When traveling from Taipei to Hualien in Taiwan, there is only one railway route that links the two cities.  It is the railway route operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration that connects from Taipei Main Station all the way to Hualien Train Station.  It is quite a scenic railway ride, passing by dramatic landscapes along the sea side.        

The fastest train ride to Hualien from Taipei will take approximately 3 hours.  It is recommended to board the train from Taipei Main Station itself as it is the main travel hub in Taipei that has the most train timings heading towards Hualien.  The train I boarded was an older train but it was quite surprisingly comfortable inside.

Taipei Main Station

At the Taipei Main Station waiting platform.  The train is arriving!

The train is here!  Old school type of train…

Inside the train enroute to Hualien.

One of many scenic views seen enroute to Hualien.

More scenic views.

In terms of the train ride back from Hualien to Taipei, I managed to board the Taroko Express, which is a more modern train (looks like one of those bullet trains you see in Japan).  However it still travels about the same speed as the train heading to Hualien, so you won’t be saving much time in your travel back to Taipei.  The seats inside were much newer and comfortable than the train going to Hualien.

Hualien Train Station.

The Taroko Express.

Side view of the Taroko Express.

Inside the Taroko Express.

So this is my quick overview on what it is like to travel by train from Taipei to Hualien.  If you ever do get the chance to to travel by train to Hualien from Taipei, then do take this splendid opportunity!

Have you took any other train rides in the world that were quite interesting?  Please share in the comments below…