in Australia,’ he said. ‘It created a nostalgic and romantic experience that people go to the countryside and all of the local people are waving at you.’

Taiwan has a system of railway lines running that circle the island and covering the distance from north to south and east to west, each tracking through different cities and natural scenery.

Train tours of Taipei, Taichung and the Kaohsiung city areas can be arranged through most tour operators or upon arrival in Taipei.

Other highlights that can be visited by train include the food of Miaokou in Keelung, the City God Temple in Hsinchu, the seafood in Pintung, and the historical sites of Sanxia and Tainan.

Round-island tickets can be purchased from the Taiwan Railway Administration, which include seven separate tickets that allow you to hop on and off at seven different stations along the way. The tickets are valid for 15 days from the date of your first ride.

Tickets for the special Tourist Train, equipped with salon, dining cars and even karaoke rooms, come as a package deal that includes accommodation and tours.