Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.ntbus.com.tw
;
04-2225 6418; 35-8 Shuangshi Rd)
has frequent buses to Puli
(NT$135, one hour) and Sun Moon Lake (NT$272, 1½ hours), though you can also catch
the bus at the HSR station.
2½ hours) and Kaohsiung (NT$310, 4½ hours).
HIGH SPEED RAIL
A commuter train connects the HSR station with central Taichung and Taichung train sta-
tion (NT$18, 10 minutes, every 20 minutes). Shuttle buses also travel to central Taichung
from the HSR station (average price NT$30, 20 to 40 minutes, every 15 minutes).
An HSR train travels to/from Taipei (NT$700, 60 minutes, three trains hourly). There
are also buses from the HSR station to Sun Moon Lake, Puli and Lukang.
TRAIN
There is train service from Taipei (fast/slow train NT$375/289, two/three hours) and
Kaohsiung (fast/slow train NT$469/361, 2½/three hours).
Getting Around
The public transport system is slowly improving, but do check with the visitor informa-
tion centre for the latest on the services and schedules available. An EasyCard (
Click
At the time of writing, construction had begun on two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
lines.
THE MATSU PILGRIMAGE
The unquestioned patron deity of Taiwan, Matsu, although often referred to as the
Goddess of the Sea, is officially Tianhou (Empress of Heaven). Her divine jurisdic-
tion extends from protecting fisherfolk and helping women in childbirth to restor-
ing social order.
Matsu was once Lin Mo-niang (born AD 960) from Meizhou, Fujian. As a young
girl Mo-niang was noted for her quickness to master magical arts and soon began
to be regarded as a female shaman. Her particular forte was helping fishermen
survive at sea: one of her most famous exploits was rescuing her own father.
Mo-niang died young, aged 28, but almost immediately people in Meizhou began
to worship her. As word of her divine efficaciousness spread, so did her cult. Her
