Written & Reported by Li Xinyi
With less than a week left to plan your Lunar New Year holiday, but overseas group tours are pricey and domestic trips may mean heavy traffic—what can you do? This year, tour buses across Taiwan will stay open and keep prices unchanged during the Spring Festival. They’re even adding free shuttle services to popular recreational areas. If you don’t want to stay at home during the holidays, make the most of these routes to enrich your Spring Festival break!
These great-value routes include tour packages offered by travel agencies under the guidance of the Tourism Bureau, as well as 17 “Taiwan Joyful Rides” routes launched by various counties and cities. The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Buses operated by travel agencies won’t have any special price hikes during the Lunar New Year, and their packages are even more affordable. Except where specifically noted, all Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus packages in the table below offer one free spot for every four people from January 23 to February 29. It’s worth noting that some routes will be canceled on New Year’s Eve. Although travel agencies are still accepting bookings during the Lunar New Year, availability may be limited to remaining seats. With limited spots, it’s safer to book early if you’re sure about going.
The long holiday is coming—make the most of Spring Festival travel deals and plan a short trip for yourself now! (Photography by Li Xinyi, SpotTown)
Additionally, from January 23 to 29 (7 days), there will also be shuttle buses serving various tourist and recreational areas across Taiwan, including Jinguashi, Shuishe Cave, Ruifang, Sun Moon Lake, Xiangshan, Alishan, Fenchihu, Beimen, Sihcu, Guanziling Scenic Area, Dongliu Line, and Taroko. Except for the “Ruifang–Jinguashi,” “Parking Lot 9–Shuishe Cave Parking Lot,” “Ruifang–Fushan Temple,” “Sun Moon Lake–Xiangshan–Checheng,” and the Sun Moon Lake cruise bus which require payment, all other shuttles are free of charge.
Besides these well-known routes, Taitung County is also offering a “Holiday Themed Tourist Shuttle Bus One-Day Trip” for just NT$300. You can ride a bus equipped with a professional guide to explore Chishan, Guanshan Flower Sea, the Bunun culture and archery in Haiduan Township. The event runs from now until February 15. Currently, groups for the Spring Festival holiday are filling up quickly—those interested are advised to act fast. For trip details, visit the website (www.hopemonkey.tw/2011bustrip) or call the registration hotline at 089-226-807. Meanwhile, Tainan City continues its previously launched “Stroll Through Salt Town, Happiness 999” itinerary, which includes visits to the Nankunshen Daitian Temple Grand Kun Garden, the Blackfoot Disease Memorial Museum, lunch at Beimen Fulong Restaurant, the Beimen Visitor Center, Jingzijiao Tile Kiln Salt Fields, the Taiwan Salt Museum, and the Sicao Green Tunnel. Note that this route requires a minimum of 11 people to sign up during the Spring Festival holiday, at NT$999 per person. For details, contact Xianglin Travel Agency at 06-265-6699.
The Gold Museum Park combines culture and leisure, making it perfect for family outings. (Photography by Li Xinyi, SpotTown)
From now until February 6, Kaohsiung will offer a freeway express bus from the High-Speed Rail Zuoying Station to Qishan, as well as three holiday sightseeing buses running between Qishan and Meinong/Neimen. There are also six mountain-and-sea sightseeing buses operated by the Kaohsiung MRT: Bridgehead Station (R23) to Gangshan, Alian, Tianliao, Lujhu, Qieding, Zihguan, Mituo, and Yong’an—routes Red 70, Red 71, and Red 73. All six mountain-and-sea sightseeing buses are free to ride.
