To Tainan! A Sentimental Taiwan Train Journey
After spending the night at the airport, I set off early in the morning to catch the train.
I took the MRT to Taipei Station, and from there, I boarded the train to Tainan.
I arrived at Taipei Station a bit too early, and although the station was huge, surprisingly many areas weren’t open yet (they were still preparing). However, I was able to easily collect my train pass and went to a convenience store to buy some snacks for the train ride.
Sen Unnie recommended trying McDonald’s exclusive McMorning menu in Taiwan, so I ordered a mushroom bagel sandwich. It was fun to try local menu items even at a global franchise like McDonald’s. When ordering, they give you a receipt number, and Sen Unnie helped me learn how to say numbers in Chinese while waiting. (Though I forgot it all… 😅)
On the train, the staff were selling snacks, and some passengers were eating bento boxes, which really gave the journey a nostalgic and romantic vibe. Personally, I never had that kind of feel when riding the KTX in Korea, especially when I was tired from interviews and exams… But in Taiwan, I relaxed, enjoyed the view, and snacked on sunflower seeds Sen Unnie had brought. It was a leisurely and fun experience.
We arrived at Tainan Station at 9:17 AM! The station was smaller than I expected, maybe about the size of Ulsan Station, but it was neat and pleasant. Sen Unnie even praised the bathrooms, and they were indeed spotless!
However, since Sen Unnie had worn new shoes, the heels of her feet were all sore, so while she bought some band-aids at the convenience store, I checked out the store. To my surprise, they were selling adorable Taiwan High-Speed Rail merchandise! It really impressed me how well they marketed these cute characters. I realized that Taiwanese people really love cute things—it’s evident from the public posters and promotional materials featuring cute mascots.
After checking into our accommodation and dropping off our luggage, we set out to explore the area. Near the station, there were bus stops and the Shalun MRT station, and although we got a bit lost (both routes were fine), we took the MRT from Shalun and headed out. The Taiwan MRT had an unexpectedly charming vibe, and maybe it was because I was in the travel mood, but everything—from the signs to the fonts—was so cute and aesthetically pleasing.
Walking from the MRT station to our accommodation took about an hour. The weather in Tainan felt different from Taipei—it was warmer and more humid. As I walked through the residential areas, I noticed that many houses had beautiful flowers. There were flower varieties I’d never seen in Korea, and the buildings had brightly-colored tiled walls that made a lovely contrast with the flowers. It was a pleasant and picturesque sight.
On our walk, we even came across an unusual sight:
a large tree had fallen and blocked the path!
It was a thick, broad tree from a species I’d never seen before. People were squeezing through the gap under the tree, but for safety reasons, we decided to take a different route.
We also spotted some “bat orchids” growing outside on the streets. In Korea, people carefully control temperature and humidity for growing plants indoors, but in Taiwan, these plants seemed to thrive naturally in the weather. There were also various other vines and aquatic plants just hanging out in public spaces, which was fascinating.
It seemed like Tainan locals really enjoyed gardening, and almost every house had a garden or plants outside. The whole place had a romantic, cozy feel to it. It made me think that one day, I’d like to live in a warm, sunny place like Tainan and grow my own beautiful garden.
After a relaxed walk with Sen Unnie, we finally arrived at our accommodation. The house was an Airbnb, and the entrance had a garden with a Taiwanese flag, making it feel extra charming. After dropping off our luggage and having a quick shower, we were ready to explore more!
That’s all for our journey from Taipei Station to Tainan! It was a delightful train trip that added so much charm to our adventure. Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll share about our time in Tainan city!
Goodbye for now! If you found my story interesting, be sure to check out my previous posts as well!
- [Taiwan Travel 4 : Tainan Trip] Arriving in Tainan – Beef Noodle Soup, Cafés, and City Exploration
- [Taiwan Travel 3] The Joyful Journey to Tainan (Train Travel in Taiwan!)
- [Taiwan Travel 2] How My friend Couldn’t Leave for Taiwan and I Almost Became a Lonely International Lost Traveler (+ Taoyuan Airport Overnight Stay)
- [Taiwan Travel Info] How to Book the THSR Rail Pass (2/3/5-Day Pass)
- [Taiwan Travel 1] First Overseas Trip After the Pandemic! Preparing for a Taiwan Adventure.