The world-class Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) system, in service

since early 2007, is based on the Japanese "Shinkansen"

high-speed rail system, better known to Westerners as the

"bullet train", and travels up to 300 km/h (185 mph) along

a 345-kilometer route.  This reduces the journey between Taipei and Kaohsiung,

once four to five hours long, to a mere 90 minutes, with the time between Taichung

and either of these two cities now about an hour or less.  All information, signage,

terminals and assistance is also provided in English, making this Taiwan's easiest

public-transportation system for foreigners to use. 

The high-frequency trains currently serve modern, specially-built HSR stations in Taipei,

Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan and Tsoying (Kaohsiung).  Plans call for an

additional four stations to be added between 2012 and 2015.

The modern Taichung HSR station--the largest in the entire system--

is located south of the main downtown area in Wuri District (just north of Changhua county) and is directly accessed via the Rt. 74 ZhongZhang Expressway, which also links it to the northwestern parts of the city and National Freeways No. 1 and 3.  There is also a connected, adjacent Taiwan Rail station with regular train services to Taichung, Taiyuan, Fengyuan, Changhua and other train stations.  The station also houses McDonald's, Starbucks, 7-Eleven, Relay Bookstore and other restaurants, cafes and shops.  Car and motorcycle parking is easily available at the terminal lot, or at a number of surrounding private parking lots.

>From Taichung northbound and southbound HSR trains depart every 20-30 minutes from about 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased in the station at easy-to-use vending machines or service counters.  In addition, Taichung Family Mart convenience stores sell tickets, which may also be purchased via phone or the HSR website.

Taichung High Speed Rail Station
8, Gaotie Rd., Wuri District
Customer service: (02) 4066-3000 (9 am-6 pm)
Ticket booking: (02) 4066-0000 (6 am-12 midnight)
Website: http://www.thsrc.com.tw/index_en.html