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Buses (Valid: 2012/1/21～1/29)
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Region |
Itinerary |
Inquiring Travel Agency |
Notes |
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Northern Taiwan |
1. JiuFen & Northeast Coast Half-Day Tour NT$1100 2. Keelung Port, Yehliu, & North Coast Park Half-Day Tour NT$1000 3. Taipei City Half-Day Tour NT$900 4. Taipei Night View Half-Day Tour NT$1300 5. Yangmingshan National Park & Hot Springs Half-Day Tour NT$1300 6. Sanxia & Yingge Folk Art Half-Day Tour NT$1100 7. Wulai Indigenous Village Tour Half-Day Tour NT$1300
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Hongxiang Travel Agency 02-2563-5313
Southeast Travel Agency 02-2571-3001 |
1. Taipei Night View Half-Day Tour – Not operating on New Year’s Eve
2. Southeast Travel Agency: All itineraries require 2 people to proceed |
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8. Yilan Dongshan River Intellectual Tour 1-Day Trip NT$1400 9. Yilan Taiping Mountain Nature Tour 1-Day Trip NT$1400 10. Northeast Coast, Jinguashi & JiuFen 1-Day Trip NT$1200 11. 1-Day Tour to Northern Coast & Yehliu (Chu Wei Art Museum) – NT$1,350 12. 1-Day Hakka Culture Tour in Nanzhuang, Miaoli – NT$1,200 |
Ei-Rong Travel Agency 02-8973-2973 |
Except for Dongshan River and Nanzhuang routes (minimum 4 people), all others require a minimum of 2 people |
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13. Two Chiangs-Themed Tour – NT$1,700
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Hanxing Travel Agency 03-492-3025 |
Minimum 4 people per tour
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Central Taiwan |
1. Houfeng Bicycle Path & Artistic Greater Taichung 1-Day Tour – NT$1,500 2. Sun Moon Lake & Artistic Vistas 1-Day Tour – NT$1,500 3. Sun Moon Lake, Alishan & Dongpu Hot Springs 1-Day Tour – NT$1,500 4. Sun Moon Lake Cloud Gate & Cable Car Experience 1-Day Tour – NT$1,650 5. Zhongxing Valley Castle Rice Aroma & Lukang Charm Revived 1-Day Tour – NT$1,500 6. Yunlin Cultural Highlights & Traditional Arts 1-Day Tour – NT$1,500 7. Wushe in Search of Balay & Qingqing Grassland 1-Day Tour – NT$1,500 |
Marshal Travel Agency 04-2301-5590 |
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Southern Taiwan |
1. Alishan Cultural & Ecological Journey – NT$1,600 2. Harbor City’s Mountain & Sea Essence 1-Day Tour – NT$1,600 3. Night Tour of the International Harbor City – NT$1,200 4. Zuoying Lotus Pond & Fo Guang Shan Pilgrimage 1-Day Tour – NT$1,400 5. Zuoying Lotus Pond Half-Day Tour – NT$900 6. Fo Guang Shan Pilgrimage Half-Day Tour – NT$900 7. Tainan Coastal Ecology 1-Day Tour – NT$1,600 8. Tainan Ancient Capital & Wushantou 1-Day Tour – NT$1,600 |
Jinjian Travel Agency 07-269-3678 |
Harbor City’s Mountain & Sea Essence 1-Day Tour, Fo Guang Shan Pilgrimage Half-Day Tour, Zuoying Lotus Pond Half-Day Tour, and Night Tour of the International Harbor City are available for groups of 2. Other tours require a minimum of 4 people. Same-day registration may be combined with other tours depending on availability.
