Taiwan Railways' cruise train launches "Satoyama Cherry Blossoms X Dream Lake" – tickets now on sale

Written and reported by the editorial team of MOOK Travel & Lifestyle

This year, due to the leap ninth month in winter, the cherry blossoms in the Alishan area are blooming later than usual. Currently, the main varieties in full bloom are the Taiwan cherry along Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) from km 84 to km 87, as well as the Higan cherry in Fenchihu. Some villages also have Taiwan cherry trees gradually coming into bloom, with Higan cherry around the entrance of the Xikeng Er Yannping Trail just starting to flower. It is estimated that in about a week, the blooming will become more noticeable.

This time, Taiwan Railways has launched the "Zou People’s Fenchihu Cherry Blossom Journey" cruise train package combined with a bus tour, divided into Package A and Package B. Participants can choose either package, with a limit of 200 passengers per trip (100 for each package), priced at NT$620.

The itinerary includes Chiayi Railway Station, the Japanese-style wooden Luman Station building and Luman Tobacco Barn, the Japanese-style wooden Zhushan Station building, the Fenchihu train depot and old street tour, as well as secret cherry blossom spots and cultural performances by the Zhulu Community. Group ticket bookings can be made up to 29 days before the travel date (inclusive), while individual bookings can be made up to 15 days before the travel date (inclusive).

Additionally,Taiwan Railways also launched a nostalgic cruise train combined with a steam locomotive journey on January 31, titled “Back to the Nostalgic Era ~ The Steam Train Has Departed!”,Tickets must be purchased on the Taiwan Railways official website www.railway.gov.tw under the ‘06. Cruise Train Section’.Invite everyone to take the vintage steam locomotive CT273 through a time tunnel, experiencing the scent of coal and the sound of the whistle, while admiring the beautiful scenery of eastern Taiwan and soaking in the charm of retro times. This itinerary pioneers a cruise-style sightseeing train that transfers passengers from stations such as Shulin to Hualien Station, then switches to the steam train CT273 to Wanrong Station. Local ground transportation takes passengers to Lintianshan to enjoy pristine mountain views, historic railway landscapes used for transporting timber, and the picturesque Dream Lake reminiscent of a little Europe, before returning to Hualien Station via the sightseeing train.Limited to 280 passengers, with ticket sales starting on January 16, 2015.