Taoyuan airport, Taoyuan HSR, Kaohsiung City
It has been two years since the last time I visit
Taiwan, back then I followed my university summer exchange program to visit
Taiwan for 3 week. Even though I was there for 3 week, most of the time was
spend in class, so I did not explore Taiwan that much.
This time I have decided to visit again Taiwan and to explore
what Taiwan can offer. This time we are going to Taiwan in a group of 8 people
including me. After months of planning, finally the day to fly off to Taiwan has
come.
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| KLIA 2 International Departures |
Our flight to Taiwan was at 10.00am in the morning,
since we need to be at the airport 3 hour earlier, we have decided to meet up
around 7.00am since we are coming from different places. Since each of us did
not bring much thing to Taiwan, we have decided to only bought 60kg (around 7.5kg
per person) for luggage check in and utilize the 7kg hand carry up the plane.
After boarding the plane, you will be given an
“Arrival Card” that you need to fill up and submit it at immigration counter at
Taiwan airport.
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| Arrival Card |
The flight took around 4.50 hour and the flight
journey was not pleasant as the weather was windy which make the plane shake a
lot. Since we arrive at Taiwan airport safely, I could not complaint much.
After getting down the plane, before you reach the
immigration counter, you will see many Taiwan booth that is selling phone data
plan. It doesn’t matter which company you sign up with as all company has good
connection. The one I sign up was with Chunghwa Telecom and I took the 15 day
3G data plan which cost NTD 700 (RM 87.50) (including NTD100 airtime credit).
Also if you are traveling in group, its best 2-4 people share one data plan as
it is unlimited.
Throughout the entire trip, I have no problem with the
Wi-Fi connection. If you need more airtime credit, you can visit any convenient
store to top up. Do make sure you Taiwan sim-card is activated before leaving
the counter and if not mistaken the data plan is only offer at the airport
only.
You can visit Chunghwa Telecom website to know more
about their data plan.
After we collect our luggage, we went to the bus
station one floor below the arrival hall to take the bus to Taoyuan HSR
station. Take note that Taoyuan airport and Taoyuan HSR is not located in the
same building, you need take a bus which take around 15 min to reach. You can
just follow the signboard to find the counter to buy your bus ticket and each
ticket cost NTD 30 (RM3.75). Do ask the counter which platform you need to take
the bus. Our platform was at platform 12, so we line up to wait our turn to go
up the bus.
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| Ubus ticket to Taoyuan HSR station |
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| Bus Platform to Taoyuan HSR station |
After 15 minute bus ride, we reach Taoyuan HSR
station. From the station, we plan to take to the train to Kaohsiung where we
are staying for the night. For those who are planning to explore Taiwan from
the south to north, I would highly recommend you to buy your flight ticket to
arrive at Kaohsiung airport and fly back to your country from Taoyuan Taipei
airport, then you don’t have to waste time taking the HSR from Taoyuan to
Kaohsiung.
But if want to experience riding HSR, then I would
recommend to purchase your ticket ahead of time through their online booking
platform. Buying the ticket ahead of time allow you to confirm your train seat
as the ticket might be sold out if you plan to purchase on the spot and you can
enjoy discount up to 35% for certain train time schedule. You can purchase your
ticket 1 month ahead of the date you plan to ride HSR. Take note that once you
book your train ticket, the ticket is not refundable if you miss your train
ride, so do plan your time properly. Make sure you are at the train platform 10
min before the train arrive.
The HSR online booking platform is easy to use and
only require one person passport to purchase for multiple ticket. After you
complete your online purchase, you will be given an online booking receipt with
“Reservation number” which you will need to key in when getting your ticket at
the kiosk machine. Do remember that the last 4 digit of your booking ID is your
DOB (MM/DD), if you need any assistance, you can ask the customer service
counter for help next to the kiosk machine.
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| HSR ticket |
Every transport at Taiwan is very punctual, so
remember not to be late. After arriving at Zuoying HSR station, we took
Kaohsiung rapid transit from R16 red line Zuoying station to R10 redline
Formosa Boulevard station where our hostel located. While exiting the station,
you will surely come across the famous Dome of light.
We took our time to admire the artwork before taking
exit 2 to our hostel. Our hotel is called Rest Twenty-Two Hostel that we book
through Agoda website and it is locate at a strategic location as it is
located near the Formosa Boulevard station and Liuhe Night Market. The hostel
location might be hard to find but you can follow the guide below to find the
hostel.
Prior to reaching the hostel, I have notify the hostel
owner through WeChat ahead of time to let him know what time we will reach. When I notify that we will reach around 9pm,
the owner told us he might be out and unable to let us in to the hostel.
Luckily the owner told us the password to the hostel main door and the where
the room key is located, so we help our self in to the hostel and our room.
The hostel is quite nice and it has washer machine
facility which is great for washing and dry our cloth. What I like about Taiwan
is that most places has washer machine and dryer machine which allow you to
wash and dry 100% of your cloth.
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| Rest Twenty-Two Hostel lobby |
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| One of the hostel Bedroom |
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| Washer & dryer machine |
After settle in, we immediately head out to Liuhe
Night Market which locate 10 minute walk from our hostel. Liuhe Night Market is
one of many night market in Kaohsiung. Liuhe Night Market is quite busy even
around 10.00pm, we walk around and had our late dinner. Around 11.00pm when the
shop started to close, we head back to our hostel to rest. Tomorrow we will
have a full day to explore Kaohsiung.
Stay tune for more of my Taiwan trip 2016, Thank
you!!!
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