Shanshan’s Family Travel Diary: Rent a car from Taoyuan HSR Station and enjoy two days and one night of fun at family-friendly attractions in Taoyuan!

Recently, I received a private message from a traveler from Kaohsiung sharing their trip to Taoyuan, and I resonated with it so much that I couldn’t help but share it with everyone! They rented a car in Taoyuan and explored the most kid-friendly attractions. I think their itinerary is a great reference for families with children. Below, I’ll share their travel experience in the first person~

I’m Shanshan, a 30-year-old full-time mom from Kaohsiung, raising my one and only child. Not long ago, my husband suddenly said he wanted to take some personal leave and take our son Junjun and me on a trip up north. Since Junjun is only four years old, we felt he was still too young for international travel. Plus, there’s been a flu outbreak in Japan lately, and we were worried he might catch something.

Two-Day, One-Night Family Trip Starting with a Rental Car from Taoyuan HSR Station

My husband said he wanted to take Junjun to Taoyuan, and I thought, “What’s there to do in Taoyuan?” It sounded a bit unfamiliar, but it seemed like there were fun places around the HSR station, and a two-day trip should be just right. He said he wanted to visit Xpark Aquarium, and I asked him, “What’s so special about that small aquarium? Isn’t the National Museum of Marine Biology in Pingtung much bigger?” We had visited it once before Junjun was born.

My husband specifically said he mainly wanted to see the baby penguin named Tomorin. I know he’s really into an anime—some band-themed one called MyGO. He told me the penguin’s name was given by fans of the anime, and he wanted to bring some merch along and make a little pilgrimage 🤣🤣🤣. He said a lot of MyGO fans on Bahamut go to see it too.

I thought, “Alright, even though I don’t really get it 🤦‍♀️,” but taking Junjun to see some penguins sounded pretty nice too. 😂 Personally, I’m more interested in cultural spots and good food. Aside from Xpark, there are also great family-friendly places for Junjun like the Taoyuan Children’s Art Center, Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center, and Yangrong Leisure Farm. For this trip, we focused on attractions that Junjun could also enjoy, and two days felt more than enough to cover everything.

There’s a GoodCars rental service location right near Taoyuan HSR Station, which is super convenient for families like us traveling with a child.
As soon as we stepped out of the HSR station, we could pick up the car right away—no need to haul our luggage around or transfer to other transportation. The car delivery to the station and self-service return features were also very thoughtful, saving both time and effort.

A self-driving trip is really perfect for family travel—especially for families like ours with lots of luggage and a need to follow a child’s schedule. We didn’t have to worry about public transportation timetables and could flexibly plan our stops along the way.

When we were planning the trip, my husband said he’s always used to renting a car when traveling. He thinks owning a car is too expensive, and since his office is close to home, he usually just rides a scooter. Renting makes it easier to get to attractions or find good places to eat.

---

Day 1 Itinerary Plan

We departed from Zuoying HSR Station at 8:35 AM and arrived at Taoyuan HSR Station around 10:09. From Exit A18, it was about an 8-minute walk to Xpark Aquarium, just in time for the first entry slot at 10 AM. Since it was a weekday, there were fewer crowds—people online often say there are more people than fish, but we managed to avoid the rush 😅.

We finished exploring Xpark around 12:00 PM and planned to have lunch at Gloria Outlets, the nearby shopping complex.

First Stop: Xpark Aquarium

Address: No. 105, Chunde Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City
Transportation: About an 8-minute walk from Exit A18 of Taoyuan HSR Station

Here are the on-site ticket prices for Xpark, just for your reference~

The aquarium isn’t very large, but it’s beautifully designed and very comfortable. It mainly features exhibits of jellyfish and penguins. The jellyfish displays are stunning and create a really romantic atmosphere. Besides being great for family trips, it’s actually a perfect spot for a date too.💕🪼🐧

The jellyfish displays are truly breathtaking.🪼🪼🪼🪼💕❤️

Car Rental Experience at Taoyuan HSR Station

Next,
we rented a car at Taoyuan HSR Station and began our self-driving journey right after leaving the station.
My husband said he’s used to choosing GoodCars for rentals since they offer both unmanned service and staff-assisted car delivery, which makes things more convenient.
We’ll also share the rental process with everyone at the end!
It’s seriously super convenient!!!! No need to wait around for buses for ages when you're on a trip.
With the July heat being so intense, I was really worried Junjun might get heatstroke @@

After lunch, we successfully picked up our car at the GoodCars self-service station at Taoyuan HSR Station. My husband said he’s been used to using GoodCars for rentals for a while now.
We’ll be sharing the full rental process with everyone at the end!
Not only can you book online in advance, but there’s also a semi-self-service option—no need to interact with anyone at all. As someone with social anxiety, I found it incredibly friendly and comforting 🥹.

