Alishan
Travel type: Solo
When: 2016 December 20-22
Weather: Mild
Flight: China Airlines (Hong Kong>Kaohsiung)
Day 3-5: Tainan
Day 5-9: Kaohsiung & Kenting
Day 1 : Kaohsiung to Chiayi
Taiwan Sim Card
You can buy sim card at Kaohsiung Airport. Two to choose from, Chunghwa (中華電信) and Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大). There was a long line for Chunghwa, so I decided to skip that and opted for Taiwan Mobile, which worked just fine for my whole journey, and the prices were the same.
How to buy Taiwan MRT ticket from the machine
1. Check the fare map on top of the machine
2. Choose that fare on the screen
3. Buy!
Kaohsiung Main Station Luggage Storage
Luggage locker storage available at Kaohsiung Main Station. Rate as below:
For each 3 hours and part thereof: NT$20/ 3 hours, NT$40/ 3 hours, NT$50/ 3 hours. Maximum rental is 6 days (144 hours)
Chiayi Accomodation – Light Hostel
Price: NT$450 (MYR60)/ night
Location: About 5 minutes walk from Chiayi Station
Room: Female Dormitory Room
Facilities/amenities: Washing machine, free breakfast, common area, rooftop
My review:
– Very nice and kind reception staff
– Clean room
– Allowed to keep luggage while I went to Alishan for a night
– Modern interior design
Day 2 : Chiayi to Alishan
Bus from Chiayi to Alishan: NT$230 (MYR32)
Updated on August 2018: Chiayi Station has been renovated and it looks so nice now! The bus to Alishan used to be next to Chiayi Station.
(photo below is before the renovation)
Alishan
I love this place! Beautiful and not crowded. Took the Forest Railway from Alishan station to Chaoping for NT$100 (MYR15). It was a sunny day with absurdly beautiful blue sky!
A Night near Eryanping Trail
Bought the bus ticket at 7-11 to go to Xiding, 隙頂 (NT$103, MYR15). Just in time for a beautiful sunset when I got off an Anding, 鞍頂.
Accommodation: 阿里山53旅人館
Price: NT$1800 (MYR250)/ night
Location: Just across the road from Anding bus stop
Room: Double bed room with attached bathroom
Facilities/amenities: Common area
My review:
– Very nice and kind reception staff. She made me dinner and breakfast!
– Basic amenities
Day 3 : Eryanping > Fenqihu > Tainan
Eryanping
Woke up early for sunrise, but unfortunately it was a cloudy day. But the scenery was awesome and there were beautiful sea clouds! Had a light hike up the hills for these awesome sceneries!
Fenqihu
Took the bus: Anding (鞍頂) > Shizhuo (石桌) > Fenqihu (奋起湖)
Bought my EasyCard finally, but lost it at Fenqihu
Upon reaching Fenqihu, I collect my train ticket to Chiayi, which I online book in advance, because seating tickets would normally sold out on that day. There are luggage lockers at Fenqihu station, costing NT$50/3hrs. The place was pretty crowded on that day.