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9. Hengchun Peninsula East Coast Half-Day Tour – NT$450 10. Half-Day Tour of Hengchun Peninsula’s West Coast Line – NT$350 11. Full Island Tour of Hengchun Peninsula – NT$1,100 12. Hengchun Ancient Town Hot Springs Tour – NT$1,000
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Pingtung Travel Agency 08- 889-1464 |
Hengchun Ancient Town Hot Springs Tour suspended from 1/23 to 3/7; other periods require a minimum of 4 people
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Eastern Taiwan |
1. Taroko Gorge Scenic Half-Day Tour – NT$550 2. Ocean Park Theme Park 1-Day Tour – NT$988 (Not applicable during Chinese New Year; minimum 4 people required, 1 person travels free) 3. Zhàofēng Farm Eco Tour 1-Day Tour – NT$800 4. Longitudinal Valley Leisure Tour 1-Day Tour – NT$988 5. Mùgǔ Mùyú Eco Corridor Tour – NT$850
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Mingli Travel Agency 02-2565-2780 03-835-5447 |
1. Registration and successful payment required 2 days in advance; minimum 1 person can join 2. Mùgǔ Mùyú Eco Corridor Tour requires a minimum of 4 people |
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6. Taitung Yuchang Highway South Loop Tour – NT$1,400 (Not in operation during Chinese New Year, and minimum 4 people required with 1 person free not applicable) 7. Taitung City 1-Day Tour – NT$1,300 |
Xiangtian Travel Agency 089-355-439 |
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Spring Festival Sightseeing and Transport Shuttle Bus Schedule (Valid Dates: 2012/1/23～1/29)
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Departure/Destination / Route |
Operating Hours / Frequency |
Stops |
Contact Number |
Fare |
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Ruifang Station – Jinguashi (Route 825) |
Operates daily from 09:00 to 18:00, approximately every 30 minutes per direction, with additional services added as needed based on visitor numbers |
Stops along the route from Ruifang Station to Jinguashi |
02-2433-6111
Toll-free telephone: 0800-588010
Departure station telephone: 02-2497-2055
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Bus routes 825, 826, and 827 operate on a flat fare of NT$15, with a half-price fare of NT$8. |
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Parking Lot No. 9 — Shuinsong Cave Parking Lot (Route 826) |
Operates daily from 09:30 to 19:00, with a bus approximately every 30 minutes in both directions, and additional services may be added according to passenger volume. |
Parking Lot No. 9 — Shuinsong Cave Parking Lot. |
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Ruifang — Fushan Temple (Route 827) |
Operates daily from 08:00 to 16:50, with a bus approximately every 30 minutes in both directions, and additional services may be added according to passenger volume. |
Along Ruifang Station to Fushan Temple route, serving stops along the way. |
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Sun Moon Lake — Xiangshan — Checheng |
From January 21 to January 29 (9 days), 08:00–17:00, one bus per hour. |
Route: Shuishe Visitor Center — Xiangshan Administrative Center — Toushe Reservoir — Snake Kiln Cultural Park — Shuili Farmers’ Association (Sales Center) — Shuili Railway Station — Checheng. |
Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration 049-285-5668 |
Full-route ticket: NT$60; one-day pass: NT$100 |
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Sun Moon Lake Lake Cruise Bus |
From January 21 to January 29 (9 days), 09:00–17:30, every 30 minutes. |
Route: Shuishe Visitor Center — Zhaowu Pier — Zhushi Garden — Wenchang Temple — Songbai Trail — Dazhu Lake Trail — Shuiwatao Trail — Cable Car Station — Itashao — Tutingzi Trail — Xuanzang Temple — Xuan Guang Temple. |
One-day pass: NT$80 |
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Zhongming Village — Xiangshan |
09:00–17:00, every 30 minutes. |
Route: Zhongming Village Entrance — Zhushi Garden — Zhaowu Pier — Shuishe Visitor Center — Longfeng Temple — Shuishe Dam — Xiangshan Administrative Center. |
