Explore the Most Scenic Rail Routes Across Taiwan

If there’s one journey that defines the beauty of taiwan scenic rail routes, it’s the ride from Hualien to Taitung along the East Coast Line. As the train hugs the rugged Pacific shoreline, you’ll see turquoise waves colliding with cliffs and lush green mountains rising almost directly from the sea. Every curve reveals a new postcard view — rice paddies glittering in the sun, fishing boats drifting near the shore, and tiny villages framed by palm trees.

Many travellers describe this stretch as a moving panorama of Taiwan’s natural splendour. Along the way, you can stop at Dong Hualien, Fengbin, or Yuli to experience slow coastal life and sample local snacks like taro pastries and fresh seafood. For those seeking the most photogenic scenery, choose a morning departure when the Pacific glows blue under clear skies. This is a route where time feels suspended, a journey for those who want to absorb the island’s raw, untouched beauty rather than simply reach the next stop.

Deep in central Taiwan, the Alishan Forest Railway carries travellers on one of the world’s most remarkable mountain rail journeys. Originally built by the Japanese in 1912 to transport timber, it now offers passengers a chance to climb from tropical plains to mist-shrouded peaks in just a few hours.

Departing from Chiayi, the narrow-gauge line winds through dense bamboo forests, over red wooden bridges, and into the heart of Alishan National Scenic Area. The higher you climb, the cooler the air becomes, and the forest transforms into a world of towering cypress trees and swirling fog. At dawn, you can transfer to a small sunrise train that glides above the clouds — one of the most iconic sights in Taiwan.

If you prefer a glimpse of rural Taiwan, the Pingxi Line and Neiwan Line are perfect detours into the countryside. The Pingxi Line, located just outside Taipei, feels like stepping back in time. The train rolls past rivers, waterfalls, and old mining villages, including Shifen, where visitors launch paper lanterns into the sky for good luck. The rhythmic click of the tracks combined with lanterns drifting above is pure magic.

The Neiwan Line, starting in Hsinchu County, takes you deeper into Taiwan’s Hakka heartland. Here, trains run alongside emerald rivers and through tunnels cut into forested hillsides. Villages along the way offer local delicacies like Hakka stir-fry and cold tofu desserts, perfect rewards after an afternoon of exploration.

For travellers who want speed and comfort without sacrificing scenery, the taiwan high speed rail routes along the west coast are unbeatable. Stretching from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south, this 350-kilometre line crosses rice fields, urban skylines, and rivers at speeds reaching 300 km/h.

Despite its velocity, the view from the window is surprisingly captivating, neat rows of tea plantations, wind turbines turning in the distance, and the vast plains of Changhua County flashing by. The journey takes just over 90 minutes, making it easy to combine with slower regional routes like the Alishan or East Coast lines.

The convenience of Taiwan’s high-speed network allows travellers to experience the country’s diversity in a single day: breakfast in Taipei, lunch in Tainan, and sunset in Kaohsiung. It’s the modern heartbeat of Taiwan’s rail travel, fast, smooth, and beautifully designed.

Connecting Taitung on the east with Fangliao on the southwest, the South-Link Line completes Taiwan’s circular railway network and offers some of the most remote scenery on the island. This is the wild, less-travelled Taiwan, a place of turquoise bays, swaying coconut trees, and villages where time moves gently.

As the train follows the rugged southern coastline, it passes dramatic headlands, sleepy fishing ports, and the lush foothills of the Central Mountain Range. The open windows let in the scent of salt air and tropical flowers, turning every moment into an immersive experience. Unlike the busier West Coast, here you’ll find tranquility and authenticity. Travellers often stop in Guanshan or Longxi to rent bicycles or visit traditional temples tucked away between rice paddies. It’s the kind of journey that reminds you why travelling by train remains one of the most romantic ways to see Taiwan.

Tucked away in central Taiwan, the Jiji Line is a short but delightful route connecting Ershui to Checheng. Originally built for transporting sugar, it now offers visitors a scenic ride through small towns, sunflower fields, and along the Zhuoshui River. Jiji, the main stop, is a charming town rebuilt after the 1999 earthquake and famous for its wooden railway station — one of the oldest in the country. Along the line, travellers can visit the Jiji Green Tunnel, an avenue of trees forming a natural canopy that’s especially magical in the late afternoon. It’s a peaceful journey through Taiwan’s agricultural heartland, ideal for families or travellers who want to experience authentic rural life without venturing too far off the main network.