As long as you complete your reservation in advance on the GoodCars website, you can follow the on-site instructions to pick up your car—no delays to your schedule at all. Plus, you won’t have to wait outside in the heat with your child for a bus. It’s super convenient and thoughtful!>>You can refer to this link for information on child safety seat regulations.

It’s only NT$100 for one day—if you’re traveling with kids, don’t forget to add this service!

Second Stop: Taoyuan Children's Art Center

Address: No. 90, Section 2, Gaotie South Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City

Ticket Information

It takes only about 7 minutes to drive from the GoodCars rental location at Taoyuan HSR Station.Walking would take around 20 minutes, but considering that our 4-year-old Junjun doesn’t have much stamina, we decided driving would be the more relaxed option.
Junjun is already too big for a stroller, but still can’t walk long distances 🥲—having a car really makes a huge difference in situations like this.🥹🥹🥹

---

Bringing Junjun to this art museum truly felt healing. The whole space was spacious and comfortable, and the exhibitions were thoughtfully curated—not only offering depth for adults to appreciate, but also incorporating many details designed to help children easily understand and engage.
What impressed me the most was how delicately the museum cared for children. It wasn’t just about setting up a kids' area—instead, from the exhibition layout and explanatory texts to the interactive features, you could really feel a gentle understanding of children. They didn’t underestimate kids’ ability to comprehend, nor did they rely on overstimulation to grab attention. Instead, they used a gentle and respectful approach to guide children into the world of art.
Although there weren’t a ton of themed exhibits, the atmosphere was calm and relaxing—so much so that even usually energetic kids could slow down, walk around quietly, and truly enjoy the artistic experience.
The biggest surprise was the family library on the third floor. It’s the perfect cozy spot for parents and kids to curl up and read together. Junjun didn’t even want to leave when he saw it (haha)! I highly recommend this place to families looking for somewhere to spend quality time together—it’s absolutely worth a visit!

The entire facility is super friendly and comfortable—highly recommended! 🥰
After walking around for a while, Junjun ended up falling asleep—he had gotten a bit too excited earlier and used up all his energy.
We figured we’d let him nap before heading to dinner, but he ended up sleeping past 5 PM.
After having dinner at a nearby hot pot restaurant, we headed back to the guesthouse to check in.
My husband was so happy to see Tomorin today XDDD It was hilarious—how is this man still like a kid at his age? 😂
Junjun said he actually likes seals more than penguins 👶❤️🦭

---

Day 2 Itinerary Plan

Third Stop: Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center

Address: No. 100, Daren Road, Dayuan District, Taoyuan City
At 10:00, after finishing breakfast, we drove to Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center. This is also a public attraction, and the ticket price is very affordable. They even offer free stroller rentals, making it a perfect spot for a family outing! This is also one of the unique attractions located close to Taoyuan HSR Station!

Ticket Information

So Junjun gets free admission~ 😙❤️

If you’re someone who’s interested in calligraphy, you’ll definitely fall in love with this museum! The entire space is full of charm—it feels like stepping into a serene world of art.
When we visited, we noticed that most of the visitors were couples or middle-aged spouses, with relatively few families with children. That’s understandable though, since the exhibition mainly features static calligraphy works, which might not be as engaging for kids.
But what really surprised me was that the museum had specifically set up a more family-friendly exhibition area in the basement. The content there was much more lively and engaging, making it suitable for kids to participate in. For example, children could explore the beauty of calligraphy through interactive mini activities and visual guidance. This kind of gentle introduction is truly wonderful! I highly recommend it to parents who want to give their kids an initial taste of calligraphy culture without worrying it’ll be too serious or boring.
I personally love this kind of stylish, artsy architecture, and I really enjoy calligraphy artworks too. This was my favorite spot of the entire Taoyuan trip—totally my personal favorite!
Spending about an hour and a half to two hours here is just about right.
By the time we finished exploring, it was already noon again.
There are quite a few good food options near Taoyuan HSR Station, so we went to a nearby brunch spot for lunch—it was pretty nice~

But I feel like the food in the north is definitely much more expensive than in the south 😫😫😫.
After lunch, it was around 2 PM, and we headed to our final destination~ 🚗

Fourth Stop: Yangrong Leisure Farm

Address: No. 2, Section 2, Huaxing Road, Dayuan District, Taoyuan City
Ticket Information:
On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), NT$100 per person.

