3 Days on Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR)

Two trains in the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) fleet are seen parked on the platform at Taipei Main Station.
Two trains in the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) fleet are seen parked on the platform at Taipei Main Station.

Photographs + Story by: Matt Hunt

Taiwan is an island nation about 100 miles (160km) from the Chinese mainland. It is a self-governed democracy with its own government, economy, and military.

However, its sovereignty remains contentious.

Summary

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While Taiwan operates as a de facto independent nation, it is not recognized as a sovereign state by some countries, including China, which claims Taiwan as a part of its territory. The status of Taiwan is a complex political issue still under debate and subject to different interpretations.

A warship is seen parked off the coast of Kaohsiung on the Taiwan Strait.
A warship is seen parked off the coast of Kaohsiung on the Taiwan Strait. Matt Hunt / SOPA Images

That said, tourism to Taiwan is still quite simple and, overall, relatively safe. Tourism accounted for approximately 2.7% of Taiwan’s GDP in 2019. It is also a significant contributor to Taiwan’s economy, receiving over 11 million visitors in 2019, generating around US$14.3 billion in revenue.

Through years of strict lockdowns under strict “zero covid” policies, Taiwan lost nearly all tourism from mid-2020 onwards. The lingering of their strict COVID-19 era policies until late 2022 led to the more-recent efforts to stimulate its economy by boosting tourism again. This includes cash handouts of NT$5,000 (US$163) for up to a half-million tourists arriving in the country in a stimulus program officially launched this past week. 

One way to see a lot of Taiwan in a short period is to travel along the west coast by the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR). 

What is the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR)?

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is a marvel of modern engineering and one of the most impressive transportation systems in the world. Not only has it transformed the way people travel in Taiwan, but it has also significantly impacted the country’s economy and culture.

For many, the THSR has become a symbol of Taiwan’s progress and modernization and a source of national pride.

The rail runs through farmlands and the countryside, allowing visitors to see a variety of cultures and practices shared amongst the Taiwanese. The railway has also become one of the country’s main tourist attractions for those traveling outside Taipei, spurring more urban development surrounding its large city centers.

People take a nap on the train. The total travel time from Taipei to Kaohsiung is just over 1 hour.
People take a nap on the train. The total travel time from Taipei to Kaohsiung is just over 1 hour.

The railway also has contributed to the domestic travel market and made commuting more efficient. Before the system’s launch in 2007, traveling between Taipei and Kaohsiung by car or (slow) train could take up to six hours. With the THSR, this journey now takes just 90 minutes, making it possible to commute between the two cities daily. 

3-Day Pass for the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR)

I recommend buying the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Unlimited Tourist Pass (2 or 3 Days) from Klook. If you aren’t a member of Klook yet, you can earn 200 THB off of your first purchase by using my affiliate link here: https://www.klook.com/en-US/invite/9C42Z?c=USD

With this 3-day pass, I saw the west coast of Taiwan over four days. My journey started and ended in Taipei, with stops made in Khiaosiung and Taichung, two of Taiwan’s most populous cities. After buying the pass from Klook, I was very easily able to reserve seats on the official THSR Reservation Website with the voucher code delivered after purchase.

The following photographs were taken along the Taiwan High Speed Rail in March 2023.

