“High-Speed Rail Holiday” offers private car transfers throughout the trip, with guaranteed entry to the Chimei Museum and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch.

By Reporter Liao Ming-hui / Comprehensive Report

As temperatures gradually warm up, it’s the perfect time to plan a family outing or a trip with a few friends. But many fear nightmares like traffic congestion and exhausting travel, ultimately choosing to stay home... However, with proper advance planning and the right approach, holiday travel can actually be easy and relaxing. The public might want to consider the “High-Speed Rail Holiday” packages launched by Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, featuring hundreds of options at very affordable prices. These packages include train tickets, itineraries, and guided tours—allowing stress-free travel without any planning. For those who prefer to plan their own trips, there’s also the “High-Speed Rail Holiday Two-Day Free & Easy” option, which includes train tickets, hotel bookings, and transfers, letting travelers freely explore nearby attractions. Whether it's a one-day enriching trip or a two-day free-style journey, the biggest common advantage is enjoying the convenience of high-speed rail: no traffic jams, no long drives, saving both time and energy.

The Chimei Museum in Tainan, known for its collection of Western art pieces, has always been a must-visit attraction. Meanwhile, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch, focusing on Asian art and culture, has seen record-breaking visitor numbers since its opening, with the museum expecting to attract one million visitors annually. Northerners visiting the south usually plan a 2-day, 1-night trip, but to avoid traffic jams ruining the experience, they constantly stress over departure times, highway schedules, and alternative routes. Even without traffic, the one-way trip takes around five hours, leaving both drivers and passengers exhausted. The “High-Speed Rail Holiday” offers a one-day package for the Chimei Museum and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch. Traveling from Taipei to Tainan takes just 1.6 hours one way, saving on accommodation, with full guided tours and private car transfers. Holiday travel becomes both relaxing and enjoyable. Notably, the Chimei Museum and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch—often hard to get tickets for on weekdays or weekends—offer “guaranteed entry without reservation” for participants of the High-Speed Rail Holiday. Interested individuals can directly visitthe High-Speed Rail Holiday official websiteto book, and will also receive a complimentary limited-edition travel waist bag as a special bonus.

VIP Treatment: Guaranteed Entry to Chimei Museum, with Private Transfers to Xiyouchu Office, Anping, and Garden Night Market

The High-Speed Rail Holiday introduces【One-Day Tour: Tainan Chimei Museum & Garden Night Market】with private car transfers and professional guides throughout the trip. The Chimei Museum guarantees entry without the need for reservations, and participants can even choose one of five Chimei-themed souvenirs. The Chimei Museum houses tens of thousands of treasures, ranging from musical instruments and weapons to textiles, paintings, and even insects, animals, and polar bears that kids love. With such a diverse collection, it attracts visitors of all ages and has long been a must-see destination in Tainan. Those who’ve been know how hard it is to get tickets—if you don’t reserve three months in advance via the official website, popular time slots are usually sold out. Frustrated with the hassle of making reservations yourself? Angry about not getting your preferred time slot? Now there’s another option: join the High-Speed Rail Holiday【One-Day Tour: Tainan Chimei Museum & Garden Night Market】and enjoy “guaranteed entry without reservation” at the Chimei Museum, experiencing VIP-level convenience. The round-trip high-speed rail ride plus the tour cost just NT$2,600 per person.

(Spring edition departure dates: March 1, 2016 – May 31, 2016. Itinerary: High-Speed Rail Tainan Station → Tainan Confucius Temple Cultural Area (lunch not included) → Chimei Museum → Xiyouchu Office, Anping Old Street Treehouse → Garden Night Market or Dadao Night Market → High-Speed Rail Tainan Station)

▲The architecture blends numerous elements from European and American architectural history, appearing grand and pristine—resembling the U.S. “White House” or France’s “Palace of Versailles,” giving visitors a sense of being in Europe. (Photo provided by High-Speed Rail Holiday)

Great Value: Visit the National Palace Museum, Watch KANO, and Enjoy Local Food—all for NT$1,990

Since its opening, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch has attracted large crowds, with the museum expecting one million annual visitors. High-Speed Rail has accordingly planned the【Chiayi National Palace Museum Southern Branch & Cultural Night Market One-Day Tour】for just NT$1,990 per person, including round-trip high-speed rail tickets, National Palace Museum Southern Branch admission, a premium boxed lunch of Chiayi chicken rice, as well as professional guided tours and private car transfers throughout the day—at a very attractive price.

The National Palace Museum Southern Branch houses nearly 700,000 cultural relics from Chinese civilization. Since its opening, daily visitor numbers have surged dramatically, with reservation slots on the official website selling out instantly. The next two months’ time slots are already fully booked. The High-Speed Rail Holiday offers the exclusive “guaranteed entry without reservation” experience, freeing visitors from the stress of scrambling for tickets. Additionally, visitors can enjoy an 80% discount on renting personal audio guides at the National Palace Museum Southern Branch (additional fee applies).

After visiting the museum, guests are transferred by private car to the KANO movie filming location—Alishan Forest Recreation Village. Stroll through the century-old Japanese-style cypress town, shaded by lush trees, offering a relaxing and pleasant experience. The cultural and creative market is not only great for shopping but also a fantastic photo spot. In the evening, head to the locally recommended Chiayi Cultural Night Market to soak in the lively atmosphere. The night market offers food, games, and entertainment for all ages.

(Spring edition departure dates: March 1, 2016 – May 31, 2016. Itinerary: High-Speed Rail Chiayi Station → National Palace Museum Southern Branch → Lunch (boxed meal) → Zhushan Waterfront Park (Skywalk) → Beimen Station, Alishan Forest Recreation Village → Cultural Night Market → High-Speed Rail Chiayi Station)

▲National Palace Museum Southern Branch—Asia’s first large national museum themed around Asian art and culture, integrating local Taiwanese culture, with a collection of nearly 700,000 Chinese cultural relics (Photo provided by High-Speed Rail Holiday)