BETTER Than Japan? Sea TRAINS of Taiwan 🇹🇼🇹🇼

They call Duoliang the most beautiful railway station in Taiwan—and possibly the world. But here’s the catch: it’s a station where no trains actually stop. For my second to last day in Taiwan, I used Jinlun as my base. After catching a local bus to find the iconic red railings of Duoliang, I waited for the heavy rumble of the diesel engines against the backdrop of the Pacific. This was the final stretch of the journey before heading back to Jinlun to catch the express toward Kaohsiung. The Journey: Jinlun ↔ Duoliang ↔ Kaohsiung The South Link Line is arguably the most scenic stretch of track in the country. The Transit: I took a short bus ride from Jinlun to Duoliang to witness the "grade-separated" station. The Payoff: Seeing the orange and blue diesel locomotives emerge from the tunnels with the turquoise Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon. The Exit: After documenting the village and the tracks, I headed back to Jinlun—a quiet indigenous town known for its hot springs—to board the train for the final leg to Kaohsiung. The Facts: What You Need to Know 1. Duoliang Station (The Abandoned Icon) Status: It was officially closed in 2006 due to low passenger numbers, but it was never demolished because of its incredible location. Architecture: It is built on a narrow strip of land between a mountain tunnel and a cliff. The signature red railings were added later to protect tourists, becoming its most recognizable feature. The View: It offers a 180-degree unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. Because the tracks are elevated, it looks like the train is floating over the water. 2. Jinlun (The Hidden Base) Culture: Jinlun is a traditional village of the Paiwan people (one of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes). The Bridge: The Jinlun Bridge is often cited as the most beautiful highway bridge in Taiwan, running parallel to the coast. Hot Springs: Unlike the commercialized springs in the north, Jinlun offers a much more raw, local experience. 3. The South Link Line This railway connects Taitung to Pingtung/Kaohsiung. It was the last part of the "Round-the-Island" railway to be completed because the terrain is so mountainous and difficult. While many lines in Taiwan are now electrified, you can still catch the old-school diesel-powered trains on this route, which provide that classic industrial sound and smell. Final Reflections Being the second to last day in Taiwan, there’s a specific feeling to this trip. It wasn't about checking boxes; it was about seeing if the "viral" beauty of a place like Duoliang holds up when you're standing there in the heat, watching the locals go about their day in the village above the tracks.