Passengers on board the Taiwan High Speed Rail southbound from Taipei.
Passengers on board the Taiwan High Speed Rail southbound from Taipei.
A train attendant sells snacks to passengers on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) line from Taipei to Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.
A train attendant sells snacks to passengers on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) line from Taipei to Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.
A look out the window of the train, somewhere between Taipei and Kaohsiung.
A look out the window of the train, somewhere between Taipei and Kaohsiung.
Passengers disembark the train at Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.
Passengers disembark the train at Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.
An LED sign showing the train number and indicating that the car is for passengers that have reserved seats.
An LED sign showing the train number and indicating that the car is for passengers that have reserved seats.
Trains on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) fleet are closed for cleaning after completing each trip north and southbound.
Trains on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) fleet are closed for cleaning after completing each trip north and southbound.
Passengers exit Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.
Passengers exit Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.
Small squares depicting the image of the Buddha that are used to memorialize loved ones are seen at a temple in Kaohsiung.
Small squares depicting the image of the Buddha that are used to memorialize loved ones are seen at a temple in Kaohsiung.
People chat and read the newspaper outside of a Buddhist temple in Kaohsiung.
People chat and read the newspaper outside of a Buddhist temple in Kaohsiung. 
Formosa Station in the underground subway system in Kaohsiung.
Formosa Station in the underground subway system in Kaohsiung.
Downtown Kaohsiung.
Downtown Kaohsiung.
A vendor on a bicycle passes through a large intersection that allows for traffic from all directions at once in Kaohsiung.
A vendor on a bicycle passes through a large intersection that allows for traffic from all directions at once in Kaohsiung.
Claw machines with various toys and toiletries in an arcade in Kaohsiung.
Claw machines with various toys and toiletries in an arcade in Kaohsiung.
A boy plays in front of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in the afternoon near Kaohsiung.
A boy plays in front of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in the afternoon near Kaohsiung.
People burn piles of fake money as a part of a prayer rituation at a Buddhist temple in Kaohsiung.
People burn piles of fake money as a part of a prayer ritual at a Buddhist temple in Kaohsiung.
Two trains in the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) fleet are seen parked on the platform at Taipei Main Station.
Two trains in the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) fleet are seen parked on the platform at Taipei Main Station.
Passengers onboard the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Kaohsiung to Taichung wait for the train to depart.
Passengers onboard the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Kaohsiung to Taichung wait for the train to depart.
The first class cabin on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).
The first class cabin on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).
People walk into Taichung Station.
 People walk into Taichung Station.
A general view of traffic in the afternoon in downtown Taichung, Taiwan.
A general view of traffic in the afternoon in downtown Taichung.
Crochet art is suspended over a walking street in Taichung.
Crochet art is suspended over a walking street in Taichung.
Sugar-coated strawberries for sale on the street at an outdoor market in Taichung.
Sugar-coated strawberries for sale on the street at an outdoor market in Taichung.
Street food vendors help customers at their food stall at a street market in Taichung.
Street food vendors help customers at their food stall at a street market in Taichung.
The passenger dropoff line at the entrance of Taichung Station.
The passenger dropoff line at the entrance of Taichung Station.
A view of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) platform at Taichung Station.
A view of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) platform at Taichung Station.
People walk along the platform as a train arrives at Taichung Station.
People walk along the platform as a train arrives at Taichung Station.
Self-portrait while carrying too many things to demonstrate the size of the free toilets on board the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) trains.
Self-portrait while carrying too many things to demonstrate the size of the free toilets on board the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) trains.
View out the window of the Taiwan High Speed Rail, somewhere between Taichung and Taipei.
View out the window of the Taiwan High Speed Rail, somewhere between Taichung and Taipei.
People walk through Taipei Main station in the early afternoon.
People walk through Taipei Main station in the early afternoon.
A streetside repairman fixes a shoe at his stall on a corner in Taipei.
A streetside repairman fixes a shoe at his stall on a corner in Taipei.
The Taipei 101 Observatory.
The Taipei 101 Observatory.
A mass damper, located between the 87th and 92nd floors of the Taipei 101 Observatory, that stabilizes the tower against seismic movements and high winds.
A mass damper, located between the 87th and 92nd floors of the Taipei 101 Observatory, that stabilizes the tower against seismic movements and high winds.
A view of Taipei during sunset from atop the Taipei 101 Observatory.
A view of Taipei during sunset from atop the Taipei 101 Observatory.
A backpacker crosses the street in the central business district of Taipei.
A backpacker crosses the street in the central business district of Taipei.
Taipei North Gate (Cheng'en Gate) in the afternoon.
Taipei North Gate (Cheng’en Gate) in the afternoon.
Someone walks past a bench styled like headphones in Taipei.
Someone walks past a bench styled like headphones in Taipei.
A motorcycle covered in bright neon tape parked in an alleyway in Taipei.
A motorcycle covered in bright neon tape parked in an alleyway in Taipei.
A mobile vendor crosses a busy intersection on their bicycle in downtown Taipei.
A mobile vendor crosses a busy intersection on their bicycle in downtown Taipei.

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Matt Hunt

Matt Hunt is a documentary photographer connecting with people, sharing moments, and telling stories in Southeast Asia. Currently based in Bangkok, Thailand.

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