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.

National Chung Cheng University (a.k.a. Meteor Garden's Yingde University)

When I got to Chiayi Station, I still have some hours to spare so I thought of going to Yingde... what I mean is National Chung Cheng University.

Chiayi Station

I went inside Chiayi Station and proceeded to the visitor center to ask for transportation to and from the university.  I could take the train to Minxiong (NTD15-18, depending on the train) and take a cab from there or take the bus directly to CCU (NTD41; would take about an hour ride). 

Chiayi to CCU

At first, I thought of just taking the bus so I went to the bus station in front of Chiayi Station.  But, after doing some math on the time I have, I decided to just take the train.

Note: Not all the buses stop in front of CCU, some of it only stops at Nanhua University.  In this case, that is where you would need to get off, and walk to CCU.

Bus timetable at the bus station in front of Chiayi Station

Chiayi to Minxiong

Take the exit on the left of the station.  Going down the stairs, I saw some cabs parked there waiting for passengers.  I took one to CCU.  The ride cost about NTD200.  That's actually the first time I took a cab in Taiwan and that's when I knew that flag down rate is NTD100.  The cab driver gave me a calling card which he insisted I take.

A name card the cab driver gave me

After 10 minutes, I arrived at my destination.  I only have an hour or less to spare here so I started exploring right away.

CCU Campus Map (from www.ait.ccu.edu.tw)

View of the Tranquility Bridge

Gymnasium

After a little bit of the tour inside the campus, went out of the main gate waiting for a cab.  After a few minutes, I noticed no public transportation pass by the area.  Maybe, it would just be the bus (on a not so frequent schedule) and cabs, if they ever took someone to the area.  Oh no! I have a flight to catch!  I walked a bit and went into a convenience store and asked them if they could call a cab for me (I haven't seen a public pay phone in the area).  I guess they don't want to do that for me nor let me use their phone (now I see why the cab driver insisted for me to take the calling card).  Good thing, a student helped me out.  She called a cab for me and informed them of my location.  She then gave me the number of the cab.  I waited outside and I saw the nice lady still looking out for me until the cab came.  Whew! What a relief!  Thanks to that Taiwanese student!

So, a tip for those wanting to visit this university, it might be better if you have a mobile phone so that you could call a cab in case you need to.

Outside the campus and the street back to Chiayi

The cab fare from CCU directly to Chiayi Station costs around NTD350 and takes about 20-30 minutes. 

FYI:  There's a luggage counter on the left side of the station if you need to leave some luggage.  Sorry, I just forgot the rates.

Alishan Sunrise Trip

The Alishan sunrise is one of the unique wonders of Alishan.  A lot of people go here to see the infamous sunrise.  However, for tourists like me, it's a matter of chance.  It is said that the best season for sunrise viewing is end of fall to February.

I checked on the weather forecasts online and I saw it would be cloudy with a bit of rain.  Knowing that, I still proceeded with a bit of hope.  I was up by 3AM, took a bath and had my things packed.  At 4:30AM, I started walking towards Alishan Station.

Going to Alishan Station

When I got there, the station isn't open yet, but it did a few minutes later.  I went straight to the platform level (2nd floor) as I already bought my ticket the day before.  Most of the people still lined up at the ticket counter which is still closed.  I was the third in line at the entrance of the platform.  It was about 15 minutes later when the line got long, I guess the ticket counter might already be open.  The train left Alishan Station around 5:45 for the 30-minute ride to Zhushan Staion.

Tip: Buy your tickets the day before.  The station pre-sells these tickets from 2-5PM.

Alishan Station is still closed when I got there

It opened a few minutes later

While waiting in line

People eagerly waiting for the train

Here comes the train

Arrived at Zhushan Station after 30 minutes

Zhushan Station

Zhushan Station

At the exit of the station, information on the time of sunrise and the last train are posted.  Zhushan view deck is just a few steps from the top of these steep steps.  Most of the people stay here and wait for the sunrise.  There are stalls here selling some snacks, water and coffee.

Zhushan Station Exit

Zhushan View Deck

If you feel the area is too crowded (and you still have some time), you can go to Ogasawara view deck.  It's about a 15-minute walk (not stopping for sight-seeing) on the path to the right of the station's exit. Be prepared for an uphill trek.  You can't be lost on this path as it only leads to the view deck.  You would also pass by a botanical garden (I checked it out a bit on the way down).

Path to Ogasawara view deck

It is more peaceful here (and quiet), far from the chatting of numerous other tourists and the loud megaphones of the tour guides.  The area, in my opinion is more serene, plus you can get a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains.  It's just that it was too cloudy I didn't get to experience Alishan sunrise, maybe next time.

The sun has already risen

After a few more minutes, the sun is already up, so it's time to head back to the Zhushan station.  I need to catch the last train from here.  Otherwise, I would need to walk back to Zhaoping or all the way to Alishan Station.  I stopped by Alpine Botanical Garden but did not enter (it's not yet open that early anyway) but one can get a glimpse of the garden from the entrance.

The path on the way back to the station is more downhill so it took less time going back.  It was a relief that I was able to catch the train.  The way back to Alishan Station is scenic, with the budding cherry blossoms at the side of the tracks.
 

Walking back to Zhushan Station

Zhushan Station