Planned on just a day trip to Seoraksan National Park so we started out early, not too early though.  From our hostel in Jongno 3-ga, we took subway line 3 to Express Bus Terminal Station, about 10 stops.  We took Exit 1 (Gyeongbu / Yeongdong line) passing through subway line 9 and go inside the trapezoid-shaped building.
 

Express Bus Station

There's not a lot of people in the terminal.  Probably because it's a Monday and still too early.  Go to the ticket counter and buy a ticket to Sokcho, costs KRW18,100 per person, they do accept credit cards.  We were able to get a ticket for the 7:30AM bus.  The person at the counter directed us where the gate is.  We need to go to Gate 17 for the bus to Sokcho.

Ticket Counter

Ticket showing origin and destination, ticket cost, date and time of departure, seat number and bus platform

Lockers available at the station

Way to the platform

There are convenience stores available at the passenger's waiting area

Platform 17

Bus showing route (Seoul <--> Sokcho) and time of departure (07:30)

Reclining bus seat... makes the trip comfortable

The bus left the station at exactly 7:30AM.  The estimated arrival time is flashed on the tv screen, which in our case is 10:10AM.  On the way, we passed by a number of tunnels passing through mountains.  The scenery is great, with autumn in full (or almost in full) bloom.

One of the tunnels

After an hour and a half bus ride, the bus stopped for 15 minutes.  Passengers can take a restroom break, buy food and drinks, or do some stretching.

Rest Stop

We got to Sokcho Bus Terminal around 10:20, which was the adjusted time flashed on the screen after the bus stop.  There's a coffee shop and Lotteria in the station.  A tourist information center can be seen outside the station.  Take note of some landmarks, like Hotel Good Morning and the blue post in the middle of the street that says Sokcho Beach, for taking the bus back to Seoul.

Sokcho Bus Terminal

Sokcho Bus Terminal
[Left] Dongbu Express, [Middle] Tourist Information, [Middle back] Hotel Good Morning, [Right] Blue Sokcho Beach sign in the middle of the street

The bus stop for bus 7 or 7-1 which goes to Seoraksan (Mountain) is on the opposite side of the street.  Once outside the bus station, walk to the right of the street and cross it on the first pedestrian lane.  The bus stop is a few meters to the left of the pedestrian lane.  Be prepared to have exact fare (KRW1,100) as the drivers do not give out change.  Get off at the last stop, which is in the parking lot of Seoraksan National Park.  It's about 20-30 minutes bus ride.

Inside the bus to Seoraksan National Park

Account of the day trip to the park can be read here.

Going back to Seoul from Seoraksan is basically the reverse of how you got there.  When you get out of the park, walk towards the parking lot, and back to where you got off. 

Sign outside the park

Seoraksan Bus stop

The bus stop for the terminal comes a few meters after the terminal building itself.  So when you see the landmarks for the bus terminal, press the stop button so that you could get off the bus.  Walk back to the station and buy your tickets (KRW18,100 per person).

Sokcho Bus Terminal

Ticket to Seoul

Bus to Seoul

The trip back to Seoul (Express Bus Terminal) took about 2 hours 40 minutes.


Here are some tips to consider when going to the park:

1. Weekends may get too crowded specially on peak seasons.
2. Check the bus schedule and availability of seats from KoBus.  Select Seoul [010] for origin and Sokcho [230] for destination.  You might also want to check the Sokcho - Seoul route for seat availability on the way back.
3. Check the weather from KMA site or Mountain Forecast.

Yesterday, I've seen the shared-ride vans parked in front of 7-eleven and already accepting reservations for the next day's trip back to the city (Chiayi).  Their trips are just up to Chiayi TRA station and they see to it that they leave before the bus leaves.  I asked (or rather asked the help of someone to translate) if they do a Alishan-Fenchihu-Chiayi trip.  They actually do but they only do that for the 11AM trip (in case they were able to gather a group of people who wanted to go the same route) just in time for lunch, for the famous Fenchihu lunch box.  They could only confirm if the trip would proceed before 11AM.  Too bad I don't have the luxury of time.  Maybe if you're a group of 5 or more, you could persuade the driver to go that route.

Discounting the idea of going to Fenchihu, I've planned to take the 9:10AM bus.  I took a back-ride on a staff's scooter going to the bus station and took the shared ride instead for NTD200 (normal bus fare is NTD221 plus this would take me faster to Chiayi).