The entrance fee can be fully redeemed for purchases within the farm! Whether it's buying agricultural products or renting a fishing rod for the kids to catch goldfish, you can use it for both!
In addition, each ticket can be exchanged for a bundle of hay, allowing the kids to experience feeding the animals. It’s really fun and perfect for families to enjoy together and let the kids burn off some energy!
Please note that the farm only accepts group bookings on weekdays, so it’s open to general visitors only on weekends. Make sure to plan accordingly!

This is truly a great place for the whole family to burn off some energy! The farm offers activities like fishing, shrimp catching, and clam digging. The kids had a blast, and parents can join in too, making it a wonderful time for family interaction.
The food was also impressive! The owner recommended that we order as soon as we entered the park, and we could even choose a specific delivery time for the meal—such a thoughtful touch! We didn’t have to worry about long lines during busy times and could enjoy our meal at a relaxed pace. There are also plenty of snacks in the park, like passion fruit slushies, chicken nuggets, fries, and tempura. The weather was too hot that day, so we got the slushies to cool down and let Junjun snack on some sticky rice corn. He was satisfied and happy~
The outdoor facilities are very practical, with a simple washing area to clean hands and feet, so you don’t have to worry about getting dirty after playing in the mud. However, since the environment is more natural, mosquitoes and insects are inevitable, so it’s recommended to take proper mosquito protection measures. Also, the path to the animal area is a dirt road, which can be a bit hard to walk on, but it gives the kids a chance to experience the most authentic farm atmosphere.
Lastly, I absolutely have to recommend their roasted sweet potatoes! They’re fragrant, sweet, and creamy—such a delicious surprise on our trip. I highly recommend coming here with the whole family to stroll around, play, and enjoy some quality time together in nature, slowing down and soaking it all in ❤️.
After finishing our visit to the farm, it was about time to return the car at Taoyuan HSR Station and get ready to head back to Kaohsiung~
Junjun really had an amazing time this trip! I didn’t expect Taoyuan to have so many attractions for kids to enjoy 😇👍. In the future, we’ll probably plan more visits to farm-type attractions for the kids. It’s a much better way for them to play, instead of just spending time on their phones, which isn’t great for their development.
Finally, we returned the car at the GoodCars rental location at Taoyuan HSR Station and took the HSR back to Zuoying HSR Station.

---

Here’s an introduction to the self-service car rental process at the HSR statio

Let me recommend the car rental process that made our trip so smooth.
You can refer to the car rental process on the GoodCars website~
It’s really simple, and you don’t even need to register as a member!

After watching this video, everyone should understand.
But I'll still provide a quick text summary for everyone.

1.Choose the pick-up and drop-off location.

What’s a bit different is that the rental location we chose this time is at Taoyuan HSR Station , where the car rental process is a semi-self-service model.
All the rental locations at HSR stations currently operate this way.
I double-checked.
Taoyuan HSR Station
Hsinchu HSR Station
Taichung HSR Station
Chiayi HSR Station
Tainan HSR Station
Zuoying HSR Station
You can rent a car at all HSR stations.

2.Select the pick-up and drop-off date and time.

3.Choose the car type (5-seater / 7-9 seater).

Click to reserve the car.

4.Choose the car model.

5.Select additional items for purchase.

6.Confirm the order details and fill in the required information.

7.Under the signature section, click to upload your identification documents.

Remember to fill it in (though you can still submit the order without filling it out, and provide the information later).

8.Confirm the order.

After submitting the order, the staff will contact you immediately. Don’t worry if you have any questions.
Most importantly!Don’t forget to add their official Line account.

9.Pick up the car.

After the staff guides you through the confirmation and payment process, etc.
Then, you can get ready to pick up the car~

GoodCars' self-service car rental at HSR stations is all about "car delivery to the station" and "self-service car return."
This means their staff will deliver the car to your reserved HSR station before your rental time. You can refer to this image for the required processes and documents.

Next are the pick-up and return instructions. It’s actually pretty simple, but remember—do not lock the car when returning it!!! 😂😂😂 It will cause a lot of trouble for them.