Free |
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Provincial Highway 18, km 83–95, Alishan Forest Recreation Area |
08:00–17:00. Buses run in both directions every 20 minutes. |
Between km 83 and km 95 of Provincial Highway 18 leading to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area entrance, the Forestry Bureau has temporarily set up 10 bus stops. |
Alishan Work Station, Chiayi Forest District Office, Forestry Bureau 05-267-9715 |
Free |
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(Provincial Highway 18, km 61) Shizhao — Fenchihu |
January 24 (the second day of the Lunar New Year) to January 29 (the seventh day), from 09:00 to 17:00, departing approximately every 20 minutes. |
No stops between KM 61 on Provincial Highway 18 (next to Shizhao Gas Station) and Fenqihu. |
Alishan National Scenic Area Administration 05-259-3900 |
Free |
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“Beimen–Qigu Free Shuttle Bus” |
Operating from 09:00 to 17:00, with one round trip per hour. |
Nan-Kunshen Taishe Temple – Blackfoot Disease Memorial Hall – Beimen Visitor Center – Jingzijiao Tile Kiln Salt Field – Sialiao Bay Donglong Temple – Qigu Salt Mountain – Taiwan Salt Museum (Beimen–Qigu round trip) |
Southern Taiwan National Scenic Area Administration: 06-786-1017 |
Free |
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Guanziling Scenic Area Loop Line |
From January 23 (New Year’s Day) to January 27 (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year), from 10:00 to 17:00 |
Daxian Temple – Xiancaopu – Temporary Parking Lot in front of Red Leaf Tunnel – Baoquan Park – Lingding Park – Intersection of County Road 175 and County Road 172B – Shuihuotongyuan – Biyun Temple – Daxian Temple |
Siraya National Scenic Area Administration 06-684-0337 |
Free |
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Dong-Liu Ferry Line |
From January 23 (New Year’s Day) to January 29 (the seventh day), from 09:00 to 18:00 32 departures per day |
Dapeng Bay → Donggang Service Station → Pingkang Donggang Station → Dong-Liu Ferry Terminal. (Round trip) |
08-833-8100 |
Free |
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Xincheng Railway Station – Taroko – Tianxiang – Xincheng Railway Station |
From January 24 to 27 (the second to fifth days of the Lunar New Year), over 4 days, from 07:00 to 16:00, with 70 vehicles available daily, operating on four routes (blue, red, orange, and green), departing once full. (Traffic control measures will be implemented on the park bus route from Taroko to Tianxiang.) |
Blue Line: Full route vehicle from Xincheng Railway Station to Tianxiang Xincheng Railway Station → Visitor Center → Swallow Grotto Trail (get off at east entrance) → Swallow Grotto Trail (get on at west entrance) → Tianxiang → Changchun Shrine → Xincheng Railway Station. |
Taroko National Park Administration 03-8621100 #601 ~603 |
Free |
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Red Line: Shuttle between Xincheng Railway Station and Visitor Center Xincheng Railway Station → Fushi Village (gas station) → Visitor Center → Fushi Village (gas station) → Xincheng Railway Station. |
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Orange Line: Shuttle between Visitor Center and Buluowan Visitor Center → Buluowan → Riverside Service Station (brief stop) → Changchun Shrine → Visitor Center. |
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Green Line: Shuttle bus between Buluowan and Tianxiang Buluowan → Swallow Grotto Trail (get off at east entrance) → Swallow Grotto Trail (get on at west entrance) → Lushui (get on/off) → Tianxiang → Buluowan. |
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Routes to Scenic Spots
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Route |
Inquiry Phone |
Route Covered |
Price |
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Golden Fulong Line |
Northeast Coast & Yilan National Scenic Area Administration 02-2499-1210
