Making Each Day Count

On our first full day in Taiwan, we went to a much-awaited day tour to Alishan National Forest. It was everything I hoped for from the misty mountain, towering trees and fresh air. The biggest, pleasant surprise of all was the sight of cherry blossoms.

The next day, still enchanted by the magic of Alishan, we set out early to explore the quiet neighborhoods of Chiayi, where we stayed the night. With no concrete plans we turned on Google Maps to see what we could reach within less than a couple of hours, and fortunately there were two destinations nearby that were already open.

Our first stop was the Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park, located at No. 2, Linsen W Rd, East District, Chiayi City. This historical place opened back in 1912 and was then known as North Gate Repair Workshop. It now serves as an open-air museum. The space is spacious and quiet. And because unlike the weather in Alishan National Forest it was warmer in Chiayi city, the canopy from the trees in this open-air museum made for a relaxing walk. Scattered across the park were several colorful and beautifully preserved trains.

At first we thought the site was purely a static display until a working train casually rolled back into the garage. It was a cool moment to see these trains up close. Here’s a YouTube short of the live train moment:

The Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park is open to the public from 8AM to 6PM. For more information about it, check out their site: Cultural Assets-Garage-Chiayi Garage Park

Just a few hundred meters away we found the second interesting spot: Song of the Forest.

This tall, wooden structure stands out even from the distance. Shaped somewhat like a giant half-cocoon rising skyward, it instantly caught our eye. A wooden tunnel leads toward it. The path to it was a delight as it was lined with flower-bearing trees and chirping birds. Maybe that’s where its name came from? The space itself is not big, but it was not crowded either, making it a peaceful short detour. Catch a glimpse of it here:

After our relaxing morning stroll, D and I returned to the hotel, grabbed our luggage and checked out. We booked a Grab ride and made our way to the Chiayi High Speed Rail Station. We booked a train to head back to Kaohsiung City where we would be staying our last two nights in Taiwan.

In under an hour we arrived at Kaohsiung City. The Kaohsiung HSR Station welcomed us with its mix of old-world charm and sleek modern design. It was a spacious and clean station, and navigating it was quite easy.

Stay tuned for my next blog, where I’ll share about our mini adventures in Kaohsiung City, the vibrant harbor city known for its street art, laid-back vibes and urban energy.