Trains galore and crazy hot air balloons   Stay one night in Nantou and ride a national treasure steam train for free

▲Nantou Train Mania is setting off again Up！(Photo / From the official Facebook page of Nantou County Government Tourism Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Nantou Train Mania is setting off again Up！This year’s event runs from July 14 to August 11, themed “Travel with Building Blocks,” combining railway culture with Nantou sightseeing through a series of LEGO exhibits. Staying overnight in Nantou also allows you to ride the national treasure steam train DT668 for free to explore Jiji, plus there's a chance to win a hot air balloon ride to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Nantou.

The Nantou Train Mania event has now entered its 7th year, held annually in front of Jiji Railway Station in Nantou. Featuring themed vintage trains and popular cartoon characters, it has won the hearts of many visitors. This year, it has invited the adorable mushrooms from “Mushroom Cultivation Lab,” who will appear as carriage paintings, joining visitors on their journey through Jiji. The organizers have also arranged for the national treasure steam train DT668 to make an appearance, attracting many railway enthusiasts. However, to ride this iconic train, you must stay overnight in Nantou, as only accommodation providers are eligible to apply.

Join the hot air balloon craze,This year’s Nantou Train Festival introduces for the first timea tethered hot air balloon experience,where participants can enter a lucky draw by donating NT$1,000 worth of receipts collected during the event period. One winner gets two people to float in the air — no extra charge required.Sixty groups will be drawn on-site every week.Beyond the train experiences, the event also combines local tourism with activities such as pottery making, traditional rice food preparation, and pineapple picking, offering visitors even more options.