Visiting 'Ying De University' in Taiwan: How to Get to National Chung Cheng University from Taipei or Kaohsiung 🎓💛

Kung naalala mo pa ang paghahanap ni Shan Cai ng locker number 150, ang lakad ni Hua Ze Lei sa rooftop, at ang bawat eksena ng F4 sa pinakasikat na university sa TV noong 2000s — alam mo na kung saan tayo pupunta ngayon.

National Chung Cheng University (NCCU) sa Chiayi, Taiwan. Ang tunay na mukha ng Ying De University sa Meteor Garden 2001. At oo — pwede mong bisitahin. Sobrang worth it, lalo na para sa mga Meteor Garden at F4 fans. Ganito lang 'yan! 😉

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Why Filipino Fans Visit 🌟

When Meteor Garden first aired in the Philippines in 2003, it didn't just become a TV show — it became a cultural moment. F4, Shan Cai, Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei — these characters were part of growing up for an entire generation of Filipinos. The show's fictional Ying De University, with its grand staircases, open plazas, and scenic bridges, felt like another world entirely.

The iconic rooftop where Hua Ze Lei found solace, the school cafeteria where Shan Cai faced endless torment, and even locker #150 — they're all real places you can visit.

National Chung Cheng University is located in Chiayi, a county in southern Taiwan. While most fans assumed all the filming locations existed in one place, some additional scenes were also filmed at Tamkang University in Tamsui and Kainan University in Taoyuan. But NCCU in Chiayi is where the heart of the show lives — the main campus, the most iconic spots, and the overwhelming majority of school scenes.

The campus is open to visitors and there is no guard stopping anyone from entering to explore. Entrance is free. You just show up, let the nostalgia wash over you, and try not to cry in public. (No promises.)

💡 Pro Tip: Plan for 2–3 hours on campus. That's enough time to hit all the major filming spots at a comfortable pace without rushing.

Getting There: Route 1 — From Taipei (Ximending / Taipei Main Station) 🚄

Step 1: Taiwan HSR from Taipei to Chiayi HSR Station

From Taipei Main Station, board the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) heading south to Chiayi HSR Station. The journey takes approximately 60–75 minutes on the express service — smooth, air-conditioned, and comfortable.

Book your THSR tickets in advance on Klook using promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off. → Book THSR Tickets on Klook →

💡 Pro Tip: Check for the Buy 1 Take 1 (B1T1) promo on Klook for THSR tickets — it pops up periodically and can cut your ticket cost significantly for groups. After booking, reserve your specific seat at pass.thsrc.com.tw at least one day before your trip. Full guide: Taiwan HSR for Beginners →

If you have a Taiwan HSR Rail Pass already, this journey is covered — no separate ticket needed.

Step 2: Bus 106 from Chiayi HSR Station to NCCU

Exit Chiayi HSR Station and board Bus 106 heading to National Chung Cheng University. From Chiayi HSR Station, Bus 106 goes directly to National Chung Cheng University. The bus ride takes about 60+ minutes.

Pay with your EasyCard — tap in when boarding. Bus 106 operates every few hours so check the schedule before you go and time your arrival at the station accordingly.

⚠️ Important: Bus 106 departs every 4 hours so timing matters. Check the schedule before leaving Taipei and plan your THSR departure to align with the next available bus from Chiayi HSR Station.

Getting back: Same route in reverse — Bus 106 from NCCU back to Chiayi HSR Station, then THSR north to Taipei.

Getting There: Route 2 — From Kaohsiung 🚂

Step 1: TRA from Kaohsiung Main Station to Chiayi TRA Station

From Kaohsiung Main Station, board a Taiwan Railways (TRA) train heading north to Chiayi TRA Station. Taiwan Railway operates trains from Kaohsiung to Chiayi every 20 minutes. The journey takes approximately 1 hour to 2 hours depending on the train type.

Pay with your EasyCard on select TRA services, or purchase a ticket at the station counter. The Tze Chiang (express) service is the fastest option and most comfortable for this route.

Step 2: Bus 106 from Chiayi TRA Station to CCU

From Chiayi TRA Station, board Bus 106 heading to National Chung Cheng University. From Chiayi TRA Station, Bus 106 goes directly to National Chung Cheng University. The bus ride takes about 47 minutes.