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Ruifang Railway Station → Jiufen → Gold Ecological Park → Bitou Service Area → Longdong Marine Park → Longdong Four Seasons Bay → Aodi → Fulong Visitor Center |
Pay on board with cash or EasyCard: single trip 30 NTD Buy a one-day pass on board: 50 NTD (unlimited rides on the same day) Buy a combo ticket for 199 NTD including the pass, round-trip Taiwan Railways tickets, and Northeast Coast Sightseeing Passport. Booking hotline: Lion Travel 02-8793-9611
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Miaoli Cihu Line |
03-427-2477 |
Taoyuan Bus Zhongli Terminal → Indigenous Culture Hall → Yuemei Parking Lot → Daxi Old Street → Daxi Mausoleum → Cihu Mausoleum → Huaide Bridge → Bading (Shimen Reservoir) → Pinglin (Shimen Reservoir Toll Station) → Sankeng Old Street → Hakka Cultural Museum → Shengyu Street Live Fish Market → Water Resources Bureau (Shimen Lawn) |
One-day pass 100 NTD (unlimited rides on the same day), buses run every 30 minutes
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Hsinchu Shishan Line |
Kingcar Bus 035-538-686 |
Zhubei Railway Station → Zhubei Guangming Commercial District → Hsinchu County Government → Sheraton Hsinchu → Hsinchu HSR Station → Zhudong Visitor Center → Green World Eco Farm → Beipu Old Street → Emei Station → Shishan Visitor Center |
Single trip fare based on distance, one-day pass 100 NTD (unlimited rides on the same day), buses run every 30 minutes. |
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Hsinchu Shishan Nanzhuang Line |
Kingcar Bus 035-538-686 |
Shishan Visitor Center → Kuanhuatang → Nanzhuang |
Single trip fare based on distance, one-day pass 50 NTD (unlimited rides on the same day), buses run every 30 minutes |
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Miaoli Nanzhuang Line |
Miaoli Bus : 03-766-3392 |
Zhunan Railway Station (East Exit) → Miaoli Bus (Toufen Terminal) → Toufen Houhuayuan (Douhuanping) → Sanwan → Shitoushan Ancient Trail Entrance → Longmenkou → Guizhulin → Nanzhuang Junior High School → Nanzhuang Old Street → Nanzhuang Bus (Nanzhuang Visitor Center) |
Single trip ticket 80 NTD, one-day pass 100 NTD allows unlimited rides on Nanzhuang Line, Xiangtianhu Line, and Xianshan Line on the purchase day. |
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Miaoli County Xiangtianhu Line |
Miaoli Bus Nanzhuang Station (Nanzhuang Visitor Center) → Dongjiang Tribe → Hengpingbei Tribe → Donghe Suspension Bridge (Walu Industrial Culture Museum) → Xiangtianhu (Saisiyat Cultural Museum) |
A one-day pass costs NT$100 and allows unlimited rides on the Nanzhuang Line, Xiangtianhu Line, and Xianshan Line on the day of purchase. The one-way full fare to Xiangtianhu is NT$39. |
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Miaoli County Xianshan Line (Nanzhuang Branch) |
Miaoli Bus Nanzhuang Station (Nanzhuang Visitor Center) – Lijinkuan – Xiaodonghe Tribe – Nanjiang Leisure Agriculture Area – Xiazhuang – Penglai Natural Ecology Park – Erping Tribe – 42fen Tribe (1) – 42fen Tribe (2) – Baguali Tribe – Xianshan Lingdong Temple |
A one-day pass costs NT$100 and allows unlimited rides on the Nanzhuang Line, Xiangtianhu Line, and Xianshan Line on the day of purchase. The one-way full fare to Xianshan is NT$51. |
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Changhua Line Lukang Line |
Changhua Bus Changhua Station: 04-722-4603 |
High-Speed Rail Taichung Station – Changhua Railway Station – Cultural Center – Changhua County Government – Lukang North District Visitor Center Station |
Full fare: NT$76 |
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Nantou Sun Moon Lake Line |
Nantou Bus Co., Ltd. (Sun Moon Lake): 04-9298-4031 |
Taichung Gancheng Station – Taichung Railway Station – High-Speed Rail Wuri Station – Niuer Stone Sculpture Park – National Chi Nan University – Taomi Pit – Seshui Community – Yuchi – Sun Moon Old Tea Factory – Shuishe Visitor Center |
One-way: NT$180, Round-trip: NT$330 |
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Nantou Line Xitou Line A |
