Chiayi, Taiwan | Day 1: Lost, Dizzy, and Grateful (First Impressions & Travel Notes)

Made a Chiayi to Alishan bus mistake and ended up on the wrong mountain route? You’re definitely not the first, and you’re in the right place. I’ve broken down the practical fixes (correct bus numbers, transfers, and prices) as we go so you can avoid my long detour. If you’re just here to read about the chaos, keep scrolling. It’s all here.

After months of planning (and probably too much daydreaming), I was ready to wander, eat, and somehow survive solo in Taiwan. Little did I know… my first day would feel like a full drama season, complete with plot twists, motion sickness, and a bento meal finale.

Smooth Start, Rocky Middle

The trip began well. Two hours from Manila, and we landed safely in Taoyuan. Immigration? Smooth. Security checks? Quick. Pre-booked SIM card? Picked up. Airport MRT? Nailed it. THSR (bullet train) to Chiayi? Navigated like a pro… almost.

Because of my early flight, I almost fell asleep on the train, but sitting in the middle seat made it impossible to get comfortable.

Planning Your Taoyuan Airport to Chiayi Commute

Navigating the journey from Taoyuan International Airport to Chiayi is far easier than it looks, even if you’re traveling without a fixed schedule. I deliberately held off on pre-booking my THSR ticket because I wasn’t sure how long my airport errands would take, and having that flexibility turned out to be stress-free.

Whether you like to plan every second or purchase tickets on the fly like I did, this step-by-step guide breaks down the route so you can travel from the terminal to Chiayi with total confidence.

Bus 7329 vs. 7329A: The Mistake That Sent Me to Alishan Instead of Fenqihu

Chiayi Station. I was ready to conquer the bus to Fenqihu. Except… I completely forgot my research and hopped on Bus 7329 instead of 7329A. The 7329 does NOT go to Fenqihu. It terminates at Alishan instead. Halfway through, I realized my mistake.

So I made a split-second decision: just go all the way to Alishan, even if I planned to visit the next day. From there, I would figure out how to get to Fenqihu.

Three hours of winding mountain roads, dizziness, nausea, and a very tired ME. I was a cocktail of sleep deprivation, low appetite, and grogginess. Motion sickness? Check. Almost throwing up? Double-check.

Alishan: Sunset Surprises & Mini Panic

Finally, Alishan. Despite the motion sickness, I managed to get off, take a restroom break, breathe some cold mountain air, and check out the Alishan Gate just a few meters away. The sunset surprised me—gorgeous, soft, and completely unplanned. The original idea was a sunrise trip, but life had other plans.

Since Bus 7329 was the only route servicing the mountain at that hour and handily bound straight back down toward Chiayi, I did some fast, desperate research while trying to ease my ongoing motion sickness.

The plan was simple: board that same bus, ride it past Alishan, the Youth Activity Center, and Shizi Village, and alight at the Shizhao (Shizhuo) 7-Eleven stop.

I knew private cabs could haul me directly to my destination from there, but the rates were eye-wateringly expensive. So, my strategy? Get off at the Shizhao (Shizhuo) 7-Eleven junction first and figure out step two on the fly. Classic CJ improvisational logic!

The Shizhuo Transfer: Where the Shuttles Stop Running

The bus ground to a quick halt at Shizhuo, pulling up near a quiet 7-Eleven. Step outside and the mountain air immediately shifts. A sudden, sharp chill, just a few scattered stores, a couple of parked cars, and the quiet hum of a rural evening. It was already 6 PM, and at that hour, local mountain shuttles were officially done for the day.

Route Junction: Shizhuo (Shi Zuo) Bus Station

I was standing on the curb, trying to breathe through another lingering bout of motion sickness, when I overheard a group of travelers nearby discussing their itinerary. One of them mentioned their hotel was in Fenqihu. My ears instantly perked up. My hotel was in Fenqihu too.

Consider it a sign from the universe—or maybe just my classic CJ energy kicking in. Shaking off the nausea, I unhesitatingly chimed in, “My hotel is in Fenqihu too!”

When they confirmed that no more shuttles were running up the mountain, I didn’t hesitate: “Let’s look for a cab. Want to split it?”

A quick, relieved “Yes, of course!” was all the confirmation we needed. Together, we walked into the warm light of the 7-Eleven to ask the staff for help. The clerk dialed a local driver, hung up, and gestured toward the door. Our ride was on its way.

A few minutes later, we were on our way to Fenqihu. The night outside had turned pitch-black, misty, and bone-chillingly cold. After an almost 10-minute drive through the mountain fog, we pulled up safely to our destination and paid just NT$150 each for the cab.

I made it to Fenqihu safely.

Railway Bento and Yeashow Villa

I checked in at Yeashow Villa Fenqihu, located just a short walk from Fenqihu Train Station. I had booked my one-night stay through Agoda for NT$1,500. Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a friendly Filipino staff member who instantly made me feel at home. She kindly shared a few must-see spots around Fenqihu and insisted I try the famous railway bento, the town’s signature dish.

Fenqihu is legendary for its railway bento. As soon as I spotted “Lunchbox,” I headed straight inside. I ordered the Braised Pork Chop bento box for NT$180. Polishing off that warm, hearty meal was the ultimate comfort after a chaotic afternoon of transit mishaps.

Afterward, I stepped out for a quiet evening stroll, but the mountain town had already fallen completely still. A cool, damp mist hung over the empty streets as shop after shop shuttered their doors for the night. Standing in the quiet darkness, with only the soft glow of 7-Eleven in the distance, I couldn’t help but smile. I had finally made it to Fenqihu.

I went back to the hotel, freshened up, and called it a night. After surviving confusing bus routes, mountain roads, and motion sickness, I ended the day with a classic Taiwan-style bento in a quiet mountain town. The day wasn’t very kind to me, but I almost forgave it.

My first day in Taiwan wasn’t smooth, but it was real. It was chaotic, dizzying, and at times embarrassing. Today reminded me: solo travel isn’t just about smooth itineraries.

It’s about rolling with the punches, laughing at your mistakes, and being grateful for the little victories—like making it to Fenqihu alive and devouring a hot bento in the mountains.

I’m grateful I’m still standing, still laughing at my almost-throw-up moments, and still wandering.
Classic CJ the Moves™.

Quick Route Recap: Taoyuan to Fenqihu

For anyone piecing together this same route, here’s the plan I should have followed:

Next up: Chiayi, Taiwan | Day 2: The Mountain Train I’d Been Waiting Years to Ride, where the return trip goes a lot smoother than this one did.