Lazy Playtime Option: Cruise-Style Train Rides to Witness Sunrises and Explore Hidden Gems – 8 Amazing Trips

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) launched eight distinctive 2-day cruise-style train tours from October to December 2015, each with its own unique appeal. In addition to the ever-popular Chihshang’s Boulevard of Bromeliads and Luye Plateau, the tours also include special railway spots like the South-Link hidden gem — Fangye Station, the “train-pushing” experience in Yilan, and the Alishan Forest Railway. This year, several new destinations have been added, including a 2-day Alishan sunrise experience on December 31. With ticket prices set at approximately [price not specified], these trips offer an ideal choice for travelers short on time for planning. For booking and detailed itinerary information, please visit TRA’s official website under the “06. Cruise-Style Train Special Zone.”Official Website“06. Cruise-Style Train Special Zone.”

▲ The Linmei Shiban Hiking Trail. (Photo / Courtesy of Hakka Tung Blossom Festival Official Website)Hakka Tung Blossom Festival Official Website）

Trip 1: Tranquil Linmei & Farm-Fresh Charm
Trip Dates: October 10–11
Booking Date: September 10
Departing from Changhua Station, this trip takes you to Yingge Station, known as the “Taiwan Jingdezhen” for its historic ceramic street; to Luodong Station in Yilan to visit the Sanyi Scallion Culture Museum and experience life as a farmer for a day; then early on the second day, head to the Linmei Shiban Hiking Trail at Toucheng Station to enjoy beautiful waterfalls, followed by a rustic farm stay experience at Toucheng Farm.

▲ The famous “Jincheng Wu Tree” along the Boulevard of Bromeliads, made famous by an advertisement. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Trip 2: Cat Paradise in Houyu, Monkey Cave & the Bromeliad & Indigenous Charm of Bunan
Trip Dates: October 24–25
Booking Date: September 24
Departing from Hsinchu Station, this journey explores attractions along Yilan County and the East Coast Line. Visit the coal mining park, miners’ dormitories, and cat village at Houyu Station, then head to Guanshan Station to experience rice culture at the “Guanshan Rice Country School.” On the second day, start early to admire the scenic rice fields along the Chihshang Boulevard of Bromeliads at Chihshang Station, and finish with a visit to the richly indigenous-themed Bunan Cultural Museum.

▲ Taram Station. (Photo / Tsai Wenli)

Trip 3: Roselle Flower Seas & Forest Breaths
Trip Dates: November 7–8
Booking Date: October 7
Departing from Fengyuan and heading south, this trip explores eastern Taiwan’s highlights. Enjoy the nostalgic charm of the old railway bridge at Jiouqu Tang, then venture into the South-Link hidden gem — Fangye Station, and get up close with roselle flowers at Taimali Station. On the second day, visit the Zhiben Forest Recreation Area at Zhiben Station, Taiwan’s most picturesque small station — Taram, and the F3 Art & Cultural District in Fangliao.

▲ The Baiyang Hiking Trail. (Photo / Reporter Huang Yanqi)

Trip 4: Explore Baiyang, Cruise Lotus Pond & Enjoy Clam-Digging Fun
Trip Dates: November 21–22
Booking Date: October 21
Starting from Shulin Station, this journey takes you through Yilan County and the North-Link Line. At Yilan Station, push a giant model train engine, explore the Diudiu Forest and Jimmy Park; at Dongshan Station, admire Taiwan’s only melon-shade style platform; head to the Taroko National Park via Xincheng Railway Station, then walk the Baiyang and Lushui hiking trails to enjoy breathtaking scenery. On the second day, wander around Liyu (Carp) Pond at Hualien Station, try the nostalgic “clam-digging while washing pants” experience at Lichuan Fish Farm, and end with a majestic mountain-and-sea view at Chongde Station.

▲ Longtian Village, Luye Township, Taitung County. (Photo / Provided by Yong’an Community Development Association)

Trip 5: Serenity in Longtian & Warm Springs in Luming
Travel dates: November 28 and 29
Ticket booking date: October 28
Start from Banqiao Station to visit scenic spots in Yilan County and along the Hualien-Taitung Line. Explore the Diudiuang Forest and Jimmy Square at Yilan Station; admire Taiwan’s only vine-covered platform at Dongshan Station; ride a bike through the countryside lanes in Luye Station, then head to Luye Highlands to enjoy the fragrance of tea; on the second day, visit the Bunun Tribe Cultural Park to enjoy a traditional indigenous tribal theater performance, taste health soups at Taitung Native Plant Garden, and end the trip by soaking your feet and enjoying a fish spa at Tangweigou Park at Jiaoxi Station.

▲The Moon World in Gangshan, Kaohsiung. (Photo / Reproduced fromKaohsiung City Government Information Bureau)

Itinerary 6: White Radish and Moon World Volcano
Travel dates: December 5 and 6
Ticket booking date: November 5
Start from Songshan Station to explore scenic spots in central and southern Taiwan. Enjoy the scenic view of wind turbines along the way from Longgang Station to Baishatun Station while the train moves slowly; tour the architecture at Rinnan Station; at Gangshan Station, visit Tianliao’s Moon World to see the unique mud volcano badlands, personally harvest the exclusive Baimi radish produce from Meinong, and admire the European-style architecture of Qishan Old Train Station as well as the lively Qishan Old Street.

▲The cruise-train style of the Alishan Forest Railway. (Photo / Provided by Taiwan Railways Administration)

Itinerary 7: Oyster Tasting in Agongdian and Railway Forest Charm in Fenchihu
Travel dates: December 12 and 13
Ticket booking date: November 12
Start from Fengyuan Station to visit scenic spots in southern Taiwan. From Dalin Station’s Agongdian Wetland Forest Park, Garlic Sugar Wharf Cultural Park, and Beimen Station Forest Railway Depot Park, transfer to Alishan Forest Railway at Chiayi Station and head to Fenchihu Station to explore “Taiwan’s highest old street.”

▲The first sunrise of the New Year in Alishan. (Photo / Taken by Reporter Hong Shengyi)

Itinerary 8: Prayers in Dajia, National Palace Museum Southern Branch, and Welcoming the Sunrise in Alishan
Travel dates: December 31 – January 1 (New Year’s Eve)
Ticket booking date: November 30
Start from Songshan Station to visit scenic spots in central and southern Taiwan. Pray at Zhenlan Temple at Dajia Station, and taste local specialties such as butter cookies and taro crisps; then head to the National Palace Museum Southern Branch at Dalin Station to soak in an artistic atmosphere; on the morning of New Year’s Day, go to Alishan at Chiayi Station to watch the sunrise, and then enjoy a forest bath at Alishan Forest Recreation Area.