Nantou Bus: 049-2984-031 Changhua Bus: 04-2223-5696 |
Taichung Gancheng Station – Taichung Railway Station (Shenjian Building, formerly Kinsha Department Store) – Zhengfu Street Intersection – Gongguan Li – Minxing Park – Daqing Railway Station – High-Speed Rail Taichung Station – Zhushan Interchange – Tenghu – Chuxiang – Zhongxing Bee Farm – Nantou County Farmers’ Association – Guangxing – Neihu – Neihu Elementary School – WanKeng – Hotel Mitai – Xitou |
NT$155 |
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Chiayi County Alishan Line A |
Chiayi County Public Transportation Management Office Reservation Hotline: |
High-Speed Rail Chiayi Station – Dinding – Wu Feng Temple – Liming Elementary School (near Chukou) – Longmei – Xiding – Longtouping – Shizhao – Shizicun – Youth Activity Center – Alishan |
NT$255 |
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Chiayi County Alishan Line B |
Chiayi Railway Station – Dinding – Wu Feng Temple – Liming Elementary School (near Chukou) – Longmei – Xiding – Longtouping – Shizhao – Shizicun – Youth Activity Center – Alishan |
NT$221 |
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Tainan City 88 Anping Line |
Kaohsiung Bus: 06-221-9177 |
Tainan Park – Yanping Prince Shrine – Fahua Temple – Cultural Center – Confucius Temple – Cheng Family Ancestral Temple – Chihkan Tower – Yide Fortress – Anping Fort – Deji Foreign Firm / Anping Tree House – Ancient Canal – Tourist Fish Market – Sunset Viewing Platform |
Per segment ride: NT$18. |
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Tainan City 99 Taijiang Line |
Tainan Park – Xingji Temple/Great Guanyin Pavilion – Railway Station – Shangri-La Hotel – Shengli Road (Xiaoximen) – National Cheng Kung University – Tainan Park – Railway Station – Shin Kong Mitsukoshi – Wu Garden – Big City Department Store – Chihkan Tower – Shuixian Temple – Jieguanting – Wangyue Bridge – Ann Kung Oyster Shell Kiln Cultural Park – Anping Fort – Deji Trading Company/Anping Tree House – Ancient Canal – East Side of Sicao Bridge – West Side of Sicao Bridge – Sicao Ecological Cultural Area – Salt Fields Ecological Cultural Village – Luerhmen Tin Hau Temple – Luerhmen Our Lady’s Temple – Longshan Village – Taiwan Salt Museum – Qigu Salt Mountain |
Segment fare: 18 NTD per segment. Crossing a segment boundary (Salt Fields Ecological Cultural Village) incurs an additional segment charge. |
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Pingtung County Kenting Express |
Kenting Express: 0800-777-767 07-862-5388 |
Zuoying HSR Station – Dapeng Bay – Fangliao Station – Checheng Farmers’ Association – Nanbao Li – Hengchun Transfer Station – Nanwan – Xiaowan (Kenting) |
HSR Zuoying Station / Kenting: One-way 418 NTD, Round-trip 650 NTD |
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Taitung County Eastern Coast Line |
Dingdong Bus Marine Line Hotline: 089-333-443 |
Travel Service Center – Catholic Guesthouse – Chuanguang Rejuvenation – Zhongxing Chuanguang – Taitung Railway Station – Naluwan Hotel – Taitung Airport – Taitung Sugar Refinery – Catholic Guesthouse – Xinxing Road – Fruit Street – Forest Park – Fugang Bridge – Fugang Port – Xiaoyeliu – Jialulan – Shan Yuan – Fushan Fishing Area – Water Flowing Uphill – Dulun Sugar Refinery – Jinzun – Donghe Baozi – Donghe Bridge North – Amis Folk Center – Clownfish Theme Museum – Chenggong Town Office – Sanxiantai |
Fare based on distance |
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Taitung County Longitudinal Valley LuYe Line |
Dingdong Bus Marine Line Hotline: 089-333-443 |
Mountain Line Terminal – Travel Service Center – Catholic Guesthouse – Chuanguang Rejuvenation – Siwei Chuanguang – Beinan Entrance – Taitung Railway Station – Beinan Cultural Park – Mingfeng – Native Plant Garden – Forest Park – Chulu Ranch – Siwei – Luming Hotel – Ci Tang – Hongwulong Pavilion – LuYe Railway Station – Yongchang Tribe – Yong’an Community – LuYe Visitor Center – LuYe Plateau |
Fare based on distance |
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