Taiwan

For a next visit try the Formosensis aka the Alishan Forest Railway which is Taiwan’s most popular tourist railway line, and reaches the highest point of any railway in Asia at 2451m (8,000ft). However, it is notoriously difficult to get tickets, so book as early as possible. One sure way of getting a ticket is to buy the Taiwan Pass – High Speed Rail Edition which includes unlimited HSR rides for 3 consecutive days, one MRT pass, and one Taiwan Tourism Shuttle Bus pass OR the Alishan Forest Railway ticket.

The most luxurious train in Taiwan is the Haifeng (meaning "sea breeze"). See also the Breezy Blue and the Formosa Express (which circumnavigates the island).

Haifeng interior

Breezy Blue route

2025 Trip - Sites visited in Taipei:

Taipei 101 Tower was good. A great view of the city and area, and got to try great tea at TWG and great coffee at Das Kafe D located at the top of the tower (see both below).

Beitou Thermal Valley Park was worth the visit. About a half hour subway ride from Taipei Station.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial was worth the visit.

Walking food tour of night market was very good.

ACCOMMODATION

Stayed at citizenM hotel in Taipei. Would not stay again - I had an inside room with no view. First time ever. Like being in a basement or submarine. Creepy. Though they did have a nice bar. Here is the bar menu which includes some snacks as well.

FOOD

Had a fantastic lunch and tea at TWG in the Taipei 101 Tower next to the Observatory entrance. They have over 800 varieties of tea. The roasted chicken with porcini mash was fantastic. TWG, based in Singapore and has shops in 20 countries, typically in the major city in each. The shops are mostly located in Asia and the Far East, as well as London, New York, Paris and Casablanca. TWG stands for The Wellbeing Group.

Had the delicious Blue Mountain no. 1 coffee at the top of Taipei 101 at Das Kafe D, an award winning coffee maker. Coffee was strong and very smooth without any bitterness. I had it black without sugar. Not cheap - $15 for 150ml.

Two other restaurants that look interesting at Taipei 101 are Fujin Tree Taiwanese Cuisine & Champagne which is rated as a must-visit restaurant in Taiwan by Louis Vuitton City Guide, and a one-star award in the "Michelin Guide Taiwan" from 2021 to 2023; and Shi Ling Shabu which is considered to be the pioneer of "boutique hot pot" that uses "carefully select seasonal fresh produce and the highest quality ingredients."

According to an American I spoke to during a walking tour, he said he was told the best coffee in Taipei was at The Folks.

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TWG locations: Singapore, London, Taipei, New Delhi, Tokyo, Paris, Dubai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Jakarta, Casablanca, Kuwait City, Shanghai, Doha, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City.