Klook’s Guide to Taiwan’s High Speed Rail and Why It's a Must for Your Next Trip!

Ask any local what some of the best things about living in Taiwan are, and more often than not you'll hear about how convenient Taiwan’s public transportation is. One of the cleanest, cheapest, and most extensive lines in East Asia, traveling all over the country is as easy as A-B-C! And though the MRT in Taipei alone is extensive enough, covering 131 stations across 6 lines and continuing to expand to eventually cover the Taoyuan Airport, it’s really traveling between cities where Taiwan’s efficient transportation system shines — especially when you travel on the west coast, serviced by the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).

Finished in 2007, the 345-kilometer-long Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) spans almost the entire length of the country — connecting the capital, Taipei, in the northern tip with the country’s biggest port and major industrial city, Kaohsiung, all the way south. Reaching top speeds of 300 km/h, travel time between Taiwan’s major west coast cities is remarkably fast, making it possible to travel to Kaohsiung from Taipei in just over 1.5 hours. In addition to Kaohsiung—which has seen a cultural resurgence over the past few years — many other exciting destinations are just within an hour or two of the capital.

If you don’t want to leave Taipei just yet, here’s how to tour the capital by rail. You can also check out our guide on how to get around New Taipei City by rail travel if you’re interested in exploring destinations near Taipei.

You can conveniently book two different types of tickets through Klook — for single journeys on the high speed rail network, the one way ticket is the most cost-effective option. Book Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets through Klook and arrive at your destination city from Taipei in just two hours.

For more frequent trips aboard the Taiwan High Speed Rail, you can opt for the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Unlimited Tourist Pass instead, which gives you unlimited travel on the THSR on your chosen dates. Choose between a three-day consecutive pass or a two-day flexible pass, depending on what suits your travel needs and itinerary best. Make sure to check the high speed rail Taiwan schedule before you book your high speed rail unlimited tourist passes on Klook.

Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Unlimited Tourist Passes are available for visitors with a tourist visa validity of 6 months or less. Tickets must be redeemed within 90 days of purchase and are only valid for 28 days after redemption. To redeem your tickets, follow these steps:

Step 1: Redeem your Taiwan High Speed Rail Tourist Pass on the official THSR website (click “Manage” and enter the relevant information.)

Step 2: Enter your travel routes and reserve your seats.

Step 3: Redeem your physical Taiwan High Speed Rail Tourist Pass at any THSR Ticket Counter by presenting your passport and a valid entry document.

Step 4: To board your trains, present your Taiwan High Speed Rail Tourist Pass at the gates.

For a more in-depth guide on exploring Taiwan by rail, check out this guide on choosing the right transport pass for your needs.

Most Taiwan High Speed Rail stations are located on the outskirts of urban areas as opposed to city centers. There are 12 THSR stations in Taiwan: Nangang, Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, and Zuoying.

The mention of Taichung brings up images of good weather, wide boulevards, and huge restaurants offering some of the best food in the whole of Taiwan. Local Taichung residents like to take life slowly and enjoy the finer things in life, and that is evident in the laid-back vibe that the city exudes. Taichung is also known as an incredible hub for culture and the arts with several museums and art installations in the area, so make sure to check those out during your visit.

One such museum that we recommend visiting is the Museums of Illusions, where you can treat your senses to a one-of-a-kind experience that will have you questioning what you’re seeing. Feel free to capture unique photos that will have you and your friends doing double takes when you post them on social media. Book single-ticket and family tickets through Klook now!

If you’d rather spend your time outdoors, reconnect with nature and history at the Ecological Experience at Puli Paper Dome. Here you can learn all about the history behind the incredible Paper Dome, initially built as a religious site by the famous Japanese architect Shigeru Ban after the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Japan. The structure was moved to Puli afterward and now serves as a cultural center for art exhibitions, music concerts, leisure activities, and more. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the ecological experiences available to interact with nature, such as fruit-picking and interacting with frogs.

You can also explore the possibilities of wood art at the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, where over nine exhibitions of intricate wooden sculptures will leave you in awe at their amazing details. Take a souvenir home to commemorate your amazing trip when you walk down Wood Sculpture Old Street, lined with several stores selling traditional wood carvings. Or, should you want a truly unique souvenir, you can even make handmade souvenirs at the Duck Factory where you can paint your own duck sculptures to round off your trip to Sanyi.