💡 Pro Tip: The Chiayi TRA Station and Chiayi HSR Station are both terminal stops on Bus 106 — the bus runs between them with NCCU in between. Coming from Kaohsiung via TRA, the bus leg from Chiayi TRA Station is actually shorter than from the HSR station.

Getting back: Bus 106 from CCU back to Chiayi TRA Station, then TRA south to Kaohsiung.

Prefer a Private Tour? 🚌

If you'd rather skip the logistics entirely and have someone else handle the transport, a private tour is available through a recommended travel provider. They can customize the itinerary to include NCCU and other stops in the area.

Message them directly here: bit.ly/TravelTours_Taiwan and mention promo code HEYIANC for a discount.

There's also a Meteor Garden Sightseeing Tour available on Klook featuring filming locations of the drama in Taipei and Chiayi's charming districts — including National Chung Cheng University and P.S. Bubu Café. Use promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off on Klook.

The Meteor Garden Itinerary at NCCU: A Walking Route Through Ying De University 🗺️

Allow 2–3 hours for this walking route. All spots are within the campus grounds and accessible on foot. No entrance fees.

Stop 1: The University Gate and Main Entrance

Your first step onto campus is already a moment. With its grand architecture, wide open spaces, and peaceful atmosphere, you can easily picture the dramatic moments between Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si unfolding here.

Take your time at the entrance. The scale of the campus — wide tree-lined walkways, open green spaces, and the unmistakable architecture — will start triggering memories almost immediately.

Stop 2: The Grand Staircase 🏛️

One of the most recognizable structures from the show. The sweeping staircase at the main building is where many of the most dramatic school scenes were filmed — F4's entrances, confrontations, and some of the most iconic moments of the series. Standing at the bottom looking up, or at the top looking out across the campus, the setting hits exactly the way you remember it.

🧭 How to go: Enter the Activity Center >> go down to the lowest level

Stop 3: The Bridge by the River 🌉

The bridge where Shan Cai met Qing He when he first transferred to Ying De University is located right in front of the Activity Center (and grand staircase), near Tranquility Lake.

Walk toward the Activity Center and you'll find this bridge — low, simple, and immediately recognizable to any fan of the show. The river and surrounding greenery make it one of the most photogenic spots on campus. Recreate the scene if you can — it photographs beautifully.

🧭 How to go: Enter the Activity Center >> from the lowest floor, go up one level >> turn right

Stop 4: Tranquility Lake 🌊

The iconic lake where Shan Cai and Qing He ate their lunch and where Dao Ming Si spotted them — this is Tranquility Lake.

🧭 How to go: From the Activity Center, walk towards the outdoor area where you will immediately see the lake

The lake sits near the Activity Center and is one of the most serene spots on the entire campus. Surrounded by trees and open sky, it's easy to see why it was chosen as a filming location for quieter, more contemplative scenes. Sit by the water for a moment. This is a good spot to process the fact that you are literally standing where they filmed Meteor Garden.

⚠️ Note: Bring some insect repellant especially for sand mites/nik-nik since these areas are very grassy and full of plants which may house a ton of insects!

Stop 5: Sancai and Dao Ming Si's Corner 💛

The outdoor spot where Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si shared some of their most memorable exchanges — the corner of the campus where their dynamic shifted from antagonism to something softer. You'll recognize it when you see it — the framing, the light, the surrounding campus architecture all match what you remember from the screen.

🧭 How to go: Inside the Activity Center >> head up the grand staircase on the second floor >> turn right >> at the end of the hallway you will see the spot!

Stop 6: Admin Building

The Admin Building is open but might have restricted access if you don't have an official business in the university. Best spot is to just take a photo in front of the building where Hua Tze Lei and Shan Cai met.

🧭 How to go: From the Activity Center, walk along Chung Cheng Boulevard >> you will see the Admin Building on the right

Stop 7: The Graduation Spot — University Square 🎓

The University Square at National Chung Cheng University is where the first episode of Meteor Garden Season 2 was filmed — the graduation scene.

This wide open plaza is one of the most visually striking parts of the campus. Standing in the middle of it, surrounded by the university's architecture on all sides, is a genuinely moving experience for anyone who watched F4 walk across it in their graduation robes. This is a good spot for a group photo if you've come with friends.

