Hsinchu

Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) is one of the most convenient and efficient ways to travel across Taiwan. The trains are modern, clean, and very comfortable, making long-distance travel fast and stress-free. What would normally take several hours by car or bus can be reduced to just about an hour or two with HSR, which is perfect for travelers exploring multiple cities. The stations are well organized, and the boarding process is smooth and easy to follow. Trains are also very punctual, which makes planning your travel schedule much easier. Inside the train, the seats are spacious with enough legroom, and the ride itself is very smooth and quiet. It’s also easy to purchase tickets through apps like Klook, which makes the process more convenient for tourists. Overall, Taiwan HSR is a great transportation option that combines speed, comfort, and reliability, making it one of the best ways to explore different parts of Taiwan efficiently

Redemption Guide: Great! Pass Coverage: Great! Included Transportation Services: Great! Price: Great! Seat Reservation Process: Great! Redemption Guide: Pass Coverage: Included Transportation Services:

I had fun exploring Southern Taiwan with this 3 day pass. Very easy to use, it comes with a booklet that you'll get from the HSR counter. You can book your HSR in advance through the website, can even change your time of departure when you go to the counter. My accomodation is in Taipei and the day trips in Taichung and Tainan was just a breeze. HSR also provides free shuttle bus between HSR station to the main city, just research for the bus number. You have to go through the staff at the gates to pass through, they will inspect the booklet. I'll comeback to explore more of South Taiwan!

The car was new and smoke-free. The driver was very nice. We booked a ride to Leofoo Village, but our destination was Leofoo Resort Guanshi. The driver was thoughtful enough to take us to Leofoo Resort Guanshi. He drove very smoothly and his driving skills were excellent. A great driver.

Our driver arrived 15 minutes early. Our driver, 小楊 (Yang), always helped us get in and out of the car, which we really appreciated. I also forgot to include two locations in the Changhua itinerary I sent beforehand, but he accommodated them very well without any issue. He even recommended a really delicious rou bao (肉包) near Lukang Longshan Temple—after tasting it, we ended up buying a whole box to eat at the hotel. Communication via LINE was smooth and easy. He also played great music during the drive; I honestly wish I knew his playlist. We had a very pleasant and comfortable drive to and from Lukang. Highly recommended.

The driver was on time, courteous, and polite! Since public transportation isn't great in Chiayi, I tried a chartered car for the first time to explore. The entire trip was comfortable and convenient. I'm so glad I booked a car for my Korean family's visit to Taiwan! 🫶🏻

The Hsinchu Zoo is located in the Hsinchu City area. It's not very large, but the admission is very cheap, only $50 NTD for a full-price ticket. There's an underground parking lot available for parking, costing $20 NTD per hour on weekdays. You can see Formosan rock macaques playing and grooming each other in the Malayan macaque area. If you're lucky, you might spot squirrels running along the roadside. It's a great place to take kids.

The space is well-planned. Both the sauna and relaxation areas are very clean. After a good sweat, I felt very relaxed and my skin was noticeably smoother. The shower area is excellently designed, with separate dry changing areas and wet shower areas, so you don't have to struggle to get dressed. The shower gel and shampoo also have a lovely, refreshing natural essential oil scent.

Smangus truly is a paradise on Earth, living up to its reputation as 'God's Tribe.' It was rainy, wet, and cold before we set off, but unexpectedly, the weather gradually cleared up as we approached Smangus. My jacket even felt like too much, and I even got a bit sunburned. I'd recommend coming 10-15 days earlier for an even better experience; some green shoots are starting to appear now, but it doesn't detract from the viewing or enjoyment. The only minor drawback was that the driver didn't offer much of a tour once we arrived at Smangus, simply letting us explore on our own. He also smoked by the car and chewed betel nut once we were back in the vehicle, and the smell made an already dizzying journey even more uncomfortable. While the quality of drivers can be a hit or miss, I would still sign up for this trip again if I were to return. Also, there's a fixed time for descending the mountain, so you really must gather at the designated time, or you'll be left behind...