There are a ton more things to do in Taichung — take advantage of your TSHR pass with the help of our guide.

Further south of Taichung is Chiayi, one of the west coast’s more rural townships without the big city feel that one experiences in Taichung or Taipei. There are plenty of sights worth checking out in and around Chiayi, but visitors typically can’t resist passing through one of Taiwan’s finest National Parks — the Alishan National Scenic Area (‎阿里山國家風景區). Ideal for day trips or for more serious hikers, Alishan is not actually a single mountain, but rather a range of peaks averaging 2,500 meters in height with the highest peak Datashan (大塔山) reaching 2,663 meters. Taiwan’s highest mountain, Yushan at 3,952m is easily visible from this breathtaking destination.

For loads of fun that’s fit for the whole family, venture into the wondrous land of Janfusun Fancyworld. If you’re traveling with adrenaline junkies, try to take on the various high-speed roller coasters at the park! But if you’d rather go for a more laid-back visit, check out the impressive Sky Wheel, an  88-meter-tall Ferris wheel that showcases the natural scenery surrounding the park.

Take a trip down memory lane to the filming sights of one of the most popular TV shows of all time, Meteor Garden (2001). At Tamkang University and National Chung Cheng University, you can relive iconic scenes from the hit series at the sets frequented by the F4 boys. Let your fangirl and fanboy heart out at the streets, cafes, and parks your favorite characters enjoyed on this Meteor Garden Sightseeing Tour that’s specifically tailored for Meteor Garden fans.

The oldest city in Taiwan, you can expect to find all sorts of things here at Tainan: amazing food, Dutch-era forts, ancient temples, and, of course, some of the friendliest locals you’ll meet in Taiwan! With the sun shining most of the year, and with considerably less rainfall than Taipei, Tainan is an absolute “must-visit” for travelers hoping to explore the country in good weather.

Begin your journey at the museum with the country’s largest local fossil reserves at the Zuojhen Fossil Park. Tour five exhibition halls and outdoor plazas jam-packed with interactive exhibits and AR reality, before you travel back to a time when dinosaurs once roamed the streets at the immersive experiences waiting for you at Zuojhen Fossil Park.

Explore Western culture and history through art next at the Chimei Museum. Feast your eyes on over 4,000 pieces of Western art, ranging from paintings, musical instruments, animal taxidermy, and more. If the artworks on display aren’t enough, the museum’s Greek architecture will also definitely impress you.

You would never think that a sugar cane factory could become such a wonderland, but Ten Drum Rende Sugar Culture and Creativity Park has done just that. Ten Drum Cultural Village features several interesting activities, such as a secondhand bookstore for vintage fiends and bookworms, as well as a skywalk bridge, which you must build up the courage to walk across. Don’t forget to stay for the fantastic performance by the Ten Drum Art Percussion Group for a show that will truly wow you!

A major port city and home to over 2.7 million people, Kaohsiung has been transformed in recent years into a modern urban landscape of cool cafes, wide streets, parks, bicycle lanes, and culture and arts venues. The Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway offers an in-depth look into the history of Taiwan’s railway system, where there are model railways, trains, and rails on display for an even closer look at how far railways have come.

SKM Park is not just your regular shopping outlet; it’s an “international lifestyle complex” with over 200 retail stores, a wide range of restaurants, lifestyle stores, and various entertainment facilities. One of these facilities is Suzuka Circuit Park, Taiwan’s very first kart racing theme park where you can speed up and down the race track with your entire family or go for a thrilling ride on the carousel or the trolley ride. Select between a day pass and a night pass when you book on Klook.

Drop by the first and only Greek-style theme park, E-DA Theme Park, before you leave Kaohsiung. Featuring three major areas with 47 attractions, there’s something fun to do for everyone. Try out one of their thrilling coasters, catch a fantastic live show, or explore their attractions, like the massive Trojan Horse. They’ve also got Virtual Reality attractions guaranteed to blow your mind, so what else are you waiting for?

Plan your Taiwan itinerary with ease thanks to the Taiwan High Speed Rail. You can quickly and conveniently travel to some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, but before embarking on your trip, ensure that you have all of the tourist travel requirements for Taiwan.