This entry belongs to my Taiwan, Two, Three… (2025 Series). Some journeys don’t just take you forward—they bring you back to yourself. Here’s to Chiayi mornings, a Meteor Garden pilgrimage, and the quiet strength of traveling solo. ✨🇹🇼
📅 Travel Dates: November 14–18, 2025
Chiayi to Minxiong: A Change of Plans
On my last day in Chiayi City, I checked out early. My original plan was simple: take the local train from Chiayi TRA Station to Minxiong, then catch a bus to NCCU—National Chung Cheng University (中正大學). Most Meteor Garden fans know this school as the main filming site for “Ying De University.”
But travel has its own way of rewriting plans.
When I reached Chiayi TRA, I spotted the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) heading to Chiayi HSR. I’d heard the BRT ride between these stations was free, so I hopped in. The driver handed me a card pass, and just like that, my route changed.
At Chiayi HSR, I saw Bus 106—the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle. It goes straight to NCCU. I didn’t think twice.
Rural Chiayi
The bus pulled away, and Chiayi began to change. The city’s bustle faded into a softer landscape: narrow streets with only a handful of cars, rice paddies stretching endlessly, and the occasional farmer bent over in the fields. The air felt slower here, as if time itself had loosened its grip.
I leaned against the window, watching the countryside roll past. It was calm, rural, and distinctly “Chiayi countryside.” The ride became a moving canvas for quiet reflection—a chance to breathe, to let new Taiwan memories settle gently into place.
NCCU—National Chung Cheng University (中正大學): A Fangirl Pilgrimage
After countless stops, we finally reached NCCU Gate. I didn’t research well the exact filming locations beforehand, so I arrived with zero expectations. The campus was huge.
When I stepped out of the shuttle bus, I felt that rush of excitement—you know, the kind you get when fictional places suddenly become real, hopping excitedly from one location to another, clearly knowing the scenes by heart. I saw people from a distance… and they were all Filipinos. Of course! Who else would be here retracing Meteor Garden scenes? Aside from the students, we were the only foreigners.
F4 Nostalgic Memories
For those curious: Meteor Garden is a 2001 Taiwanese series starring the late Barbie Hsu and F4’s Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Ken Chu, and Vanness Wu. Suddenly, I remembered the high school version of myself—rushing home just to catch the newest episode of Meteor Garden, torn between Dao Ming Si’s stubborn charm and Hua Ze Lei’s quiet gentleness.
It was so nostalgic. I couldn’t visit every single spot, but seeing those familiar scenes in real life felt surreal. The campus has this classic charm: wide walkways, old buildings, and a peaceful vibe that makes you understand why it was chosen as the iconic school in Meteor Garden.
And then… Locker 150 🥹. One of the most iconic locations in Meteor Garden history.
Inside the almost-empty basement library, I found it—the hallway and the exact locker used in the show. I stood there for a moment, letting the scene unfold in my memory. The emotional payoff was real.
I also visited the fountain area outside the library and the small bridge where Shan Cai and her friend once sat. Each corner carried echoes of the drama that shaped a generation.
Changing Routes and a Surprise Stop
After a few hours at NCCU, I waited for a bus back to Minxiong or Chiayi TRA. Based on my research, Bus 106 doesn’t stop at Minxiong Station because it mainly serves tourist spots. So last-minute, I decided to return to Chiayi instead.
I felt relieved and happy that I finally made it to NCCU, even with the little time I had. Maybe only 90s kids will understand this, but seeing the real filming location of my favorite Taiwanese drama felt like a personal victory—a small dream finally crossed off my travel bucket list.