Scooter Back-ride

The sun is already up on the way to Chiayi

Thank you for visiting Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.  Please come again!

Downtown Chiayi

Chiayi TRA Station

I was already at Chiayi Station before 11AM.  With the time saved on the trip, it allowed me to go to one more destination... Chung Cheng University.  Left my bag at the baggage service station at the left side of the main station.

It was already past 1PM when I got back to Chiayi station.  I claimed my bags and proceeded to the rear of the station to take the bus to Chiayi HSR Station.  The bus ride is about 30 minutes and is free for those going between TRA and HSR stations.  I just missed the HSR train so I need to take the next one at 2:36PM to Taoyuan Station.

To TRA Rear Station Hall

Chiayi TRA to HSR Station

Bus from Chiayi

Chiayi HSR Station

HSR Train

I'm running late, I have a 5:25PM flight to catch.  Normally, I'm at the airport 2-3 hours before the flight... not today.

From Taoyuan HSR Station, I took the U-bus to the airport.  Whew! I made it! I got there more than an hour before the flight!  It was only when I got to the boarding gate that I looked around a bit and took some pictures, at least while waiting for the boarding announcement.

Aboard the U-bus to the airport

TPE Airport

While waiting to board

And that concludes my Taiwan adventure.

I started early today.  I was already out of the hotel and going to Taipei Main Station before 7AM.  I took Exit B3 going to HSR Taipei Station.  The HSR ticket vending machine can be seen right after the exit.  There are also ticket counters available on site.  I bought a ticket to Chiayi for NTD 1080 (reserved seat).  I could have taken the earlier train but I would have to run to the platform to be able catch the it so I just opted for the 7:36AM train.  While waiting to be allowed entry to the platform, I bought some food at the nearby 7-Eleven store. 

For train schedules, visit their site.  They sometimes have discounts for online purchase so it might be better to buy online if you're definite of the time.

HSR Taipei Station

HSR Ticket to Chiayi

Pay attention to the LED boards to know the platform of the train number.  Minutes before the departure time, passengers are allowed into the platform.  Make sure to be there early as the trains leave on time.

Seats on the train looks like those of an airplane.  There's a LED crawler that displays information like train number, destination, time of arrival at specific stops, train speed, next stop and even weather information.

Inside the train

My breakfast

While the train is on the move, I thought I was just seeing a white wall... apparently, it's not.  It's the dense fog affecting some counties.

Dense fog

I got off at Chiayi HSR Station by 9:00AM, as specified in the schedule.

Chiayi HSR Station

There are only 2 buses to Alishan from Chiayi HSR Station, the first one wouldn't be until 10:10AM.  However, there are vans outside the station offering shared ride for a slightly lower price (NTD250 instead of NTD255).  The drivers do not know English, I do not speak Mandarin.  Good thing there are 2 Malaysians (who are also going to Alishan) who did the translation.  These vans are faster than taking the bus, it took less than 2 hours to get there, but be prepared for the ride as the drivers would overtake the other cars most of the time even if the street (going up the mountain) has double yellow lines.

Alishan Bus Schedule

Passing by the city

There are also English signs on the road

Passed by this suspension bridge, which I think is called "Everlasting Bridge"

Cherry Blossoms by the road

Gloomy/Cloudy skies blanketing the mountain ranges

Tea Plantations

Here at last - entrance to Alishan Forest Recreation Area.  Tourists have to pay admission fees here.  Adults pay NTD200 on weekends and NTD150 on weekdays.

The entrance fee receipt looks like a credit card charge slip.  The fee comes with an isurance.  You have to fill it up and make sure to drop filled-up half of the stub at the drop box near the Visitor Center.  A map of the area could also be found at the back of the insurance stub.

Entrance fee receipt and insurance stub

Transportation Options:

• Take TRA to Chiayi Station, then bus to Alishan
• Take THSR to Chiayi HSR Station, then bus to Alishan

Notes: 
There's a free shuttle bus that you could take from Chiayi HSR Station and Chiayi TRA Station or vice-versa in case you want to take the Alishan bus from the other train station.  It's about a 30-minute bus ride in between the stations.
As of this writing, the forest railway from Chiayi Station to Alishan is still under going repair.