Taipei - Hualien - Chingjing - Sun Moon Lake - Taipei (Nov)

Hi Experts,

I%26#39;ll be traveling with my family and friends (4 adults/3kids) from 21/11 to 29/11. This is our general itinerary. Let me know if this plan makes sense. Pls advise if feel otherwise. Txs :-)

Day 1 - Arrival in Taipei, we%26#39;ll take a express train to Hualien

Day 2 - Hualien

Day 3 - Rent a car from Hualien to Chingjing

Day 4 / 5 - Chingjing, Lushan Hotspring and Hehuanshan (worth going Lushan and Hehuanshan?)

Day 6 - Check out Chingjing in the morning, drive to Sun Moon Lake for sight-seeing. Will return car in Taichung. Take train back to Taipei.

Day 7 to Day 8 - Explore Taipei

Day 9 - Home Sweet Home

I%26#39;ve a few questions :

1) As for car-rental, can it be arranged to pick up in Hualien and return in Taichung? Any car rental company recommended for such arrangement?

2) I went to the train website, the schedule is not out yet for Nov. Is it better to book in advance or it%26#39;s ok to book upon arrival.

3) If we were to take a train upon arrival at CKC Airport, which train station is the nearest? Which is the train station departing from Sun Moon Lake?

4) Any good taxi driver recommended at Hualien?

Look forward to your advice:-)

Taipei - Hualien - Chingjing - Sun Moon Lake - Taipei (Nov)

Hi, wahwah71,

I have planned for a similar itinerary but is on the reverse direction, ie from Taichung to Hualien.

Just to share on what I have gathered on car rental. We will be, very likely, renting from CarPlus: www.car-plus.com.tw

They have promotion on waiving the fee for renting from point A and returning at point B. Another promotion that they are offering is taking the high speed train and rent their car, they offer 15% discount on weekend and 30% on weekday. To enjoy both promotion, have to make booking 3 days in advance.

However, I remember someone mentioned in this forum that we need to ensure that the insurance coverage is in order as sometimes insurance premium will be excluded in order to bring down the price. As for this, I%26#39;ve yet to check with %26#39;CarPlus%26#39;.

Other car rental company for your consideration: www.easyrent.com.tw

Hope this helps.

Taipei - Hualien - Chingjing - Sun Moon Lake - Taipei (Nov)

Hi SnoopyTravel,

Txs for your recommendation. Btw, is it shorter distance from Airport to Nantou City (Sun Moon Lake) than to Hualien? I%26#39;ve checked, it%26#39;s about 3.5 hr from TPE to Hualien by express train. If it%26#39;s shorter, i may do sun moon lake first.

Thanks.

Hi, wahwah71,

I%26#39;m not sure about the distance, especially from the airport.

What I gathered was if taking direct bus from TPE to SML it will take about 4~5 hours. My plan is taking HSR to Taichung, takes about 50min to an hour, then drive to SML. From TC to SML should be abt 1.5~2 hours drive, if I got the info correct.

Personally I think to start off with Hualien and move on to ChingJing SML %26amp; Taichung is a better idea in terms of trip planning. I am planning on the reverse direction is because we will arrive on weekend and would like to avoid the weekend crowd in Hualien.

Regards.

As HSR does not serve the eastern side of Taiwan, it would be easier to travel from TY to TC but I do agree with the above poster that ur initial itenerary is better.SML is pretty in the early morning n late afternoon so it would be worth while to stay overnight there to fully appreciate its beauty.In terms of trust worthy car rental Avis, carplus are both OK but do request for full insurance coverage.

2. for train travel it is better to book in advance.

3.for train, board from TP, alight at Puli. HSR, TY-TC.

4.u do not need a cabbie since u%26#39;re renting a car, personally, I think driving is a better option over cabbie/ bus tour.

BTW, domestic flights do serve TP-HL, u got to transfer from TY international to Sung shan domestic though to catch the flight.FAREASTERN airline n transasia air serves TP-HL.Mandarin airline serves HL-Taichung.

Thanks for all advise!

The day is getting closer and I%26#39;m getting real excited. Now, doing my final research :-)

This is our itinerary with more details:

Day 1 Upon arrival in Taipei, we%26#39;ll take a train to Hualien. We taking Tze Chiang Train, about 3 hrs from Taipei to Hualien.

Sad to know that HSR does go to Hualien :-(

Day 2 Visit Ocean Park and whale watching if available.

Day 3 Check out minsu, on the way to Chingjing (since we are driving), we%26#39;ll visit Taroko G. Half a day enough? Hope to reach Chingjing by early evening.

Q) Pls advise the sequence in Hualien. I was told to visit Taroko after check out as we have to pass by Taroko on the way to the high way???

Day 4 Chingjing - Farm visit / Sheep show on Sat / Visit Lushan Hot Spring.

Day 5 Chingjing - SML

Day 6 SML to Taipei, return the car at Taichung and take a train (HSR) back to Taipei.

Day 7 - 9 Taipei, Will visit Jiufen, Window of China, Ding Dong Sci center, Night markets, 101....(any recommendation?)

Day 9 Home Sweet Home.

How%26#39;s the weather in Taipei? I heard the weather can go down -4 degree at Chingjing? Izit true? Need to start packing soon.

Hope the plan will work well and we%26#39;ll all enjoy this trip.

Will update when I%26#39;m back :-)

the route from HL to SML is just about right, half d is sufficient for toroko if u breeze by, but I would think an overnight stay would be nice too, especially if u put up at Toroko regent.

About Day 7, why are u missing out Leofoo? can cancel the Ding dong if time is short.

It%26#39;s cold in Ching jing now, best to bring a cardigan.

Have a nice time.

Txs! Will visit Leofoo instead if it%26#39;s a better place.

Staying at minsu Ocean (nearer to train station and town). Don%26#39;t think have much time for Taroko G if we want to spend a day at Ocean Park. Kids will probably enjoy OP more.

Hello all,

Sorry to bring up an old post.

I am intrigued by this post as our vehicles in Singapore are left hand drive while over at TW is Right hand.

With our license we are able to rent and drive their cars?

Thanks!

Hi cdriver,

International driver%26#39;s license is required, for foreigners, to drive around in Taiwan.

Hope this answer your question.

cdriver, yes u could, just apply for an international license but i would strongly advice against driving through the central ridge as in addition to the left/right diff, Singapoeans are not really apt at driving mountanous roads, not to mention that the taiwanese drive recklously n seldom abides by the traffic regulations.