Jun 8 - Due to predicted rain today in Taipei, decide to forgo the morning continued tour of the city and get a train to Taichung.
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To do this, we first get the metro to Banqiao Train Station, then a HSR (High Speed Rail) train to Taichung. Get the cheapest tickets, which are non-reserved seats, and are not train specific (they leave every half hour or so). We get to the train less than a minute before it goes, so no luck on getting a seat right away. Stand around for about 10 minutes until some passengers get off at the next station, then are able to sit down. The total trip is about two hours. Most of the way is semi-urban, as the west side of Taiwan is relatively flat and heavily settled. Rice fields are neatly arranged between the houses in areas that are not built up.
Arrive at Xinwuri Train Station, which is not really in Taichung but close by. Grab another train to Taichung Train Station, about 15 minutes away. Our hotel, a dated but rather luxurious place, is a few minutes walk.
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It is almost evening, so walk around downtown for a few hours, and finally get some Easy Cards. These are public transit cards usable on buses and trains, after loading at convenience stores.
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A quick history of Taichung. This was originally to be the capital of Taiwan, due to its central location. The plan for the modern city was developed by the Japanese after the island was ceded to them by the Qing Dynasty in 1895, a result of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Today it is the second largest city in the country (after Taipei).
Taiwan (ROC)