Nantou Train Festival 2024: Free Steam Train Rides Now Open for Booking

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin

 

The most anticipated railway tourism event of the summer vacation—the Nantou Train Festival—this year adopts the theme of “Travel with Building Blocks Fun.” A series of activities will officially kick off this Sunday (14th). Among them, the most popular free steam train ride experience for those staying overnight in Nantou is now open for booking. As long as you stay at a legally registered accommodation in Nantou during the event period, you can apply for a ride through your accommodation provider. There are four time slots available every Sunday. Those who do not stay overnight can also exchange an empty seat for a ride by presenting a unified invoice worth NT$500 at the venue.

The star of this year’s free steam train ride experience is the national treasure-level steam locomotive DT668. Known as the “King of Steam Trains,” this locomotive holds the record for being the largest in tonnage in the history of Taiwan Railways, with a tractive effort of over 17,000 kilograms and the ability to pull up to 10 carriages at once. It’s truly a dream ride for train enthusiasts and a rare and exciting experience for both children and adults who have never ridden a steam train before. Steam train services during the festival are scheduled every Sunday throughout the event period. Visitors who stay at any legally registered hotel or homestay within Nantou can apply for a free ride through their accommodation provider. Once the application is approved, simply bring the application form and arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure to collect your ticket.

Empty seats on-site will be available for walk-in visitors, who can exchange a ticket with a unified invoice worth NT$500 from purchases made in Nantou during the event period. Additionally, the official website will update the reservation status of steam train rides daily throughout the event, allowing the public to check seat availability for each trip. The most unique highlight of this year’s train festival is the newly introduced hot air balloon tethered flight experience, with a weekly draw for free rides—completely free of charge. Just spend NT$1,000 in Nantou during the event period to exchange for a lottery ticket, and one winner gets two people to take to the skies.

 

The Nantou Train Festival officially opens this Sunday. The first steam train will depart from Zhuoshui in the morning, and singer Jolin Tsai (Julie) will make a special appearance at the opening ceremony at Jiji Station to perform. Acting Magistrate of Nantou County, Chen Zhiching, will take to a hot air balloon to promote the festival’s train rides and aerial experiences. A building block-themed exhibition hall will also debut on opening day, showcasing exhibits crafted by master builders that highlight railway culture and Nantou’s tourism highlights. Other exciting activities include the second annual Steam Locomotive’s Most Popular Conductor Voting, where the public can vote for their dream idol to ride the train with; the Block Mosaic King competition, where creativity with building blocks can win cash prizes; photography contests capturing the essence of trains; a children’s favorite drawing contest; the weekly Chi-Chi One-Day Value Tour at NT$399 per person, offering an in-depth visit to attractions along the Jiji Line; and dynamic stage performances during weekends. Official website: travel.nantou.gov.tw/2013doodoo.

 

 

● Read more: Hot Air Balloons & Steam Trains for Free—Nantou Train Festival Kicks Off July 14

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