🧭 How to go: Walk along Chung Cheng Boulevard >> the University Square can be found towards the end of the road

Stop 8: The Auditorium 🎭

The auditorium was used for several significant school events in the show — performances, assemblies, and scenes that required a grander indoor setting than the classrooms. The building is part of the active campus so access to the interior may vary, but the exterior and surrounding area are worth visiting.

🧭 How to go: Facing the University Square (assuming you cam from the Admin Building) >> turn right and walk towards the end of the path

Stop 9: Locker Number 150 — Sancai's Locker 🔐

Locker number 150 — Shan Cai's locker — is a real place you can visit.

This is the one that gets most fans emotional. The locker that symbolized so much of Shan Cai's story — the notes, the threats, the red cards — is still there on campus. Find it, touch it, and take your photo. It's a small, quiet moment but it hits hard.

🧭 How to go: From the Auditorium, just go straight >> you will pass by the University Square again >> continue walking towards the end until you see the Main Library Building (photo above)

Once inside the library: Go down the staircase on the right towards the basement. From the staircase, turn left and you'll immediately see the lockers!

Map of National Chung Cheng University with the Photo Spots

I added the pin numbers based on this guide so you will know exactly where each spot is! Feel free to save this!

1. Entrance / Bus Stop
2. The Grand Staircase
3. The Bridge by the River
4. Tranquility Lake
5. Shan Cai & Dao Ming Si's Corner
6. Admin Building
7. University Square
8. The Auditorium
9. Shan Cai's Locker (Library Basement)

Practical Tips Before You Go 📋

• 🌡️ Chiayi is hot. It's in southern Taiwan and the campus has open grounds with limited shade in some areas. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle — especially if you're visiting between May and September. There are vending machines in the campus and a cafe where students hangout but is open to guests.
• 🎟️ Entrance is free. The campus is open to the public with no admission charge.
• 🗺️ Use Google Maps. Search "National Chung Cheng University" for accurate directions from Chiayi TRA or HSR stations. The campus is large so having a map open helps you navigate between filming spots efficiently.
• 📸 Bring your camera. The campus is genuinely beautiful — green, spacious, and well-maintained. Even beyond the Meteor Garden spots, it's worth photographing.
• ⏰ Time your bus. Bus 106 runs every 4 hours from both Chiayi TRA and HSR stations. Missing the bus means a significant wait — plan your arrival and departure around the schedule. With Google Maps, you can always find alternative buses heading towards the Chiayi HSR or TRA.
• 🚕 Uber/taxi as backup. If you miss the bus or prefer more flexibility, Uber and taxis are available from Chiayi stations to NCCU. Taxi fare ranges approximately NT$600–650 from Chiayi station to NCCU.

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Is National Chung Cheng University the Ying De University in Meteor Garden? Yes — National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi served as the main filming location for the fictional Ying De University in Meteor Garden 2001.

Is entry to NCCU free for visitors? Yes. The campus is open to visitors and there is no guard stopping anyone from entering. No admission fee.

How long should I spend at NCCU? Plan for 2–3 hours to cover all the major Meteor Garden filming spots at a comfortable pace.

What bus goes from Chiayi to NCCU? Bus 106 runs directly from both Chiayi TRA Station and Chiayi HSR Station to National Chung Cheng University. From TRA Station the ride takes about 47 minutes; from HSR Station it takes about 63 minutes. There are other bus options depending on your arrival time so bnest to download Google Maps for real time directions.

Can I get to NCCU from Kaohsiung without going to Taipei first? Yes — take the TRA from Kaohsiung Main Station to Chiayi TRA Station (approximately 1 hour on express service), then Board Bus 106 directly to NCCU. No need to go to Taipei.

Is there a Meteor Garden tour available on Klook? Yes — a Meteor Garden Sightseeing Tour on Klook covers filming locations in Taipei and Chiayi including National Chung Cheng University. Use promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off. Travel

Can I book a private tour instead? Yes — message the recommended travel provider at bit.ly/TravelTours_Taiwanand mention promo code HEYIANC for a discount.

What should I bring to NCCU? Water, sunscreen, a hat, and a fully charged phone for photos. Wear comfortable walking shoes — the campus is large and you'll be on your feet for 2–3 hours.

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Hope this helps! More travels soon!