RIDING THE RAILS IN TAIWAN

Even though Taiwan is a small mountainous island nation ringed only by a narrow coastal strip it offers a number of world-class rail journeys.  From humble beginnings when the first tracks were laid for goods trains some 100 years ago the dynamic Asian country has developed a modern rail network that today extends for some 4500 km.

The entire tobacco leaf shaped island is, in fact, encircled with a rail line.  Other lines branch off from this to take passengers and tourists to highland communities and mountain settlements.

The round-the-island loop can be undertaken as a relaxing independent rail holiday.  A special ticket which allows stops at seven stations along the way is valid for 15 days.  Visitors with limited time can select from one of Taiwan's four Tourist Train journeys that travel to scenic holiday destinations.  Tickets are usually sold in conjunction with accommodation and tours.

The Kenting Star is the longest of the Tourist Train excursions.  Departing from the chic Taipei Railway Station, the six hour ride down the west coast takes passengers to Fangliao.  A shuttle awaits here for the short onward trip to the resort town of Kenting in Kenting National Park.

Taking less than three hours, the journey on the Southern Link Star is the shortest of the four Tourist Train trips.  Departing from Kaohsiung, the country's second largest city, on the southwest coast, the destination is the hot springs resort of Jhihben on the east coast.

The scenery during the four hours on the Hualien Tourist Train is spectacular.  After departing from Taipei there are grand vistas of mountains, valleys and the Pacific Ocean.  The east coast city of Hualien is a staging point for memorable excursions to the marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge.

And finally there is the Hot Spring Princess which continues down the magnificent east coast to Jhihben.  Enjoy the hot spring resorts here or soak in the atmosphere at other resorts in the rustic East Rift Valley.

Tourist Trains feature extra large comfortable seats and dining cars where hot meals are served.  As well, snack foods and beverages are sold by service staff roving through the trains with mobile trolleys.  Such comforts and conveniences coupled with pre booked accommodation and tours have contributed to making Tourist Trains one of the most pleasurable and pocket pleasing ways to see the island.

Despite their popularity there are other train journeys that appeal to visitors.  The most noted of these is the Alishan Forest Railway which takes visitors from Chiayi City on the western plains to the middle of one of Taiwan's best known high mountain resorts, the Alishan National Scenic Area.  Built in 1912, the 72 km rail odyssey takes awed passengers past farmlands and subtropical forest, through 53 mountain tunnels and over 77 bridges before reaching one of the world's highest alpine destinations, Alishan.

For further information call 1800 TAIWAN (82426) or visit www.taiwantourism.org