Taipingshan Bongbong Train
Taiwan · Yilan County · Datong Township · Nature & Scenery
Image source: Taiwan_Opendata; license credits as shown.
Overview
Taipingshan Bongbong Train was originally the Maoxing Line of the Taipingshan Forest Railway. It starts at Taipingshan Lodge and ends at Maoxing Station, with a total length of about 3 kilometers and a travel time of around 20 minutes. Beneath towering old-growth trees, sunlight filters softly through the forest, and the track winds through the woods. Riding in the open-air cars, visitors can get close to the beautiful layered mountain scenery along the route. At the Maoxing terminus, there is a self-guided forest trail, a native fern garden, and the Maoxing National Forest Trail. The agency continues to improve the track, route, and operating systems, strengthens staff training to enforce standard operating procedures, and regularly holds on-the-job training to improve service quality and ensure safe operations.
Getting There
［By car］From Taipei (via Yilan Interchange): Taipei → National Freeway 5 → Yilan Interchange → Provincial Highway 7 → Provincial Highway 7A (3.7K) → Yizhuan 1 Road → Tuchang → Jioujhize → Taipingshan. ［By car］From Taipei (via Luodong Interchange): Taipei → National Freeway 5 → Luodong Interchange → Provincial Highway 7C → Provincial Highway 7 → Provincial Highway 7A (3.7K) → Yizhuan 1 Road → Tuchang → Jioujhize → Taipingshan. ［By car］From Taipei (via Provincial Highway 9, Beiyi Highway): Taipei → Provincial Highway 9 (Beiyi Highway) → Toucheng Township → Yilan City → Provincial Highway 7 → Provincial Highway 7A (3.7K) → Yizhuan 1 Road → Tuchang → Jioujhize → Taipingshan. ［By car］From Keelung: Keelung → Provincial Highway 2 (Coastal Highway) → Zhuangwei → Provincial Highway 7 → Provincial Highway 7A (3.7K) → Yizhuan 1 Road → Tuchang → Jioujhize → Taipingshan. ［By car］From Taoyuan: Taoyuan → Daxi → Provincial Highway 7 (North Cross-Island Highway) → Provincial Highway 7A (3.7K) → Yizhuan 1 Road → Tuchang → Jioujhize → Taipingshan. ［Public transportation］Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport operates daily. Travel time: about 2 hours 30 minutes. Phone: Yilan Station 03-9384171, Luodong Station 03-9567505. Website: www.kingbus.com.tw ◎Outbound trip (departure): Yilan 07:40, Luodong 08:00 (Luodong departs 20 minutes after Yilan); arrival at Taipingshan 10:30. ◎Return trip (departure): Taipingshan 14:30; Jioujhize 16:10; arrival at Luodong 17:30, Yilan 17:50.
Highlights
A sightseeing train converted from the former forest railway used for logging, this is one of the most iconic experiences in the Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area. The train passes through primeval forest beneath towering trees, and riding in the open-air cars lets you feel the cool mountain air, phytoncides, and changing mountain clouds up close. In about 20 minutes, you can travel from Taipingshan Lodge to Maoxing Station and back. The terminus features a self-guided forest trail, a native fern garden, and a national forest trail, making it ideal for a light hike that combines the history of Taipingshan’s forestry industry with its natural ecology.
What to See
Taipingshan Bongbong Train experience: Originally the Maoxing Line of the Taipingshan Forest Railway, the one-way trip is about 3 kilometers and takes around 20 minutes. The track winds through the shade of giant trees, with sunlight streaming through the treetops, and the open-air cars let visitors directly experience the air and scenery of the mountain forest. Forest railway and mountain views: Along the route, conifer and broadleaf forests form a dense green tunnel of giant trees, moss, and ferns. On clear days, you can see layers of green mountains; when it is foggy, it feels like stepping into a hidden forest realm. Maoxing Station: The end station of the Bongbong Train and a former key point on the forest railway. It has been developed into a place for visitors to get off, rest, and connect to trails, showing the transformation from forestry culture to forest recreation. Self-guided forest trail: Around Maoxing Station, a self-guided forest trail has been planned with interpretive signs introducing Taipingshan’s forest types, plants and animals, and forestry history. It is suitable for learning about Taipingshan at a relaxed pace. Native fern garden: This area gathers many native fern species and has a moist, cool environment. Plant enthusiasts can observe different fern forms and growing conditions, making it a good place to learn about Taipingshan’s low-growing plants and understory ecology. Maoxing National Forest Trail: Extending from Maoxing Station, this forest trail mostly runs under the trees, where temperatures are lower and walking is comfortable. Visitors can enjoy primeval forest scenery, moss, and stream valley landscapes, choosing either an easy stroll or a longer hike depending on their stamina.
