cjp
Member
I am thinking of this and wondered if anyone had been there recently or could offer some suggestions or advice for fairly lazy but fun time?
http://www.taiwanrailways.com/index.htm
http://www.taiwanrailways.com/index.htm
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Taiwan Holiday
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A couple of years ago I spent a fabulous 2 weeks in Taiwan. It is a railfans paradise. Well almost.
English is widely spoken or at least understood and most signage is also bilingual (English). You can get an english language folding pocket timetable from the enquiry office at Taipei main station. Reservations are compulsory on some trains but without one expect to have to stand. There are several short lines from the main lines up to mountain retreats and these are wonderful. The metros in Taipei & Kaoshiung are easy to use. You can buy day tickets.
Photography is fine. You will not even be questioned. Even photographing in the underground stations is ok.
I will certainly be making another visit some time.
English is widely spoken or at least understood and most signage is also bilingual (English). You can get an english language folding pocket timetable from the enquiry office at Taipei main station. Reservations are compulsory on some trains but without one expect to have to stand. There are several short lines from the main lines up to mountain retreats and these are wonderful. The metros in Taipei & Kaoshiung are easy to use. You can buy day tickets.
Photography is fine. You will not even be questioned. Even photographing in the underground stations is ok.
I will certainly be making another visit some time.
The MRT in Taipei is excellent for getting around, recommend Beitou Hot Springs ( go to the Public one ), The Maokong Gondela, Tamsui is also excellent for a lazy sunday morning walk. The night markets are excellent for food.
Suggestions - The taxi drivers do not speak English - make sure you have flash cards with the name of your hotel, office, bar / restaurant. etc - the concierge in the hotel did this for me, saved me more than once.
The THSR was quite an achievement - extensive tunnelling was involved and earthquake protection needed. I've been travelling to Taiwan since 1995 and lived there for a while. It really did revolutionise travel. For the first time people living in, say, Hsinchu or Taichung could pop to Taipei to meet friends, do some shopping and be home in time for tea. 2 hour coach journeys became 30 minute train journeys. Unlike the Japanese system (on which it's based), fares are very affordable. Also simple - if only UK intercity fares could be like that.
The MRT has improved things for Taipei dwellers, but bear in mind that there are different ways of romanising Chinese. You can sometimes find that the spelling on the platform signage differs from that on a map or that on a map inside the train. The reason is political - different political parties favouring different methods, though recently things have improved and there is more consistency. I was on an MRT during an earthquake. The driver proceeded to the next station and told people that he would open the doors but that we should remain on the train. (Taiwanese do as they are told.) It was bizarre - we could feel nothing, but the station was moving up and down, then side-to-side before settling down.
The Alishan mountain railway is worth a look. It is possible steam will be removed for good soon (if it hasn't already).
The worst thing about Taiwan from a rail enthusiast's point of view is that there is no railway connecting the main airport (Taoyuan) to Taipei. Taoyuan airport is otherwise friendly, modern and efficient. I am told that the bus companies (which have political connections) feared the loss of business. The HSR line passes nearby, but to access it you have to get a shuttle bus (cheap, not free) to Taoyuan station. They really should have built a spur. Daft thing is that Taoyuan station isn't really in Taoyuan either. Unfortunately that's true of a number of THSR stations (eg Taichung) - you have to use a taxi or irregular shuttle bus to get into the centre.
An MRT extension is being built which will reach the airport soon.
Thoroughly recommend EVA Air for getting to Taiwan if LHR is good for you. Direct flight (stops in Bangkok). I use them 2 or 3 times a year without a hitch. "Elite" class gives you extra comfort if you can get it at a reasonable price (2-4-2 layout, 38 to 40" pitch). Their business class ("Royal Laurel") is fully lie flat and of course expensive unless you can upgrade with star alliance miles or something.
English is not very widely spoken. Taiwan is off the tourist trail except for mainland Chinese and Japanese visiting their old colony. (Perhaps their only ex-colony where their involvement is not universally hated.) But Taiwan is generally scam-free and civilised. If you get stuck, usually someone will be around who can speak English and will try to help.
If you're into IT products, they have some lovely malls where you can pick up cheap (and genuine) gear.
The MRT has improved things for Taipei dwellers, but bear in mind that there are different ways of romanising Chinese. You can sometimes find that the spelling on the platform signage differs from that on a map or that on a map inside the train. The reason is political - different political parties favouring different methods, though recently things have improved and there is more consistency. I was on an MRT during an earthquake. The driver proceeded to the next station and told people that he would open the doors but that we should remain on the train. (Taiwanese do as they are told.) It was bizarre - we could feel nothing, but the station was moving up and down, then side-to-side before settling down.
The Alishan mountain railway is worth a look. It is possible steam will be removed for good soon (if it hasn't already).
The worst thing about Taiwan from a rail enthusiast's point of view is that there is no railway connecting the main airport (Taoyuan) to Taipei. Taoyuan airport is otherwise friendly, modern and efficient. I am told that the bus companies (which have political connections) feared the loss of business. The HSR line passes nearby, but to access it you have to get a shuttle bus (cheap, not free) to Taoyuan station. They really should have built a spur. Daft thing is that Taoyuan station isn't really in Taoyuan either. Unfortunately that's true of a number of THSR stations (eg Taichung) - you have to use a taxi or irregular shuttle bus to get into the centre.
An MRT extension is being built which will reach the airport soon.
Thoroughly recommend EVA Air for getting to Taiwan if LHR is good for you. Direct flight (stops in Bangkok). I use them 2 or 3 times a year without a hitch. "Elite" class gives you extra comfort if you can get it at a reasonable price (2-4-2 layout, 38 to 40" pitch). Their business class ("Royal Laurel") is fully lie flat and of course expensive unless you can upgrade with star alliance miles or something.
English is not very widely spoken. Taiwan is off the tourist trail except for mainland Chinese and Japanese visiting their old colony. (Perhaps their only ex-colony where their involvement is not universally hated.) But Taiwan is generally scam-free and civilised. If you get stuck, usually someone will be around who can speak English and will try to help.
If you're into IT products, they have some lovely malls where you can pick up cheap (and genuine) gear.
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