Taiwan Railways Retro Train Journey: The Blue Nostalgia Express, a Slow and Healing Trip

From the moment you board the "Blue Nostalgia Express," time seems to rewind to the 1970s and 1980s. This retro train, transformed from old Taiwan Railways blue carriages, travels south from Tainan to Fangliao, passing through lush green rice fields, ancient stations, and peaceful villages along the way. Inside the carriage, vintage seats and wooden window frames are preserved, and as the scenery outside flashes by, even the air seems infused with a nostalgic scent.

The train doesn’t rush; at every stop, you can get off to explore the small towns: Chiayi has gained a touch of hipster charm, the mountain breeze in Nanhua carries a faint fruity aroma, and when you reach Fangliao, the tranquility surrounded by mountains makes you want to take a deep breath and clear your mind. Onboard, guides share railway stories and play old-time music, and sometimes the conductor personally hands out postcards, allowing you to send "yourself at this moment" to the future.

I sipped a custom beer🍻 by the window, watching the sunlight fall on the tracks. That moment of calm truly made me understand the meaning of "relief from worries." The journey’s end is not just Fangliao, but a place where the heart is refilled.

🌿 Tips:
1. It’s recommended to book one month in advance on the "Taiwan Railways official website" or "Taiwan Railways e-Booking," as seats sell out quickly.
2. No full meals are sold on the train, so bring your own bento or buy local snacks at the stops.
3. The best window views are on the right side (north to south direction), where you can enjoy the scenery of mountains and sea intertwined.
4. For a deeper experience, combine the trip with the "South Link Art Festival" or "Small Town Stroll" tours to add more layers to your journey.

Post by AHV. Zeb 3252 | Oct 24, 2025