Address
No. 58-1, Taiping Lane, Datong Township, Yilan County 267 Phone: (03)9809812
Travel Tips
1. Riding and ticketing advice: - Bongbong Train tickets must be purchased on site and are round-trip tickets. It is recommended to arrive early at the Taipingshan area and allow about 1.5 hours for the drive and walk from the park entrance ticket checkpoint to the Bongbong Train station. - Guests staying at Taipingshan Lodge should check whether advance booking for early trains is available and how to do it, so as to avoid sold-out popular time slots. - The second and fourth Tuesday of each month are maintenance days for the Bongbong Train, and service is suspended on those days. If a national holiday falls on that day, the suspension is postponed. Please check the latest announcement before planning your trip. 2. Best seasons and times to visit: - Spring: Cool temperatures and fresh greenery make it ideal for combining the train ride with hiking and observing ferns and new plant growth. - Summer: Higher-elevation temperatures are cooler than in the lowlands, making it a good escape from the heat, though brief afternoon thunderstorms may occur, so bring rain gear. - Autumn: Stable weather and better visibility often bring clear blue skies and sea of clouds, making it a popular season for photographing mountain scenery. - Winter: There is a chance to see frost or snow, creating a dreamy atmosphere, but roads and trails may be slippery or even closed, so check road and park control notices. - It is recommended to ride in the morning, when crowds are smaller and the light is better for photography. 3. Gear and clothing: - The elevation is high and the temperature difference is large, so even in summer it is recommended to bring a light jacket; in autumn and winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, and gloves. - Many trails are dirt paths or wooden boardwalks and can be wet, so wear hiking shoes or sports shoes with good grip. - UV exposure is strong in the mountains, so bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. - Rain gear is essential; a lightweight raincoat is recommended because mountain weather changes quickly. 4. Hiking and safety notes: - The trails around Maoxing Station are generally easy, but you should still assess your own stamina and watch for wet surfaces and stairs. - Please stay on the marked trails and do not leave the path, to avoid getting lost or damaging the ecosystem. - Mobile signal in mountain areas may be unstable, so travel companions should agree in advance on a meeting time and place. - Follow the instructions of park and train staff. Be careful when boarding and alighting, and do not伸手 or lean your head outside the car while the train is moving. 5. Transportation and time planning: - If you take a bus from Yilan City to the mountain, the one-way ride takes a long time, so allow enough time and check the return schedule in advance to avoid being stranded in the mountains. - During consecutive holidays or peak seasons, the park may impose crowd or vehicle controls, so it is recommended to depart early and keep an eye on official announcements. 6. Photography and environmental protection: - The Bongbong Train route and Maoxing trails are popular photo spots, so please watch your footing and other visitors, and do not stand on the tracks. - Take all trash back down the mountain. Do not leave litter in the cars or around the trails, and help protect the high-mountain forest environment.
Nearby Dining
The Taipingshan Bongbong Train usually departs from the Taipingshan Lodge area, so it is recommended to have your main meal and hot drinks at restaurants around Taipingshan Lodge or at the park’s dining areas before arranging your train ride and Maoxing trail walk. Because mountain temperatures are low, hot soup, hot tea, or simple warm meals are especially suitable. You may also bring light dry food and drinking water to replenish your energy while walking the trails around Maoxing Station. Dining options in the mountain area are limited and prices are usually higher than in the lowlands, so it is recommended to eat or shop for food in Yilan City or towns along the way down the mountain before heading up.
FAQ
Q: How long is the Taipingshan Bongbong Train ride and route? A: The Taipingshan Bongbong Train was originally the Maoxing Line of the Taipingshan Forest Railway. The starting point is Taipingshan Lodge and the destination is Maoxing Station. The route is about 3 kilometers long, and the one-way ride takes around 20 minutes. The train runs through giant tree shade and mountain scenery in both directions. Q: What is special about the train cars? Are they noisy or unsafe? A: The Bongbong Train uses an open-air car design with no windows, allowing passengers to feel the forest air and enjoy the scenery directly. The operator continues to improve the track, route, and operating systems, and strengthens staff training to implement standard operating procedures in order to improve service quality and ensure safe operation. As long as passengers follow the safety rules on board, they can ride with peace of mind. Q: What can you do at Maoxing Station? How much time should you allow? A: Maoxing Station has a self-guided forest trail, a native fern garden, and the Maoxing National Forest Trail. Depending on your stamina, you can plan a short walk or a longer hike while learning about Taipingshan’s forest types and ecology. It is recommended to allow at least 1 to 2 hours for activities and photography around Maoxing Station, then adjust your stay according to the return train schedule. Q: Is it still worth riding the Bongbong Train when it rains or is foggy? A: Taipingshan is a high-mountain area where clouds, fog, and brief rain are common. In rainy or foggy weather, the forest atmosphere can feel even more magical, but the trails and station areas will be slippery, so you should bring rain gear and non-slip shoes and walk carefully. As long as service is not suspended for safety reasons, you can still ride in rain or fog, and the experience will be different from a clear day.